At thirty-five, Lyneece Sumter has mastered the art of having her life together-even if the same can't be said for her thirty-three-year-old twin brothers. Between a career she's worked hard for, family that keeps her on her toes, and a routine she's perfectly comfortable with, romance isn't exactly at the top of her priority list.

Then an ordinary morning coffee run puts her directly in the path of Deputy Maddox Cross.

Six-foot-three, tattooed, devastatingly handsome, and far too amused by the conversation he overhears while standing behind her, Maddox is the kind of distraction Lyneece doesn't need. Their first encounter should end with a cup of coffee and two strangers going their separate ways.

It doesn't.

Maddox knows attraction when he feels it, but there's something about Lyneece that goes beyond wanting another look-or another taste.

Her attitude keeps him entertained. Her independence challenges him. And the more time he spends with her, the more he discovers that beneath the woman who takes care of everyone else is someone he wants the chance to take care of, too.

Lyneece tells herself she can handle Maddox

Cross.

One date.

One kiss.

One more night.

But some cravings only get stronger when you feed them.