Her Desirable Defender (Tactical Protectors: Marines) by M.D. Dalrymple

It was supposed to be a one night stand . . . no strings attached. Cole "Iron" Maxton is known for his tough, unbreakable exterior. Nothing phases this Marine Corporal -- not even his assignment with Marines Special Task Force at a foreign embassy. Until one night on leave back on base, when a random encounter at a bar shatters that tough exterior. Isis Jennings is shocked when the handsome, curly haired Marine comes to her rescue at the bar to shove some unwanted attention away. This Marine is strong with bright eyes, and the way he looks at her makes her melt. When she bumps into him outside the bar, sparks fly, and it leads to one night of scorching passion before Cole deploys. With the agreement of no strings attached, no obligations. One night only. Only that scorching passion doesn't end when they leave the motel the next morning. Something lingered, including a budding romance neither expected . . . yet both Cole and Isis are shocked at just how tethered they are from that one night when it catches up to them. Life makes a quick 180 after Cole returns from his eight month deployment. Although Cole's been taught the Marine code of Improvise, Overcome, Adapt, even he struggles to figure out how a relationship with Isis is going to work. Which is a problem, because Isis is the only thing Cole wants. Can they overcome this surprise change and find passion again? Or will it shove them apart forever?