Carter Pierce is a man who believes in signs. He just doesn't know what to do with this one.

In the small town of Blue Moon Bend, where everybody is a matchmaker, Carter wants to be left alone to tend the family farm. After returning from Afghanistan with scars, his only goal is recovery. He doesn't need any distractions, and definitely not one with silver-blonde hair and lips that beg to be kissed.

Summer Lentz is a journalist from the city sent to interview Carter and his family. She's out of place in the small town, with her designer wardrobe and workaholic lifestyle. She asks too many questions and doesn't take no for an answer, threatening to destroy the peace and balance that Carter has been working towards. She thwarts every attempt Carter makes to retreat back inside himself, somehow bringing him closer to being whole again.

Summer has secrets of her own, but she never planned to open up to anyone - let alone the scowling, secretive farm owner whose story she's after. But as she gets drawn into the community, she starts to realize that she can't stay closed off forever.

And what's more, she doesn't want to.

As Carter and Summer grow closer, will they be able to push past the secrets that are holding both of them back?

* * *

Summer watched him go, a frown on her pretty face. Carter wandered her way.

“There you are!” Summer said with relief. “I was worried you got bored and wandered off, or Katherine stole you away.”

“She didn’t catch on to our top secret relationship, did she?” Carter asked, stepping in closer.

“No, I think we’re in the clear for now.” Summer glanced over her shoulder.

“That was a nice save back there with Mary Beth, by the way,” he told her.

“Thanks. Usually Katherine’s assistant stays with her to help with names, but who knows where she disappeared to.”

“I was almost enjoying Katherine squirming after she made me feel like a piece of meat.”

“How dare she do that to a hot vegetarian,” Summer said in mock horror.

“Well, you were very impressive and quick on your feet. I hope she appreciates you.” Carter had a feeling she didn’t.

“I hope you’ll keep being impressed when I tell you the bad news.”

“Does it involve extending the time between now and when I get to peel that dress off of you to see what you’re wearing underneath?”

She bit her lip and nodded. “It’s your own fault. If you hadn’t impressed Katherine with your ‘whole package,’” she waved her palm in front of him. “Then we’d be able to sneak out before the show.”

“What does my package have to do with not being able to sneak out?” His package was currently straining behind his zipper at the idea of stripping Summer naked.

“She wants us — mainly you — to sit in the front row with her.”

“I can tell by the look on your face that this is important, but I’m not exactly clear on why.”

Summer laughed. “The front row is VIP-only. Usually at these events I don’t even get to sit. I stand in the back. You and your sexy-as-hell-everything just bumped a buyer for Saks and a Tony-nominee.”

“I feel like you’re still not speaking English.”

“Have you ever watched the Victoria’s Secret runway show?”

What red-blooded man hadn’t? “I think I’ve seen bits and pieces of it.”

“You’ll be one of the people in the front row that the cameras are constantly panning over.”

Carter swore. “This isn’t going to be on TV, is it?”

Summer patted his shoulder. “No, but there will be photographers and videographers capturing your handsome face.”

“I should have just waited for you at your place,” he grumbled.

“But if you were waiting for me at home, you wouldn’t know that the only thing I have on under this dress is a very pretty, very sheer thong.”

He made a move to grab her, but she danced out of his reach and around another column.

He snagged her wrist and pulled her back against him in the dimly lit corner, the brick blocking them from the rest of the room. “You play dangerous games and think you’re safe because we’re in public.”

She was breathing heavily. Her breasts rose, her lips parted.

He nuzzled against her neck. “You know what I could do to you here?”

She shook her head and angled her chin up, giving him more skin to tease.

“I could push you against this pillar.” He nudged her forward until her hands met coarse brick. He kissed her behind the ear. “And I could slide my hand up your dress.”

He gripped her shoulder and held her in place while his free hand roamed down between their bodies under the hem of her skirt.

“Carter!” A sharp whisper. A warning.

He skimmed his fingers down the gauzy material, following it from back to front. “I could slam my fingers into you right here.” He pressed the pads of his fingers against the wet spot they found. “I could make you come.”

“Carter.” This time his name was a dark plea on her lips...