Susan Mallery - Only His

Mallerys prose is luscious and provocative.

Publishers Weekly

Susan Mallerys gift for writing humor and
tenderness makes all her books true gems.

RT Book Reviews

Romance novels dont get much better than
Mallerys expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.

Booklist

Mallery sets up some very tough choices
for her heroine, making this book compelling and intense.

RT Book Reviews on Finding Perfect

[A]n emotional story with a beautiful happy
ending! Another must read by Susan Mallery.

Good Choice Reading on Almost Perfect

Warm, funny, and sexy, this lighthearted yet
touching page-turner is a satisfying, rewarding
read and the perfect beginning
for Mallerys Fools Gold series.

Library Journal on Chasing Perfect

As demonstrated in this compelling story, family
doesnt have to share blood, just emotions. Filled
with emotional drama, devastating treachery and
the power of love, this finale will delight fans.

RT Book Reviews on Hot on Her Heels

One of the Top 10 Romance Novels of 2009!

Booklist on Straight from the Hip

Only Yours

Only Mine

Finding Perfect

Almost Perfect

Chasing Perfect

Hot on Her Heels

Straight from the Hip

Lip Service

Sweet Trouble

Sweet Spot

Sweet Talk

Accidentally Yours

Tempting

Sizzling

Irresistible

Delicious

Falling for Gracie

Someone Like You

Already Home

To my friends at Facebook.com/SusanMallery:
You have helped shape Fools Gold.
Youve named characters, helped me
brainstorm plots, and even served as
the Fools Gold cheerleading squad.
Thank you for your friendship and support!

N EVER AGREE TO A JOB INTERVIEW in which the interviewer has seen you naked.

Nevada Hendrix was confident that nugget of advice had been sewn on a pillow somewhere, or made into an inspirational poster. Unfortunately, no one had shared it with her before. Now, facing Tucker Janack for the first time in ten years, she discovered it was very, very true.

Shed had a plan. Thats what killed her. Shed polished her rsum, practiced her answers to different interview questions, had bought a new blazer and had even paid an extra seventeen-fifty to get some stupid gloss treatment to make her hair look shiny. She who avoided all things girly whenever possible. Done in by a formerly naked guy and gloss treatment.

Hello, Nevada.

Tucker.

She was careful to keep her game face in placewhatever that meant. All she knew was that having her mouth drop open and gape in astonishment wasnt going to make her look capable.

I was expecting your father, she admitted. After all, the call shed received about the final interview had specifically said she would be speaking with Mr. Janack. Not a name she associated with a guy shed known back in college.

Im running the construction and doing all the senior hiring personally on this project, he said, motioning for her to take a seat, which she did.

They were in a conference room at a hotel in Fools Gold. Ronans Lodge, known to locals as Ronans Folly, was a beautifully constructed building with hand-carved woodwork and elegant furnishings. Things she might have stopped to appreciate under other circumstances. As it was, she couldnt see much past the man whod taken a seat across the table from hers.

Time had been kind to Tucker. He was still tallwhich shouldnt be a huge surprise. So few men shrank these days. His hair was dark, with just enough curl to keep him from looking too pretty. The dark eyes, square jaw and hint of a smile on his kissable mouth were exactly as she remembered.

Um, no, she told herself firmly. Not kissable. Far from kissable. He was her potential boss. Or not, depending on how he remembered the past.

She swore silently and wondered why old man Janack couldnt have kept control of just one more project. But when it came to Tucker, shed never been able to catch a break.

Its been a long time, he said, giving her that slow, easy grin of his. The one that had made her feel like the most special girl in the world. That had been a complete lie and had broken her heart to the point that it had almost not healed itself.

She drew in a breath, pushed all memories of a younger Tucker out of her brain and squared her shoulders. As you can see from my rsum, Ive been busy. After college I worked in South Carolina for a couple of years, learning all aspects of construction from the ground up, so to speak. We did mostly commercial spaces and, before I left, I was in charge of a five-story building.

It may have sounded small to him, but it was something that made her proud. We came in early and under budget, with the cleanest inspection record the company had experienced.

He nodded as if he already knew all this. That, if hed read her rsum, he did.

Why didnt you stay? he asked. They cant have wanted to let you go.

They didnt, but I wanted to come home.

Roots?

Yes. She did her best not to remember that hed never experienced what it was like to settle in one place. Hed grown up all over the world. After all, Janack Construction was multinational. She remembered Tucker talking about summers in Thailand, winters in Africa.

She sensed the danger of getting personal and reminded herself she really wanted the job.

Since returning to Fools Gold, Ive handled mainly smaller projects. Some residential. I have experience working with crews of different sizes and understand state and local building codes. She continued talking, giving examples of her various skills.

The team that will be working here is one of our best, Tucker told her. Theyve been together a long time and they dont take well to outsiders.

Do you mean outsiders or do you mean women?

Tucker leaned back in his chair and flashed that killer smile again. Janack Construction is an equal opportunity employer who complies with all state and federal employment guidelines.

How very politically correct. Im not afraid of a team of men, if thats what youre getting at. I grew up with three older brothers.

I remember. How is Ethan?

Good. Married. Happy. If youre going to be around for a while, you should look him up.

However, if the powers that be actually liked her, then Tucker was only in town to hire and would soon be jetting off to another part of the world.

I will. Im going to be here through the initial phase of the construction.

Damn. So much for being liked by a higher power.

You work for Ethan, Tucker said. Why do you want to come work for me?

She didnt. She wanted to work for his father, but that wasnt an option. Im looking for a challenge, she said, admitting the truth.

Youve seen the scope of the project?

She nodded. Janack Construction had bought over a hundred acres north of town. They were building a resort and casino complex on tribal land. The company had leased additional acres to a developer that specialized in outlet mallsa fact that had the female population in the area quivering in anticipation.

We should talk about it, he said quietly.

Nevada stared at him, wondering why the project could warrant the slightly furrowed brow. And then she knew. The it in question wasnt work related.

No, we shouldnt. She fought against the urge to stand and possibly back up, putting more space between them. It was a long time ago.