She’s given up on love but is ready for the next best thing. Independent shop owner Claire Northrup isn't about to greet the new year with her virtue intact. Tired of waiting for love while her life passes her by, she decides to take matters into her own hands this Christmas. But when her plan for one wild passionate night takes an unexpected turn, she finds herself at odds with a man who’s wildly handsome, unforgettably seductive, and impossible to resist. He isn’t ready for her. Roland Black, Duke of Ashford and reputable rake, has a few rules: Never fall in love; never bed an innocent; and never let a woman get the better of him. So when he discovers that last night’s vision in crimson had been a virgin, he wants some answers. But when it becomes apparent that Claire is in danger from an unknown foe, Roland is suddenly questioning everything in order to save her—including his own rules.