Judy Lynn Hubbard - Our First Dance

All the right moves for falling in love...

Bad-boy impresario Damien Johnson lives to capture the spotlight and play the field. Dancing too close to the flame got him burned once before, so a relationship definitely isn’t in his master plan. But the beautiful newcomer to his ballet company has all the right moves—and is proving to be a challenge he’s not sure he can resist....

Natasha Carter is committed to becoming a prima ballerina. So Damien Johnson is the kind of temptation she doesn’t need, no matter how dazzling his technique. She’s sure she can keep the unexpected passion between them strictly professional and achieve everything she’s worked so hard for. But every step, every caress and every tantalizing kiss is making Natasha question if a forever without Damien is really a dream worth achieving....

“You have to learn to enjoy yourself more.”

“You may be right.”

“I’m always right.”

She laughed. “I’ll remember that.”

“Are you too tired for more?”

“No way.” She took his hand and followed him back onto the ice.

They skated hand in hand, and he twirled her around expertly before bringing her into a pair spin at such a high rate of speed that she was dizzy when they stopped. She leaned into his hard body for balance. Her hands were pressed against his chest and his rested on her waist. They stared deeply into each other’s eyes—each knowing they should move away, yet unable to do so. The smiles on their lips died.

Natasha’s heart skipped several beats as she waited for Damien’s next move. Never releasing her, his face moved closer to hers. One of his hands left her waist to cup her jaw, drawing her nearer. His thumb caressed her smooth cheek. They gravitated together centimeter by centimeter until their lips touched lightly in butterfly kisses at first, but then the dam quickly broke and his mouth demanded and hers surrendered.

They quickly forgot everyone around them and lost themselves in each other.

JUDY LYNN HUBBARD

is a native of Dallas, Texas, and has always been an avid reader—particularly of romance. Judy enjoys well-written, engaging stories with characters she can identify with, empathize with and root for. Judy believes reading and writing are emotional experiences. She loves to write and her goal is to leave each reader completely satisfied when they finish one of her books. When writing, she honestly can’t wait to see what happens next; she knows if she feels that way, she’s created characters and a story that readers will thoroughly enjoy—and that’s her ultimate goal.

Our First Dance

Judy Lynn Hubbard

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

Dear Reader,

I’ve always loved the grace and beauty of the ballet, so it’s natural I would write a book about it.

My original plan was to write a reunion romance about a ballerina (Natasha Carter) who had chosen her career over her true love (Damien Johnson); however, through the collaborative editing process, the story evolved into a tale of two people brought together by chance, who grow to know, like and eventually love each other.

I hope you enjoy Natasha and Damien’s journey to true love as much as I enjoyed writing it.

As I completed Our First Dance, a sequel featuring Marcy and Nathan (Natasha and Damien’s siblings) began running rampant through my mind—so, I think I’ll have to tell their story soon.

Watch my website for further news and, in the meantime, curl up with Our First Dance and enjoy!

Judy Lynn Hubbard

www.JudyLynnHubbard.com

To my sister, Norma,

who instilled in me a love of reading,

and to my cousin and best friend, Trina, who instilled

in me a love of the arts. Thanks for believing in me.

Contents

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 1

Natasha Carter’s slender frame huddled deeper into her black leather jacket against the brisk mid-September wind, feet hurriedly walking through downtown Manhattan on the way to the most important audition of her career. How many lead auditions had she gone to in the past frustrating years only to come away disappointed? She sighed audibly. She had been surprised and thrilled upon receiving an invitation from the Johnson Ballet Company to try out for the part of Juliet. She was determined things would be different this time.

Shivering, she continued resolutely toward what she hoped would be a turning point in her career. She had to have the part of Juliet! She was tired of being cast in secondary roles or as part of the background dancers because she “wasn’t quite right” for the lead. She deserved her chance in the spotlight, but up until now, no one had been willing to take a chance on her, an African-American ballerina. Also, because she came from a wealthy family, no one took her dedication and drive seriously—believing instead she was merely toying with a career in dance.

Glancing both ways, she hurriedly crossed the busy street and entered the performance hall building she had been trying to reach for the past thirty minutes. A grateful smile perked up the corners of her brown lips as the blessed warmth inside greeted her. She looked at the signs that pointed the way to the auditions. Taking off her leather gloves, she stuffed them into her jacket pockets and absently ran fingers through her wind-tossed, shoulder-length dark brown hair before tucking strands behind her ears.

She nodded curt hellos to several fellow ballerinas as she entered the tryout hall to check in. For a moment she wished she had allowed Erina, her coach, to accompany her, but she had firmly dismissed her offer. She was a first-rate ballerina who didn’t need anyone to hold her hand. She could and would do this alone, and she would come out victorious.

“May I help you?” A man behind the table was looking at her expectantly.

“Yes. I’m…”

“Natasha Carter.” A woman smiled and stood.

She was tall and thin, obviously an ex-dancer. Her black hair was cut very short and framed her smiling face and happy brown eyes. She was, Natasha would guess, in her early forties.

“Yes.” Natasha smiled slightly. It was nice to be recognized.

“We’re so glad you could make the auditions, Miss Carter.” The woman offered her hand. “I’m Rachel Weston. I’ll be coproducing and codirecting this little extravaganza, along with taking on the responsibility of casting director.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Ms. Weston.” She briefly shook her hand.

“Rachel,” she corrected.

Rachel’s eyes traveled over Natasha. She looked perfect for the lead. But Rachel knew that looks alone were not enough for Damien. Over the years, she had learned how by the book and fanatical he was about his ballet company—only the best talent could work for him, no exceptions. She sighed inwardly as she recounted the numerous hours they had spent scouting for dancers to audition for them before sending out invitations; it had been exhausting, but Damien had insisted they personally sit through entire performances for every dancer being considered for his production.