Free Midnight in Montmartre: A French Kiss Sweet Romance by Chloe Emile Page A

are sexy and fun, but they’re missing humor. Women look at those models and think, they're perfect, and I don't measure up . You hired Gigi to be the face of your campaign for a reason. She's clever, with unique personal style, and she has a mind of her own. Women don't just relate to her because she's this perfect specimen. They love her because she's sassy and cool for not caring about public opinion. Funny enough, it's what endears her to the public. That's what a Mademoiselle Montaigne girl should be: cool, confident, with a lethal sense of humor. How many men wouldn't find that sexy?"
    "A woman with a gun is certainly sexy," Adam said. "I'm a big James Bond fan, and I've always liked the Bond girls who knew how to handle a gun."
    "If you put Gigi in a typical lingerie ad," Giselle said, "I agree that we'd be selling her short. Gigi has attitude. She has spunk. She'd be perfect for this idea."
    "She's British, but I can tell you that she's extremely popular in the States, too," Mia said. "Americans also love the cool British style. I've seen Mademoiselle Montaigne's designs, and they're definitely suited to a warrior woman rather than a weak plaything. Beth, you're a powerful businesswoman yourself. You own the brand, and you're the line's ideal client. What do you think about it?"
    Beth sat back in her chair. She scrutinized the ad for a few seconds. It felt to Mia like hours.
    Mia turned to Luc and Didier. They looked as if they were holding their breath, waiting for her decision.
    "I had reservations about this campaign at first," Beth said. "You're right, Luc, I've seen too many sleazy campaign proposals, so this one seemed tame in comparison. While I do have the same concerns as Anton with the gun issue, my first impression of the ad was amusement. It's empowering and feminine, without a blatant feminist agenda. It's still sexy. The slogan is tongue in cheek. I get the message that the model is telling the audience that she's in control of her body, and she respects herself." Beth tapped her perfectly manicured fingers on the table as she scrutinized the mock-up ad some more. A smile slowly broke out on her rouged lips. "I like it. It's sexy and edgy, while still being classy. It doesn't exploit women, and I like the pink gun. Well done."
    Luc and Didier looked at each other.
    Mia digested the information. "You mean..."
    "Congratulations," Beth said. "I've chosen your campaign."

Chapter 12
    L uc caught Mia as she lost her balance walking down the steps of the Montaigne building's front entrance.
    "Whoa, are you okay?"
    His arm automatically wrapped around her waist, steadying her balance. Her head leaned on his left shoulder momentarily, and he could smell the coconut scent of her shampoo.
    "My legs suddenly turned into rubber," she said, letting out an embarrassed laugh. "It's like I forgot how to walk."
    "It was pretty intense in there," Luc said.
    "Maybe I was more nervous than I thought."
    "Here we thought you were completely confident," Didier said with a grin.
    "You thought I was confident?" She laughed. "I was a ball of nerves on the inside."
    "You commanded the room," Luc said, "and got the others into a meaningful discussion. It was impressive."
    "Don't worry," Didier added. "Luc and I have made a career out of faking it until we made it."
    "I'm probably having postmeeting shell shock," Mia said.
    "You definitely hid your nerves well," Luc said. "And won us the campaign. Your speech was amazing."
    "Thanks." Mia beamed at him with that beautiful smile of hers that warmed him from the inside. "I think Beth would've approved the ad regardless. She seems to be a woman of good taste and sense."
    "She certainly is." Didier gave Luc a knowing look, but Luc ignored it.
    "Should we get a drink to celebrate?" Luc cut in before Didier could say anything more about Beth.
    "I'd love to," Didier said, "but my wife's been mad at me for working overtime lately. We have a daughter at home who's going through the terrible