Curtis Manning is a huge, scowling, almost-silent, ex-boxer and former soldier who now bounces at Dangerous Curves. A tough-as-hell childhood has left him not the slightest bit interested in commitment or relationships – or at least, he wasn’t interested before Tessa showed up at Curves, all blonde curls, and emerald-gold eyes, and hot, lush body. Since he first laid eyes on her, Curtis has been in love with Tessa… but now the woman that he loves is on self-destruct, and he’ll do anything to help her. Even walk away from her forever, if it means that she’ll get healthy.

Tessa Mahoney is a tall, curvy, ex-ballet dancer who now waitresses at Curves. A tough-as-hell childhood has left her with an overwhelming need to control everything in her topsy-turvy, chaotic life… including every morsel of food that she puts in to her mouth. She’s determined to get back to 99 pounds – and she’s willing to do anything at all to make that happen. Even damn near starve herself to death, if it means that she feels in control for the first time in a long time.

When Curtis forces Tessa to face what she’s doing to herself, he expects to never see her again. Instead, she forgives him, and everything that Curtis has ever wanted with and for Tessa comes true. But when the man who took Curtis’ mother away from him returns, and threatens Tessa, Curtis faces some hard, ugly truths about himself. Once Tessa sees those things in Curtis, will she be able to forgive him? And even if she does, will Curtis be able to forgive himself?