Cissy Salter is more than ready to shed Earth's repression when she moves to the planet Kalquor. She leaps headlong into drinking, partying, and liaisons with young alien men. She would be having the time of her life if not for the disapproval of a certain rich, gorgeous Dramok she can't avoid. She'd love to despise him, but her heart has other ideas. Dramok Diltan sees the bawdy, unrefined Cissy as a thorn in his side. The last thing he needs is a woman who drives him crazy every time they meet. Yet the spark in her eyes kindles a fire he can't ignore. His enthralled clanmates Wal and Rolat are determined to get the two to stop fighting, at least long enough to explore the possibility of making Cissy part of their clan. When they discover Diltan's past misdeeds, Wal and Rolat issue an ultimatum: help them seduce the Earth woman or face punishment. As Cissy and Clan Diltan discover each other's true nature and love blooms, the long-hidden secrets of Kalquor's leadership are revealed. An old conspiracy brought to light shatters Kalquor's peace, driving the Empire apart ... and tearing Cissy from the arms of the three men she can no longer live without.