Zelda Haverty has just suffered a very public humiliation at the hands of her gold-digging ex-fiancé. Alone and heartbroken, she thinks she needs time to grieve and self-reflect. But her bossy big sister insists she needs a distraction. Preferably an experienced older man who can sweep her off her feet, dust off all those virginal cobwebs, oil those squeaky wheels and then send her on her way. She refuses to consider such nonsense. Until she meets silver fox, Carlo Novello. Carlo is just the kind of man who can perform a lusty act of kindness. He’s kind, sexy, honest, full of compliments, and doesn’t believe in relationships. He doesn’t believe in love. It’s a win- win. For once, Zelda plays by her own rules and takes what she needs. Gets what she wants. And emerges a new woman with a ravenous new libido she’d like to take for stroll. Too bad Carlo can’t stick to the plan. With his heart set on Zelda, the only stroll she’s taking is that short walk down the aisle.

Evie: I thought I’d cheated fate. I was a fool to believe I’d escape my parents’ unreasonable expectations. I was wrong. In two days, I marry Sterling Gallagher—-a vile, sadistic bully incapable of pity. With him by my side, I’ll have a long and miserable life devoid of love. I’ll never know passion. I’ll never know happiness. My life is over. Before I surrender—-before I let him trap me in his gilded cage—-I’ll take one solitary taste of love. I’ll make one memory not even Sterling can steal. I’ll give my innocence to the man who owns my heart. One night with Deacon Gallagher will have to last me a lifetime. Deacon: I’ve watched Eve Walsh for years. I convinced myself I was doing it for my nephew, Sterling—-keeping an eye on his future wife. But nothing could be further from the truth. When she comes to me, I can’t walk away. She offers her innocence and I devour her like a glutton. If she thinks I’ll hand her over to a brute like Sterling, she’s out of her mind. One taste is all I need. A lifetime with Eve will never be enough