Wild Heart — Jane Bonander

Julia Larson had never known passion. Her sister Josette had pursued it shamelessly while Julia became a spinster taking care of Josette's illegitimate child. Then a tough, secretive half-breed came to work on the Larson ranch. His insolent sensuality bothered Julia every waking moment and invaded her dreams. He wasn't a man she could trust, yet amid a violent and deadly war over her land's water rights, he might be exactly the man she needed....

Wolf McCloud was a loner who charmed women easily but cared for none. Abandoned as an infant by his white mother, he had finally traced her to northern California. Now, he was willing to make a deal with the plain, prickly Julia to own half her ranch -- by marrying her in name alone. Bitter and complex, Wolf wanted to find his past, not the sudden, savage desire neither he nor Julia could resist -- or the love that might yet save or destroy them both.