His Reluctant Cinderella

Jessica Gilmore

It's like a fairy tale…Castor Rafferty, London's notorious vice-CEO of glamorous Rafferty's Stores, might have a reputation to uphold, but he's determined to protect his independence. He needs a convenient girlfriend, but his reluctant Cinderella–gorgeous single mom Clara Castleton–doesn't seem to be falling for his charms!Clara isn't looking for Prince Charming–only for a life where she's in control. But there's something about Raff that makes her want to open her heart…and to believe in a happy ending after all!

She was paralysed by the heat in his eyes, warming her through from head to toe, settling in the pit of her stomach, awakening a sweet, insistent ache she hadn’t felt for so long.

The naked desire in his face provoked pride, need, want.

And she wanted him too.

She’d wanted him since the moment he had sauntered into her office, arrogant and demanding, making her think and making her do and making her feel. Not just because he looked so good, was so tall and so broad and so solid, and not just because he had eyes that caressed and a mouth that made her knees tremble, but because he was a man who cared, hide it as he might.

But he was a man who was leaving. A man with itchy feet, who lived his life on the edge of civilisation, risking his life every day.

Right now it was hard to remember why that was a problem.

His Reluctant Cinderella

Jessica Gilmore

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

After learning to read aged just two, JESSICA GILMORE spent every childhood party hiding in bedrooms in case the birthday girl had a book or two she hadn’t read yet. Discovering a Mills & Boon® novel on a family holiday, Jessica realised that romance-writing was her true vocation and proceeded to spend her maths lessons practising her art, creating Dynasty-inspired series starring herself and Morten Harket’s cheekbones. Writing for Mills & Boon really is a dream come true!

A former au pair, bookseller, marketing manager and Scarborough seafront trader—selling rock from under a sign that said ‘Cheapest on the Front’—Jessica now works as a membership manager for a regional environmental charity. Sadly, she spends most of her time chained to her desk, wrestling with databases, but likes to sneak out to one of their beautiful reserves whenever she gets a chance. Married to an extremely patient man, Jessica lives in the beautiful and historic city of York, with one daughter, one very fluffy dog, two dog-loathing cats and a goldfish named Bob.

On the rare occasions when she is not writing, working, taking her daughter to activities or tweeting, Jessica likes to plan holidays—and uses her favourite locations in her books. She writes deeply emotional romance with a hint of humour, a splash of sunshine and usually a great deal of delicious food—and equally delicious heroes.

For my parents

To Mum, thank you for weekly trips to the library, for never telling me to “put that book down”, for the gift of words and stories and dreams.

And to Dad for proving that families are more than genes, that blood isn’t thicker than water, that nurture totally trumps nature—and for being the best grandpa in the world.

I love you both x

Contents

Cover (#ufaa3200f-587a-5c70-89ca-87634c82f1c2)

Excerpt (#u16f148b4-0c1a-5fc6-9b74-6cc408641178)

Title Page (#u88f26c1f-b17c-5678-9d68-41b78d3fe54c)

About the Author (#ucc8225d2-546f-5994-8964-39d9761886bd)

Dedication (#ua9da267d-d562-54a2-8374-7582ecd83fbd)

CHAPTER ONE (#ulink_8dec157d-8865-56cb-99ac-01cacdd2d925)

CHAPTER TWO (#ulink_6d3f0abb-fa69-53fa-8e3b-fdf1488b7c97)

CHAPTER THREE (#ulink_e7632eba-fc7d-55c1-a8cf-4a8230fc0f14)

CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

EXTRACT (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ONE (#uli