The Playboy's Protegee. Michele Dunaway

      “You want me to refuse to be your mentor. Not going to happen.”

      Megan’s mouth dropped open. “What!”

      Harry arched an eyebrow. “Did I stutter? It’s not going to happen. You shouldn’t have messed with me when you first came to work here.”

      She gestured wildly. “Are you insane? We can’t stand each other! You’ve done nothing but pick apart my performance since I got here. Let me have a different mentor.”

      Megan drew a deep breath as if trying to calm herself. Her suit jacket gaped open. She was wearing white lace. Harry’s throat went dry, and his words simply disappeared.

      “No.”

      The Playboy’s Protégée

      Michele Dunaway

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      For Uncle Bizz (’cos it already is)

      AUTHOR’S NOTE

      In the story, Megan’s mother suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS). My cousin Stacey lives daily with MS, and she was an invaluable source of information. Any errors in the story are mine. For more information about this disease, contact The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 733 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017. www.nmss.org.

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      In first grade Michele Dunaway knew she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up, and by second grade she wanted to be an author. By third grade she was determined to be both. Born and raised in a west county suburb of St. Louis, Michele recently moved to five acres in the rolling hills of Labadie. She’s traveled extensively, with the cities and places she visits often becoming settings for her stories.

      Michele currently teaches high school English, raises her two young daughters and describes herself as a woman who does too much but doesn’t want to stop.

      Michele loves to hear from readers. You can visit her Web site at www.micheledunaway.com or write to her at P.O. Box 45, Labadie, MO 63055.

      Books by Michele Dunaway

      HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

      848—A LITTLE OFFICE ROMANCE

      900—TAMING THE TABLOID HEIRESS

      921—THE SIMPLY SCANDALOUS PRINCESS

      931—CATCHING THE CORPORATE PLAYBOY

      963—SWEEPING THE BRIDE AWAY

      988—THE PLAYBOY’S PROTÉGÉE

      Jacobsen Stars Program: Corporate Strategy for Future Marital Team as Created by Grandpa Joe

      The Key Players:

      Megan MacGregor: Ambitious businesswoman, excellent mind, easy on the eyes. Perfect for Harry.

      Harry Sanders: My ornery grandson who needs a swift kick (but most of all, a good wife).

      Strategy:

      Make them work together as a team, thereby encouraging opportunities for covert mingling, which will lead to marriage and happiness.

      Obstacle to Strategy:

      Megan and Harry hate each other.

      Way around Obstacle:

      Lock them in a hotel suite together, with all the usual amenities, i.e., champagne, strawberries, chocolate and terry-cloth bathrobes.

      Motto:

      Grandpa Joe will pave the way for Harry and Megan’s happy day!

      Contents

       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

       Chapter Thirteen

       Epilogue

      Prologue

      Jacobsen Enterprises Internal Memo

      From: Joe Jacobsen, CEO

      To: Harry Sanders

      CC: Andrew Sanders, president

      Re: Jacobsen Stars Program

      Harry,

      I just wanted to give you a heads up on the newest Jacobsen Enterprises program to recruit and retain upper-level management.

      With your sister now in New York for the past year, it is imperative for the overall growth and stability of the firm that we keep any management talent we develop. My proposal will be instituted in two weeks, and a copy is attached. I would like you to personally consider being a mentor. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

      J.J.

      Jacobsen Enterprises Internal Memo

      From: Joe Jacobsen, CEO

      To: Andrew Sanders, president

      Re: Harry/Jacobsen Stars

      As you can see from my previous memo, I have informed your son about the Jacobsen Stars program and have indicated that I would like him to be a mentor.

      My personal choice for him to mentor is Megan MacGregor. I will drop in on him Monday morning to tell him. She’s in Mergers and Acquisitions.

      J.J.

      Jacobsen Enterprises Internal Memo

      From: Andrew Sanders, president

      To: Joe Jacobsen, CEO

      Re: Harry/Jacobsen Stars

      You old coot. The only merger you really want is for your grandson to get married. But setting up Harry with Megan MacGregor? She’ll eat him alive. Don’t you ever stop matchmaking?

      A.S.

      Jacobsen Enterprises Internal Memo

      From: Joe Jacobsen, CEO

      To: Andrew