At seventeen, Tommy Ambinder was Annie Parsons' first love, the center of her world. Almost. There was a secret spot reserved for Judah, Tommy's elder brother. On the day she discovered Judah wanted her, as well, the aftermath drove Annie out of town—and a wedge between the men she loved.

Now, haunted by guilt, Annie has returned to Melgrove, Montana with one hope in her heart—that twenty years has overcome the rift between the Ambinder boys. If they've mended fences, maybe she can repair her own life too.

Tommy's missed Annie all these years, but he never realized how much until one glimpse reignites the passion that time hasn't quenched. Something else hasn't changed, either—half of her heart still belongs to Judah.

Now, with Annie poised to run again, history is threatening to repeat itself—unless one of them has the courage to break free of the pattern and blaze a new trail that's wide enough for all three.

Warning: this book contains all the volcanic intensity of first love, searing-hot sex scenes, and two brothers sharing the one woman they love!

 

Annie whirled in Tommy's arms, her cheeks flaming. Judah stood there, his mouth twisted into a flat, grim smile, his dark gaze seeming to bore right through her. Not so much as a hint of amusement reached his cold eyes.

"I see you two found each other."

Tommy's hands gripped her arms, turning her to face him. "You knew he was coming?" he demanded.

Annie shook her head violently. "No! No, I..." I came here to ask about you, Tommy! He said he wasn't coming. I didn't know!

But Tommy was already looking past her, his eyes narrowing dangerously as his gaze shifted to Judah. Under the force of his rage, the last traces of boyishness in his face disappeared. He tugged Annie back against him, his arms defiantly circling her waist. Only this time, it didn't feel like protection. This time it felt like a cage.

Judah's denim work shirt was streaked with dirt, Annie noticed, his jeans coated with flecks of dry grass as if he'd come straight from the fields. His hair was damp, though, the wetness darkening it till it looked almost black. Broad, powerful, he stood there facing his brother, his face lined with careworn wrinkles she hadn't noticed before.

"What were you going to do, Ju? Just not mention she was here? Sneak off into town to see her without telling me? Was that it?" She could feel the tension running through Tommy's frame, the muscles coiling beneath his skin like snakes poised to strike. "You weren't even going to tell me she came back," he spat. "Were you?"

Judah's jaw bunched as the questions buffeted him. His eyes grew blacker with each one, his fists clenching at his sides. Annie could see the tautness in him building higher, like a rope about to snap.

It was happening again. It was all happening again! Despair and fury twisted together inside her. If only Judah had told her... If he hadn't made her come looking...

Yanking herself from Tommy's arms, she whispered hoarsely, "Why did you lie to me, Judah? Why?"

"Because I didn't trust you not to hurt him again!" The words bellowed out of him, and Annie froze, staring.

Oh God. Guilt twisted through her, freezing her blood. The most obvious reason, and it hadn't even occurred to her.

Then Tommy laughed into the sudden silence, the sound harsh and mocking. "Well, isn't that noble of you, Ju. Swooping in to save your baby brother. I see you even bathed first." His gaze flicked mockingly over Judah's damp hair and dirty jeans.

Judah's head snapped back, one hand moving abortively toward his hair, then dropping. Tommy moved closer, his voice soft and insinuating. "It wouldn't have anything to do with wanting her to think I was unavailable, would it? Nah, it wouldn't have a thing to do with wanting her for yourself."

Judah merely watched him, his eyes glittering like onyx as they shifted. He might have been carved of granite.

"Well in case you hadn't noticed," Tommy sneered, "I don't need your protection. Come on, Annie. Let's get out of here."

His hand hard on her arm, he tugged her toward the door.


 

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