My younger sister, Riley, was an environmental attorney who fought for endangered wildlife. Her passion had always been far away from Montgomery Mining, so my brothers and I had always encouraged her to chase her own dreams.

  Obviously, Chase, Wyatt, and Torie’s father had done the same.

  “Her interests didn’t really have to be in the family business,” I told him. “She’s incredibly intelligent and gifted in other areas.”

  I couldn’t seem to stop cursing myself for the way I’d treated Torie simply because I’d been instantly attracted to her.

  If I’d only known what she’d been through…

  From the moment Torie had explained what had happened to her in Peru, I’d felt like the world’s biggest asshole.

  I was pretty sure I’d hurt her feelings because she’d known I’d been avoiding her every time I saw her.

  Meanwhile, she was still emotionally recovering from one of the most hellish experiences a person could endure.

  Godammit! I wasn’t that asshole who thought I was so important that I didn’t need to recognize someone else’s struggles or their pain. I’d just been blinded to hers because I’d been so busy trying protecting myself.

  I’d just been too caught up in my own agony of attraction to even contemplate the possibility that being a prick who avoided her might make her feel bad.

  Hell, I had no idea she’d even noticed me enough to give a shit. Most women didn’t.

  “Once her ankle is healed up, I’ll see if I can get Torie on some trails with me,” I promised Chase, suddenly realizing how much I’d like to see that happen.

  Maybe I was handling this whole “attraction” situation wrong in the first place. If Torie and I became friends, I’d most likely get over the desire to get her naked, right?

  If Torie Durand was going to make her way back onto the trails, someone needed to be there to watch out for her as she got her bearings again.

  I hiked.

  I liked being outdoors as much as possible.

  I was the perfect person to help her out…as a friend.

  My previous reasons for not spending time in Torie’s company suddenly felt extremely petty and incredibly selfish.

  Truth was, I wasn’t just attracted to her. I liked her, and I saw no reason why I couldn’t get my dick under control and be her friend when she needed one.

  Not that I blamed her for being wary and standoffish right now, but there was no reason for her to fight through the rest of her recovery alone. Not when I was around.

  “You might find out that you enjoy her company,” Chase said casually—actually, maybe a little too casually.

  “Please tell me you aren’t trying to be some kind of damn matchmaker,” I said with a groan.

  Just because I’d changed my mind about how to handle my attraction to Torie, that didn’t mean I had any desire to…date her.

  Not…really.

  Fuck! What in the hell was wrong with me?

  Remember Fiona?

  Remember the humiliation.

  Remember all of those other disastrous relationships?

  Remember all of those other women who never noticed anything except your money and your name.

  Do you really think a woman like Torie Durand would even be interested?

  Torie doesn’t need my money, and what in the hell would a vivacious, talented woman like her want with a guy who has zero imagination?

  “Okay,” Chase considered. “Maybe I am a well-meaning matchmaker. Jesus, Cooper, maybe I’m just a little tired of watching a decent guy like you torturing yourself! I don’t think you’ve had a date since Fiona. There are very few men I’d trust to make my little sister happy, so consider my actions one hell of a compliment.”

  “Haven’t been out with anyone,” I said curtly. “It’s better that way. I’m perfectly happy.”

  “Bullshit,” he drawled. “You’re just afraid to go out with another woman after Fiona. Not that I blame you. The woman was terrifying in her ambitions. I only met her a few times, but she definitely had a one-track mind that mainly revolved around social climbing.”

  Shit! Why was it that Chase had seen that about Fiona and I hadn’t?

  I’d been with Fiona for over a year. In my mind, everything had been fine, and I thought I’d finally found the one female who could tolerate my dry personality and lack of imagination.

  I bought her whatever she wanted, always took her wherever she wanted to go on our date nights, and gave to her in every way I possibly could, hoping to make up for my lack of romantic words and actions.

  In the end, it hadn’t been enough.

  It never had been enough for any woman I’d dated.

  Fiona had found another guy who’d wooed her and asked her to marry him.

  “I don’t want a romantic relationship,” I told him irritably.

  “I don’t buy that,” Chase said stubbornly. “I think Fiona burned your ass, and now you’re convinced that you can’t make any woman happy.”

  “I can’t,” I answered, annoyed. “There’s no damn romance in my soul.”

  “Did it ever occur to you that maybe you’ve just never been inspired?” Chase asked. “That maybe it’s not you, it’s the women you’re dating? You have one of the highest IQs in the entire world, Coop. You’re one of the most intelligent people on the planet. Hell, most of us normal folks can’t even begin to understand how your mind works. Most of the women you’ve dated couldn’t give a shit less what you’re thinking about. Maybe if you found one who did, things would work out a lot better.”

  “Doubtful,” I said testily.

  “Fine,” he answered with an exasperated tone. “Be Torie’s friend, but don’t lead her on. I don’t think you realize how big of a deal it is that she actually told you about her kidnapping. She obviously trusts you. Torie might be well-traveled, intellectually gifted, and incredibly wealthy, but she’s not that sophisticated when it comes to dating. She’s never been one of those rich women who are clinging to a new guy every month. Even though she’s a rich Durand, she’s always lived a purposeful, quiet life. So if you play with her heart, I’ll definitely have to hurt you.”

  Maybe that’s one more thing that Torie and I have in common. I’m not all that sophisticated when it comes to dating, either, even though I hate to admit it. In many ways, women are still a damn mystery to me.

  “Like your sister would ever be interested in me? I’ve never played with any woman’s heart,” I informed him irritably. “I wouldn’t have any idea how to accomplish that, nor the inclination. Women find me incredibly boring, and much too serious. I doubt I’m Torie’s dream man. She actually has a sense of humor.”

  “So do you,” Chase argued. “It’s just a lot more dry and subtle than most people can appreciate. I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but Fiona was never worth you giving up on relationships altogether, Coop.”

  “It wasn’t just her. She was just one of the latest catalysts,” I said defensively. “And you should talk. When was the last time you had a girlfriend?”

  The bastard was a couple of years older than I was, and it wasn’t like he was happily married and had the kind of life that allowed for criticism.

  Chase dated, but he rarely went out with the same woman for very long.

  “At least I haven’t totally given up. I still date,” he protested.

  “I’m not cut out for that kind of relationship, Chase,” I confessed. “I can’t imagine ever losing my mind over a female like Hudson and Jax have. I’m too damn practical to let my emotions swing that wildly. I suppose that’s what makes me a pretty boring romantic prospect.

  “No, man,” Chase denied. “That’s not true. I think once you find a woman who deserves it, you’ll give her fucking everything. That’s the kind of guy you are, Coop, whether you see that or not.”

  Yeah, well, I sure as hell didn’t see that, but Chase could be a stubborn asshole, so I didn’t bother trying to argue with him. “We’ll see,” I muttered noncommittally before I finally ended our call.

  Torie

  “Wait a minute,” my best friend, Savannah, said the next morning as we chatted on the phone. “Are you saying that Cooper Montgomery actually carried you on his back for two miles, took care of you after he saved you, and then bought you junk food for dinner. Holy shit, Torie. If you don’t want him, I think he might be my soul mate.”

  I snorted. “You aren’t looking for your soul mate. You’re way too in love with your career. I saw the piece you did on Deadline America a couple of nights ago. The one about the humanitarian crisis in Haiti. It was amazing, Vanna. When will you be back in the States?”

  My best friend was a foreign correspondent and did the large majority of her stunning stories on one of the most popular news programs in the country.

  Savannah was born to be a reporter.

  I just wished that didn’t mean she was out of the country so damn often in a plethora of dangerous locations.

  She sighed. “I’m headed to another story in another part of the world. It could be awhile. I’ll have to live vicariously through your exciting dating life now that you’re dating again. My love life sucks because I’m always on the road.”

  “Right,” I said with a laugh. “You already know there’s zero action going on here. And I’m not dating Cooper Montgomery. I’m not dating anyone.”

  Savannah was the only one who knew everything about my kidnapping.

  Sometimes I was pretty sure she just wanted to pretend like I’d have a normal dating life again someday.

  Maybe I would, but I didn’t see that happening anytime soon.

  “Cooper Montgomery sounds interesting,” she said lightly. “Obviously you’ve gotten close enough to him to tell him about the kidnapping.”

  “That’s all he knows,” I informed her as I rolled my eyes. “Not every guy I meet is a potential mate, Vanna,” I told her. “Cooper isn’t interested in a relationship with me. He was just being…nice. Yeah, I’m comfortable hanging out with him—”

  “Oh, holy hell, you do like him,” she said excitedly. “I know that voice, Torie. We’ve known each other since grade school. You’re trying to pretend like you’re not interested in him, but you really are. Why?”

  “You know why. Besides, I told you he’s not interested,” I reminded her. “I’m not going to even pretend like he’s not attractive, but—”

  “Oh, my God,” Savannah interrupted. “I just pulled up his picture on the computer? He’s in a tuxedo at some event with his two brothers. He’s the blond, right?”

  I let go of a small sigh. All three of the Montgomery brothers were incredibly handsome, but Cooper with his golden boy looks and incredible eyes… “That’s him. He’s pretty hot.”

  “He’s ridiculously gorgeous,” she corrected. “And bonus….you’d definitely never have to worry about him only being interested in your money. He’d definitely be the first guy you ever dated who’s richer than you are. Although I’m not sure you need a playboy billionaire in your life. Any single guy who looks like that and has that much money has to be a player.”

  “I don’t think he is,” I shared. “Honestly, I’m not sure he dates that much at all.”

  I could hardly tell Savannah that I knew where Cooper spent many of his evenings since I could never spill the beans about Last Hope to anyone outside of the organization. But I was aware that he hung out there a lot, and when he wasn’t at Last Hope headquarters, he obviously spent some of his free time at the canine training center. Which gave him very little time to seduce a different female every night.

  I heard her close her laptop. “Now that would be a shame if you’re right,” Savannah said. “I think you need to get him interested in dating, but only if you’re his date.”

  I laughed. “Men like Cooper don’t date women like me. They date supermodels or A-list celebrities. And you know I’m not into dating anyone right now.”

  “I know,” she said wistfully. “Maybe I was hopeful that you might be if you were comfortable with Cooper. I get it. I’d shun men if I were you, too, but you might want to get back out there, eventually. I know you’d like to have a kid or two and a family of your own someday. I don’t want you to lose those hopes and dreams because of what happened.”

  I did want a family of my own. I’d had good examples as parents and such a happy childhood myself.

  I took a deep breath. “I haven’t lost anything. Not really. It’s not like my biological clock is ticking that loudly quite yet. I’m barely thirty-two. And finding a husband isn’t the only way I can have a child. I just think if I’m meant to find the right guy someday, it could happen without me needing to kiss a bunch more frogs first.”

  “I still think Cooper Montgomery would be worth a smooch,” she joked. “There’s bound to be a prince underneath that gorgeous exterior.”

  “You’re a hopeless romantic,” I accused. “You always thought the next frog I kissed would be the one.”

  “I’m not really a hopeless romantic,” she denied. “Maybe I’m just hopeful because you told Cooper Montgomery something that you rarely share. You never tell anyone what happened to you in the Amazon, Torie. Why Cooper Montgomery?”

  I couldn’t really explain why I’d been able to tell Cooper about the kidnapping.

  Maybe because he was previous special forces and a member of Last Hope. So kidnapping wasn’t exactly a rarity for him, right?

  No, that wasn’t it.

  I guess it had been instinct, a feeling that Cooper wouldn’t…judge.

  “He’s a pretty easy guy to talk to,” I confessed to Savannah. “Maybe because we both know what it’s like to grow up a little…different. Cooper’s intellectually gifted, like me, but his intelligence is on steroids next to mine. My brothers always said that his reasoning abilities were scary, but I don’t think Cooper is frightening at all. He reminds me a little of…me.”

  “That’s great,” she answered. “So you’re two brilliant people who understand each other perfectly?”

  I laughed. “I didn’t say that.”

  “You’ve always felt like you were different, Torie,” she said gently. “You’re not. You’ve just never met a guy who appreciates all the amazing qualities you have.”

  “Like my creepy eyes?” I joked.

  My eyes were true amber, which was a rare trait, but not one that men appeared to find attractive. Since the color could glow in the dark like cat’s eyes sometimes, people considered my eyes to be more eerie than alluring.

  “Your eyes are absolutely gorgeous and unique,” Savannah scolded.

  “Stop,” I said with a groan. “I haven’t found a single guy who thinks my eyes are sexy. I love you for saying that they’re gorgeous, but you’re full of it.”

  “Some guy will,” she said confidently. “Wait and see. God, I wish I was there right now, Torie. It has to suck for you to be grounded and on the couch for a while after everything you’ve already been through.”

  After my recovery from all of my injuries in the Amazon, I had a really hard time being still. I’d spent so much time being immobile that it had made me half crazy to be idle anymore. “At least it won’t last very long this time,” I told her.

  “You’re essentially self-employed with the FBI since you decided not to take a full-time gig with them as a language specialist,” she added.

  “They can do without me for a week or so,” I agreed.

  I’d started doing work for the FBI to keep myself from going crazy right after I’d gotten back on my feet again.

  I’d desperately needed something worthwhile and interesting to do while I was still recovering.

  Working as a contract linguist for the FBI had worked out perfectly for me.

  I’d felt like I was doing something that made a difference, and the FBI had gotten a skilled translator.

  Win-win.

  “I think they’re probably still dying to recruit you full time,” Savannah mused.

  I smiled. “You can’t recruit someone who doesn’t want to be recruited. I like what I do there, but it’s not my future. I’m still considering the position I was offered at the university.”

  “Don’t rush anything, Torie,” Savannah advised. “It’s not like you need the money. You’ve just barely gotten healthy again. Well, except for the ankle thing now. Like I said, I wish I was there with you.”

  “You were here when I needed you,” I reminded her softly.

  Savannah had come home when I’d first returned from the Amazon, and having her there to talk to when I hadn’t been able to speak to anyone else had saved me.

  She’d stayed with me.

  She’d been the friend I’d needed to lean on and talk to when I was first recovering.

  She’d been the only person I could tell certain things about my captivity.

  “I’m okay now, Vanna. I swear I am. I have a ridiculous ankle injury and a hesitance to travel again, which I think I’ll eventually get over. I’m strong and I’m healthy. Before I turned my ankle yesterday, I was feeling like myself again. I don’t think there’s any way I can ever repay you for what you’ve done over the last year or so.”

  She blew off my comment. “Don’t be silly,” she answered. “It was just a month or two, Torie, and you would have done the same for me. I don’t believe that you’re totally okay, but I think you’re improving every day.”

  I would have done the same for her, but Savannah had a much busier career to worry about than I did right now.

  “I’ll figure out a way to repay you someday,” I warned her.

  “Find me a hot date the next time I’m home in San Diego,” she teased.

  “I’ll work on that,” I said. “Right after I find one for myself. Maybe he’ll have a hot brother.”

  “I’m pretty sure that Cooper Montgomery’s brothers are already taken,” she teased.

  I refused to take the bait from her. She knew damn well I wasn’t about to start dating again right now, much less start a relationship with Cooper Montgomery.

  “Chase and Wyatt are still single,” I offered eagerly.

  “Oh, no,” she said in a pseudo alarmed tone. “Isn’t it supposed to be taboo to go after your best friend’s brother or something?”