Tired of spinning through jobs and men with abandon, Helen Ficklesham decides to wrestle her life back on track. But when she trips a sexy stranger, she's tempted to ditch her good intentions for another hot fling, one that may ruin her dream job and flatten her self-esteem. Professor Julian Webb never knew what hit him, but now he's caught in Helen's whirlwind, protecting her from old enemies within his wealthy family, and considering commitment-both mental and marital. The problem is, while Helen wears her heart on her sleeve, he refuses to risk his. He wants her on his terms. Helen can hold her own against her demanding boss, her diva mother, and Julian's scheming relatives, but falling truly in love is the scariest thing she's ever done. How can she know for sure what he feels? Is she willing to deny him to keep her career and independence? She's a woman on the verge of a breakthrough. Take cover!