Midnight Madness by Karen Kendall

Author:Karen Kendall [Kendall, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: After Hours, Category
ISBN: 9780373792566
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2006-04-30T23:00:00+00:00

JACK KISSED HIS MOTHER on the cheek and admired her new sapphire earrings, an anniversary gift from his father the senator. “Mom, you look gorgeous. Where’s Senior?”

“He’s already on the verandah, puffing on a Cohiba . Darling, if I ever decide to take up cigars, he and I will be inseparable.”

Mom was slim and stunning this evening, in a sleeveless royal-blue sheath that most women her age wouldn’t have dared to wear. Her dark hair lay in a smooth shoulder-length bob, a sapphire ring sparkled on her right hand and her wit was as dry as ever. “So what did you get Carol for her birthday?” she asked, gesturing at the box under his arm.

“Uh…Turls got it. I’m not really sure what it is.”

His mother shook her head at him. “But I’m sure the card is signed, ‘All my love, Jack.’”

His mouth twisted and he shrugged.

“Don’t you dare let them push you in to it. ” Jeanne’s voice was low, and she immediately turned toward another guest with her characteristic charm.

He knew exactly what she meant, cryptic as her words may have been. He moved farther into the capacious foyer of Henry Hilliard’s stark-white, modern home on Star Island and shook the man’s hand.

“Henry! How ya been? Looking good, my man.”

The real estate baron slipped an arm around his shoulders. “Thank you, Jack. I’ve never been better.” He eyed the wrapped box under his guest’s arm. “A little big for an engagement ring, isn’t it?”

“Ha, ha! Well, sir, I’m still trying to get up the nerve to ask you to marry me.”

“Ha, ha, ha! Now that would send my daughter right over the edge.” He slapped Jack between the shoulder blades just a little too hard. “She’s in there somewhere, surrounded by admirers. Go find her, son.”

Jack aimed a brilliant smile at Hilliard and got the hell away from him. The subtext of their conversation wasn’t hard to figure out. If he’d been born into another culture and country, he’d be expected to offer a couple dozen camels for Carol’s hand. Maybe throw in a few goats to seal the deal.

Truth to tell, he had meant to ask her to marry him by now. But that was before they’d slept together, and before he’d met Marly.

Jack stared at Carol, the statuesque blond goddess draped in demure, brown silk in the formal living room. She was gorgeous, a brown-eyed Grace Kelly. And she’d been like a sister to him since he was ten years old.

As if she could feel his gaze on her, she turned and raised an eyebrow. He crossed the room to her and kissed her on the cheek.“Happy birthday, Carol.”

“Thank you, Jack.” She glanced at a slim gold watch on her wrist. “I didn’t think you were going to make it.”

“You know I wouldn’t miss your party.” He extended the gift-wrapped box to her and watched her face carefully as she took it.

She rewarded him with a bland, delighted smile. “What’s this?”

I don’t have a flipping clue, honey. Jack shrugged and grinned.

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