Brought up in a strict Asian-American family where tradition is everything and virtue is golden, Mia Kerstin is a good girl who longs to be bad. But the "suitable" young men her family parades past her are about as exciting as watching mold grow. Until fate steps in and thrusts her into Trace's Kocourek's solid arms.

Helping out his Special Forces buddies by protecting Mia from a relentless enemy ends up being more about keeping his hands off, than his eyes wide open. And that's the problem—he can't stop touching the sensual virgin, and she's putting his self-control to the ultimate test. When Mia decides she wants to take a lover, Trace is the only man for the job—he'll kill anyone else who touches her.

As the danger escalates and the threat becomes a matter of life and death, keeping Mia safe ceases being a favor to a buddy and becomes a personal imperative for the jaded and tough ex-soldier. Mia is his. No ifs or buts. He's playing for keeps.

Note: Set slightly concurrent to Challenge Protocol, this story shares the same "world" and linked characters, but can be read as a stand-alone.