Her Unwanted Defender — Vonna Harper

Raw and real. Maco Durant's expected arrival at Shari Afton's dog training facility should mean only one thing—the money she'll get from selling two of her highly trained guard dogs to the owner of a remote construction company. Just because his voice on the phone stirs something deep inside—no, she won't think about all the nights she spends alone! She's outside waiting for him when a bullet from an unknown source strikes Ona. Terrified for the big, gentle mutt she considers her best friend, she's struggling to drag Ona to safety when Maco takes over. Thankfully, the dog will survive. Shari and Maco curse whoever was responsible for what had to have been a stray bullet.   Their relationship moves fast, too fast. Supporting herself via her canine expertise has been everything for Shari, the perfect way to move beyond old nightmares. She'll let Maco touch her, make love with her, but nothing else. As the survivor of a failed marriage, Maco knows not to get involved, especially not with this independent yet vulnerable woman. He'll protect her while keeping things casual—somehow. His body demands hers, but the physical aspect is all there'll ever be between them. Unless the bullet that started everything wasn't an accident.