High-powered shipping executive Mitch Deveraux, Charleston, South Carolina's most eligible - and handsome - bachelor, was more interested in the status of his shipping company than in matters of the heart.

But when the chief business rival of the Deveraux family offered his lovely daughter's hand in marriage as bait for a merger - everything changed. There was a time when Mitch would have done anything to unite the two companies. Only, now he wasn't so sure.

Because passionate kisses, sensual caresses and waking up next to Lauren Heyward would have any man running straight to the altar for real. Could this playboy's much-guarded heart be in danger of a hostile takeover...?