Simone Oliver prides herself on being a realist and a cynic. A brilliant set designer for a Manhattan theater company, she thrives in the background and is perfectly comfortable in jeans, Chuck Taylors, and a paint-smeared T-shirt. That is, until Zach Hammond, the award-winning (and sexy-as-hell) British director, turns the spotlight on her. He's clearly captivated by her and won't take no for an answer--but Simone is determined to maintain her position that love's not worth the risk.

A hopeless romantic who can quote Shakespeare on a whim, Zach has spent his life center stage,...