When Joshua Chandler identifies the hacker attempting to infiltrate his security software, he becomes a target for assassination. A genius, contracted to safeguard government secrets, he concludes a lot of people could see him as a threat. Various government agencies vie to protect him, but he prefers to hire his own bodyguard. When he falls in love with her, he has only one choice. Catch his assassin, so he can focus on winning her. Catriana Duplessiss, (Cat) hired to protect Josh, remains professional and distant in order to do her job. An ex-marine, she's well trained to keep him safe, but pretending to be his live-in-lover tests her rule "never get involved with a principal". She's lost too many loved ones to death and refuses to risk her heart again. When her feelings for Josh affect her ability to do her job, she insists on being replaced, so he has the best protection possible. It also allows her to run, but she can't hide from the truth. She's lost her heart to this brilliant man whose death seems imminent. Both the assassin and Cat elude Josh's efforts to capture them. He doesn't know which is the greater threat losing his life or losing his love.