Kylie Hagan wasn’t sure how she knew Chance Steele was near.
But she did. And when she turned to face him, she almost fell from the stool on which she’d been standing. For a moment she teetered precariously, arms flailing, as she tried to regain her balance.
Within an instant, Chance stepped forward and gathered Kylie in his arms. “Are you okay?”
The soft, husky words from Chance’s lips fanned against her temple and changed the heat of her embarrassment to something else entirely.
“Yes, I’m fine,” she said. “It’s just that you…startled me.”
He simply nodded, but continued to hold her.
“I’m okay, Chance. You can put me down now,” she said, although her voice lacked the conviction to persuade him to do so.
“Are you sure?”
No, Kylie thought. I’m not sure. And as much as she wanted to wipe the arrogant smirk from his lips, desire—the likes of which she’d never experienced before—raced through her, igniting her awareness and testing her resolve….
BRENDA JACKSON
is a die “heart” romantic who married her childhood sweetheart and still proudly wears the “going steady” ring he gave her when she was fifteen. Because she’s always believed in the power of love, Brenda’s stories always have happy endings. In her real-life love story, Brenda and her husband of thirty-three years live in Jacksonville, Florida, and have two sons.
A USA TODAY bestselling author, Brenda divides her time between family, writing and working in management at a major insurance company. You may write to Brenda at P.O. Box 28267, Jacksonville, Florida 32226, or by e-mail at [email protected] or visit her Web site at www.brendajackson.net.
Solid Soul
Brenda Jackson
Dear Reader,
I love writing family sagas, so it is with great pleasure that I bring you another family to join the Madaris family and the Westmorelands. Meet the Steeles of North Carolina—four brothers and their three female cousins. They are a family of strong, passionate people that are FORGED OF STEELE.
I am very proud that this first book in the series—Solid Soul—is my fortieth romance story. Not only am I introducing a new family to my readers while celebrating my fortieth novel, I am also thrilled to be part of the launch of Kimani Romance, Harlequin’s new line of African-American love stories.
One of my favorite movies is The Parent Trap, and in Solid Soul I did a little parent trapping of my own. In this story, two teenagers decide their parents, wealthy businessman Chance Steele and shop owner Kylie Hagan, need love lives. They take matters into their own matchmaking hands and their efforts pay off. Soon their determined-to-stay-single parents find out just how hard it is to avoid two teenage cupids’ arrows and to control their overheated hormones….
I hope you find Chance and Kylie’s story as fun, sexy and heartwarming as I did. When you get a chance, please visit my Web site at www.brendajackson.net to view a special book trailer that introduces this story and the handsome Steele brothers.
Let the celebration begin,
Brenda Jackson
To Gerald Jackson, Sr., my husband and hero.
To my sons, Gerald and Brandon,
who constantly make me proud.
To my agent extraordinaire, Pattie Steele Perkins.
To my editor, Mavis Allen, who asked me
to be a part of the Kimani Romance line.
To my readers who have supported me
through 40 books.
Beloved, I wish above all things
that thou mayest prosper and be in good health, even as thy soul prospereth.
—3 John 1:2
Contents
Prologue
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 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
Prologue
“My mom needs to get a life!”
With a sigh of both anger and frustration, fifteen-year-old Tiffany Hagan dropped down into the chair next to her friend, Marcus Steele.
“I thought you said that the reason you and your mom moved here to Charlotte a few months ago was for a better life,” sixteen-year-old Marcus said after taking a huge bite of his hamburger as they sat in the school’s cafeteria.
Tiffany rolled her eyes. “Yeah, that’s what I thought, but now it seems that her idea of a better life is making mine miserable. Just because she got pregnant at sixteen doesn’t mean I’d go out and do the same thing. Yeah right! I don’t even have a boyfriend and if she keeps up her guard-dog mentality, I never will. She needs a life that doesn’t revolve around me.”
“Good luck in her getting one,” Marcus said, taking a sip of his soda. “My dad is the same way, maybe even worse. He’s so hell-bent on me making good grades and getting into an Ivy League college that I barely have time to breathe. If it weren’t for my three uncles I probably wouldn’t be playing football. Dad sees any extracurricular activities as a distraction.”
Tiffany shook her head in disgust. “Parents! They’re so controlling. Can’t they see that they’re smothering us?”
“Evidently not.”
“I wish there was some way that I can shift my mom’s attention off of me,” Tiffany said, unwrapping her sandwich. “If only she had another interest, like a boyfriend or something. Then she could get all wrapped up in him and give me some breathing space. I don’t remember her ever dating anyone.”
After taking another bite of his hamburger, Marcus said, “My dad has dated occasionally since my mom died seven years ago, and although I’m sure some of the women have tried, none of them holds his attention for long.”
Tiffany laughed. “Then he better not ever meet my mom. One look at her and he’ll be a goner for sure. I hate to brag but my mom is hot,” she said proudly.
“Hey, my dad doesn’t look too bad, either.” Marcus grinned. “Maybe we ought to get them together since it seems that neither of them has a life,” he added teasingly.
Tiffany was about to bite into her sandwich when Marcus’ suggestion sank in. A huge smile curved her lips. “Marcus, that’s it!”
He looked at her, baffled. “What’s it?”
“My mom and your dad. Both are single, good-looking and desperately in need of something to occupy their time besides us. Just think of the possibilities.”
Marcus began thinking. Moments later, he smiled. “Yeah,”