Grayson Dane has toiled in the world of academia for years, but now he sees the chance to claim his doctorate in magizoology by completing his research on the mating season of phoenixes at Blackthorn Ranch, a renowned phoenix ranch that can provide all of the ideal conditions Grayson needs to succeed. But he’s not counting on the ranch’s sexy owner turning up the heat on the summer mating season.
Sawyer Bell is the fourth generation of Blackthorn ranchers, and he’s determined to keep his ranch alive through rising expenses and stretching budgets. He only agrees to host the research project because of the fee the university is paying for the privilege. The interest the big city scholar stirs in him is a surprise, and possibly a distraction, as Sawyer faces obstacles that push the ranch closer and closer to disaster.
But Sawyer has never been a man who is shy about what he wants, and every encounter finds Grayson wanting to give in to the heat between them. In pursuing their feelings they may lose everything they’ve held dear, but denying them might deny them everything their hearts ache for.