A nurse practitioner student with everything to prove. A Navy pilot with a black cowboy hat and too-blue eyes. And a wedding dance neither of them was supposed to remember. Kim Taylor has held her life together through sheer force of will—grueling clinical rotations, board exams, a dream clinic she can't get funded, and a family whose expectations never stop growing. No help wanted. No distractions allowed... moreA nurse practitioner student with everything to prove. A Navy pilot with a black cowboy hat and too-blue eyes. And a wedding dance neither of them was supposed to remember. Kim Taylor has held her life together through sheer force of will—grueling clinical rotations, board exams, a dream clinic she can't get funded, and a family whose expectations never stop growing. No help wanted. No distractions allowed. No room for a man who shows up uninvited with barbecue and a smile that makes her forget her own rules. When her best friend's wedding puts her in the arms of Ellis "Cowboy" O'Connor, David's former wingman, she tells herself it's just one dance. One night. Nothing that can derail two years of sacrifice. Now they're sharing tailgate dinners and midnight study sessions—his hands on her aching feet after twelve-hour shifts, his voice quizzing her on flashcards, his steady presence filling every space she swore she didn't need filled. Kim has survived by keeping everyone at arm's length. Ellis doesn't push. Doesn't demand. He just stays—on her floor all night because she asked him not to leave, believing in her dream when even the investors said no. And she's terrified that loving him means losing everything she's built. ✔ Military romance (Navy pilot hero). ✔ BWWM / interracial romance. ✔ One-night stand to more. ✔ Forced proximity. ✔ He falls first. ✔ Grand gesture. ✔ Strong female lead. Heat Level: Steamy. Vibes: Swoony, emotional, heart-wrenching. Setting: Virginia Beach, VA. Ending: HEA Standalone (connected to Freefall). Some falls are worth the free fall. less
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