One Final Step. Stephanie Doyle

      A new image…step by step

      Who said moving forward is easy? Car thief turned race car driver, Michael Langdon has worked hard to build his image. Now to take it to the next level and become a successful manufacturer, he needs to kick that image up a notch. Enter Madeleine Kane, a genius at adjusting public perception. With her in charge, he’s guaranteed to look better while keeping his darkest secrets where they belong—in the past.

      Doesn’t take long, however, for his ambition to change and the campaign to become personal. Because he wants Madeleine—as beautiful as she is talented and smart. First, Michael must overcome her reservations about crossing professional boundaries and persuade her he’s worth the risk…without revealing those buried parts of himself. Good thing he’s very persuasive.

      “What do you want from me, Michael? Why are you pushing me?”

      He couldn’t say what he wanted. He only knew what he didn’t want. “I don’t want you to go. Stay here with me. Let’s just see what could happen. Don’t we owe ourselves that? A chance at maybe…I don’t know…happiness?”

      Madeleine crossed her arms over her chest and raised her head as if seeking divine intervention. “That’s not going to happen. I still work for you. If you think I’m going to set up house here and be your little lady…so not going to happen.”

      “You’re right. I was stupid. I forgot one last thing.”

      This time Michael did pounce. He had his hands around her upper arms holding her in place.

      “Madeleine, you’re fired.”

      It was the last thing he said before he swooped down and kissed her.

      Dear Reader,

      For as long as I can remember I’ve had a crush on George Stephanopoulos. I think it might be because the name “Steph” appears in his last name. I mean, how cool would it have been to be Steph Stephanopoulos? But beyond the name connection, I was always fascinated by how he was able to rise to the top of the political world so quickly. He was this super boy wonder and many people credit him with making an unknown candidate a president.

      The idea of doing a story featuring a character like him appealed to me. Then I thought of another young person involved with the president, who also became a household name, but for a very different reason. That’s when it hit me. What if I combined George Stephanopoulos and Monica Lewinsky? What kind of challenges would that create?

      My heroine Madeleine Kane is that twisted brainchild and her challenges are many. Good thing she’s got a hero like Michael Langdon to help her along. The two of them are pretty messed up, but together they learn that love will help them to take that One Final Step.

      I love to hear from readers so if you are in the mood you can contact me at www.stephaniedoyle.net.

      Enjoy!

      Stephanie Doyle

      One Final Step

      Stephanie Doyle

      

www.millsandboon.co.uk

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      Stephanie Doyle, a dedicated romance reader, began to pen her own romantic adventures at age sixteen. She began submitting to Harlequin Books at age eighteen and by twenty-six, her first book was published. Fifteen years later, she still loves what she does as each book is a new adventure. She lives in South Jersey with two kittens who have taken over everything. When she isn’t thinking about escaping to the beach, she’s working on her next story idea.

      Books by Stephanie Doyle

      HARLEQUIN SUPERROMANCE

      1773—THE WAY BACK

      SILHOUETTE ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

      1554—SUSPECT LOVER 1650—THE DOCTOR’S DEADLY AFFAIR

      SILHOUETTE BOMBSHELL

      36—CALCULATED RISK 52—THE CONTESTANT 116—POSSESSED

      Other titles by this author available in ebook format.

      Don’t miss any of our special offers. Write to us at the following address for information on our newest releases.

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      U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

      For Kimberly and Emil

      You may live on the other side of the ocean but family bonds never break.

      Contents

       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

       Chapter Fourteen

       Chapter Fifteen

       Chapter Sixteen

       Chapter Seventeen

       Chapter Eighteen

       Chapter Nineteen

       Excerpt

      CHAPTER ONE

      MICHAEL LANGDONLOOKEDat the woman on the opposite side of his wide desk and felt as if he’d been struck on the head with a bat. Having previously experienced such a sensation, he felt it was an accurate description. But looking at her was far less painful.

      She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He knew in that moment—she was going to change his life.

      Then he shook off the ridiculous thoughts. Just as he’d shaken off the effects of actually being hit by the bat. Only, there was still a buzzing in his head and as he took notice of his body, he found himself shifting in his chair and wondering.

      “I’m surprised you accepted my invitation,” he said.

      He