Dallas playboy Parker Sugarman had soulful eyes, a wicked grin and his choice of gorgeous women. But this time he needed a woman to wed, not bed. So who better than his lifelong friend, straitlaced Kendra Ballard?

Their short-term celibate marriage was Parker's slickest move to date, guaranteed to win him temporary respectability and permanent custody of his adorable orphaned niece. But his careful plan led to astonishing desire…. For once the take-charge Texan didn't have a clue. Could a confirmed rake seduce his own wife and transform himself from bad-boy bachelor to family man?