Book 3 in the Federation Chronicles series.Private Rafferty Sloan of the Imperial Cruiser The Federation has been attracted to Mary since the day she bandaged him up in the ship's infirmary. Unfortunately she's been badly hurt and does not trust men. Everything changes when they crash on a strange planet. Suddenly, Mary is forced to rely on Sloan as passion rises between them and hazards lurk at every turn. Sloan sees his chance to show her all men aren't like the jerk who betrayed her. But will they live long enough for him to win her heart and body?While they fight enormous creatures and secret enemies out to destroy an entire race, Mary learns she's a lot stronger than she thinks. As danger turns into flaming desire, Mary has to decide if she's strong enough to give Sloan her heart as well as her body.