He was struck dumb by her brilliant blue eyes. Eyes that could drag a man out of the darkest hole and into the light.

He liked confidence in a woman. And intelligence. And apparently he liked sass, all wrapped up in a straight-laced, tight-lipped bodyguard.

She looked at his outstretched hand, seeing it for what it was. A challenge. An invitation. A promise. They could never be just a "fling." A fling was something you didn't put your heart into.

That voice inside his head telling him he’d failed Bria when she needed him most was getting louder every day, but he refused to listen. That wouldn’t help. He never looked back. He couldn’t look back, could only do what he always did: fight his way forward, fight for his future…their future.

He reached for her hand. She jerked her head up, eyes wide. “Stay,” he repeated. “I could use the company.” She hesitated. A rueful smile pulled at his lips. “I promise I won’t try to kiss you again…tonight.