“…At the moment can you consider us entering into an exclusive relationship?
To spell it out in plain terms, I’d like us to date only each other. Possibility?”

“A definite possibility,” she smiled. “Are you sure you want to date only me? You’re a man women love.”

“That’s exactly what I want. In our profession we’re around the opposite sex all the time, and we both know lots of flirting comes with the territory. We’re often left with very little time to devote to our personal relationships. I’ve never been one to date more than one woman at the same time, Kennedy. It doesn’t work for me. I don’t like being tangled up in romantic webs. Are you up for a serious personal liaison with me, one-on-one?”

This beautiful man was too adorable for words, not to mention genuine. Kennedy just wanted to grab hold of Xavier and never let go of him. The diamondlike sparkle in her eyes was bright, with her pupils afloat in liquid. “I’d love to be romantically involved with you. Deal or no deal?” She mocked his earlier remarks to her.

“Deal.” Xavier wasted no time in sealing the mutual agreement with an astonishing kiss, a passionate kiss Kennedy would not soon forget.

LINDA HUDSON-SMITH

was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and raised in Washington, Pennsylvania. She furthered her educational goals by attending Duff’s Business Institute in Pittsburgh.

In 2000, after illness forced her to leave a successful marketing and public relations career, Linda turned to writing as a healing and creative outlet, and became a national bestselling author.

Linda has won several awards, including a Gold Pen Award, numerous Shades of Romance Magazine awards, and an African-American Literary Show Award. In addition, she is an Essence bestselling author. Linda was nominated for two Emma Awards and a Career Achievement Award by Romantic Times BOOKreviews. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Black Writers Alliance.

For the past seven years, Hudson-Smith has served as the national spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation of America, and has made Lupus awareness one of her top priorities. She travels around the country delivering inspirational messages of hope. Linda was awarded the key to the city of Crestview, Florida, for her contributions.

A mother of two sons, Linda shares a residence with her husband, Rudy, in League City, Texas. To find out more about this extraordinary author, go to her Web site, www.lindahudsonsmith.com.

Romancing the Runway

Essence Bestselling Author

Linda Hudson-Smith

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader,

I sincerely hope that you enjoyed reading Romancing the Runway cover to cover. I’m very interested in hearing your comments and thoughts on this romantic story featuring international supermodels Kennedy Bassett and Xavier De Marco, who find love despite the attempts of other women to turn Xavier’s head and make Kennedy feel invisible.

Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with all your correspondence and mail to: Linda Hudson-Smith, 16516 El Camino Real, Box 174, Houston, Texas 77062. Or you can e-mail your comments to lindahudsonsmith@yahoo.com. You can also visit my Web site and sign my guest book at www.lindahudsonsmith.com.

Linda

This novel is dedicated to Amanda Carter,

Clarence Morrell and Damon Waldon, Sr.:

Your presence in our lives will be sorely missed.

Amanda Carter

Sunrise: November 4, 1912

Sunset: June 19, 2008

Clarence Morrell

Sunrise: March 30, 1930

Sunset: August 2008

Damon Waldon, Sr.

Sunrise: November 22, 1947

Sunset: July 20, 2008

I want to thank all my supporters. Your support and encouragement means a lot to me. I appreciate having each of you as first-time and loyal readers.

Hearts in Motion Book Club—Bermuda

The time I spent in your company was special. Each of you exhibited a warmth and friendliness that touched me deeply.

Thanks for a great time on your beautiful island.

Lillian Grant—Leader

L. Lynette Harvey

Donna Belton

Eulette Mallory

Gabriela Pozo

Loida Ratteray

Sandra U. Stowe

Carol Seymour

Norma Showers

Dasmine Thompson

Ladies of Distinction Book Club—Palatka, Florida

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 1

Xavier De Marco couldn’t seem to pull his gaze away from the exotic Kennedy Bassett, the supermodel he’d worked with on a couple of modeling assignments. No matter how many times he’d watched her take the high-fashion runway by storm, Xavier was still overly excited by her performances.

Kennedy looked sensuous and hot as ever. Decked out in leather from head to toe, she wore the heck out of red leather pants, a matching bolero-style jacket and a pair of ankle-length red leather boots. The silk shirt she wore, startlingly white and crisp, showed off a discreet amount of mahogany cleavage. As Kennedy began to slowly and seductively remove the leather jacket, Xavier’s breath caught.

This woman had more sex appeal than Xavier thought the law should ever allow. Interestingly enough, despite Kennedy’s natural beauty, it was her pureness of heart and selfless spirit he had found attractive. He hadn’t gotten to know her all that well, but her kind spirit had shone through during the few times they’d worked together. Kennedy wasn’t the least bit demanding on the set, but she would speak up if things weren’t going well. She was always polite and considerate of her coworkers, readily accepting directions from those in charge. The cameraman had also mentioned to him that she was a delight to work with. Never once had he known her to be late for a shoot during their campaigns. That in itself was very commendable. The genuine way in which she had interacted with the other models had told him a lot—and it had been enough to let him know she was someone he was eager to learn everything about.

The pride Kennedy felt in her profession was written all over her nearly flawless face and in every magical twist and turn she made. Her tantalizing, high-stepping strut was sure-footed. Modeling the stunning Prada creations with grace and style, she was in total command of every part of her willowy five-foot-eight figure. Kennedy held up her head high, as she flung her long, sable hair back over one shoulder. Suddenly, she cast her smoky hazel eyes upon Xavier.

Possessing an amazing athletic build, all the gorgeous hunk of a man could do was smile brilliantly, showing off a beautiful set of even, pearly white teeth. The butterflies surfing in his stomach belied his confident expression. He was more nervous than he’d ever been over any woman. Since he’d finally gotten up the nerve to re-ask Kennedy out, tonight was the night. After the show closed, they planned to have dinner.

Very much familiar with the runway himself, Xavier De Marco, nationally and internationally renowned, was tall, at 6’ 3”, golden-brown-complexioned and utterly ravishing. His deeply set, bluish-gray eyes, sultry lips and wavy, sandy-brown hair were considered his best assets by many. However, Xavier begged to differ. He thought his unimpeachable character and free-flying spirit were his greatest attributes.

Although Xavier was eager to slip backstage to wait for Kennedy to gather her belongings, he considered it rude to leave before the show was over. He also saw leaving any event early as disrespectful to the other performers. He was a performer, so he knew.

Xavier sat quietly, contemplating the part of the evening he’d later spend with Kennedy. He halfheartedly paid attention to the flurry of activity on the runway, until a thunderous round of applause suddenly broke out. He then sat up straight, giving his full attention to the striking, attention-grabbing model who’d just strolled onto the runway.

As the white-hot Tiaja Rae Montgomery confidently strutted her fine body down the runway, Xavier got a strong urge to find an exit. He’d had more than a few sizzling run-ins with the zesty, 5’ 9” Tiaja Rae—and he wasn’t looking forward to another.

Not so fondly referred to by many as T.R., aka Troublesome Rae, she was gorgeous—with a flirtatious lust jones for Xavier. Mocha complexioned, beautiful and sexy, she had a heart-stopping figure, a dream come true for most men. But Tiaja Rae wasn’t remotely the kind of woman Xavier was interested in, not in an intimate way.

Kennedy Bassett was Xavier’s ideal woman for romancing the runway.

Although Xavier’s eyes gave Tiaja Rae their undivided attention, his mind stayed on Kennedy. This fabulous-looking woman occupied his thoughts quite often, ever since their first meeting. Getting her out of his head seemed impossible.

The very moment the fashion show was over Xavier quietly slipped backstage, where he patiently waited for Kennedy to emerge from the dressing room. As his cell phone vibrated against his waist, he quickly responded, greeting his agent, Kirsten Banks, with an enthusiastic hello. Despite the fact she couldn’t see him his broad smile was warm and knock-dead charming.

“I need to meet with you right away,” Kirsten said, sounding a tad anxious.

“This evening is booked.” Xavier hadn’t even taken the time to ponder a response. As far as he was concerned, all his time belonged exclusively to Kennedy. “I can meet you in the morning, early, at your office.”

The firm way in which Xavier turned down Kirsten let her know there wasn’t any room to negotiate. With that in mind, she settled on his suggested time for the meeting. After wishing Xavier a pleasant evening, Kirsten rang off.

Warm hands massaging Xavier’s neck and chest from behind both surprised and startled him. However, the soft fingertips felt good on his flesh, but he was more concerned about who the owner was. If the fingers belonged to Kennedy, though he seriously doubted it, the sexy purring near his ear might’ve been a real turn-on. It would’ve also made it difficult for him to keep his manhood from rising to an indecent swelling.

Xavier slowly opened his eyes, cringing inwardly at the sight of the lovely Tiaja Rae, who was right up in his personal space.

Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Tiaja Rae trilled off a robust, throaty laugh. “Spooked you, huh, X?”

Looking strangely at Tiaja Rae, wondering why she always had to be so aggressive, Xavier rapidly moved away from her teasing hands. “Girl, don’t you ever stop?”

“If you’re honest with yourself, X, you’d go ahead and admit it.”

Xavier looked puzzled. “Admit what?”

“My hot little hands feel wonderful to you. You do know how to tell the truth, don’t you?” Tiaja Rae threw her head back and laughed wickedly, loving his reaction.

As if the moment wasn’t awkward and embarrassing enough for Xavier, Kennedy had come out of the dressing room just in time to witness Tiaja Rae’s hands all over him. Instead of advancing on her date, Kennedy stood back to see how Xavier would handle her archrival and public enemy number one.

Everyone in the world of high fashion seemed to know about the troubled history with the two models so Kennedy figured he was also aware. She’s so transparent, Kennedy thought.

Wiggling her fingers in a farewell gesture, Tiaja Rae turned and saw Kennedy watching, then flashed her a dazzling, triumphant smile. She loved to rub Kennedy the wrong way…constantly, at every opportunity. This moment was no exception.

Kennedy sucked in a gust of calming breath. In the next instant she walked over and boldly slipped her arm through Xavier’s. There was no way she’d let Tiaja Rae get to her ever again. The silly girl had already tested most of Kennedy’s nerves, anyway. “How are you?”

“Fine.” Now that you’re here. Xavier looked relieved. He knew of the rivalry between the two supermodels, which had begun long before he’d ever come to know either of them. According to the rumor mill, theirs was a longtime contention.

Xavier quickly decided not to explain to Kennedy what else Tiaja Rae had been up to, not unless she opened up dialogue on it. Kennedy knew her issues with her nemesis far better than he did, but he hoped she’d one day tell him some of the details. Tonight just wasn’t the time to explore anything as negative as a sinister runway rivalry.

As Xavier lightly kissed Kennedy on the cheek, he briefly covered her hand with his. “You were absolutely fantastic on the runway! Then again, what else is new?”

Kennedy’s broad smile dazzled. “I felt pretty darn good out there tonight. We always know when it’s going good or bad for us. Everything went really well.”

“You didn’t miss a beat, lady. You immediately worked the crowd into one hell of a frenzy. That red leather outfit made a bold statement. Ready to get out of here?”

Kennedy nodded. “You bet. I’m hungry.” Earlier in the day she had been extremely nervous about their first date. She was kind of surprised that she felt this relaxed with him so early on in the evening. “What about you, are you hungry?”

Xavier grinned. “Ravenous. I figured you’d probably be starving, too. I made reservations at a quaint little supper club/piano bar. In no time at all, they’ll have you digging in to something real tasty. One of L.A.’s finest.”

Kennedy was thrilled she wouldn’t have to wait forever at a restaurant to possibly be served only a halfway decent meal. Even the finest eateries could be disappointing at times, especially when overcrowded. Xavier seemed to have excellent taste overall so she was sure he’d already checked out the place. Kennedy was sure that having a dish like Xavier seated across from her would be a mouthwatering distraction. If he was anywhere near as interesting as he was good-looking, he’d more than likely command her undivided attention.

Kennedy immediately saw that Café Blue was appropriately named. The entire decor was done in various shades of blue. She later learned Blue was the last name of the owner, who was a retired Oakland Raiders football player. Xavier’s father, La Monte De Marco, and the owner, Reynard Blue, had been good friends from back in the day. They’d never lost touch, though La Monte resided on the East Coast.

Once Xavier had introduced Reynard and Kennedy, Reynard ushered the couple to the table he had handpicked. The seating arrangement looked out over the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. The couple was then given cleverly designed menus: thin navy-blue leather-bound books with light blue parchment paper printed with a darker blue ink.

Soft, romantic music drifted from the overhead speakers, though an accomplished pianist was scheduled to perform within the hour. Kennedy thought it’d be nice to listen to piano music while dining. She’d already fallen for the first-class establishment. The atmosphere was romantic yet not overwhelmingly so for a first date.

Xavier stood. “Excuse me for a couple of moments for a trip to the men’s room.”

“I’ll be right here when you get back.” She gave him a sweet smile.

Xavier fought the strong urge to lean down and kiss her, but it was too soon for that. Besides, he’d never been a fast mover when it came to the opposite sex. Taking things at a slower pace was more to his liking. Usually he was into first building a solid friendship, yet he was already sure he wanted more. The kind of torrid thoughts he had about Kennedy on a regular basis couldn’t be filed away under “friendship.”

As Xavier walked away from her, Kennedy watched after him, loving what she saw. His perfectly rounded derriere had her near panting, which led to her recalling some of the details of their first encounter. Now that was a night to remember.

They had met during an intimate photo shoot on a windswept beach in Malibu. The two supermodels had partnered to do a provocative swimwear layout for a high-fashion magazine. Their scantily clad bodies had come into contact quite a bit that day, causing Kennedy’s body temperature to rise several degrees above normal. With a body as hard and fine as Xavier’s, Kennedy had a hard time keeping her eyes from going too far south and her imagination running wild. The power and sturdiness of his thighs and legs couldn’t be ignored. Keeping up her professional demeanor wasn’t an easy task, but she’d managed. At the end of the day her nerves had been frayed from the tension of wanting this man in a way she’d never wanted anyone. The time she’d spent working with Xavier was ingrained in her memory. Neither one had denied or validated the chemistry between them, but it was definitely present. In spades.

Shortly before the photo shoot had come too quickly to an end for her, Kennedy had been invited to have dinner with Xavier later in the evening. Regrettably, she’d had to decline because of prior plans. Otherwise, she would’ve accepted his invitation without the slightest hesitation. Xavier had been a delight to work with. Not only was he enchanting, he had exhibited a beautiful spirit, a rare combination in her opinion.

Kennedy had immediately been wildly attracted to Xavier’s high energy. To her, he looked like an African-American version of John F. Kennedy Jr., with a similar style of thick, though sandy, wavy hair. His devastating good looks, long lashes and sexy Boston accent hadn’t hurt matters any, but the kind of spirit he possessed was more important to her than anything. It’d seemed to her that their spirits were kindred. Xavier had been a gentleman to everyone he had come into contact with regardless of gender. He was caring and thoughtful toward the entire crew. His willingness to lend a helping hand to others was impressive. Kennedy actually saw quite a few of her own qualities in him, which made her believe he had a good spirit.

According to the fashion gossipmongers, Xavier was well bred and well-rounded and a Boston University graduate with a degree in communications. Both parents were successful physicians. His mother, Adelle, was a general surgeon. His father, La Monte, was an orthopedic surgeon. From what else Kennedy had learned, the older De Marcos resided in an elite neighborhood in Boston, in the same house in which they raised Xavier.

Xavier returned to the table. Soon as he reclaimed his seat, he immediately turned his attention back to his date. “What do you think of the place?”

“I like it. The color scheme is fascinating. All these different hues of blues are actually complementary to each other. I hope the food is as wonderful as the atmosphere. I assume you’ve eaten here before?”

“The food is spectacular. I’ve come here with my parents a couple of times. I thought you might like it. It’s quiet, a lot like your serene spirit.”

Kennedy’s breath caught. What a nice thing for him to say. Her spirit was a quiet one. She was intrigued with how well he’d already summed up an important part of her character. She loved peace and harmony, detesting conflict in any form or fashion.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he said just above a whisper, his pulse going berserk. Looking at her was an exhilarating experience. Being in her company was even more awesome.

Kennedy looked perplexed, lowering her lashes. “Sorry, but I’m afraid I didn’t catch your last remark.”

“It was nothing.” While Xavier silently thanked God that she hadn’t heard him, his smile was soft and tender. His remark had been totally out of line. Coming on too strong wasn’t a good thing, especially at this juncture. Getting to know her better had Xavier all hyped up, but he didn’t want to lose her, not when he was this big on winning.

Since it appeared Xavier wasn’t going to repeat his remark, Kennedy thought she should let it go, no matter how curious she was. He also looked rather embarrassed.

What had he said to make him blush? She’d surely like to know.

The waiter suddenly arrived, giving them a chance to regroup.

Kennedy instantly settled on the entrée-size Caesar salad, topped with grilled chicken. “Please, put the dressing on the side.” Then she asked for water with a wedge of lemon.

As Xavier gave the waiter his order, the deep timbre of his voice caused Kennedy’s body to slightly shiver. Grilled Orange Roughy was actually one of her favorite whitefish. Maybe he’d let her sample a bite, she thought, smiling inwardly.

“I like my asparagus crunchy,” Xavier explained. “A small garden salad with balsamic vinegar will work nicely for me.” He took a last-minute glance at the menu. “Peach iced tea, please. Can you also bring us a small plate of lemon wedges?”

“Absolutely, sir. If that’ll be all for you, I’ll turn in your order right away.”

Xavier nodded. “Our order is complete. Thank you.”

Kennedy had a fleeting moment of awkwardness, but she shook it off. She was dining with a perfect gentleman, a very nice, fine one, she quietly assured herself.

The couple carried on a nice conversation as they waited for their meals.

As Xavier was very eager to learn even more about Kennedy, he asked all the pertinent questions, and she happily and truthfully responded to each. He thought that a person’s personal background was a great way of learning how they grew up and the value system they’d grown up under. Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, wasn’t too far down the road from Boston.

His eyes gleamed with curiosity. “How was life in Philadelphia?”

“Pretty darn good.” Her lovely smile showed off her fondness for the region. “I still love to go home for visits, especially on holidays. My mother, Megan, and my dad, Kennedy, retired educators, wouldn’t think of living anywhere else. However, they do love to fly to L.A. a few times a year. If Mom thought she could convince Dad to move west, I think she’d go for it. The cold weather is still pretty daunting for her.”

The mention of her parents caused Xavier to think of his. He recalled telling Kennedy a bit about them before, but he went on to do a brief recap. “No one in my family is leaving Boston. Dad is actually an L.A. Lakers fan. Figure out that one.”

“There are only Seventy-Sixers fans in my parents’ house. Like your father, I’m sort of a turncoat, too. I also love the Lakers. Dad and my brothers, Gregory and Scott, would kill me if they knew how hard I cheer for the hottest team on the West Coast.”

Xavier raised an eyebrow. “How bad would it be?”

She shielded her eyes with her hands. “Let’s just say I’d probably be disowned.”

“I doubt that.” Xavier couldn’t imagine anyone disowning Kennedy.

Kennedy looked up at the waiter when he reappeared at the table to set down their food orders. Before taking off, he made sure the couple had everything they needed.

Kennedy eyed Xavier’s meal with keen interest. “Nice portions. You certainly won’t have to go home hungry.”

Xavier laughed. “They definitely aren’t skimpy with the food, but Mr. Blue may’ve requested a little something extra special for us. He’s a great guy.”

Kennedy cleared her throat. “Well, it looks like you can tell him that in person. He’s on his way over here,” she said, half covering her mouth, speaking lowly.

Before Xavier could even react to her remarks, Reynard had arrived. “Is everything to your liking?” His dark amber gaze encompassed both parties.

“The meals just arrived,” Xavier responded, “but I know how you pride yourself on putting it out right. Never been disappointed in anything I’ve eaten here. Kennedy just mentioned the large portions.”

Reynard winked. “We aim to please. You two beautiful young people enjoy your meal. Tell my old bud hello for me whenever you speak with him again.”

“I’ll do that. Thanks for everything, Mr. Blue.”

After Kennedy cut up her salad greens into smaller pieces, she took her first bite. As she savored the tangy taste of the dressing, her eyes closed involuntarily. “Mmm, good.”

The dab of dressing left on her lower lip had Xavier desiring to lick it away. Her mouth was full, ripe and juicy, and he couldn’t help thinking of what it might be like to kiss her, imagining the tingling sensations he’d probably feel. The image of their lips locked together in a passionate coupling was vivid. Tearing his eyes away from her delectable mouth wasn’t easy.

Tinkling music, soft and melodic, suddenly drifted slowly about the room, causing Kennedy to look over to the elevated dais where the shiny black baby grand piano was stationed. The gentleman seated on the stool appeared fairly young, possibly in his early twenties, and was wearing a traditional black tuxedo.

While Kennedy and Xavier continued eating their meals, the soft music played on. She’d been able to recognize a few of the songs even though no lyrics were sung. “Play Misty for Me” had been easy for her to identify. “A House Is Not a Home,” a Dionne Warwick song her parents loved. For someone so young, Kennedy thought the pianist sure knew how to play the back-in-the-day classics.

As Kennedy’s eyes followed several couples walking to the rear of the piano area, she was surprised yet again. She hadn’t noticed the dance floor until now. It looked as if the owner had thought of everything. He had successfully pulled together both a lovely dining spot and a magnificent entertainment venue.

“This place rocks,” she told Xavier. “I didn’t see the dance floor until now. It seems Mr. Blue is quite talented and a resourceful gentleman. I love it here.”

“This supper club is a lifelong dream of his. My father often shares the history of how this place finally came into existence. I’d like to share it with you.”

Xavier began to tell Kennedy that Mr. Blue was a favorite grand-nephew to his father’s beloved aunt, Lucille Carlton. Blue thought the world of his aunt and had made sure she had at least two box seats for all his home football games. When she’d call and say she had a couple more guests to bring along, he’d make it happen.

When Ms. Lucille died a couple years before Blue’s retirement from the NFL, she had left over two million dollars to him. There had been one must-do stipulation in her will: Blue had to use a portion of the money to open the supper club he’d always talked of owning…and he’d had to do it within one year of her death or lose the inheritance.

Kennedy was astonished. “That’s such a touching story! I bet he was thrilled no end by his aunt’s love and generosity. As a football player, I bet he made lots of money. But had he intended to open the restaurant so soon after retirement?”

“According to my dad, Mr. Blue made excellent money, but not the kind of megamillions athletes make today. He’d planned to build a supper club, but he would’ve had to take out a small-business loan. The inheritance spared him the grief. He was excited.”

“I’m sure. His is one great success story. This fabulous place is buzzing with patrons and excitement. What are your plans for after modeling? Or have you made any?”

“My degree in communications will help me land a decent job. I’d actually like to work as a sports commentator or a communication specialist on a show like Entertainment Tonight. What are you thinking postmodeling?”

“Acting, but I actually want to get seriously involved in it before my modeling career is over. I’ve already done a few guest spots on television shows. My degree is in theater arts.”

“Looks like we both made sure to prepare for life after modeling. I’ve been doing this a long time now and I love most everything about it. The international traveling is getting a bit tedious, but I’m not tired enough yet to give it up.”

“I know what you mean. I’ve been places some folks can only dream about. I feel blessed for all the world travel I’ve done over the years.”

“That makes two of us.” Noticing that she had laid her fork aside, he wondered if she was through with her meal. “Ready for dessert?”

Kennedy rubbed her stomach. “No room at the inn. What about you? Are you ordering dessert?”

“I never leave here without my sweet potato pie. If you’re ready to go, I can order it for takeout.”

Kennedy waved off his concern. “I’m in no hurry. If you wait to eat it at home, I won’t get a chance to steal a pinch.” She laughed at her flirty hint.

Xavier grinned. “I hear you. I’ll get the waiter over here right away. Sure you don’t want anything else?”

Ashamed that she’d left a fair amount of salad on her plate, she looked down at it. “If I could eat anything else, I’d finish off what I already ordered. In a lot of places salads are super-sized these days. I’m not wasteful…and I promise I’ll finish what I take out.”

“Don’t give it another thought.” He looked down at his plate and cracked up. “Mama would be proud of me if she saw my dish. It was too good not to eat it all.”

The waiter arrived simultaneously with the end of Xavier’s comment. He ordered two slices of sweet potato pie, one to eat now and another slice for takeout.

Their intense gazes suddenly caught and locked for several seconds. Kennedy turned her head away. She liked his bluish-gray eyes, loved his dazzling smile and his solid packaging. She felt breathless for a moment. If looking at his tantalizing lips, full, sexy and inviting, took her breath away, what would happen if he tried to kiss her? She’d welcome it and probably grow greedy for more.

Kennedy couldn’t get her mind to switch gears. Wondering what might occur when Xavier walked her to her door had her trembling inside.

Xavier reached across the table and closed his hand over Kennedy’s. “Think you can find your way back to earth?”

Feeling her color rise, Kennedy tried to laugh off her embarrassment. “Sorry about that. I don’t know where my mind skidded off to.”

“You don’t? I know exactly where my mind was in your absence.”

She knew he was setting her up, but she still decided to take the bait. “Where?”

His eye color deepened. “Out there on the dance floor, holding you in my arms. Think we can make it happen? I’d love to dance with you.” The deepness of his voice was strong and husky, yet intimately passionate.

Dancing was her absolute favorite thing to do. She looked across at the dance floor, where patrons were grooving to the smooth piano tunes. “The feeling is mutual.” She scooted her chair back from the table and waited for him to extend his hand.

As Xavier took Kennedy’s hand into his, guiding her out onto the dance floor, his smile defied description. The heat emanating from his hands warmed her through and through. The heat grew feverish as he gently pulled her in close to his body, leading her in a seductive slow dance. A light breeze just might help cool things down, she thought.

The intense desire Kennedy had to lay her head against Xavier’s chest was no match for the common sense busy kicking her in the shins. Her strong attraction to him couldn’t be denied. Nor would she try to deny it, but she had to proceed with caution.

Her thoughts flew her back to the beach modeling gig in Malibu, where his fiery hands had explored her anatomy with relaxed ease, touching her like this, caressing her like that. His lips had come within micro inches of hers—and it had been doubly hard not to make the sweetest of introductions. She shivered at the thought of a passionate lip connection.

Kennedy had been checking him out the entire day. And she had made it her business to find out if Xavier was in a relationship. She had had her fill of men who thought it was okay to date more than one woman at a time, especially without making them aware of the intent. All of the sources she’d spoken to had been very reliable, which was the main reason she’d accepted his invitation to dinner. According to Xavier De Marco’s peers, the man had a stellar reputation.

The many things Kennedy and Xavier soon learned they had in common amazed them. They liked the same music, loved sports—and each possessed a strong desire to see the entire world to experience life in other cultures. Both were champions to the underdog. They were also in just the right profession to have it all.

Xavier realized Kennedy was lost to him again, her mind off to somewhere else, but he was okay with it this time. She was safely in his arms and the night was still very young. “The Look of Love” was playing softly and “Never Can Say Goodbye” had just ended. He hadn’t planned to go inside when he took her home, that was, if she even invited him in, but he knew he wanted a host of encore dates.

Kennedy was something special. Xavier’s instincts had told him that much. Even though he didn’t believe in dogging women, period, he wouldn’t ever think of half-stepping with this woman. She deserved his all, his everything, and he was sure she’d come to demand the same from him. He didn’t plan on falling short of her expectations.

The quiet ride to her home in the close confines of his convertible Mercedes Benz 350 CLK had her breath catching every few minutes. He smelled so good, so manly. After all their hours together, his light citrus-scented cologne still stirred her senses. As she studied his hands on the steering wheel, she saw that he had tight control, without being uptight. It was like he caressed the wheel, holding it steady and sure. She felt safe.

The radio station Xavier had tuned in to was one of those late-night romance fests, where the DJ had a smooth, silky voice and knew all the right buttons to push to heat things—and bodies—up. Every song was soft and sensuous, sweet, sweltering and sexy.

The more she thought about it, the more she was sure she’d love for Xavier to wrap her up in his arms securely, stroke her limbs tenderly, kiss her hungry mouth passionately and tenderly nibble on her earlobes until her heart thumped wildly.

Laying her head back on the headrest, Kennedy closed her eyes. These were the kinds of provocative moments one savored when becoming lost in the array of intimate possibilities. Xavier was the kind of man Kennedy had often daydreamed about, only to later meet up with him in her bedtime fantasies. Waking up alone was always disappointing.

Taking the keys from Kennedy’s hand, Xavier opened the door and handed the heart-shaped ring back to her. “Want me to make sure there’s no boogeyman inside?”

The lighthearted teasing from Xavier made Kennedy laugh. “I’m not scared of any old boogeyman.” She flexed her arm muscles. “This girl got muscles. If someone jumps out at me, they’d better be ready for action. I got some serious, kick-butt moves.”

“Okay, Miss Tae Kwan Do.” His expression suddenly turned sober. “I really enjoyed myself. You’re refreshing. Any chance we might do this again?”

“Any chance we might not?” Kennedy shot back. Xavier was impressed by how quickly she’d fired right back. “Or was that just your way of asking me out again?”

He eyed her with intense curiosity. “What if is was? How would you respond?”

Laughing, Kennedy shook her head from side to side. “Since you haven’t asked me anything specific, I don’t know how I’d respond.”

He took hold of both her hands. “Will you go out with me again, Kennedy?”

“I’d love to. Nothing would give me more pleasure.” She openly flirted.

“What about tomorrow evening? I’d love to cook dinner for you, at my place.”

Kennedy appeared impressed. “You can cook?”

“One of the best male chefs around. Dad has major cooking skills and I inherited every last one. Mom is a fantastic cook, but she can’t dethrone my father.”

“Can’t wait to have my taste buds check out your credentials,” she teased.

“Just tell me what you want…and I’ll prepare it.”

“You got a deal.” The mischievous, bad-girl side of her took over, as she began thinking up a complicated meal for him to fix. “Beef Wellington is one of my favorites.”

Onto her devious mission, Xavier failed at keeping a straight face. “I see you like to get your jokes on, but I can do beef Wellington, girl. What time should I pick you up?”

She angled an eyebrow. “What if I just drive myself there around seven?”

“Whatever works better for you. I’ll call in the morning with directions.”

“Look forward to hearing from you.” She grew silent, allowing her gaze to sweep over his handsome face. “I had a really good time, too. You are great company.”

Leaning into her, Xavier brushed across her cheek a light, airy kiss. “Tomorrow.”

Suddenly a flurry of bright white lights flashed before their eyes. A group of photographers came at the startled couple from every angle. Kennedy’s front porch had been invaded. The flashbulbs were darn near blinding, causing them to use their hands as eye shields.

Kennedy and Xavier lived to pose in front of the camera by day, and often by night, loved their jobs as top supermodels, but both hated being completely caught off guard by the ever intrusive paparazzi. Where had all these men come from? There had to be at least ten to twelve cameramen. How long had they been following along behind them? It was indeed hard to tell since neither had spotted a single one.

Was this wild scene just the preview of things to come? Kennedy couldn’t help wondering what she should expect. They’d been so careful to keep their plans for tonight under wraps. Were they going to continuously be hunted down in the darkness of night like wild game and trapped with nowhere to run? She recalled getting injured a couple of times while trying to flee from flashing bulbs. Kennedy recalled with crystal clarity how she had tripped and fallen to the ground in her frantic escape from the camera-toting paparazzi.

As Xavier did his best to shield Kennedy from the cameramen, he couldn’t help wondering if this was the beginning of the end for them. It was tough enough to deal with a new relationship, but these types of wild scenes had proved to be game changers for him in the past. It would take an exceptionally strong woman to suck up this madness, even a professional model like he was.

Chapter 2

Xavier’s four-bedroom Santa Monica beach home was exquisitely decorated, yet extremely comfortable. The splendid furnishings ranged from soft leathers to luxurious designer sofas and matching chairs, fashioned in a variety of lavish materials. Although he had explicit ideas for his personal living space, he’d collaborated on the entire decorating process with a professional design studio owned by his dearest friend, Jonathan Alexander, also a close fraternity brother in alpha PSI alpha.

Earth tones and discreet splashes of oranges, yellows and reds, softer variations of the bold colors, were Xavier’s choices. User-friendly furnishings had been very important to him. He desired that no one entering his personal space would have to wonder what they could or couldn’t use or where they could or couldn’t eat, sit or sleep. No stuffy decorum whatsoever had been permitted in any of the rooms.

While Xavier definitely wanted the formal areas in his home to ooze class and finesse, they also had to be heartwarming, relaxing and sociably inviting.

There was even a special room with the young at heart in mind, which included a Sony PlayStation and an Xbox. Xavier loved children. Though he didn’t have kids, several of his close friends were family men.

The fabulous loft, cozy with down-home comfort, was also used as a retreat for deep meditation, where he burned candles and made contact with his inner self. He believed wholeheartedly in communicating with his spirit.

Stretched out on his bed, dressed in silver-gray lounging pajamas, Xavier dialed Kennedy’s home number. Hoping he didn’t get her voice mail, he laid his head back onto one of six king-size pillows. A bright smile lit up his eyes at the sound of her voice. In the pit of his stomach fiery sensations were already taking over. She had that kind of effect on him. “Good morning, sunshine! Hope I didn’t wake you.”

“Hardly.” She drew in a shaky breath. “Morning, Xavier. By the way, is it okay if I call you X once in a while? I like the shortened version.”

“Quite a few people take liberties with my name. X is the most popular.” He thought about Tiaja Rae calling him by the same name. “X is fine by me. Just remember I’m called that by many folks.”

“It slips off the tongue with ease. How’re you feeling?”

“Happy I’ve been blessed with an opportunity to start a brand-new day. Today I’m writing the beginning of a new chapter in my life. Got a pencil and paper handy so I can give you my address?”

“That’s a nice and positive way to look at it.” She paused, reaching for a pen in her nightstand. “I’m ready. Go ahead and give it to me.” Kennedy wrote down the information in her address book. “I’ve got it. Thanks. I’ll see you at seven.” Kennedy felt giddy about seeing him again, especially this soon.

“How do you feel about us pairing up with a married couple for dinner? They’re good friends of mine. I think you’ll like them. Janine and Jonathan Alexander. Janine is a fashion writer. Jonathan, my frat brother, owns a successful interior design business.”

“Sounds like fun. I’d love to meet both your friends. Is there a specific dress code for our dinner?”

Xavier chuckled. “I can’t believe a fashion diva is asking a question like that. It’ll be pretty casual. I love dining outside on the deck. I recently had one of those outdoor entertainment rooms installed. Mine just happens to overlook the Pacific. I’d like you to be comfortable in my space. The offer to pick you up and drive you home still stands.”

“I’m pretty familiar with Santa Monica. I think I can find you with the help of my built-in GPS tracking system.”

“Good. I’ll see you around seven. Have a wonderful day.”

“You do the same. Bye, Xavier.”

Glad the grocery store wasn’t crowded, Xavier went from aisle to aisle quickly, amassing the items he needed for beef Wellington. He chuckled from deep within. He didn’t know another person who would’ve requested the type of meal Kennedy had hit him with. Whatever you want, I’ll prepare, he recalled saying. Whatever indeed. If only she knew his range of culinary capabilities. He was by no means an amateur chef. He’d make sure she was certain of that by evening’s end.

“What am I going to wear?” Kennedy shouted. One person should never own this many clothes, she thought, pushing back hanger after hanger on the sturdy racks inside her huge walk-in closet. Many items still had the price tag attached. Designers and fashion houses gave her a fair share of fashionable attire as compliments, yet she still went shopping. Buying new clothes was senseless, especially when she owned a countless wardrobe. But she loved shopping for lingerie.

Casual dinner, Xavier had said. But Kennedy really had no desire to wear jeans. After coupling sharply creased Anne Klein white linen pants with a Nicole Miller lime-green shell and sweater, both with jeweled necklines, she began looking through her clear plastic shoe boxes, stacked by color and style.

Kennedy finally located the perfect pair of Michael Antonio gold strappy sandals. After removing the stylish items, she set them atop the armoire. Perfect, she thought. Happy that chore was complete, she left the closet.

Bright and shiny with stainless-steel and smoky-black appliances and beautiful cherry-wood cabinetry, Xavier’s spacious kitchen was well appointed. Splashes of soft oranges and reds added a touch of colorful spice to the decor. Bushy green plants in woven baskets nested on the ledges above the cabinets, lending a warm touch of mother earth. Fresh fruits filled a red ceramic bowl centered on the granite island counter.

Xavier loved to cook in his cheerful kitchen. Ready to get started on his food preparations, he began to gather up all the ingredients. Since he’d already made the decision to roast the tenderloin whole, he pulled pastry puff sheets from the refrigerator.

He had already finely chopped the mushrooms. Shallots sweated in a small amount of oil, until tender. Both ingredients were then sautéed in sherry until the liquid totally evaporated. He seasoned the beef with salt and pepper and coated it with roasted garlic before adding butter and parsley. Once the tenderloin was rolled up in a pastry puff, he brushed it with egg wash. Green peppercorn sauce was the last item he prepared. He would later drizzle the mixture over the roasted meat and garnish it with dill just before serving.

Once Xavier finished all the cooking preparations, he went up to the loft, where he’d left the book he was reading, Reflections from Earth’s Orbit, written by Winston E. Scott, a retired Captain, United States Navy. It was a fascinating book. Interestingly enough, this true-life story was written in terms the average person could understand. Captain Scott was also a retired African-American NASA astronaut. What Xavier had read so far was intriguing, demanding him to make more time to finish it. He loved to read biographies on United States astronauts and other noteworthy Americans.

Parked right outside Xavier’s home, Kennedy made a last-minute check on her makeup. Her nose looked a bit shiny so she took out her compact and large makeup brush to dull the shine. After applying another layer of MAC gloss to her full mouth, she pressed her lips together. Hoping Xavier would be pleased with how she looked, she opened the driver’s door and slid out from under the leather steering wheel.

After pressing the doorbell, Kennedy stood back to wait for him to greet her. Much to her surprise, a stunning female answered the bell. Her attire was impeccable and every hair on her head appeared in place.

Kennedy couldn’t help feeling a little bit nervous. This woman appeared to have it all, even the privilege of answering Xavier’s door. Well, she thought, he certainly wouldn’t have a woman he was romantically involved with over to his home at the same time he had a date with her. Kennedy chalked her thoughts up to silly nonsense. It wasn’t like her to jump to meaningless conclusions and she certainly wasn’t the insecure type.

The woman with the bone-straight brunette hair extended her hand. “Hello, I’m Janine. And you must be Kennedy. You’re every bit a beautiful as our friend has boasted. Come on in. The guys are outside on the deck. It’s a pleasure meeting you.”

Kennedy smiled. “Thank you. The feeling is mutual, Janine. I love your outfit.” Kennedy truly admired the expensive-looking creamy white pants, paired with a flirty icy-blue and white Chris Han top. “White works beautifully. It makes any outfit pop. I see we both favor it.”

“I wear lots of white,” Janine said. “Like you said, everything goes with it.”

As Kennedy followed Janine through the large house to get outdoors, her eyes darted everywhere, busy taking in some of the finer details of Xavier’s living quarters. She liked the spicy color scheme of his decor. From what she could see, the place appeared neat and extremely clean, very well taken care of. The style of the white French doors leading out to the deck was similar to the set installed in her home.

Xavier’s smile was wide as he drank in Kennedy. Her sable hair looked salon-fresh, shiny and full of body. He loved the outfit she wore, thinking it fit her to a tee. The lime green looked good against her mahogany flesh. As he began his walk toward her, he couldn’t wait to touch her, could barely wait to feel the softness of her skin. Being close to her caused him all sorts of hormonal reactions. Lifting her hand, he pressed a kiss into her palm. “Glad you’re here. You look beautiful.”

Kennedy blushed. He looked beautiful, too, not to mention sexy. His khaki Loro Piana shorts looked good on his powerful physique. The silk Emporio Armani T-shirt was chocolate. The casual brown leather sandals completed his outfit. As he was freshly shaven, she had a strong urge to laze her hand down the side of his face.

As Xavier reclaimed a gentle hold on Kennedy’s hand, he introduced her to Jonathan. “This is Kennedy Bassett, the lady I’ve been raving about. Kennedy, this is my best friend, Jonathan. I’m assuming you two ladies have already introduced yourselves.”

“We have,” Janine said. “We actually got straight into the topic of fashion.”

Happy the two women had already had a pleasant exchange, Xavier laughed. “I guess that means you guys have already found something in common.”

“I’m sure by evening’s end we’ll find we have lots more in common,” Janine said.

“All of us probably have a lot in common,” Xavier stated. “The food is done. If you guys are ready to eat, I can put the meal on the table.” He was proud of the amazing job he’d done with the gold and white place settings. A professional couldn’t have done any better.

After everyone voiced their desires to eat right away, each guest offered to help Xavier bring the dishes out to the deck. Glad for the extra help, he had everyone follow him into the kitchen to grab hold of something.

Inside the kitchen, Xavier guided Kennedy over to the stove, where he pulled down the upper oven to expose his masterpiece. “Beef Wellington,” he sang out, “prepared especially for my new friend. Think I can get a proper thank-you?”

Kennedy was stunned by the beautifully browned roast. It looked cooked to perfection. “Depends on what you consider proper.” Kennedy eyed him curiously.

He stuck his cheek near her lips. “Do you need more of a hint?”

She kissed his cheek, allowing her lips to linger there for a short spell. “Thank you. I can’t wait to taste the fruits of your labor. But can I let you in on something?”

He raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

She threw her head back and let her laughter trill. “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect you to follow through on my request. Now that you have, I’m going to do my best to do the meal justice. Maybe I can even take home some leftovers.”

He winked at her. “Anything your little heart desires.”

“Anything, X?”

“Anything! You heard me. Just let me know what it is you want. I’ll deliver.”

For starters, you. She hoped taking him home with her was on a future menu.

Now that all the food Xavier had prepared earlier was laid out, he ushered Kennedy over to the oval-shaped glass table and pulled out one of the six wrought-iron chairs. Before taking his own seat, he waited for Janine and Jonathan to claim theirs. Xavier then asked Jonathan to pass the blessing. His friend seemed proud to do the honors. Kennedy liked that everyone was familiar with prayer, loved the fact that no one seemed to have a problem giving God His props.

Around the table near complete silence lasted a few minutes, as everyone enjoyed the fabulous meal. Kennedy was so pleased by what he’d done for her. No one had ever cooked her beef Wellington, nor had she ever asked it of anyone.

Kennedy was just being facetious when she’d told Xavier what she’d wanted him to prepare for her. He’d said his father had taught him how to cook this particular entrée—plus many others. He had surely taught his son well. The delicious cut of beef was tender and moist and the pastry puff it had been baked in was flaky and buttery. Kennedy had never eaten food this delectable—and she’d graced a lot of first-class eateries, dining at some of the finest catered events all over the world.

Along with the beef and mushrooms, Xavier had sautéed asparagus and brown rice. The initial sight of the food had caused Kennedy’s mouth to water.

The crisp salad greens lying beneath the cherry tomatoes and thin slices of cucumbers, sprayed with an Italian-blend dressing, was a perfect complement to the wonderful meal. Xavier’s plate held double portions of everything, except the rice, which he had a bowlful of. He had told Kennedy he was a rice lover, loving it any way it was cooked. Xavier had never had a problem with his weight despite his voracious appetite.

The host reared his chair back slightly. “How is everything, Kennedy?”

“It is the best meal I’ve eaten. Don’t you see this huge smile on my face?”

“I get the point. Thanks.” Xavier grinned, grateful for the compliment. He looked to Jonathan and Janine for their opinions. Their thoughts were similar to Kennedy’s.

Conversation flowed smoothly as the two couples savored a fine French wine. Kennedy learned that Janine was a fashion writer who wrote for a host of fashion magazines and Web sites. She also had a Web site and blog where her readers could write in and give their opinions on her stories. Janine spent a good bit of her work schedule making rounds at popular fashion venues.

As the wife of an interior designer, Janine was there for him, always willing to help out in his business ventures. Many of his wealthier clients were referrals from his bride of four years. He was a fabulous-looking guy who doted on his wife. Kennedy thought they made a lovely couple. Happiness was written all over their glowing faces.

Everyone had finished with their meals, but Xavier noticed that Kennedy was still working on hers. She was a very slow eater. She had informed him of that at Café Blue. She believed eating slow was necessary for proper digestion. Very much into a healthy diet, she also drank plenty of water and got lots of exercise. It wasn’t unusual for her to linger over her meal thirty minutes or more. She wasn’t a fanatic about controlling her weight, but she did take seriously everything to do with her health and diet.

“Besides your exciting career, what do you do for fun?” Janine asked Kennedy.

“Dancing is my favorite. I include it in my daily exercise routine. I also try to go out dancing at least once or twice a week for fun. Besides, I love to play tennis, the piano and read.”

She went out dancing with her girlfriends, Martina Sellers and Bianca Wise, when they were available to hang out. The three women frequented some of the most popular dance clubs around the Los Angeles and Hollywood areas.

To once again make sure Xavier had no doubts about how great the food was, Kennedy rolled her eyes up to the ceiling. “This food is soooo good. If you’ll agree, I’d love for you to help me prepare the meal for my upcoming dinner party next week. That is, if you’re free to join my guests and me. What do you say?”

Certain that he’d heard her correctly, yet baffled by her request, Xavier widened his eyes. “You’re putting me on, right?”

“Of course not! I’m serious. There’ll only be six or so of us, total,” Kennedy said.

Xavier hunched his broad shoulders. “What’d you have in mind to serve?”

“I’ll leave that up to you. After this meal, I definitely trust your judgment.”

“Oh, no, I’m not going out like that. If I agree to help cook, you plan the meal.”

“We have a few days to decide the menu.” Kennedy turned to look at Janine and Jonathan. “I’d feel honored if you’d both come. The group I hang out with is a lot of fun. But I have to warn you, they’re lively and very much into playing practical jokes.”

“We’d love to come,” Janine said, readily accepting the invite for her and Jonathan. Sighing hard, she stretched her arms high above her head. “Can’t believe how tired I am. This has been an extremely busy week for me.”

Kennedy understood. She was fatigued. Her feet ached, and she planned to soak them once she got back home. But being with Xavier was exhilarating.

Suddenly, Kennedy realized she didn’t want to miss out on one moment of their time together, nor did she want to be distracted by any one thing or another. She couldn’t sleep in late tomorrow, since she had an early-morning assignment, but this evening she wanted every moment she spent with Xavier to be memorable.

“Why don’t you guys go on into the media room and relax while I clear the table? It’ll only take me a few minutes to get it all done,” Xavier remarked.

Janine got to her feet. “Can’t believe you went there. You know how we roll. We always do the cleanup bit together. This evening is no exception.”

Jonathan stood up and then kissed his wife gently on the mouth. “Maybe our boy is putting on airs for Kennedy.” Everyone laughed. “Let’s knock out the cleanup so we can all sit down, relax and listen to some good music,” Jonathan suggested.

“Count me in,” Kennedy remarked. “We can get everything done in a flash.”

Arguing with his friends wouldn’t do a bit of good, Xavier knew. He’d been there and had done that enough times to know better. After getting to his feet, he began to clear the table. “Let’s do this.” He flashed Kennedy a brilliant smile, but all he really wanted to do was lean into her and give her a sweet kiss. He felt like letting go with a low growl, satisfying his desire to act naughty with her.

Smiling back at him sensuously, Kennedy’s gaze locked on to Xavier’s luscious mouth. Keep smiling at me like that, and you’ll get yourself into a heap of trouble. Playfully, she swatted his arm, though she would’ve rather popped him on his sexy backside. Bring it on, big boy, she taunted mentally, gathering up the wineglasses.

Finished with the kitchen duties, the foursome quickly made their way to the lavish media room, furnished with fine Italian leather sofas and several different kinds of chairs designed for comfort. The chocolate-and-gold-veined marble fireplace and beautiful hand-carved mantel were the first items to catch Kennedy’s eye. The plush white rug laid out only inches away from the hearth was exquisite. Instantly, her mind conjured up images of their bodies entwined, watching the flames of a roaring fire.

While Xavier’s guests took seats, he turned on the CD player he kept stacked with the latest in releases. Big on Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige, he usually kept at least two discs of each artist on the playlist. He’d learned from Kennedy that she was an Usher and Beyoncé fan. Once she’d accepted his dinner invitation, he had made sure to include a couple of her favorite discs for her listening pleasure.

Jonathan and Janine had a quiet conversation going on between them, one that Kennedy and Xavier weren’t privy to. With the other couple completely into each other, it allowed the host to fully concentrate on entertaining his date.

Xavier extended his arm across the back of the sofa where he and Kennedy were seated. “How was your day?”

“Really busy, but all my days are that way, especially lately. I keep telling myself I’m going to set aside some me-time, but I never seem to do it. You know the type of life we high-fashion models lead. If we’re not into one thing, we’re into something else. There’s always that last-minute call to help someone out because of an unexpected cancelation. I’d love to take a vacation where I can just lie out on the beach and soak up the rays. I love to read, but I don’t seem to have much time for that anymore, either.”

Xavier nodded. “I know exactly what you’re talking about. But only you can make the difference in how you pace your lifestyle.”

She looked perplexed. “What do you mean?”

Xavier went on to explain to her that everything to do with a person’s life was about choices. He kept a list of the things he wanted to accomplish and he had it in order of importance. As jobs came in, he weighed out each one, deciding to do only those he thought he’d really enjoy or benefit from. He did the same with charitable events.

A newcomer to the profession thought they had to do everything they were asked. As models became seasoned veterans, he told Kennedy they could begin to choose only jobs that held their interest. In fact, they had to learn to choose wisely or face burnout.

Xavier wrapped a tendril of her hair around his finger. “Why take on something you might not enjoy? Favors are just that, favors. You don’t have to say yes to everything you’re asked to take on. If it’s something you really don’t want to do, say no.”

She eyed him with open curiosity. “Is it really that simple?”

“It’s only as simple or as complicated as we make it. We’re in a position to make choices. Of course we have to fulfill our contract obligations. But it’s normally the noncontractual stuff that steals our free time away. It’s great to give support to charities, but we have to limit ourselves to how many events we take on in a given period.”

She laid her forefinger against her temple. “Never thought of it that way.”

“Then I suggest you start,” Xavier said matter-of-factly, smiling softly.

She smiled back. “I think you’re right. I often find myself agreeing to do way more things than I have time for. It’s hard to turn down people. Tomorrow I’ll start working on my list. Thanks for the great advice, Xavier. You’ve really opened my eyes.”

More nervous than he’d ever been around any woman, Xavier sucked in a deep breath, just before kissing Kennedy’s forehead. When she didn’t object to that bit of intimacy, he dusted her lips with a soft kiss. She smelled so good, so sweet, and the delicate scent of her nearly drove him wild with desire. As Kennedy laid her head against Xavier’s shoulder, no one was more surprised than him, surprised and definitely pleased.

Kennedy truly felt safe with Xavier. Was it because his friends were in the room? She didn’t think so. She didn’t like fast-moving and fast-talking men. He didn’t seem to be either type. So far, he seemed for real, truly down to earth. Xavier could’ve asked out any woman in the world, but he’d chosen her. Not once, but twice. Perhaps he’d thought about her as much as she’d reflected on him. Desiring a moment to ponder what might be happening between them, she closed her eyes. Tranquillity washed over her.

Kennedy awakened to glowing candlelight in an otherwise darkened room. She was sprawled out on the leather sofa, and a lightweight blanket had been thrown over her. She looked around the room for a wall clock but couldn’t find one. The dial on her watch was too small for her to see without light. Then she spotted the time on the cable box.

3:00 a.m.

Panic rapidly arose within her. What in the world had happened? The obvious couldn’t be overlooked. She’d fallen asleep. Not only had she gone out like a light, she’d done so at the expense of Xavier and his guests. How rude was that? What a first impression she must’ve made on Janine and Jonathan, not to mention her host!

Kennedy had no idea how she was to live down this idiotic act, sure that Xavier was furious with her. The blanket only proved he didn’t want her to catch her death. It also showed how considerate he was to her compared to how inconsiderate she’d shown herself to be. This is awful, she thought, moving aside the cover and sitting up. As she looked down at her feet, she noticed her sandals had been removed. Then she saw the shoes situated next to the coffee table.

How to get out of Xavier’s home without waking him was Kennedy’s next thought. Surely he had an alarm system…and it was probably activated. She racked her brain for a solution to her dilemma, but came up totally empty.

The urgency to use the bathroom hit her suddenly. She knew there was a guest bathroom in the hallway, but she’d have to turn on a light. That was risky since it might wake her host. Since she didn’t have a choice in the matter, she reached for the switch.

Trying her best to be quiet as possible, Kennedy tiptoed from the room and stepped out into the hallway. Halfway to her destination she ran into something solid, which scared the daylights out of her, causing her to scream bloody murder.

Strong arms instantly went about her, steadying her on her feet, making sure she didn’t fall. “It’s okay. It’s just me,” Xavier whispered, his tone gentle and soothing.

Xavier flicked on a switch and soft lighting suddenly flooded the hallway.

Kennedy looked thoroughly embarrassed. “I’m so sorry for falling asleep on you and your guests like that. Please forgive me.” She sounded as if she was about to cry. She’d never done anything so asinine in her adult life—and she felt downright stupid.

As Xavier gave Kennedy a warm hug, he chuckled. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You were obviously tired. That’s all there was to it. My friends definitely understood. They work every bit as hard as we do. Janine was worn-out, too.”

“Hold that thought,” she said. Kennedy was unable to stand still another second, not without dire consequences. “I’ll be right back.” With that said, she had to run the few steps to the bathroom just to make it in time.

Xavier laughed inwardly. No one was more surprised than him that Kennedy had fallen asleep on him. At first, it had bothered him, simply because he’d thought she might’ve been bored out of her mind. After he’d gone over the numerous things she’d told him she’d accomplished that week, he’d understood it all had to do with sheer fatigue. And he’d also fed her a huge meal, one big enough to make anyone sleepy.

Janine had also shared with Xavier how tired she felt, which had resulted in her and Jonathan’s leaving much earlier than normal. His friends hadn’t blamed his date one iota for falling asleep. They had told him he should feel lucky she felt comfortable and safe enough with him to fall asleep in his home. Actually, Janine had seen it as a good omen.

After splashing cold water on her face, Kennedy used one of the fancy guest towels to dry her skin off. She didn’t know what she’d say to Xavier, but she knew she had to hurry up and get back out there and face him. Stalling for time wouldn’t help matters any. And disappearing into thin air wasn’t an option.

Combing her fingers through her hair was the last thing Kennedy did to try and look more presentable. Before stepping back into the hallway, she said a silent prayer. Much to her joy, he wasn’t standing out there waiting to escort her back to where she’d left her purse and sandals. Upon spotting Xavier seated in one of the leather recliners, she smiled weakly, wishing she could’ve mustered up a more convincing one.

Xavier sat up straight in the chair. “I’d like to fix you a cup of coffee. It might help you stay awake if you’re thinking of driving home.”

She shook her head in the negative. “That’s not necessary. I can make it home okay. I think I’m wide-awake now.”

“Think? That doesn’t sound very convincing to me.” He looked over at the cable box to check the time. “Look, it’s darn near four in the morning. Please accept one of my guest rooms for the next couple of hours or so. You can leave at the crack of dawn if you want to.”

“I probably should leave now.”

“Why? Are you afraid to stay here alone with me?”

“Of course not! Don’t be silly. Is there a reason for me to be afraid?”

“Not a single one. You’re perfectly safe here with me. I wouldn’t harm a single hair on your beautiful head. You can trust me with your life.”

“That sounds promising.” Kennedy looked down at her sandals. Then she glanced at the clock again. “I don’t know. Maybe I should stay at least until the sun comes up.” Her garage had a door leading right into the house, but she thought about what elements might be out there to witness her driving around alone at this hour.

“Leaving at sunrise is the best and safest option. Don’t you think so?”

“You win. But I’ll just stretch back out here on the sofa and use the blanket you covered me with. I don’t want to mess up fresh bed linens for a couple hours.”

“Nonsense. A bed is more comfortable than any leather couch, no matter how soft it is. Come on. Let me show you where you can lie down until you’re ready to leave.”

Kennedy knew when she was in a losing battle. And she was too tired to continue haggling over something Xavier was obviously right about. “The bed it is. Thank you.”

The bedroom was lovely and cozy. The comforter on the queen bed was a field of flowers done in white, yellow and lavender. It made her feel as if she was in the middle of a spring day. The white wicker furniture looked new. Three oil paintings, all of them seascapes, graced oyster-white walls. The largest window overlooked the pool and patio, from where the mountain range was in full view. Recessed lighting was soft and glowing.

Kennedy loved the room, knew she’d be more than comfortable there. After she slipped out of her clothes, she put on the long sweatshirt Xavier had provided for her. As she lay there, the earlier vision of her and Xavier entwined suddenly sped into her mind.

The heat emanating from Kennedy’s body was no match for any fire burning hotly in a fireplace. As she thought about crashing into Xavier in the hallway, her heart began to pound hard. She looked over at the closed door, knowing his bedroom was right down the hall. The urge to get up and go slide into bed with him was overwhelming. Instead, she grabbed a pillow and shoved it between her knees and let the fantasies begin.

Chapter 3

Kennedy’s body had already flown through a flurry of poses. The executions were quick and done with keen precision. Dressed in a black flowing evening gown, long black gloves, her hair pinned up in a beautiful updo with flawless makeup, she was stunning.

Flirting openly with the camera was one of Kennedy’s favorite things to do.

“Run your tongue across your lips, Kennedy,” cameraman Danny George gently instructed the lead model. “That’s good. Now cross your arms up over your head. Hold it. Great!” The shutter went off in rapid succession. “That’s a wrap. We’re all through here. Thanks for always being so easy to work with. I wish all models were like you.”

“Models can be a little temperamental, including me. You’ve just been lucky not to get me on a bad day. For your sake, I hope you never do. Thanks, Danny. I appreciate how professionally you operate. Hope to see you again soon.”

“Take care, Kennedy. You’ll definitely see me again. Count on it.”

Kennedy rushed back into the dressing room to change into her street clothes. She sat down at the dressing table. Using lots of moisturizing cream, she stripped her face of all the heavy makeup. She then dabbed on a lighter base coat, dusting her face with powder and blush, which left her complexion with a more natural glow.

Xavier had invited her to lunch before she’d left his house earlier. She had happily agreed to meet him right after her shoot since she was often hyperactive after completing a job. Energy to burn. After locating her cell phone, she called his mobile to let him know she was through and could meet him within the hour. He had already picked out a restaurant near her home, one that she happened to be familiar with.

Xavier was already waiting in the parking lot of the Gray Whale. When Kennedy spotted his car, she parked right next to it. He immediately got of out of his automobile so he could open the door for her.

As Kennedy stepped out of her car, Xavier slid his hand down her arm and kissed her forehead. “Hello, there. How’d things go for you at work today?”

“Great.” Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed Xavier’s cheek and put her arm through his. “Have you ever worked with Danny George?”

“Many times. He’s the consummate professional. I like him a lot.”

“Me, too. He complimented me today on not being hard to work with. I hated to tell him he just hadn’t caught me on a bad day. But I decided to enlighten him.” They laughed.

Inside the restaurant Xavier stepped up to the podium and gave his name to the hostess. He hadn’t made reservations because he hadn’t been sure when Kenney would finish up her job. However, the place didn’t look too crowded and only a few people were waiting to be seated. After requesting a window table for two, he joined Kennedy.

Kennedy looked up at Xavier as he drew near. “Think we could sit at the bar until they call your name? I’m thirsty.”

“Sure, let’s go.” Prepared to lead the way, he took her by the hand.

The couple stopped by the podium to tell the hostess their plans before proceeding to the large bar area, which was practically empty. It was well after the lunch-hour rush.

Kennedy ordered raspberry iced tea and Xavier had a taste for lemonade.

He looked right into her eyes. “What was your session like?”

“Mainly formal wear. I modeled several designer evening gowns for a specialty-wear catalogue. It was a pretty easy gig. Getting in and out of clothes and makeup are the most demanding parts for me. I’ve pretty much got all the different poses and faces down pat.”

“I know. I’ve been privileged to see you in action. How’re you feeling?”

“I’m flying high right now. Everything was so fast paced and exhilarating. In about an hour, I’ll start to bomb out.”

“I think that goes for all high-fashion models. Men don’t have to go through as much as you women, but we have our fair share of demanding jobs. Makeup is still a rough part for me to get through. I can’t wait to get it off my face afterward.”

“I can see how that’d be hard for any male, since you guys don’t normally wear the stuff.” Her eyes roved over his face. “You have gorgeous skin. What’s your secret?”

“Using a darn good moisturizer. A healthy diet and drinking plenty of water helps, too. This face has never been introduced to a razor, thank goodness. I shave with a light depilatory. For whatever reason, I don’t grow a lot of facial hair. Now my chest, that’s a different matter altogether,” he said, chuckling.

Kennedy recalled with crystal clarity the thick chest hair that eventually tapered off to run down into his shorts. She reined in her torrid thoughts as they began to get out of control. Xavier’s last name was then called out, which gave her more time to pull it together. This fine brother had a way of making her imagination go wild.

The couple was then seated at a window table and a waitress was sent right over.

Due to the heavy meal Kennedy had consumed the previous night, she chose a light garden salad with low-calorie dressing, along with a dish of seasonal fruit: strawberries, cantaloupe chunks, blackberries and a dollop of whipped cream. Xavier ordered a grilled chicken entrée, accompanied with his favorite veggie, asparagus.

The couple spoke on a variety of stimulating subjects as they waited for their meals to be delivered. Travel was a favorite pastime for both. Their profession gave them ample opportunity to journey to places they may’ve never otherwise gotten to. Kennedy and Xavier had already been to many exotic locations.

“How do you feel about us getting away together for a quiet mini-vacation?”

Kennedy couldn’t hide her surprise at the question. “I don’t know. It all depends on what you have in mind.”

“Just some time away from this bustling city. Separate rooms, of course. I thought it’d be nice if we could take a short vacation down to Mexico or possibly up north to the wine country.”

Kennedy looked Xavier dead in the eye, as if to test his resolve. When he didn’t so much as flinch, she felt relieved, actually liking the idea of getting away for a couple of days and doing absolutely nothing. The idea of being away with him had her heart jumping around. “Separate rooms are a must. Thanks for the invite. I’ll have to check my schedule to see what time frames are free. Weekdays are normally best for me.”

“I agree. Most of my weekends are crazy. But I’m willing to do whichever I can. Whatever days you come up with, I’ll try and match up our calendars.”

“We can see if we can work out something. I’ll check it out when I get home.”

“You’ll have no regrets, Kennedy. I promise.”

“I trust you to keep your promise. Here comes our food.” She had already made a promise to herself to finish all of her meal this time. For a mere second, she thought of offering to pick up the check. Something told her it wasn’t a good idea, at least not this soon. Xavier was a man with a lot of pride. She shouldn’t risk injuring it.

Xavier eagerly accepted Kennedy’s invitation to come into her home. She had said she’d like to show him around if he had time. She had also mentioned they could check her calendar to try and come up with a match, suggesting that he could write down the information to later compare it to his own busy schedule.

The blinding white decor of Kennedy’s three-bedroom ranch house took Xavier by surprise. Everything covered in fabric was fashioned in an array of white tones, both softer shades and the more dazzling ones. The dark wood accents relieved the stark whiteness to a small degree, but the rooms still had a white wonderland appearance.

Despite all the flashy whiteness, there wasn’t a sterile feel to the place. Kennedy was not the least bit neurotic about her space, either. She made sure her visitors always felt welcome and comfortable in her home. There were no specific rules about where people could eat and drink. Like most folks, she only wanted people to respect her home and not indulge in practices they wouldn’t perform inside their own residences. In many ways, both she and Xavier had the same goal in mind for their visitors’ total comfort.

It took Kennedy all of ten minutes to give Xavier a full tour since she hadn’t spent a lot of time in each room. The master bedroom was as white as the rest of the place, but at least she had pink and lavender designer pillows on her bed. The white comforter was also fringed in a soft shade of pink and a deep violet, with the master bath also done in the same shades. White wood shutters covered all the windows in the house.

Once the couple got into the office, she offered Xavier a seat on an overstuffed chair. Then she rifled through her desk, looking for her calendar, which wasn’t where it was normally kept. Kennedy finally spotted it on her computer table.

“Ah, here we go,” she said, picking up the large black calendar and an ink pen and writing pad. Walking over to where Xavier was seated, she sat down at his feet and held up the calendar for him to view. “It looks like this month is all filled. Maybe we should look at the next one.” She rapidly flipped over the page.

Xavier took the calendar from her hand and flipped it back to the page she’d turned away from. “Take a closer look at what you have written down in the blocks. Maybe there are a few dispensable items.”

“If I’ve already given my word on something, I couldn’t back out.”

“Just take a look at everything. You’d be surprised at what you can hack away. I thought you’d promised to start prioritizing your time.”

Kennedy closely studied the entries, giving each one her undivided attention. She pointed at the second Wednesday of the month. “This event has been canceled. Looks like I forgot to mark it off. Interesting, but the following two days are also free. You could look at your calendar to see how they work for you.”

Taking the pen and pad from her hand, he wrote down the dates. “Keep on looking. Maybe you’ll spot something else you forgot to cancel.”

After more scrutinizing, she didn’t see anything else she could hack off, causing her to flip over to the following month. “There are a couple of days in the first week of July. Wow, the Fourth of July is free. It’s in the middle of the week, but places are probably going to be pretty crowded then.”

“Maybe, maybe not. I’m sure we can find a resort hotel close by to book into.” He wrote those dates down, too, before spotting a couple of empty spaces at the end of July. After pointing the dates out to her, he jotted them down also. “Now we have a few things to work with. When I get back home, I’ll do the comparisons.”

Kennedy smiled brightly. “Assignment completed. Let’s go down to the family room and chat awhile. That is, if you have some time to hang out with me.”

“I’d like nothing more.” As he got to his feet, he handed her back the calendar.

Up front in the family room, Xavier sat as close to Kennedy on the sofa as he thought appropriate. The scent of her perfume drove him wild. The urge to run his fingers through her hair was unbearable. Kissing her thoroughly was his next tingling thought.

Kennedy felt the same kind of vibes as Xavier did. She couldn’t count how many times she’d wondered what his kiss might do to her. She had a good idea his mouth would set her entire body on fire. Everything about him turned on her inner flames.

The phone suddenly rang, pulling Kennedy away from her heated thoughts. “Excuse me.” Normally she didn’t answer calls when she had company, but she was expecting to hear from her best girlfriend, Martina Sellers.

“Hey, Marty, what’s up?”

“Everything is cool. A few of us are going out tonight to this new club called Caliente. Knowing how much you like the Latin scene, I thought I’d call to see if you wanted to join Mitchel and me. Bianca is also stopping by for a bit.”

“Sounds like fun. What time and where is the club?”

“Around eight-thirty or so, at Redondo Beach. You know nothing really pops off before eight or nine. Get a pen and I’ll give you the address.”

Using one of the pens and pads she kept next to the phone, Kennedy told Martina she was ready to copy. The beach cities pretty much ran one right after the other. Redondo was on the other side of Manhattan Beach, but it didn’t take long to get there. “Okay, Martina, I’ll see you guys later. I’ve got something interesting to tell you.”

“Any hints?”

“Not right now. Talk to you when I see you.”

Kennedy wasted no time in filling Xavier in on her conversation with Martina, telling him about the new Latin club and how much she loved the music. “Are you busy this evening? I’d love for you to come meet my friends.” She cringed, thinking she may’ve been a tad too forward. Well, I couldn’t possibly know if I didn’t ask him.

“I’m all yours, but I’d better get going. I have a couple of things I should take care of if I’ll be hanging out with you and your friends the entire evening.” He got to his feet. The desire to kiss her hit him full force again. Instead of giving in to his craving, he took her by the hand. “Walk me out?”

Loving the feel of her hand in his, Kennedy smiled softly. “No problem.”

At the front door, Xavier found the nerve to brush his lips against hers. The minor contact shot through him like a major lightning bolt, heating up every part of his body. This was ridiculous, he thought. How was it possible to feel so much from so little?

Kennedy was happy Xavier had kissed her, but she was a bit disappointed he hadn’t deepened the contact. Still, hope arose in her, causing her heart to float.

“What time should I pick you up?”

“Eight o’clock is good. I promise not to keep you out too late. However, if you prefer, I can always meet you there. Whatever works best for you.”

Xavier scowled. “Nonsense! I prefer picking you up. Okay with you?”

“Just fine. See you around eight.”

Xavier opened the door and stepped outside. Before Kennedy could close the door behind him, he was back inside, gently pulling her into his arms. This time he kissed her the way he’d dreamed of since the first day he’d met her. He kissed her thoroughly, making her moan with sheer pleasure. The intimate contact felt explosive.

Xavier didn’t give Kennedy a chance to respond to his spontaneous affection nor stay in range long enough for her to slap his face. He was out the door in a flash, leaving her bewildered and utterly bewitched. As she stared after him, he blew her a kiss.

Sighing deeply, running her fingers across her lips, she wished she could preserve his kiss forever. Maybe she wouldn’t have to. Perhaps he wanted more of the same, as she did. She couldn’t wait to feel his mouth on hers again.

Xavier hung up the phone after listening to his messages. He could hardly believe the content of the long running commentary his agent had left for him. He had just been offered a guest appearance spot on one of the most popular soap operas on television, Love, Laughter & Life. This news was great but totally unexpected.

He’d auditioned a while ago and had been told by Kirsten that the studio planned to use several other professional models for judges in a modeling segment. With that in mind, he thought Kennedy just might be called upon. That’d really be nice, since he definitely wanted to work with her again.

This particular segment of L,L&L was featuring a story line about a modeling contest. The producer had thought Xavier would make an excellent celebrity judge. Besides being very easy on the eyes and having a beautiful body, Xavier’s warm personality and his popularity among both the older and younger generations had earned him the producer’s nod.

He couldn’t wait to share his news with Kennedy. The thought of phoning her crossed his mind, but he decided to wait until he picked her up later on. Her facial expression was what he wanted to see most, sure that she’d be overly thrilled for him.

After Xavier washed his hands at the bathroom sink, he went out to the kitchen to get something cold to drink.

Soda in hand, his strides long and deliberate, he made his way into his office, where he pulled from his pocket the paper with the possible vacation dates. After grabbing his calendar, he sat in the leather swivel chair at the desk to compare their schedules. It didn’t take him long to find that his agenda was even tighter than hers. Nothing in June worked. July showed that he had the same time frame as she had open at the end of the month. He circled the dates, though he hated that they were so far away.

Still, there’d be plenty for them to do before then. Southern California was a hotbed of all sorts of activities. If nothing else, they could swim and then laze around his pool or the beach. A vacation away wouldn’t necessarily bring them closer. If that’s what they wanted, they could make it happen by continuing to spend quality time together.

As Xavier thought about their evening, he wondered if Kennedy would mind if he invited Janine and Jonathan along. Janine also had a huge thing for Latin music. But if he wanted to be alone with Kennedy, why was he inviting others to come along?

Well, for one thing, he could hardly consider a club setting as alone. Her friends would be there, too. Maybe they were the same people they were going to cook for next week. If that was the case, breaking the ice before then would be a good thing. Without giving it any more thought, he picked up the phone and dialed his friends.

Out of respect and habit, Xavier stood until Kennedy was seated on the sofa. Now was as good a time as any to share his thrilling news with her. He then thought about waiting until they were at the club, but he quickly dismissed the idea. He wanted it to be a private moment. The timing was perfect right now.

Smiling from ear to ear, Xavier took hold of Kennedy’s hand. “I got some great news earlier.” He then spilled the beans, giving her all the details his agent had left on his answering machine. He still hadn’t talked to Kirsten.

Several seconds passed by and Xavier began to get nervous. Kennedy hadn’t said a word and he couldn’t read her thoughts because her expression was blank. He opened his mouth to ask her why she was mum, but he thought better of it. While he didn’t quite know what to make of the uncomfortable silence, Xavier didn’t want to speculate, either. God forbid he should come to all the wrong conclusions.

All of a sudden, Kennedy laughed and threw her willowy arms around Xavier’s neck, nearly toppling him off the sofa. “Congrats,” she cried out. “How exciting for you! Oh my gosh, you could end up becoming a soap star. You are going to be on L,L&L. That is so cool,” she gushed. “Think I can visit the set?”

Xavier laughed at how all of Kennedy’s words were tumbling out in rapid succession. “Come up for air, sweetie. Breathe,” he joked. “It’s okay to inhale and exhale.” His laughter continued to ring out, loud and lusty.

Beyond excited for Xavier, Kennedy fell out laughing, too, hugging his neck all the while. “You are the man!”

Her reaction made him feel like he’d just been crowned prom king. The expressions he’d barely been able to wait to see on her face were priceless. She hadn’t let him down, not in the least. He was just plain relieved, glad the awkward moments between them had passed.

Kennedy stood. “I guess we’d better get going if we’re to get to the club on time.” Feeling slightly bold, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him gently on the mouth. “I’m very proud of you. Congratulations!”

Suddenly looking downtrodden, Kennedy turned to face Xavier. “I wasn’t going to say anything to you about auditioning for a part on L,L&L, but it’s deceptive not to. Unlike you, I haven’t gotten a nod. My manager, Chase Hudson, hasn’t heard anything yet. Since you’ve been offered a part, I can’t help wondering where I stand. The producer seemed to like me. To be quite honest, I’m very disappointed there’s been no word.”

Xavier’s expression was apologetic. “I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings by coming off so enthusiastic.”

“My feelings are hurt, but I don’t fault you. It would’ve been nice to have heard something from the producer by now. It’s possible they haven’t called everyone. Who knows? I’m still happy for you. Please don’t think otherwise.”

Desperately wanting to taste more of her, Xavier pulled her into him and held her snugly in his arms. His mouth then covered hers in a riveting kiss, one that made her body turn into a mass of jelly. She prayed he couldn’t feel the quivering, but she couldn’t imagine how he couldn’t since it felt like an earthquake was exploding inside her.

As Xavier lifted his head, Kennedy pulled it back down. He wasn’t the only one who wanted more of this bursting passion. He had singed her lips with fire and desire and she wanted it to go on and on. Their eyes clashed with fiery heat as they kissed again.

Just as they were about to go out the door, Kennedy told him to go ahead outside. She had forgotten something and promised to be right along. Then she ran into the kitchen and punched in a code on the phone. After giving instructions to the person she’d phoned, she hung up and ran back to the front, where she set the alarm and stepped out.

How Kennedy had managed to have the crystal vase of long-stemmed red roses delivered to the club so quickly had Xavier astounded. It seemed like they’d just left her home, but a glance at his watch had confirmed for him it had been a while. Coupled with the fact that she’d suddenly gone back into the house, he was sure she’d phoned in the florist order then. It was the only time it could’ve happened. She hadn’t been out of his sight before then. He knew of several area florists who did late-evening deliveries.

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