In the year since a tragic car accident cost her a broken leg--and a broken heart--Nicole Piccolo had done her best to forget Clay Masters, the man who'd taught her the sweet agony of desire before disappearing from her life. Now he was back, trying to reclaim his lost love--and with a fiery touch and a voice rough with emotion he breached the walls she'd built around her heart to help the healing. In the heat of passion they'd once vowed promises of forever, but months of pain and yearning had left Nicole afraid to give herself to any man. While Clay struggled to understand that a cherished love took time to grow, she fought her secret demons, wary of trusting Clay's words of love. Could he make her see the lonely road she'd walked so long led only in one direction--into his arms?