Nathaniel Knox has only ever seen Phoebe as one thing: forbidden. He's no good for anyone - especially not someone as sweet as his best friend's little sister. He knows he can't have her. But when a series of events sends Phoebe stumbling headfirst into danger, only he can protect her. ***** Phoebe West has been head-over-heels in love with her brother's best friend for as long as she can remember. Despite several mortifying attempts at seduction and a decade's worth of unrequited pining, nothing Phoebe does seems to have any impact on Nate. What she doesn't know is that there's a darkness in Nate, the kind you can't avoid after years working in special forces and private security. Some lines aren't meant to be crossed - even if she makes him feel things he barely recognizes... Content and trigger warning: This story contains mature sexual content. [[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]