A marriage of convenience between a boss and his former secretary leads to passion and healing in this romance from a New York Times–bestselling author.

"What would you say to marrying me?"

The proposal is as unexpected as her feelings for the man whose dark good looks rival an even darker past. Painful experience screamed that Taylor Reid should run far and fast from her former boss Jackson Santorini. But keeping custody of her brother means becoming Jackson's bride—and giving him a baby.

Despite his powerful size and presence, Jackson has been wounded—deeply—by a woman. Yet he protects Taylor at a personal cost, if his restrained ardor in deference to her virginal apprehension is one indication. Suddenly, for Jackson's sake, Taylor wants to replace pain with pleasure. Only, she never imagines what sensations—and secrets—she would awaken.