Bought in an auction by a shy baker? No problem. Pretending to be her boyfriend for her sister's wedding? On it.

I can pretend all day long because I'm Thatcher Manning, the guy who doesn't do relationships. I'll give a woman a wild romp. Hell, I'll give her anything. Anything but my heart. I decided a long time ago I'd never get serious with a woman. The fact that I'm leaving town in a few months only cements that decision. But then Astrid has to get under my skin. She hands over the reins in bed—and out—and now I'm catching feelings. The kind you can't fake. Trouble is—I wasn't playing for keeps. Now, that's a problem. A big one.