Claire swam out of the darkness and blinked against bright lights. She could hear beeping monitors and soft movements, but it was too quiet, far too quiet. The back of her head throbbed. Everything felt hazy, tight, uncomfortable, wrong.

She squinted against the brightness, and a face swam into her vision. An extremely handsome face with startling blue eyes, smooth skin, and gray hair that didn’t fit on a face so young. A smile broke over the man’s face as she stared at him.

“Claire! You’re awake. The doctors checked you out and said you were fine, but we’ve just been waiting and waiting for you to wake up.” He turned his head and hollered, “Knox, she’s awake!”

Claire winced. “Ouch.”

He swung back to look at her. “Sorry. Too loud. I’m just so happy. You scared us.”

Claire tried to smile to reassure him. He looked so concerned, and so, well, cute wasn’t the right word because he was too manly for cute, but he looked really good—like she was his world and he would do anything to protect her.

Another man with dark hair and eyes came into view. He was every bit as good-looking as the blue-eyed guy, but he didn’t draw Claire in. He came across as far too serious and intimidating.

“Hey, Claire.” He sort of grumbled.

“Hi,” she whispered back. Who were these men? They seemed to know her, but she had no clue who they were. It was making her throat feel tight and her head hurt. Actually, her head had hurt from the instant she tried to open her eyes, so maybe it wasn’t these guys’ fault, but she hated feeling a step behind.

“Go get the nurse,” the gray-haired guy said.

The second guy nodded. “Got it.” And he was gone.

The gray-haired guy smiled broadly at her. “Ema wanted to come too as soon as she heard about the accident, but she didn’t want to drag Shelby into the hospital. She’ll come see you as soon as Aunt Genny gets home to be with Shelby. Aunt Genny was getting her hair done.” He pushed a hand through his fabulous hair. Who had gray hair like that? It was sexy. Like Richard Gere in Pretty Woman. Oh, she loved that show. How could she remember that show and who she was but couldn’t remember these handsome men who obviously knew her? None of the other names he was ticking off like they were her best friends rang a bell at all.

“Sorry, I’m rattling on. That’s not like me, and your head probably hurts, but Claire, you scared me.”

“What happened?” she whispered, not wanting to tell him just yet that she had absolutely no clue who he was.

He winced and looked down at the sheet covering her. “You were in an accident. A car almost hit you, and I tackled you. I’m sorry, Claire. You know I would never hurt you, but I’m just so much bigger than you. You hit your head really hard.”

Claire wanted to reassure him. She reached up and touched his arm, sparks seemed to shoot through her fingertips as they touched the firm skin of his arm. She pulled her hand back. The man looked at his arm then back at her.

“It sounds like you’re my hero,” she whispered.

He shook his head quickly. “No. The car would’ve stopped in time. I reacted wrong.” He grimaced. “I’ve never reacted wrong before. It’s just …” His eyes swept over her. “I couldn’t handle something happening to you.”

Claire swallowed and asked, “Why?”

His brow squiggled. “Why?”

“Why do you care so much about me?” Maybe if she figured out their relationship, she could remember who she was.

“Because …” He shook his head and looked away. “I’d do about anything for you, Claire.” He glanced back, and a slow grin surfaced that made her stomach erupt in butterflies. “I kind of have a huge crush on you.”

“Kind of?” She couldn’t resist returning the smile and flirting a little bit. Though she hated feeling out of her element and not knowing who anyone was, she was definitely drawn to this buff, hot guy.

His smile grew deeper. “Okay, it’s a little more than kind of.”

Claire wanted to tell him she returned the feeling. She was obviously into him, but she felt she had to admit something first. “I don’t know who you are.”

His eyes widened, and he leaned back. “You don’t?”

She shook her head, suddenly very afraid. At least, she wasn’t alone. Confidence and protectiveness radiated off of this man. He would take care of her. That was the only thing she was certain of at the moment.

“Can you remember the accident?”

She shook her head again.

“What do you remember?” He leaned closer and she could smell a musky scent that was tantalizing.

She pursed her lips and tried to ignore his smell and focus. “I remember.” She closed her eyes and thought. “An office. I have an office with lots of windows. I spend most of my time there. And my clients are …” Shoot, who were her clients? What did she do in that office? “They’re important, wealthy. But I’m not sure what I do for them.”

“Did you recognize Knox?”

She shook her head.

“He’s a football player for the Texas Titans. He’s been your client for almost three years now.”

That made sense. “Okay. So I’m a sports agent?” That fit. That felt right. She’d always loved sports, especially football.

“Yes. Do you remember your family? Your little sister?”

She closed her eyes again and could picture a small apartment and lots and lots of yelling. She could see her parents and a little sister who she felt fiercely protective of. “I have a mom and dad and a sister?” she asked. “Hazel’s my sister. She’s adorable.”

The guy nodded. “I’ve never met your parents, but Hazel is always with you.”

At least she remembered something. “Hazel got married.” She could see the wedding. It was beautiful. Her sister was gorgeous, and Claire had given Hazel away. Neither of them had any contact with their parents since finally being removed from the home as late teens.

“She’s been married for a few years,” the gray-haired guy said. “She had a baby about six months ago.”

“What?” The bed was reclined partially, and Claire sat up all the way at that news. How could that happen? Hazel had barely gotten married. More memories rushed back. Peyton! Peyton had proposed to her at Hazel’s wedding, and she’d said yes. Glancing quickly at her ring finger, she wondered where the ring was. Then she felt a rush of guilt because it felt so nice to not have the ring there. Why was she flirting with the hot gray-haired guy, who claimed to have a huge crush on her, if she was engaged to Peyton?

The man’s face looked really concerned. He pushed the button on the bed to lift it up more and support her in her upright position.

“Thanks,” she murmured. “So maybe I’ve lost a few years of memory?” Her throat felt tight, and her stomach rolled. “Will it come back?”

“I’m sure it will.” The guy smiled reassuringly, but what did he know. He wasn’t a doctor. Or was he?

“What’s your name?” she asked, hoping to flesh out something more. The dull pain in the back of her head was lessening, but a tension headache was taking over. She hated being out of control. Her childhood had been out of control as her parents would flip out and beat her or Hazel for no reason. Then they would shower them with gifts and kindness for a while. She’d spent a lot of years and effort rising above that life and trying to forgive her parents.

“Brig.” He answered.

Brig. She liked that name.

“And how are we …?” She didn’t know how to finish that question. She was attracted to him. He was here with her, taking care of her. Three years was a long time. Did she and Peyton break up? Could she possibly have a boyfriend or husband that she didn’t know? She checked once more, but yes, her ring finger was empty. She swallowed down the acid climbing her throat.

A nurse rushed into the room. She had gorgeous black, curly hair and a big smile on her pretty face. “Look at our Miss Claire all with it and awake. How are you feeling, sunshine?”

Claire forced a smile. “Okay. A little confused.”

“She doesn’t remember the accident … or me. She remembers her sister and her work.” Brig told the nurse.

The nurse’s dark eyes widened. “You don’t remember this handsome guy?”

Claire bit at her lip and shook her head. “Should I?”

“Well if I had a fiancé this hot, I’d remember him.”

Claire’s stomach swooped, and all the warmth she’d felt when she’d touched his arm rushed over her. She was engaged to Brig? Good choice, sister. She smiled, but then it fell away. Why couldn’t she remember him, and what had happened with her and Peyton? She’d never felt one thousandth of the connection to Peyton that she’d felt in the last few minutes with this Brig guy who she couldn’t even remember. Peyton was a great guy who had spoiled her nonstop with devotion in every form of the five love languages. He’d taken Chapman’s book a little too seriously. Yes, she’d felt smothered and wished for a way out of the engagement, but she couldn’t stand to think she’d hurt Peyton. He would’ve never left her willingly. That much she knew.

Brig opened his mouth, but the nurse kept talking, “We’ll get the doc in here to talk to you about temporary amnesia, but I’m sure you’re gonna be just fine, sweetie. All the tests they ran checked out. You have no swelling or anything. I’ve seen this before and the amnesia clears up sooner or later. You’ll be right as rain soon.” She smiled. “Do you feel up to getting on your feet and walking around? If you’re feeling good, I bet the doc will release you into this handsome guy’s care. Someone needs to stay with you, and I’d definitely pick him.” She winked at Brig. “As concerned as he’s been about you, I’m sure he’d take right good care of his sweet girl and all your memories of good times with this guy will come back soon.”

Claire’s head was feeling pretty clear. She wanted to do everything she could to get out of the hospital, so she would definitely stand up and talk to the doctor.

Brig didn’t say anything. As she met his gaze, his blue eyes looked darker than she remembered. She wasn’t sure if Brig was really her fiancé. She wasn’t sure who she was, but she could definitely remember that she hated hospitals and didn’t want to be in one. That made her think of Peyton again. Peyton and hospitals brought dark feelings. Why?

Brig watched her closely as the nurse helped her stand. Thankfully, she was in a silky shirt and tight skirt, not some hospital gown. Maybe they kept her clothes on because it was just the brain injury? Whatever the reason, having her own clothes on made her feel like she still had a piece of herself, even if she couldn’t remember putting them on this morning.

The other guy, Knox, who was apparently also her client, came back into the room. He didn’t say anything, and he didn’t smile.

“I need to use the restroom,” Claire whispered to the bubbly nurse.

“Excuse us, boys. We’ll be right back,” the nurse said all sassy. Claire liked her.

Claire felt pretty good physically as they walked to the bathroom. If only she wasn’t such a mess mentally. She glanced back at the men and saw Brig’s expression was filled with concern. That beautiful man was her fiancé? Why couldn’t she remember him, and what had happened with her and Peyton? Hopefully, the doc would have some good news and ways for her to get her memory back because this was miles past disturbing.

Brig tugged Knox into the corner of the room. “She thinks I’m her fiancé,” he whispered roughly.

Knox’s head whipped up, and he pinned Brig with his very serious, very beastly-looking expression. In fact, they called him the Beast on the football field. Sometimes, it fit in real life. Less now that he had Ema and she had smoothed out his rough edges. Knox and Brig were friends, but Knox was still Brig’s boss and one of the only people who could intimidate him. Despite the fact that Brig had been Knox’s superior in the Army.

“Why would she think that?”

Brig dropped his glance. “I told the paramedics I was her fiancé so they would let me go in the ambulance with her.”

Knox merely grunted.

“I need to tell her.”

Knox stroked his beard and finally muttered, “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“She doesn’t have much family. She doesn’t talk about it, but Hazel’s alluded to”—he swallowed—“abusive parents. Hazel’s baby is a handful, and her husband travels for work. Not much help there. Maybe we should let them think you’re her fiancé.”

Brig started to protest, but Knox held up a hand. “Otherwise the hospital won’t release her to us. You tell her the truth when we get home.”

Brig didn’t like it … at all. Well, okay, he liked it a little bit. He craved Claire like he’d never craved a woman, but she always turned him down or found ways to change the subject quickly when he asked her out. This might be his chance to get to know her, to get her to see him. He shook his head. This was wrong. She was injured.

“She’ll hate me,” Brig muttered.

Knox raised an eyebrow. “Might be your chance to date her.”

“If she doesn’t want to date me, I’m not going to trick her into it.”

Knox studied him. “Do you know why she won’t date you?”

Brig had been successful in high school and college, had risen quickly in the ranks in the military, and now had a fabulous job as the head of Knox’s security making a solid six-figure income with no living expenses. Yet somehow, he felt like a complete loser at the moment. “I’m not her type?” he muttered.

“Her fiancé was a cop. Killed in the line of duty three years ago.” Knox explained as kindly as he’d ever said anything. “Claire’s tough and in control. I don’t know that she’d date someone who puts his life on the line.”

It was a gut punch. He shouldn’t be tricking her.

“But I’ve seen her look at you.” Knox broke eye contact, obviously uncomfortable. “Maybe you just need a chance.”

Brig’s neck felt hot. Knox wasn’t the type of guy you talked about emotional crap with. Brig would do anything to have a chance with Claire, but he wouldn’t lie to her. “I can’t do it.”

Knox looked him over and finally gave him a grunt. “Good. But they won’t let her go with us unless you’re her fiancé.”

“I’m telling her the second we’re in the car.”

Knox nodded.

The bathroom door opened, and Claire walked out in front of the nurse. Without her high heels on she looked small and fragile. Protectiveness surged through him. He wished he could pretend to be her fiancé. She focused in on him and gave him a nervous smile. “We don’t, um, live together, do we?”

“No,” he said quickly and almost elbowed Knox as he heard him grunt a soft chuckle.

“Brig is my head of security. He lives on my property.” Knox explained. “It’s best to take you home with us rather than to your apartment. Ema and Aunt Genny will be there, and Hazel can come visit.”

Claire arched an eyebrow at him. “Do I often allow you to make decisions for me?”

Knox burst into laughter, and Brig grinned. “No,” Knox said.

Her gaze focused on Brig. He held it, loving the challenge in her greenish-blue eyes. He wanted to convince her to come home with him. He lived in a massive guest home on Knox’s property, but he owned a cabin on Lake Whitney. Could he take Claire there to recuperate? His stomach hopped at the idea of being alone with Claire at his cabin. But only if he could make it happen with full disclosure of their real situation.

“Please let us take care of you,” Brig said quietly.

“Ooh, baby, how would you ever turn this man down?” the nurse asked.

Claire bit at the side of her lip and then grinned. “I’m guessing I can’t. I agreed to marry him after all.”

Brig’s palms got sweaty. He needed to tell Claire—right now.

“Let me get the doc, and we’ll have him talk to you about the amnesia and get you checked out of here. I can see this guy will take great care of you.” The nurse settled Claire in a chair and bustled away.

Claire glanced up at Knox and Brig. Knox was not known for his social skills, and he shifted uncomfortably. “I’m going to call Ema and tell her not to come, but to have the housekeepers get a room ready for you.” He forced a smile at Claire. “Would you prefer to stay in the house with my family or in the guest house with Brig?”

Claire pressed her hands against her skirt. “I … Sadly, I don’t know where I’d be more comfortable.”

Knox raised his massive shoulders and looked to Brig.

“The guest house has ten suites, so there’s plenty of room.” Brig studied the floor then met her gaze, hoping to convince her to choose him. “I’d like to have you close if that’s all right with you. Nellie, our cook, and John, the head of the stables, also stay there. We wouldn’t be alone if that’s what you’re worried about.” He held his breath as he waited for her answer.

“The guest house will be fine,” she said to Knox.

Knox nodded and hurried out the door, pulling his phone out as he walked.

Brig suddenly felt awkward being alone with Claire, even though he was anticipating being with her more. She motioned him closer. He walked to her, but he wanted to be on her level when he told her the truth. He knelt down next to the chair.

“I don’t think I’m engaged to you,” Claire whispered fiercely. “I keep remembering Peyton. I was engaged to him. What happened?”

Brig reared back on his heels. How did he tell her that the man she remembered and loved was gone and Brig was nothing more than an imposter? She was going to be livid with him.

“Please tell me the truth.” She begged him.

Brig straightened and paced away from her chair then back. Claire stood and grabbed his arm. She was so small and delicate. Her perfectly formed fingers made him want to hold that hand every day, all day. “Please,” she asked again.

Brig nodded. Of course, he would tell her everything, but where to start? Taking her hands in his, he said, “Peyton was killed almost three years ago.”

Claire’s eyes went wide. Then her lower lip started trembling. That piece of news probably wasn’t his best opener.

“Oh, Claire.” Brig couldn’t resist. He tugged her closer, released her hands, and wrapped his hands around her lower back. She was small, but she felt substantial and perfect in his arms. He wanted to comfort her, take care of her, love her.

She rested her head against his chest and let him hold her. She didn’t return the embrace, but she didn’t pull away either. Brig could hear her sniffling, and it ripped his heart out. He cradled her even closer and slowly rocked her as she trembled and cried. Her hands finally came around his back, and she clung to him.

Finally, she glanced up, her beautiful eyes even brighter with tears leaking from them. “How did he die?”

“I don’t know the details, sweetheart, but it was in the line of duty.”

She stared at him for several beats before she asked, “And then I fell in love with you?”

Brig pulled in a quick breath. He wanted to say yes, to soothe her. He wanted to believe that if she thought they were together it would lessen her pain and the worry over her amnesia. Yet he couldn’t lie to her. “We’re not engaged, Claire. I only said that so they’d let me go in the ambulance with you.”

Blinking quickly, she stared at him for a few uncomfortable seconds. Claire was feisty. She might slug him and tell him to stay away. He’d just ruined his one chance to get to know her better, but he didn’t have a choice. Lying to her was not in his wheelhouse.

“But you care about me?” she finally asked, her bottom lip trembling.

“Very much.” Finally, a truth he felt deeply. Claire could easily be his world if she learned to care for him like he did for her.

A sharp rap came at the door, and the doctor and nurse strode in. Brig kept one arm wrapped around Claire’s back as they turned to face them. She stood on tiptoes and whispered against his neck. “Please pretend to be my fiancé so I can get out of here. I don’t remember why, but I hate hospitals.”

He squeezed her waist gently, liking that this tough, with-it lady needed him, even if just for the moment. “I’d do anything you ask, Claire.”

She rewarded him with her beautiful smile as the doctor asked them to sit and started explaining Claire’s prognosis. As they sat hand in hand, nothing had felt more natural or exciting. If only Claire would keep pretending, but he knew that definitely wasn’t her style.