The Sugarman — Mary McBride

Serena Quinn had wrapped herself up in her slim defenses, letting no one get close, lest her secret be discovered. But now a stranger had come to town. A big and powerful bear of a man who made her want to turn tail and run while she still had the will to turn away from his honeyed kisses.

Since his return to Mississippi, Rafe Sugarman had wanted only two things out of life: to put down roots and to forget the past. And Miss Serena Quinn was just the woman to make it happen, if she would only forget the past and give in to the sweet storm of desire that raged between them.