Tobias — C.M. Steele

***Tobias was previously published as Tackling Tobias under Lady Boss Press.***Grumpy, angry, a curmudgeon…Who uses the word 'curmudgeon' anymore?Those are the words used to describe my new boss and some other less than flattering words. The new boss who doesn't even know I've been hired to invade his private sanctum and run the show. I'm the new cook for Tobias Reynolds, a Montana Cowboy with a surly attitude. I shouldn't work for him given my background, but my options are limited and it's a temporary arrangement.A violent man left me scars, mostly invisible ones, but they promise me that Tobias will never lay a hand on me. One look at my new boss and I know it's not his anger I fear, but the raging desire for his touch coursing through me.They were wrong about the boss. Tobias can't seem to keep his hands off me and I don't want him to stop.Beautiful, broken, mine…That's what I see when I look at Ava. From the first second, I saw her, it felt like I'd been tackled to the ground my chest ached so intensely. I want to keep her, but this is just a temporary stop for her. She's running from someone. Given the black eye, she's sporting, I'm guessing it's someone who needs to be taught a lesson.I've spent my time in the spotlight, but now I've gone back to my roots, working my family's ranch. Some say I'm like a grizzly bear with a thorn in his paw, but I just want to work and go home to a good homecooked meal and some peace and quiet which has been hard to come by.It's not until she shows up that I realize how much more I want out of life. I'll slay all her dragons, destroy her fears, and do all I can to get her to stay.