When love turns to obsession, those with the biggest hearts are the first to die.

Kate Mathers has her very own stalker, though she prefers to call him a secret admirer. Either way it's a bizarre idea considering she's never figured out how to keep any man in her life for long. Now one's obsessed with her? It's hard to believe—until her estranged father's birthday gift is to hire her a bodyguard. Now the dangers are all too real. And so is the effect Joe Garity has on her heart.

Joe knows he's a human wrecking ball when it comes to relationships. The embittered ex-cop tells himself he only took the job guarding Kate because he can't stand to see the rug rats in her horse camp program in danger. Pretending to be her lover isn't his idea of a perfect situation, but perfect goes a long way toward describing the chemistry between them. For once in his life, Joe finds he really doesn't want to screw this one up—personally or professionally.

But if he can't figure out who's stalking Kate soon, her next birthday may be her last.