Amber Page - All's Fair in Lust & War

“Never, huh? That’s a long time.”

“I’m serious. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am to let some man screw up my life.”

He pulled her into his arms and tilted her face up to his.

“I think you know I’m not just ‘some man,’” he said as he brushed his lips across hers. “I’m magic.”

With that, he deepened the kiss. Their tongues darted and danced and he pulled her closer, wanting more.

He was reaching for the buttons on her blouse when the sharp whistle that signalled the arrival of a text message on his phone blared.

Becky jumped back, staring at him with undisguised horror.

“I’m not sure if you’re magic,” she whispered. “But I am beginning to think you might be the devil.”

“I’ve been called worse by my competition,” he said. “But usually not until after I beat them.”

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author DEDICATION PROLOGUE ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN EPILOGUE Extract Copyright

I’ve worked in the world of advertising for far longer than is healthy. It’s a wild and woolly world, filled with beautiful people, strong personalities, and lots and lots of drama.

It is, in other words, the perfect place to set a romance novel.

For a really long time I was too busy living in it to find time to write about it. When inspiration finally did strike it was National Novel-Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo, as those of us insane enough to participate like to call it), and I had thirty days to pound out a fifty-thousand-word novel.

For twenty of those days the words flew through my fingers and on to my computer screen faster than I could speak them. Unfortunately on day twenty-one I discovered I was telling the wrong story. The words stopped, the story stalled, and Mark and Becky took up residence in my head.

They stayed there for almost four years. And, let me tell you, they were obnoxious house guests—always whispering in my ear, trying to get me to write the right story and set them free.

I finally did it last fall, during the So You Think You Can Write contest. I didn’t win, but Mark and Becky caught the right editor’s attention. And now, less than five months later, I’m writing you this letter.

It’s been the adventure of a lifetime. A dream come true. And one heck of a relief—Mark and Becky have finally vacated my head.

If you enjoy this story one-tenth as much as I enjoyed writing it you’re in for a treat. They’re delightful people, living in a delightfully insane world.

Thanks for reading!

Amber

www.millsandboon.co.uk

AMBER PAGEhas been writing stories since—well, since she could write, and still counts the pinning of her ‘Bubble People’ tale to the classroom bulletin board in the third grade as one of her happiest childhood memories.

She’s also an avid reader, and has been addicted to romances since she first discovered them on the dusty shelves of her favourite library as a young teen. The nerdy little bookworm she was is still pinching herself to make sure that this whole ‘getting published by Mills & Boon ®’ thing is real.

When not penning Happily-Ever-Afters, Amber works as an advertising writer in the heart of Indiana, where she lives with the love of her life, their daughter, and a menagerie of furry animals. She also blogs, gardens, and sometimes even manages to sneak in a few hours of sleep.

Don’t ask her how she does it all. She’s too tired to remember.

ALL’S FAIR IN LUST & WAR is Amber Page’s debut book for Mills & Boon ®Modern Tempted™ and is also available in ebook format from www.millsandboon.co.uk

DEDICATION DEDICATION PROLOGUE ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN EPILOGUE Extract Copyright

To my husband, my biggest cheerleader and occasional butt-kicker. Thank you for refusing to let me give up.

To Allison, Amanda, Christina, Meagan, Rhonda and Tanya, whose speed-reading skills and smart critiques helped make this book what it is.

And to everyone else who cheered me along the way (you know who you are).

Contents

Cover

Introduction “Let’s get one thing clear,” she said. “What happened was supposed to stay in Vegas. It will never happen again.” “Never, huh? That’s a long time.” “I’m serious. I’ve worked too hard to get where I am to let some man screw up my life.” He pulled her into his arms and tilted her face up to his. “I think you know I’m not just ‘some man,’” he said as he brushed his lips across hers. “I’m magic.” With that, he deepened the kiss. Their tongues darted and danced and he pulled her closer, wanting more. He was reaching for the buttons on her blouse when the sharp whistle that signalled the arrival of a text message on his phone blared. Becky jumped back, staring at him with undisguised horror. “I’m not sure if you’re magic,” she whispered. “But I am beginning to think you might be the devil.” “I’ve been called worse by my competition,” he said. “But usually not until after I beat them.”

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author DEDICATION PROLOGUE ONE TWO THREE FOUR FIVE SIX SEVEN EIGHT NINE TEN ELEVEN TWELVE THIRTEEN EPILOGUE Extract Copyright I’ve worked in the world of advertising for far longer than is healthy. It’s a wild and woolly world, filled with beautiful people, strong personalities, and lots and lots of drama. It is, in other words, the perfect place to set a romance novel. For a really long time I was too busy living in it to find time to write about it. When inspiration finally did strike it was National Novel-Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo, as those of us insane enough to participate like to call it), and I had thirty days to pound out a fifty-thousand-word novel. For twenty of those days the words flew through my fingers and on to my computer screen faster than I could speak them. Unfortunately on day twenty-one I discovered I was telling the wrong story. The words stopped, the story stalled, and Mark and Becky took up residence in my head. They stayed there for almost four years. And, let me tell you, they were obnoxious house guests—always whispering in my ear, trying to get me to write the right story and set them free. I finally did it last fall, during the So You Think You Can Write contest. I didn’t win, but Mark and Becky caught the right editor’s attention. And now, less than five months later, I’m writing you this letter. It’s been the adventure of a lifetime. A dream come true. And one heck of a relief—Mark and Becky have finally vacated my head. If you enjoy this story one-tenth as much as I enjoyed writing it you’re in for a treat. They’re delightful people, living in a delightfully insane world. Thanks for reading! Amber

Title Page All’s Fair in Lust & War Amber Page www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author AMBER PAGE has been writing stories since—well, since she could write, and still counts the pinning of her ‘Bubble People’ tale to the classroom bulletin board in the third grade as one of her happiest childhood memories. She’s also an avid reader, and has been addicted to romances since she first discovered them on the dusty shelves of her favourite library as a young teen. The nerdy little bookworm she was is still pinching herself to make sure that this whole ‘getting published by Mills & Boon ® ’ thing is real. When not penning Happily-Ever-Afters, Amber works as an advertising writer in the heart of Indiana, where she lives with the love of her life, their daughter, and a menagerie of furry animals. She also blogs, gardens, and sometimes even manages to sneak in a few hours of sleep. Don’t ask her how she does it all. She’s too tired to remember. ALL’S FAIR IN LUST & WAR is Amber Page’s debut book for Mills & Boon ® Modern Tempted™ and is also available in ebook format from www.millsandboon.co.uk