AROUND CHI-TOWN
Anyone wondering where last nightâs unexpected June heat wave came from need look no farther than the posh downtown hotel where a couple dozen of the hottest men in Chicago were auctioned off for charity. (For charityâor for the hundred or so hungry females in the audience?)
And the star of the show was our own Justin Connelly. Though this member of the famous Connelly clan hides inside the hallowed halls of his familyâs corporation, he is definitely not all work and no play! Looking positively studly in his black tux, Justin attracted the highest price tag of the night.
Society debs from the renowned Novak, Powers and Barlow families upped the ante, but it was an unknown bidder who snared the baffled bachelor. Reliable sources identify Kim Lindgren as Justinâs very own secretary. Canât you see it now? âMiss Lindgren, take a memoâ¦. Check on the status of the research data, follow up with the advertising figures, andâ¦while weâre at it, come give your boss a kiss.â
After all the Connellys have been through of lateâwith son Danielâs assumption of the throne of Altaria, his attempted murder, the corporationâs near computer disasterâyours truly guesses even this blue-blooded family could use a bit of fun and folly!
For Missy & Molly Brown,
My Four-Legged Babies Who Provide Continuous Joy
is an award-winning, bestselling author of romance who resides across the lake from her native New Orleans. Married for more than twenty years to her own hero, she is the busy mother of four children. She recently traded in her business suits and a fast-paced life in the hotel and public-relations arena to pursue writing full-time. Metsy has a strong belief in the power of love and romance. She also believes in happy endings, which she continues to demonstrate with each new story she writes. The Wager (MIRA Books, August 2001) was Metsyâs first single-title release. Behind the Mask (December 2002) will be her second MIRA Books title. She loves hearing from readers. For a free doorknob hanger or bookmark, write to Metsy at P.O. Box 3224, Covington, LA 70433.
MEET THE CONNELLYS
Meet the Connellys of Chicagoâwealthy, powerful and rocked by scandal, betrayalâ¦and passion!
Whoâs Who in AND THE WINNER GETSâ¦MARRIED!
Justin ConnellyâHis head is always buried inside a column of figures at Connelly Corporation. But this budding bachelor is about to become intrigued by âfiguresâ of a different kindâ¦the female kind!
Kimberly LindgrenâIn business suits and upswept doâs, sheâs toiled side by side with her boss, Justin. Until one night when she lets her hair down and allows him to see she has more to offer than good typing skills!
Robert MarshâA loyal Connelly employee and fiancé to a Connelly woman. What lies beneath his million-dollar smile and prep-school education?
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
âWhere is he?â
Kimberly Lindgren jerked her gaze up from the computer screen as Tara Connelly Paige stormed into the office suite. âMrs. Paige,â she said, quickly coming to her feet to intercept the other woman, who, given the high color in her cheeks and the snap in her voice, was obviously furious. âI donât think your brother is expecting you.â
âOh, Iâm sure heâs not. But he is going to see me.â
After working as an executive assistant for more than two years at Connelly Corporation, Kim had become a master at smoothing ruffled Connelly feathers. Yet something about the fire in this particular Connellyâs violet eyes told her this was not going to be one of those times. Still, she had to at least try. âI believe Justin is on the phone at the moment,â she said, positioning herself in front of her bossâs office door. âIf youâll have a seat, Iâll let him know that youâre here.â
âThanks. But Iâll just tell him myself.â
Kim didnât move. âThat might not be a good idea, Mrs. Paige. Your brotherâs had a rather difficult morning.â Which was an understatement if there ever was one, Kim admitted silently. The day had turned into a disasterâone for which she felt partly responsible since it had been she who had discovered the cost overruns in the firmâs new advertising campaign that was set to kick off next month.
âIf thatâs your way of telling me that Justinâs in a rotten mood,â Tara went on, âI appreciate the warning. Really, I do. But it just so happens that Iâm in a rather foul mood myself, and Justin is the reason. I am going to see him, Kim. Now the only question is whether youâre going to move away from that door and let me pass or am I going to have to go through you?â
Stunned, Kim remained speechless. For several long seconds she simply stared at the petite dark-haired woman dressed in the chic red suit, dashing hat and gloves and killer high heels. At five foot seven, Kim estimated she had at least five inches and twenty pounds on Tara Paige. Yet Kim didnât doubt for a moment that the other woman meant every word sheâd said.