The Sexiest Man Alive. Sandra Marton

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      Excerpt Letter to Reader Title Page PROLOGUE CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE EPILOGUE Copyright

      “Loathe me all you like. That doesn’t mean you don’t want me.”

      “Want you? I’d sooner want a snake.”

      

      “Yeah?”

      

      “Yeah.”

      

      “Well, considering what was going on here a little while ago, you’re going to make some snake a very happy reptile.”

      

      Susannah swung toward him, her hands knotted into fists. Any second now, she was going to lose her chance at Chic magazine, probably her chance at anything, because once she slugged the horrible Matt Romano, what would be her chance of getting another job in publishing?

      

      “You really do think you’re the sexiest man alive, don’t you? Well, let me tell you something, Romano. Just because I was stupid enough to let you kiss me—”

      Dear Reader,

      

      What makes you happiest on Valentine’s Day? A heart-shaped box of chocolates? A dozen long-stemmed roses? I always thought those things were perfect celebrations of love. Then, one Valentine’s Day a couple of years ago, a winter storm raced through our part of New England. It buried the countryside in snow, took out our electricity and ruined our plans for dinner at a wonderful old inn. Instead, my husband and I bundled up in long underwear, jeans and sweaters. He lit a fire on the hearth, I grilled hamburgers and we opened a bottle of wine. We turned on the portable radio and danced to some old love songs. An elegant Valentine’s Day? No. But it was the most romantic one I’ve ever spent, and I’ll never forget it.

      

      Love,

      Write to Sandra Marton at:

      P.O. Box 295 Storrs, CT 06268 [email protected]

      The Sexiest Man Alive

      Sandra Marton

      

www.millsandboon.co.uk

      PROLOGUE

      

      

      CHIC

      Today’s Magazine for Today’s Woman

      Edgar B. Elerbee, Publisher from the desk of: Edgar B. Elerbee

      to: Editorial Staff

      Tuesday, June 3

      It is with great sorrow that I announce the sudden passing of Charles Dunn, our esteemed editor-in-chief. Charles was the guiding force of this publication for 32 years, and I know our entire staff will miss him.

      Effective immediately, I am naming our managing editor, James Colter, to succeed Charles in this most important role. I expect the entire staff to join me in offering James our complete support.

      E. Elerbee, pub.

      

      

      from: [email protected]

      to: [email protected]

      subj: Major Surgery needed

      Suze: I guess old Charlie put in one garter-belt-and-blindfold weekend too many. But Colter? Yuck Charlie never understood the 20th century woman, but Colter probably thinks we should still be wearing bustles Lunch at Gino’s? We can have pasta and whine.

      

      

      from: [email protected]

      to: ClaireHaines@chic com

      subj: Getting Trampled in the Rush for the Door

      Elerbee’s got to be kidding¹ Our circulation numbers were bad enough under Charlie, but Colter’s going to set new lows Hasn’t it ever occurred to Elerbee that a mag for women ought to have a woman at its helm? Forget Gino’s. I went home this weekend My mother baked up a storm. I should have saved time & put the stuff right on my hips.

      

      

      Suze:

      Size eights don’t have hips to worry about!

      Demos you requested attached Readers are women 40-65 Not target group Not good news. Heard the latest dirt? Colter is history. Wonder who Elerbee will put in his place?

      Claire

      

      

      from: SusannahMadison@chic com

      to: [email protected]

      subj: Mister Ed, The Talking Horse

      Or maybe Lassie. But not anyone who could breathe some life into CHIC You’re right. Demographic breakdown is N.G Women, single, 18-35. That’s where we should be aiming. We need more picture spreads, more fashion stuff, makeup ideas, advice on men I’ve had it with Mom, apple pie and babies What ever happened to the joys of being a single woman???

      

      

      from: ClaireHaines@chic com

      to: SusannahMadison@chic com

      subj: Single Women, 18 - 35

      The lucky ones got married

      

      

      from: [email protected]

      to: [email protected]

      subj: Definitions

      Depends on your definition of “lucky”

      

      

      from: [email protected]

      to: [email protected]

      subj: Cold Feet

      A career doesn’t keep you warm at night.