Everyone has at least one weakness. Mitch Wilder's is women. He has always been fussed over, coddled, and protected by them. As a teenager, he was the star football quarterback, always surrounded by girls, as he used his good looks and popularity to his advantage. By thirty-nine years of age, he hadn't slowed down. Mitch still sneaks from bedroom to bedroom.

When his father dies in 1967 Mitch's world starts to fray at the seams. His father's will states that Mitch has inherited the shipping company, which he has been running for eight years since his father retired. But up until then, the company had remained in his father's name. While the inheritance isn't a surprise, the stipulation that Mitch must hire his stepbrother, Tom Fleming, is. On top of this, Tom will own half the company within five years. If this doesn't happen the company will be sold, and the proceeds will go to charity. Mitch sees no choice but to hire his brother.

Other than the fact that Mitch hates Tom, he has also discovered that Tom had an affair with the woman Mitch loves, Claire Lester. He comes up with a plan: to convince Claire to marry him and keep her away from Tom.