Robin Shea, Rebecca De Mornay, is a convict in a New Mexico prison. She manages to escape, but mistakenly hitches a ride in the limo of James Tiernan, Frank Langella, a politician visiting the prison as part of his campaign for governor. He returns her to the prison in secret. While changing back into prison clothes, Robin meets Billy Moran, Vincent Spano, a carpenter and handyman who is doing work in the compound under supervision that is supposed to keep him isolated from the female inmates. Billy helps Robin temporarily hide from the guards, and they have sex.
Robin learns who James Tiernan is from a political ad on television where he talks about his strong stance on prison issues. She manages to call him at his campaign headquarters, and James Frank Langella gives her advice, including one suggestion: that she get married. Robin extends a bold proposition to Billy, offering him five thousand dollars to marry her for a year so she can get out of prison. Billy accepts, they are married, and Robin is released not long after.
Robin moves in with Billy, who also lives with his brother Peter, Donovan Leitch, and Billy's son Timmy, Jamie McEnnan. Initially there is a clash of personalities due to the contrast between Billy's serious demeanor and Robin's wild-child nature. Billy hopes for a real relationship, while Robin insists their arrangement is temporary and that she wants to pursue her musical career. She quickly forms a band, which Peter joins, and she crosses paths again with James, who uses Robin as a poster child for successful prison reform on his campaign.
Robin spends more time with Peter and Timmy, which strains Billy’s patience. She suggests they see other people, and Billy agrees. Billy has sex with another woman, while Robin also becomes involved with James, who is married. The two couples confront each other with jealousy as the complicated web of relationships deepens.
The next morning Robin reconciles with Billy, helping him when his jeep breaks down and spending time with him at work restoring an old museum. They have sex in Billy's workshop, and their moment is interrupted by a group of tourists who take pictures. At first Robin's public indecency is hushed up due to her status as a poster child for James’s prison reform, but when James sees the photos he grows jealous and orders that Robin's parole be revoked. The police come for Robin when she is performing with her band at a bar. She flees to James' house for help, but he turns her away. Robin goes back to Billy's house, where he has packed up her things and prepared money for her. Billy promises to help her no matter what she wants to do, and Robin decides she is tired of running.
Billy and Robin secretly crash James' political dinner. Robin takes to the stage with her band, praising James' assistance in giving her a second chance. The performance earns a heartfelt standing ovation, which in turn bolsters James' image. James agrees to help Robin, and she no longer has to go back to prison. James goes on to win the election, and Robin and Billy return home together, happily married.
