The role of an adopted child and a child whore left scars in Mackenzie's soul. The only thing that saves her is her love for animals. It is because they never judge or despise that Mackenzie becomes a veterinarian. Realizing the need to forget her past in Iowa, she decides to find a job in a foreign city and goes on exchange leave to Seattle. Her new home is beautiful, but the locked room reminds her of the “gifts” of childhood given by her adoptive family: the fear of closed spaces and at the same time the ability to open any door. After Mackenzie gets into the secret room, she is horrified... and intrigued: chains and shackles, whips and paddles, strange benches with belts... Alex returns home and finds Mackenzie in his secret dungeon. Despite the initial rage, gradually her wariness and curiosity awakens his natural protective nature. They make a deal: in exchange for a place to live and help in finding a job, she becomes his wife for a while. He only planned to use Mackenzie to keep his ex-girlfriend, not replace her; but the girl’s combination of strength and vulnerability hits him right in the heart.