What happens on the island, lingers in the heart.

Julie Simms moved back to Half Moon Bay to take over her ailing great aunt's fiber arts store, and stayed by her side until the end. Now it's Julie's first Christmas without the sassy old lady, and grief drives her to take some much-needed time off away from a town full of memories.

A week in Honolulu-hula dancers, coconut palms, and sunny beaches-is exactly what she needs, plus a bonus: meeting a gorgeous man who makes her forget everything except getting naked. With him. As often as possible.

Stanford Professor Lukas Klein, who's just finished up a conference and is ready for a break, hasn't been this intensely attracted to a woman since his divorce. He's been leery of getting too deeply involved in a relationship, yet Julie is a breath of fresh air he can't resist. And doesn't even want to try.

Half Moon Bay and Stanford aren't that far apart, but the magic of paradise could be too far removed from reality to let an attraction this mind-blowing last forever.