When Leroy gets promoted at the new oyster plant on Pearl Point, all he cares about is working hard. Then he meets flirtatious artist Rose, and soon nothing matters except getting her to the altar and into bed. He's healing from a recent loss, and isn't about to let her go too.

Because Rose's strict, social-climbing father doesn't approve of dark-skinned Leroy, they court in secret. Although Leroy's raw passion can convince her to do almost anything, why can't he understand she needs freedom, not marriage? However, in the 1930s, freedom for any woman is hard to come by.

In Leroy's arms, Rose finds unimaginable sensual pleasures, but she's torn by desire and duty. Her father wants her to be white; Leroy wants her to embrace her black heritage. Playing both sides of the fence leaves this young biracial beauty exposed in more ways than one.