Today was her twenty-eighth birthday, and she had decided to celebrate with a night on the town. She had even treated herself to a night at the Grand MD. It had to be the most beautiful hotel she had ever seen. Her room on the fiftieth floor was to die for and the service was excellent.
Carly had stumbled across this particular balcony a few weeks ago while on break. She loved the view, and it had become her favorite. There had been several other couples here earlier, enjoying the view as well, but they had departed, leaving her alone. She didn’t mind. It was the story of her life.
Carly forced the depressing thought from her mind.
After all, it was her birthday and she intended to have fun. So far it had been a beautiful day. Before leaving home this morning she’d gotten calls from Aunt Ruthie and Heather. They had remembered, and they were the only two people in her life that counted.
There was a party going on in one of the ballrooms upstairs. She could hear the music playing, a Marvin Gaye classic. She felt like dancing. What the heck. It was her birthday and she had every right to be silly if she wanted to.
Turning from the rail, she waltzed across the floor. She closed her eyes and pretended she was at a party, celebrating her birthday in style, dancing around a ballroom filled with tall, dark, handsome men. One would come forward, claim her hand and ask—
“May I have this dance?”
At the sound of the deep, husky voice, Carly’s eyes flew open and she stared into the most gorgeous pair of dark eyes she’d ever seen. And there was a very handsome face to go along with those eyes. Where on earth had he come from? She blinked, wondering if she was still clutched in the throes of her fantasy. She had to be.
“Are you real?” she asked, making sure she hadn’t conjured him up in her mind.
He smiled and the sight of the dimple in his chin nearly brought her to her knees. It definitely caused every hormone in her body to sizzle.
“Yes, I’m real. Now, how about that dance,” he said, taking her hand in his. A different song was playing now, this one by Luther Vandross.
Carly nodded her consent and he pulled her into his arms. The man was a total stranger. Had it not been her birthday, she would not have allowed him to hold her. But she had already decided that it was okay for her to act silly today. And it wasn’t every day that such a good-looking man asked her to dance. Not only was he handsome, but he smelled good too. And to top it off, they danced well together. The way their bodies swayed and moved against each other had her fighting a desire she hadn’t felt in close to four years.
Ends 12/3/13
I have not read any of Brenda’s Madaris stories, but it sounds like I’ve been missing something…definitely! Thanks for the post today and for introducing these books to me! jdh2690@gmail.com
I have never read a book by Brenda Jackson’s books, but this looks great. I will have to check out her other books too! Thanks for the great giveaway
Great excerpt. This looks like a great book.
I’ll have to check out this series and catch up
Thanks for the giveaway!
sounds good.thanks for the chance
This sounds like a fun series. I’m not sure how I missed it before, so thanks for sharing it. I love the way Carly and Lee (I assume) met! Can’t wait to read.
I’ve never read any of the Brenda Jackson’s books before, that I can remember. The Madaris story sounds really good after reading the excerpt. Now I want to read the book “A Madaris Bride for Christmas” to find out all what happen between Carly and Lee. I love to read Christmas stories, they’re always really good stories. Thanks for the opportunity to win this awesome book!
Donna Harris
donna_squaw_1952@yahoo.com
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I’ve never read any of the Brenda Jackson’s books before, that I can remember. The Madaris story sounds really good after reading the excerpt. Now I want to read the book “A Madaris Bride for Christmas” to find out all what happen between Carly and Lee. I love to read Christmas stories, they’re always really good stories. Thanks for the opportunity to win this awesome book!
Donna Harris
donna_squaw_1952@yahoo.com