Samantha James is on the run from Boston, fleeing a possible killer in the form of John Lawson, her aunt's investment advisor. John has made it clear that Samantha will marry him and give him complete control over her future inheritance immediately or else. With the rumors and suspicions surrounding the recent death of John's father, Samantha knows he will stop at nothing to get what he wants - even murder. Samantha's only option for refuge is her childhood home halfway across the country in the New Mexico Territory where she hopes the ruggedly handsome Taos Williams she remembers will agree to keep her safe until John is brought to justice. Upon arrival in River City, Samantha finds that the compassionate, caring hero from her memory no longer exists. Taos Williams has changed in the nine years since Samantha has been gone. After a disastrous marriage that left him branded a wife beater, he views all women with suspicion. When Samantha arrives unannounced, he is tempted by her beauty but wary of her intentions. No matter how hard Taos fights his attraction to Samantha, sparks of passion ignite a fire storm so sensual it threatens to destroy everything they both hold dear.