Army infantry Captain Ethan Fletcher's Air Force colonel father disapproved his choice of military branch, but Ethan didn't care. He wanted his boots on the ground among the men he led, not to be flying high above the fray. But after a particularly violent tour in Afghanistan costs the lives of some of his men-and nearly his own-his faith in service is shaken, his belief in himself shattered. The last thing he needs is some psych geek getting into his head, especially one who's strong, stubborn, and sexy as hell. Psychologist Mia Levin's study of the 13th Infantry's Echo Company could vault her career to the next level, and change the way the Army handles returning soldiers. But first she has to get past the unit's overprotective captain-and keep him far from her fragile heart. When a fender bender brings Ethan running to Mia's rescue, the threads of a tenuous attraction begin to intertwine and strengthen into a bond that could heal them both-if they aren't too far gone for love to reach.