They both wanted to put that mistaken night behind them.

As a high-achieving scientist, Helena Reif hates errors. But she'd made a big one six months ago when she allowed her brother's best friend, the mysterious and wealthy Beau Dillinger, to seduce her. She'd foolishly imagined they were making a true connection - the kind she'd never yet been able to form with a man. But afterward, Beau never called or even texted.

A determined loner, Beau Dillinger had slipped up badly six months ago. He'd allowed the seemingly genuine sister of his best friend to seduce him. He'd almost let Helena convince him to trust in a woman again. But Beau knows better. No woman can be trusted. He's made sure ever since to avoid her and the temptation she offers.

Then vicious vandals break into Helena's advanced biotech laboratory, a clearly personal attack. Beau's absent best friend begs him to protect Helena. Though this is a role Beau had vowed never to perform for a woman again, he cannot refuse. However, by this time Helena has no use for him, as a protector or otherwise.