Man of the Year

Lisa Ruff

He'll take one for the team Advertising executive Samantha James is looking for a ballplayer who can turn the city's losing team into a winning package. From the moment she sees pitcher Jarrett Corliss in that steamy locker room, she knows she's found her star candidate. She also knows she needs to steer clear of the arrogant player outside the boardroom. Jarrett agrees to be Samantha's poster boy on one condition– that she goes out with him.Even though the team's owner has forbidden fraternization because of recent scandals that almost brought down the ball club, Jarrett isn't about to strike out. He needs the team to win this season to save his career, but he also needs Sam…and this is the one time where he hopes his pitch lands a home run.

Samantha gave Jarrett a cool smile. “Well, it was nice to see you again, Mr. Corliss, but I have to get back to my office.”

She turned away, looking for the nearest exit, anxious to put distance between her and this too compelling man. He stepped close and stopped her, encircling her wrist lightly with calloused fingers.

“Not so fast. We’re just getting warmed up here.”

“The inning is over, Mr. Corliss. It’s time for you to go back to the bench.”

“Come on, Sammy, I haven’t even had a chance to throw one yet. Have dinner with me tonight.”

The question surprised her. The impulse to say yes surprised her even more. “Strike one, Mr. Corliss.”

“Didn’t I just put one right over the plate?”

“Sorry, no. That one was wild.”

“Tomorrow night, then.”

“No. Thank you, Mr. Corliss, but no.”

She tugged away from him, but he let her get only half-free. He ran a finger down her cheek and over her chin. The touch was so electric that Samantha’s hand tightened around his. All her good intentions vanished.

Dear Reader,

Having my very first book published by Harlequin American Romance has been a thrilling adventure! Thanks for choosing to read it; I’m glad you decided to join me.

The inspiration for this book came while watching a Little League game one warm spring day. Some of those nine-year-olds played so hard and so seriously. I wondered what happened to those boys as they grew up. Who would they become as young men? Would they still dream of hitting a home run or making a double play? And what would they risk to hold on to that dream? Their love for the game was so intense, what could possibly get in its way? And what about all those little girls who had dreams of their own? I had to know the answers to my questions, and Man of the Year began to unfold, as if the story was telling itself.

I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please visit me at www.lisaruff.net. And keep a watch out for my next book from Harlequin.

Happy reading,

Lisa Ruff

Man of the Year

Lisa Ruff

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Ruff was born in Montana and grew up in Idaho but met the man of her dreams in Seattle. She married Kirk promising to love, honor and edit his rough drafts. His pursuit of writing led Lisa to the craft. A longtime reader of romance, she decided to try to create one herself. The first version of Man of the Year took three months to finish, but her day job got in the way of polishing the manuscript. She stuffed it into a drawer, where it languished for several years.

In pursuit of time to write and freedom to explore the world, Lisa, Kirk and their cat sailed from Seattle on a thirty-seven-foot boat. They spent five years cruising around Central America and the Caribbean. Lisa wrote romance, but it took a backseat to an adventurous life. She was busy writing travel essays, learning to speak Spanish from taxi drivers and handling a small boat in gale-force winds.

When she returned to land life, she finally revised Man of the Year and sent it to an agent. Within a year she had a contract from Harlequin American Romance.

She and her husband are cruising on a sailboat again somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. When not setting sail for another port, she is working on her next Harlequin romance.

For Kirk.

I could not have done it without you.

T