One Final Step
A new image…step by stepWho 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.
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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
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.
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For Kimberly and Emil
You may live on the other side of the ocean but family bonds never break.
Contents
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 watched as her right eyebrow arched, slightly framing a perfectly shaped cobalt-blue eye. The color was everything he’d heard about and read about. And it was more amazing than anything he’d seen on television.
Cobalt-blue eyes combined with dark, long hair that had reddish highlights he suspected were real. Her skin looked as if it would feel silky to the touch and her lips were full enough to make a man think of the things men usually liked to think about when it came to a woman’s mouth. Her chin was slightly pointed, a small flaw that prevented her from being a goddess yet at the same time made her that much more intriguing because it meant she was real and not mythical.
