Solid Soul

Solid Soul
Brenda Jackson

In the real world there was no way flower shop owner Kylie Hagan would ever meet up with millionaire Chance Steele. But the world of single parents and teenage hormones brought them together the first time–and a simmering passion they both tried to deny wouldn't keep them apart for long.Chance made her think of hot, sultry Southern nights. Kylie had him imagining satin sheets and soul-stirring kisses. But in the cold light of day, they had to resist each other. There was no way they'd let uncontrollable desire ignite their carefully protected hearts.But some things they couldn't ignore….

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 WriterBJackson@aol.com or visit her Web site at www.brendajackson.net.

Solid Soul

Brenda Jackson

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

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