City boy Toby Merrow needs a change of scenery, and two weeks at a dude ranch seems the perfect solution, even though it's a far cry from the scenes of San Francisco. Not much chance of finding anything like that out in the wilds of Montana. But who knows? If he's really lucky, one of the other guests will show up on Scruff—or even better, Recon. That's if Toby has energy for anything else after spending his days riding out and herding cattle...

Grizzled ranch owner Robert Thorston's foreman died five years ago, but Robert lost far more than a trusted right-hand man. That door is firmly closed, however, and the trappings that lie behind it are gathering dust. He's thrown himself into his business, never giving that part of his life a second thought—until a new guest catches his eye.

It's obvious from the start Robert and Toby have a connection, one they are keen to make the most of in Robert's bed. No strings, no complications, and itches get scratched—well, most of them.

Then Toby discovers the coiled ropes under Robert's bed, and the leather cuffs in the nightstand drawer...