Linda Hudson-Smith: Promises to Keep

Taking no time to disrobe, he settled them both under the downpour of water. Courtney moaned as the warm spray caused her robe to cling even more tightly against her body. She slowly slipped the robe from around her shoulders and let the water carry it the rest of the way downward.

With increasingly assured hands she reached out and tugged at the opening of Darius’s robe. His soft moans let her know that he was enjoying this experience every bit as much as she was.

Darius tenderly lifted her into his arms, holding her securely. “Wrap your legs around my waist, baby,” he encouraged huskily. Turning his back to the water, he moved closer to the shower’s wall with Courtney still in his arms and wrapped around his body.

Fear once again swelled in Courtney, but in a matter of seconds it dissipated. Darius’s hands stroking her wet, exposed flesh caused any bit of fear to fly free from her mind and body. There were so many mind-numbing, amazing sensations assailing her that she could only concentrate on the wild, fulfilling pleasures that Darius was so lovingly bestowing upon her starving skin.

was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and raised in Washington, Pennsylvania. She furthered her educational goals by attending Duff’s Business Institute in Pittsburgh. The mother of two sons, Linda lives with her husband, Rudy, in League City, Texas.

After illness forced her to leave a successful marketing and public relations career in 2000, Linda turned to writing for healing and as a creative outlet. Dedicated to inspiring readers to overcome adversity against all odds, she has published twenty-six acclaimed novels. During Harlequin’s 60th anniversary party held in Washington, D.C., Linda received an award for her twenty-fifth published novel.

For the past eight years Linda has served as a national spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation of America. She travels around the country delivering inspirational messages of hope. In 2002 her Lupus Awareness Campaign was a major part of her book tour to Germany, where she visited numerous military bases.

Linda is an active supporter of the NAACP and the American Cancer Society. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America and Black Writers Alliance.

To find out more about Linda Hudson-Smith, please visit her Web site at www.lindahudsonsmith.com.

ESSENCE BESTSELLING AUTHOR

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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This story is dedicated to people all over the world.

May all of your needs be met in abundance. May your hearts’ desires be fulfilled.

May you find love and hope in all that you do and everywhere you go.

Dear Reader,

I sincerely hope you enjoy reading Promises to Keep, my inspiring new love story featuring two entrepreneurs, the lovely Courtney Campbell and handsome Darius Fairfax. Their story will take you on a whirlwind romance from the U.S. mainland to the windswept shores of Hawaii.

The connection that develops between Courtney and Darius just goes to show that we can’t predict where and when we’ll find true love.

I am very interested in hearing your comments and thoughts about this story. Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with all your contact information and mail to Linda Hudson-Smith, 16516 El Camino Real, Box 174, Houston, TX 77062. Or you can e-mail your comments to lindahudsonsmith@yahoo.com. Please visit my Web site and sign my guest book at www.lindahudsonsmith.com. You may also read my newsletters and meet other published authors, aspiring authors and other creative spirits at thewritersworld.ning.com.

Enjoy,

Linda Hudson-Smith

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

“Your ten o’clock appointment has arrived,” the receptionist, Monica Long-Norman, said to her boss, Courtney Campbell, over the intercom. Monica was a pretty lady with a sweet personality, standing five-foot-six with dark shoulder-length hair, cut in blunt layers.

“Mr. Fairfax?” Courtney asked, her dark green eyes sparkling like emeralds.

“You are so right. Are you ready for him?” Monica queried.

Courtney laughed. “Give me a couple of minutes. I need to tidy up my desk and file away the work-in-progress contract for the Davies-Wilcox wedding reception.”

“Buzz me when you’re done, Courtney. By the way, a March chill is expected.”

Monica was Courtney’s employee, but the two women had become dear friends. The owner was also close to her other staff members, but she and her right-hand assistant, who wore several different hats in the business, had developed an airtight bond.

“Thanks, Monica. I heard the dreary weather report earlier. I won’t be long.”

Courtney cradled the phone and gathered all the papers into a neat pile before returning them to the labeled folder. Unfulfilled contracts were filed alphabetically in her antique cherrywood desk.

Removing from the top desk drawer her hairbrush and makeup, Courtney rushed into the bathroom to do some primping. She then dried off her hands with a paper towel. Making repairs to her golden-brown complexion, she stood at the mirror and applied translucent powder over the shiny spots on her face. While engrossed in her catering projects, she had a habit of twirling slender fingers around her long, reddish-brown curls, which she brushed neatly back into place. She then applied a fresh layer of berry lip gloss.

Back at her desk, Courtney rang Monica. “I’m ready for Mr. Fairfax.”

Approximately five foot five in stature, weighing 105 pounds, Courtney waited for her client to walk through the door. The second her eyes fell on the fabulous-looking Darius Fairfax, her breath caught. The man with sable-brown, close-cut, wavy hair was fine with a capital F. She put his height at six foot two and his weight around 170 pounds or so. His athletic build supported a solid mass of rippling muscles.

Trying to recover from an instant, undeniable attraction to this man with loads of sex appeal, Courtney extended her petite hand. “Welcome, Mr. Fairfax. I’m Courtney Campbell, owner of The Party People. Please, let’s sit down so we can discuss your event.” Moving over to the cherrywood table, she pulled out two chairs and respectfully waited for Darius to be seated first.

Courtney handed him a catering packet. A fork, knife and spoon joined together, circled by a wreath of colorful flowers, served as the company’s logo.

Darius quickly leafed through the envelope, surprised by the extensive offerings. “Very impressive! How long have you been in business?”

Courtney dared to look right into a pair of intriguing topaz eyes. As her breath caught again, she stifled a gasp. “A couple of years, but we’ve only operated at this location about six months. Business has been extremely good. We remain optimistic.”