This story is about a young woman in a fictional Texas town in 1920, she's opened her own business (a bar/restaurant) and is looked after by her family.  She is attacked one night and the hero of the story (a deputy and childhood friend of her brother's) decides to keep an eye on her in case her attacker comes back.

Midnight Temptation

    The kitchen was dark but for a dim light in the corner that illuminated the sink. Mitch saw Christina standing beside the basin staring into space, her fingertips touching her full lips. He had no idea what came over him in the bar. Sure he'd felt lust, pure and simple, but he had always been able to control himself before...before Christina anyway. Now, anytime she was within a foot of him, he felt like he was coming out of his skin. He'd been telling the truth when he told her he couldn't wait to get his hands on her. He'd been distracted at work, so much so that James had commented on it more than once, and let him out of shift earlier than intended. He hadn't meant to let things get so out of hand out in the bar, but when she began to respond to his caresses he couldn't seem to control his own reactions and if JD hadn't interrupted when he did, Mitch didn't have a single doubt he would have taken Christina right there and then.
    “Mitch? Is that you?”
    He stepped into the light and let her see him. Her voice trembled and he knew it was more from fear than desire. “Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.”
    “It's okay. I didn't really think you were Luc, I mean he couldn't have gotten past all of you, right?”
    She forced a lightness into her voice that was contradicted by the worry in her eyes.
    “No, he won't get past me.” He stepped closer and was grateful when she didn't take a step back.
    “I'm sorry for losing control out there, Chrissy.”
    “It was nice...until JD intruded. Good Lord, you don't think my brother saw anything do you?”
    Mitch smiled and released the breath he'd been holding. He reached out for her and was relieved when she stepped into his arms and embraced him. “No, I'm sure he didn't. I wouldn't be standing here if he did. I should have controlled myself though. You're just so damned beautiful that I didn't want to let you go. I've driven myself crazy all day today.”   more >>