Can't Stand the Heat - Louisa Edwards [0]
The copy wrote itself.
Adrenaline surged up, chasing away the lingering haze of alcohol, and Miranda blinked.
A man with dark hair came into focus, nearly close enough to kiss—so close she could only see one feature at a time. His hair was too long on top and completely disordered, curls standing up like devil horns. His tan skin stretched taut over a broad forehead and sculpted jaw. His wide mouth was drawn in a sneer that couldn’t quite hide the sensual shape of his lips. He had dark, flashing eyes. The light was too dim to really make out the exact color, but the expression in them was clear enough: a sort of stunned fury, hot enough to burn.
Miranda felt heat scorch along her cheeks and neck, and wasn’t sure if it was from the vodka, the intensity of Adam Temple’s regard, or the gaze of fifty tipsy foodies. Probably a combination of all three.
Can’t Stand
The Heat
Louisa Edwards
St. Martin’s Paperbacks
NOTE: If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
CAN’T STAND THE HEAT
Copyright © 2009 by Louisa Edwards.
Excerpt from On the Steamy Side copyright © 2009 by Louisa Edwards.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York,
NY 10010.
EAN: 978-0-312-35649-1
Printed in the United States of America
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / September 2009
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
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To my husband, Nick, who bears the brunt of all my
research and experimentation, in the kitchen
and elsewhere . . .
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing is a solitary gig, but I could never do it alone. I want to thank my handsome husband, Nick, for his tireless support and for the fact that his career ripped us away from Manhattan and plunked us down in a tiny town in Ohio—without that move, this book probably would never have been written. The other person directly responsible for this book’s existence is my fabulous agent, Deidre Knight, who was wise enough to make me quit trying to write about vampires and start writing what I really loved. Thanks, D! Best advice ever. And a huge thank you to Rose, for loving this book as much as I do, and championing it at St. Martin’s. I have the best editor in the world!
Since starting to write full time, I’ve made some of the coolest friends I’ve ever had: my brilliant critique partners, Mel and Maria, my partner-in-crime Nic, Naughty Kate, Diva extraordinaire Kristen, gorgeous Gena, Miss Marley, rock star Rocki, kick-ass Kresley—all of you make it so much fun to get behind that desk every day!
This book also belongs to my chef and foodie friends: Chef Jason Smith and Lauren Martin at 18 Seaboard in Raleigh, Dan Dilworth at Lever House in NYC, and all the other chefs who welcomed me into their kitchens and answered my fan-girlish questions. Megan Blocker, one of the best cooks I know, gets credit for helping to test the recipes, along with my wonderful parents, who first taught me to cook, and my sister, Georgia, who happily tested multiple versions of the champagne cocktail.
You should all know that Nick was the one who actually invented the GINger Lemonade. Everything else in the book is mine, mistakes and all.
ONE
It was the sort of party where Miranda Wake knew every guest by face or reputation, but had never spoken to any of them. At least, not in person. Of course, she