Angel Bay looks like the perfect place to hide from an abusive ex. At least, that’s what Anna Thompson hopes when she arrives with her daughter. In the small-town’s only restaurant, she meets a man whose sheer size makes her tremble, but whose capacity for kindness leaves her feeling safe for the first time in years. And the gentle giant is awakening passions she didn’t think possible to feel again. Nic Rossi stopped believing in love the day his ex-wife walked out him, leaving him to care for their little girl alone. But when Anna and her frightened daughter walk into his restaurant, he feels an overwhelming urge to protect them. He’s determined to help them find a place where they feel safe, and to prove to Anna that not all men are like her ex. What he doesn’t anticipate is the intense attraction that draws them together. For a while, Anna believes she’s found her safe haven. That is, until her ex finds her. Now Anna must find the courage to fight for her freedom…and Nic must convince Anna to give her heart—and him—a chance. **Previously published with Crimson Romance**