Kimberly Lang - No Time like Mardi Gras

A dozen images jumped immediately to mind, and she gritted her teeth to keep from describing them in detail. “I guess we could go back to the Quarter? After all you’ve said about it I’m kinda curious to see the insanity for myself.”

He looked doubtful. “Are you sure?”

No, but you’re not giving me any better options . “Isn’t it part of the full Mardi Gras experience?”

“Oh, honey, it’s an experience all its own.” He leaned all the way back, stacking his hands behind his head. Turning his head toward her, he arched an eyebrow. “You think you can handle it?”

“I don’t think I’m that shockable.”

That earned her a smile. “Then let’s do it.”

He rolled to his feet and brushed the grass off before extending a hand to help her up. The crowds weren’t quite as thick here, so Colin didn’t take her hand—sadly—but he did put his hand on the small of her back to guide her. She was so primed even that simple touch was downright torture.

Dear Reader

Just one more book set in New Orleans and then I’ll stop. Or maybe I won’t. It’s a tough call, since I love New Orleans and it seems to be the perfect setting for a romance. New Orleans is exciting and vibrant and sexy, not afraid to break rules, push boundaries, or do its own thing its own way. It’s hard to resist and too much is never enough.

Kinda like a Modern Tempted ™, you know… ~grin~

After years of insisting that he’s totally the inspiration for the heroes in my books, this time my Darling Geek will actually be telling the truth. In many ways Colin is based on my Geek, and at least one of the conversations between Colin and Jamie happened in real life—all I had to do was transcribe it. I’m not a Girl Geek—I don’t know a sonic screwdriver from a warp drive—but I am a geek girl. I go geeky for geeks. They rock my world.

And if indulging my love for New Orleans and geeks in this book wasn’t enough to make me smile, I also got to work with the fabulous Aimee Carson again on this duet. Aimee’s great; everyone should brainstorm with her. I loved having Aimee’s heroine, Callie, guest star in this book, and I know you’re going to love getting to know her better in her story.

There’s so much I love about this book—I just hope you’ll love Colin and Jamie’s story as well.

As always, I hope you’ll find me on Facebook, Twitter or my website (www.BooksByKimberly.com) and stay in touch! I’d love to hear from you.

Love

Kimberly

No Time Like

Mardi Gras

Kimberly Lang

www.millsandboon.co.uk

KIMBERLY LANGhid romance novels behind her textbooks in junior high, and even a Master’s programme in English couldn’t break her obsession with dashing heroes and happily-ever-after. A ballet dancer turned English teacher, Kimberly married an electrical engineer and turned her life into an ongoing episode of When Dilbert Met Frasier . She and her Darling Geek live in beautiful North Alabama, with their one Amazing Child—who, unfortunately, shows an aptitude for sports.

Visit Kimberly at www.booksbykimberly.com for the latest news—and don’t forget to say hi while you’re there!

This and other books by Kimberly Lang are available in eBook format from www.millsandboon.co.uk

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To Finlay, you gorgeous, clever boy. I know you’re going to grow up to be even more awesome than you are now. (And remember your auntie knows a thing or two about awesome men, so you can trust me on that!)

Contents

Prologue PROLOGUE From The Ex Factor: Dear Exes, My ex and I were together for three years and knew each other socially before that. Unfortunately, while our relationship is over, I still see him all the time. We have the same friends, go to the same places...it’s really awkward. We don’t hate each other, but we don’t want to be together anymore. How should I handle this? Callie: It takes time and a bit of tact. You don’t want to alienate your friends or make them feel as though they have to choose one of you and exclude the other. Change what habits and haunts you can—find a new coffee shop, a new bar to hang out in—so that the old places don’t remind you or others of your former couple status. Your friends will take their cues from you, so the more over him you are and the more comfortable you are in his presence, the easier it will become for everyone. You might even want to do things in smaller groups—minus your ex, of course—until the breakup isn’t so fresh. Eventually those friend-only feelings will return. Ex-Man: Move. As far away as you possibly can. I cannot recommend this strongly enough. You can always make new friends.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Epilogue

Excerpt

PROLOGUE

From The Ex Factor:

Dear Exes,

My ex and I were together for three years and knew each other socially before that. Unfortunately, while our relationship is over, I still see him all the time. We have the same friends, go to the same places...it’s really awkward. We don’t hate each other, but we don’t want to be together anymore. How should I handle this?

Callie:

It takes time and a bit of tact. You don’t want to alienate your friends or make them feel as though they have to choose one of you and exclude the other. Change what habits and haunts you can—find a new coffee shop, a new bar to hang out in—so that the old places don’t remind you or others of your former couple status. Your friends will take their cues from you, so the more over him you are and the more comfortable you are in his presence, the easier it will become for everyone. You might even want to do things in smaller groups—minus your ex, of course—until the breakup isn’t so fresh. Eventually those friend-only feelings will return.

Ex-Man:

Move. As far away as you possibly can. I cannot recommend this strongly enough. You can always make new friends.

ONE

Sometimes being a nice guy sucked.

But a friend didn’t turn down a friend in need, even when that need was for a relief bartender on Fat Tuesday in the French Quarter.

Seemed he’d only thought his bartending days were over. And he’d forgotten how much he hated bartending.

Colin Raine made another cash drop just as Teddy came downstairs from his apartment above the Lucky Gator, looking somewhat better rested and fresh from the shower. Owning a bar in the French Quarter had been Teddy’s dream, but the frenetic, nearly twenty-four-seven nature of the business during Mardi Gras would test even the most pleasant of dreams come true. The guy hadn’t had more than a couple of hours’ sleep in a row all weekend.

“All good?” Teddy asked.

“All good.” Colin usually avoided the Quarter on Fat Tuesday—at least since bartending had quit being his main source of income—far preferring to watch the parades over near his own place off Lee Circle or hang with friends. At least it was still early, only just past noon, and while the revelers were thick in the streets, he had time to escape before the crowds really got crazy. “You owe me, though. Some drunk frat rat puked in the men’s.”