I’d walked out of work early, without telling a soul, jeopardizing both my credibility and career. Sure, it was only one hour, my bosses were understanding, and I could easily make up the time, but I’d never acted so irresponsibly in my life. 

Never…except that one other time. 

But that was the effect of Zane light-my-panties-on-fire Wilder. 

I knew it was a risk to walk into the Bear Claw. I knew it, yet I did it anyway. In my panic to find Lydia, my feet had foolishly carried me right into the path of the one man who’d single-handedly ruined my desire for all other men. 

Why did he have to be so attractive? 

It didn’t matter that he wasn’t my type or that his man-whore reputation kind of disgusted me, whenever he was around, I forgot all the reasons he and I were a terrible idea. All it took was a glimpse of his broad shoulders, dazzling smile, and confident swagger, and I was a puddle of hormones, writhing on the floor. 

But the worst part? I knew what I was missing because I’d already had a taste. 

It happened a year ago, not long after I’d lost my mother. It might have been the grief, or my best friend’s push to party and get drunk. Or maybe it was just the lure of the irresistible man paying attention to me. Whatever the reason, I’d ended the night with my hands up his shirt, admiring the solid cut of his bare abs, while exploring his mouth with mine. 

I wasn’t even that intoxicated. Tipsy, yes. But still, I knew what I was doing and could have stopped it. I just didn’t want to. Heck, I was the one who’d started it. 

And it wasn’t just because he was insanely gorgeous and I was a desperate mess, either. No. It was because I liked him. Because when he found me crying alone on the back porch, he hadn’t been a jerk about it. He could have ignored me, walked away, or told me to cheer up—we were at a party, after all. But he didn’t. With one look, he understood the thing I needed most was comfort. A shoulder to cry on. 

He’d given me exactly that; hugging my chilled body next to his and listening for hours while I poured out all my heartache. When I snuggled closer, he held me tighter. And when I kissed him, he consoled me with his wicked tongue. 

He was a rock. I leaned on him. 

And it felt so damn good.