Every decision Esmerelda Giles has made in her life has led her to the mess she's currently in—an unemployed antiques dealer with a repossessed vehicle and no romantic prospects. Then again, she doesn't have much interest in guys since her touchy-feely former boss crossed her personal boundaries one too many times. Normally, she would have never embarked on a blind date, let alone one that wanted to meet her at the risqué Club Paradise in South Beach. But Esme is no longer following her obviously horrendous instincts and throws caution to the wind for a single night.

Renzo Cesare hadn't arranged any blind dates given his recent broken engagement. So he has no business intercepting a bookish antiques dealer out for adventure and pretending to be her date. Yet how could he let someone as sinfully sweet as Esme Giles fend for herself in the provocative playground for singles? He never guessed just how much adventure she was really looking for until he finds himself headed back to her room for the night. Something he can't allow to happen without confessing his ruse. Sure he understands why she's ready to throw away the hottest chemistry this side of Mexico once she learns the truth. But Renzo has an idea for a project that just might save both their careers, and land them in the right bed—- together—after all!

*an earlier draft of this work previously published by Harlequin