I was hired to protect her, not make her scream my name.

From dodging bullets in Afghanistan to working for the Secret Service, I know danger pretty well.

Or I thought I did. That was before my latest assignment came with a whole new kind of danger.

Her name? Ruby.

She's the gorgeous-as-hell, opinionated, spitfire daughter of Senator Burgess. Her family's beyond strict, but for a girl who's so innocent, she's anything but sweet.

Wicked green eyes, curves that beg me to touch them, and a smile that makes me think dirty, dirty thoughts.

Her father's a nightmare — a totalitarian who rules his family with an iron fist. He decides what clothes his daughters wear, what books they read, where they can go — hell, who they marry.

Ruby can pretend with them, but she can't pretend with me. I can tell there's more to her than the demure southern belle she has to be in public.

But I'm a professional, hired to be her bodyguard. I know better than to fall for someone I'm supposed to protect, but with every glance, every accidental touch, every word she says to me, I just want her more.

I want to tear away the innocent good girl veneer, and make the real Ruby scream my name as she rakes her nails down my back.

It's f*cking dangerous. If we get caught, there will be hell to pay — and it'll be worse for her.

But I don't think I can stay away.

Slow Burn is a full-length completely standalone novel with a happily-ever-after ending and steamy scenes that might require a cold shower.