Travis Hale is Pelion's gruff, capable police chief who's spent years building himself into someone better than his troubled past—but he's still haunted by always being compared to his brother. When Haven Torres blows into town looking for a fresh start and zero entanglements, Travis offers her a simple deal: he'll help her make another guy jealous, no strings attached. What starts as a convenient arrangement quickly spirals into something neither of them saw coming, as stolen glances transform into genuine connection and their chemistry becomes impossible to ignore. Haven's got one foot out the door, and Travis promised himself he'd never settle for second place again—but sometimes the person you didn't plan for is exactly who you need.

Reading soundtrack

Listen while you read

Spotify

yearninggroundedtension-filledintimatesmoldering

Indie rock and folk-tinged pop with slow-burn sensuality—think whiskey-warm acoustic guitars, raspy vocals, and that sweet ache of crossing lines with someone you've known forever. Moody, grounded, with just enough heat to make your chest tight.