He read the books. He took the notes. He misunderstood the assignment.

When Ethan Taylor's friend sets him up on a blind date, he gets one piece of advice:

Women love the men in romance novels. Act like one.

Brooding? Easy.

Smoldering? He can learn.

Possessiveness? ...That one might need work.

Maya Sinclair was expecting a normal date. Instead, she gets a man who stares too hard, leans too close, and nearly takes himself out trying to be dominant.

She should be running. Instead, she's laughing.

Because what's sexy in fiction is just awkward in person.