Rancher Ciaran O'Connor is one of the best and most successful equine and canine trainers in the Northwest. Finding a date is never hard for him, but unearthing a woman who meets all of his particular expectations and is not too needy herself is more challenging. He is ready to wait for as long as it takes when he spots nurse Katherine Franklin and makes a horse trade to get better acquainted with her. Ciaran soon finds that, just like with his wild or abused animals, he must slowly work at the puzzle of Katie's past to find the jewel hidden beneath all that manipulation. It will take all the tools in his arsenal to reach his goal.

Katie has a reputation with the men in the community; she's known for being hard to catch and impossible to keep, but Ciaran O'Connor makes her blood run hot. He is honest, protective, a hard worker, and the gentlest man she has ever known. This rancher expects the woman he loves to allow him to take care of her, which includes her obedience when he asks for it...and a red hot bottom when she doesn't. Ciaran doesn't need someone like Katie, whose past screams for her to run while her heart begs her to stay.

Can Ciaran convince Katherine that his take-charge lifestyle is not only what she needs, but everything she craves? Or is she going to turn away from the future she desires because of the past she has endured?