Six feet, two inches of pure marine male, Major Russ "Mac" McIver had the right stuff in spades. His by-the-book, black-or-white view of the world allowed no compromises. Which tended to ruffle Lieutenant Caroline Dunn's usually unrufflable temper. So when a dangerous mission threw them together, Cari vowed to lay down the law with the stubborn marine--just as soon as she got her leaping heartbeat under control. They locked horns whenever they met. But Mac's one soft spot was Cari. Their battle of the sexes provided a perfect cover for his weakness, but could he keep his secret when they might not have tomorrow?