Ryan Blake certainly looks the part of a bad boy, what with his tattoos, motorcycle, and troubled past. But he's turned over a new leaf, and he's back in Haven, North Carolina, to prevent his teenaged brother from making the same mistakes. Also in town? Emma Rush, the younger sister of Ryan's Army buddy who died overseas, and the woman Ryan can't stop fantasizing about.

Emma Rush has always done what's expected of her, and she's ready for a change. With Ryan back in town, she knows she's found the perfect person to help her walk on the wild side. As they spend more time together, Emma finds herself falling in love with the reformed bad boy. But when she gets accepted to an elite graduate program, she must decide between her old dream and her new one with Ryan.