I knew better than to get involved with Xavier Darcy. He’s not the type to chase—he waits. Patient. Deadly. All shadows and stillness, with a voice that makes threats sound like lullabies.

One reckless night goes viral, and suddenly the world thinks I’m his. But that lie could destroy everything I’ve fought to protect—especially my family. I've stayed far away from love to keep them safe.

Then Xavier shows up uninvited at my family’s home in the Louisiana Bayou, where time slows down but trouble moves fast. To protect my family, he plays the part of my fake fiancé, while I try to protect my heart. But as the days stretch long, the nights turn slow and sticky, and the line between pretending and wanting begins to blur—nothing about Xavier feels fake. And I hate that I crave it. Crave him.

This was meant to be a PR fix. A short-term lie. But Xavier isn’t backing off, and I’m losing a battle I swore I’d never fight. Down here, where everything’s slower—and far, far sexier—resisting him might be impossible.

This heart-racing finale follows Xavier and Charlie as they fight for love in a world that’s tried to keep them apart—even if their greatest obstacle might be themselves.