Sandra Marton - The Sexiest Man Alive

Excerpt “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—” Letter to Reader 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 SandraMarton@worldnet.att.net Title Page The Sexiest Man Alive Sandra Marton www.millsandboon.co.uk 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

SandraMarton@worldnet.att.net

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: ClaireHaines@chic.com

to: SusannahMadison@chic.com

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: SusannahMadison@chic.com

to: ClaireHaines@chic com

subj: Getting Trampled in the Rush for the Door

Elerbee’s got to be kidding 1Our 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: ClaireHaines@chic.com

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: SusannahMadison@chic.com

to: ClaireHaines@chic.com

subj: Definitions

Depends on your definition of “lucky”

from: ClaireHaines@chic.com

to: SusannahMadison@chic.com

subj: Cold Feet

A career doesn’t keep you warm at night.

from: SusannahMadison@chic com

to: ClaireHaines@chic.com

subj: Cures for Cold Feet

Try an electric blanket. Or get a cat.

from: ClaireHaines@chic.com

to: SusannahMadison@chic.com

subj: Women can Purr, Too

You’re heartless, Madison.

from: SusannahMadison@chic.com

to: ClaireHaines@chic.com

subj: Better a Cat than a Kitten

I’m practical, Haines.

CHIC

The Magazine for Women

Edgar B. Elerbee, Publisher

July 28

Please join me at a buffet breakfast in the boardroom Friday, from 8-30 to 10, in honor of our new editor-in-chief, Julius Partridge Wallinger. Mr. Wallinger brings with him almost 40 years of journalistic know-how. Payroll has asked me to assure you that the problem with last week’s checks was computer related and will not occur again. Thank you for your forbearance.

E. Elerbee, pub.

from: SusannahMadison@chic.com

to: ClaireHaines@chic.com

subj: Hello

Enjoying vacation. Weather is glorious Relaxing on all sides. Reading, renting videos, etc. Old friend’s been coming around—Sam. Did I ever mention him? My ever - hopeful Mom invites him for dinner each night, which makes me smile. Sam’s a sweetheart. He plays canasta with her after I go to bed.

Saw an item buried in back of Business Daily. Is it true? Has the new guy gotten the boot already? I’ve only been on vacation a week!!! What about rumor of a Romano Inc takeover? Not really possible, is it? I spotted him in Hyannisport. (Drove there to treat Mom to lunch) The only thing Matthew Romano could do for CHIC would be to let the mag lay him out as a centerfold.. Not that any intelligent woman would find the studly-but-brainlessly-arrogant Mr. Romano a turn - on He was with Ted Turner. Now, there’s a guy I’d love to see buy CHIC. Tell Peter I send love & kisses, & that I miss him