Anne Calhoun - Working With Heat

For now, Milla Jackson is an American in London, but she’s also been an American in Paris, Rome, Prague and more. She’s working hard to combine her love of travel and growing social media presence into a career, even involving her followers in her (somewhat dismal) dating life. When the combustible heat between her and her best bloke, Charlie, explodes, she’s unprepared for the secrecy of “friends with benefits.”

Charlie’s an artist who’s already been burned by one woman who used social media against him. He’s determined to keep his hands on the glass he works with—and off the irresistible Milla, who’s sure to share every detail with her followers.

Will their best intentions survive a secret relationship? Or will the heat transform their fling into something that can overcome Milla’s fear of permanency and Charlie’s reluctance to trust again?

Dedicated to my sister Laura, who has endured more than her share of bad dates. Love you, sistah!

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Dear Reader Title Page Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Epilogue About the Author Copyright

A big thank you to Angela James for her efforts and support, Julia Broadbooks for helping me flesh out Milla’s character over lunch in New Orleans, and Jeffe Kennedy for her thoughts on the draft. Finally, special thanks to Miranda Neville, who greatly improved this story with her insightful comments on the structure and generous assistance with all things British, especially Charlie’s background.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Epilogue About the Author Copyright ,

How did your last date go? Was he checking dating sites while he’s chatting you up? Glued to his mobile phone? Rocking a mullet? As any Cosmopolitan reader knows, dating in the twenty-first century can be both really exciting...and a real challenge.

Milla Jackson, the heroine in Working With Heat , knows this, too. An American girl living in London’s East End, she’s building her online brand as a travel vlogger, but her love life is one hilariously bad blind date after another. Milla doesn’t mind; she’ll finish the night at the pub quiz with her friends, including bad boy glassblower Charlie Tanner. But when Charlie becomes her lover, things get complicated. Can Milla and Charlie survive the risk that comes with sleeping with a friend?

Thanks for reading! Find out more about my books on my website, annecalhoun.com, and chat with me on Twitter ( twitter.com/annecalhoun) about books, writing and whatever else catches your fancy!

Cheers,

Anne

Working

with Heat

Anne Calhoun

Contemporary, sexy stories for sassy women

Cosmo Red-Hot Reads from Mills & Boon

www.millsandboon.co.uk/cosmo

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Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text For now, Milla Jackson is an American in London, but she’s also been an American in Paris, Rome, Prague and more. She’s working hard to combine her love of travel and growing social media presence into a career, even involving her followers in her (somewhat dismal) dating life. When the combustible heat between her and her best bloke, Charlie, explodes, she’s unprepared for the secrecy of “friends with benefits.” Charlie’s an artist who’s already been burned by one woman who used social media against him. He’s determined to keep his hands on the glass he works with—and off the irresistible Milla, who’s sure to share every detail with her followers. Will their best intentions survive a secret relationship? Or will the heat transform their fling into something that can overcome Milla’s fear of permanency and Charlie’s reluctance to trust again?

Dedication Dedicated to my sister Laura, who has endured more than her share of bad dates. Love you, sistah!

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Dear Reader Title Page Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Epilogue About the Author Copyright A big thank you to Angela James for her efforts and support, Julia Broadbooks for helping me flesh out Milla’s character over lunch in New Orleans, and Jeffe Kennedy for her thoughts on the draft. Finally, special thanks to Miranda Neville, who greatly improved this story with her insightful comments on the structure and generous assistance with all things British, especially Charlie’s background.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Epilogue About the Author Copyright , How did your last date go? Was he checking dating sites while he’s chatting you up? Glued to his mobile phone? Rocking a mullet? As any Cosmopolitan reader knows, dating in the twenty-first century can be both really exciting...and a real challenge. Milla Jackson, the heroine in Working With Heat , knows this, too. An American girl living in London’s East End, she’s building her online brand as a travel vlogger, but her love life is one hilariously bad blind date after another. Milla doesn’t mind; she’ll finish the night at the pub quiz with her friends, including bad boy glassblower Charlie Tanner. But when Charlie becomes her lover, things get complicated. Can Milla and Charlie survive the risk that comes with sleeping with a friend? Thanks for reading! Find out more about my books on my website, annecalhoun.com, and chat with me on Twitter ( twitter.com/annecalhoun ) about books, writing and whatever else catches your fancy! Cheers, Anne

Title Page Working with Heat Anne Calhoun Contemporary, sexy stories for sassy women Cosmo Red-Hot Reads from Mills & Boon www.millsandboon.co.uk/cosmo

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Epilogue

About the Author

Copyright

Chapter One

“Watch it, love,” a man said, extending one arm to stop Milla Jackson from riding her bike into oncoming traffic on Whitfield Street.

“Thanks,” Milla said, and flashed him a smile. Taking advantage of the traffic, she leaned over the bracket holding her phone to her bike’s handlebars and thumbed in a quick text.

I’m here & looking forward to meeting you.

Well, almost there. The Crazy Bear, the bar in London’s tony Fitzrovia neighborhood where she’d agreed to meet her blind date, stood across the street, not yet flooded with smart media types looking to unwind after a busy day. Milla shifted her weight and looked forward to relaxing in the outdoor patio. After six glorious weeks of backpacking through Sweden, Norway and Iceland, she was back in heels, working as an assistant at the Darmayne Gallery in Mayfair.

Her phone buzzed as she set off across the street. Milla returned the now-distracted stranger’s favor and tugged on his sleeve to prevent him being flattened by an oncoming cyclist, got a nod of thanks in return, then her phone buzzed.