It started small ù threatening phone calls, nothing else, at first. Till someone tampered with brakes on her car, and when that didn't work, they tried to run her down as she left the office at night.

Tamara was a woman in trouble.

She was also heiress to a huge chain of department stores. Her friends and family agreed that she needed to get out of San Antonio, out of Texas ù out of harm's way. But Tamara was a fighter. Instead of running, she insisted on standing her ground and facing her adversary.

With nowhere else to turn, Tamara's uncle called in Rane Masters, a neighbor and family friend. Rane had experience dealing with the criminal element. His plan would guarantee Tamara's safety.

Tamara didn't take kindly to being kidnapped ù even when her captor was a tall, lean rancher with only her best interests at heart. Despite the fact that her pulse raced whenever Rane was near, she wanted her freedom. She didn't want to notice his sun-bronzed skin and rugged features. She didn't want to be affected by the sound of his sexy drawl.

The last thing Rane Masters needed was to fall in love with Tamara. He wished she wasn't so beautiful and alluring. He wished she would begin to trust him. But wishing wouldn't soften the determined look in her caramel colored eyes. He would have to resist his increasing fascination with his lovely captive ù though in his heart he longed to hold her forever.