Helpless Hearts

Can a former gunslinger find redemption through love? Former gunslinger Noah Sinclair returned home so he could regain his respectability. Instead of redemption, he finds temptation in Juliana Jeffries-a woman engaged to the man who offered him a job and a second chance. Despite Noah's loyalty to his boss, Noah's Helpless Heart still yearns for Juliana-a woman with dreams and ambitions that don't include a former gunslinger. Noah stole Juliana's heart years ago, but then he left town to avenge his father's death. Now, she dreams of becoming a doctor and she's obliged to marry Avery, a man with a secret she's sworn to protect. Noah's return could test her loyalty, her ambition, and her heart. Excerpt: "When will I see you again?" Her voice shook. His heart twisted. Until this moment, he hadn't realized how much he wanted to settle down. But not with just any woman. He wanted to settle down with Juliana--and she belonged to Avery. Fate had kicked him in the ass again. He clenched his fists, feeling his heart split in half. "You won't." Her head snapped up, her hungry gaze locking onto his. "Why not?" "Because you're engaged to a good man, and if I spend another minute alone with you, I might just forget that." "What?" Her voice squeaked. "Don't tell me you don't feel it." He grabbed her upper arms and pulled her close, feeling her soft breasts against the hard planes of his chest. He swelled near to bursting. "I know you feel it." "Noah, I..." Her lower lip trembled. She pulled it between her teeth until it stopped. It was all he could do not to lower his head and draw that lush lip into his mouth. He squeezed her arms and shook his head to clear the image from his mind. "Light a lamp, lock the door, and stay in this room until Avery comes to get you in the morning." "But where are you going?" He shook her. A loose tendril of hair fell across her face. Heat curled low in his belly. His fingers itched to brush the stray lock from her cheek. He ground his teeth. If he touched her, he?d never be able to resist her. ?"I'm going back to Redemption with Sheriff Parks to make sure Avery has everything under control." "How long will I have to stay locked in this room?" "Avery will come for you tomorrow." She was still staring at him with wide-eyed innocence, unaware of the torture she caused him. "I'll see you back in Redemption. Won't I?" "Weren't you listening?" He squeezed her arms once more and then released her. She slumped against the door jam. Her shoulders sagged. "But I thought..." He raked her with hot, hungry eyes--wanting her, and knowing he could never have her. "You thought what?" His voice was harsh, but he had to make her understand. "That I could stay in Redemption and be your friend?" "Yes." Her voice was little more than a whisper. With a groan of frustration, he bent forward and took her face in his hands--his lips just a whisper away. "Think again." Then he lowered his head and molded his mouth to hers.