title: Until You
author: McNare, Jennifer
description: He swore he'd never love again...
  She would risk her heart time and again to prove him wrong...
  Much to his aggravation, the wickedly handsome Duke of Sethe, is wanted by every husband-hunting, title-chasing female in the country, or so it seems.  Twice betrayed by women he loved, Nicholas Leighton is no longer the gullible young fool he was in his youth.  Having grown cool and cynical, as well as older and wiser, he has vowed to never again allow another woman to affect him emotionally, for he has learned his lessons and learned them well.  So, when the breathtakingly lovely Ashleigh St. John suddenly and unexpectedly enters his life, as well as his home, he is determined to keep the alluring interloper at an emotional and physical distance.  Unfortunately, he quickly discovers that some things are easier said than done.
  Reckless and daring, Ashleigh St. John is an unconventional young lady with the heart of a hopeless romantic.  When she meets Nicholas Leighton she is certain that she has met the man of her dreams, but unfortunately, the man of her dreams seems bound and determined to keep her at a distance, hiding his true emotions behind a self-erected wall of cool detachment and calculated indifference.   But having glimpsed the wonderful man hiding behind the facade, she too is determined, determined to do whatever it takes to break through the intractable barriers that guard his heart, willing even, to surrender her innocence and time and again risk her ravaged heart to ultimately win his trust and more importantly his love.
  Dear Reader:  Warning: If you are looking for a hearts and flowers romance, this probably isn't the book for you.  This story involves a damaged hero who is desperate to keep from being hurt again and will do just about anything (including acting like a complete jerk at times) to keep the heroine from breaking down the walls he's built around his heart.
  The Reformed Rakes Series:
  Book 1 – Until You (Nicholas)
  Book 2 – You, and Only You (Alex)
  Book 3 – When Only a Rake Will Do (Brendon)
  
  (Although these books are part of a series, written in chronological order and feature recurring characters, each can be read as a stand alone novel if so desired.)