Forbidden love is the sweetest temptation... Elise Vickerson waited a long time to gather the courage to flee her abusive marriage. To stay beyond his reach permanently, though, will take money. Getting it will take months of backbreaking labor to resurrect then sell her inherited Wyoming ranch. With her future hanging in the balance, and her bruises still fresh, Elise will never again play doormat for any man. Except a cowboy from the neighboring spread has a way of firing her imagination--and her temper. The news of Elise's arrival sends Cody Campbell tearing through his files for the proof that the Vickerson ranch belongs to him. He'll have to cool his boot heels until his father returns with the papers, but at least the view is fine--the beautiful, prickly Elise ignites a desire that's hard to resist. Elise tries her best to ignore her handsome neighbor, but his kisses, his arms make her feel something she hasn't felt in a long time. Safe. As long as the specter of her past lurks in every shadow, though, security--and any hope for a future with Cody--can never be hers. Warning: This book contains a feisty woman on the run, a tough-as-nails cowboy who wants to wrangle her, and a villain who won't give up.