The residents of the small coastal town of Seaside, North Carolina fall into two categories: Marines and their kids. When outsider Kat Chandler takes a new job as the principal of Seaside Elementary, she faces opposition to her goal of creating an oasis of calm for the children. Adding to her challenges is single father Micah Peterson, who wastes no time in telling Kat the way things should be done. Kat can handle overbearing parents, but when Micah adds passionate kisses to the mix, she knows she's in trouble.

Marine Sergeant and single dad Micah Peterson puts all his military discipline and precision into the two most important things in his life: his job and his son, Ben. But meeting Ben's gorgeous new principal causes Micah to wonder if there might be room in his world for one more. Kat is certainly sexy, but Micah feels more for her than just physical attraction as he watches her build meaningful relationships with her students. When he learns Kat has a strict no Marines dating rule, Micah sets out to prove to Kat he's worth the risk . . . a risk that just might turn into forever.