Romancing the Runway

“A definite possibility,” she smiled. “Are you sure you want to date only me? You’re a man women love.”

“That’s exactly what I want. In our profession we’re around the opposite sex all the time, and we both know lots of flirting comes with the territory. We’re often left with very little time to devote to our personal relationships. I’ve never been one to date more than one woman at the same time, Kennedy. It doesn’t work for me. I don’t like being tangled up in romantic webs. Are you up for a serious personal liaison with me, one-on-one?”

This beautiful man was too adorable for words, not to mention genuine. Kennedy just wanted to grab hold of Xavier and never let go of him. The diamondlike sparkle in her eyes was bright, with her pupils afloat in liquid. “I’d love to be romantically involved with you. Deal or no deal?” She mocked his earlier remarks to her.

“Deal.” Xavier wasted no time in sealing the mutual agreement with an astonishing kiss, a passionate kiss Kennedy would not soon forget.

was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and raised in Washington, Pennsylvania. She furthered her educational goals by attending Duff’s Business Institute in Pittsburgh.

In 2000, after illness forced her to leave a successful marketing and public relations career, Linda turned to writing as a healing and creative outlet, and became a national bestselling author.

Linda has won several awards, including a Gold Pen Award, numerous Shades of Romance Magazine awards, and an African-American Literary Show Award. In addition, she is an Essence bestselling author. Linda was nominated for two Emma Awards and a Career Achievement Award by Romantic Times BOOKreviews. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Black Writers Alliance.

For the past seven years, Hudson-Smith has served as the national spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation of America, and has made Lupus awareness one of her top priorities. She travels around the country delivering inspirational messages of hope. Linda was awarded the key to the city of Crestview, Florida, for her contributions.

A mother of two sons, Linda shares a residence with her husband, Rudy, in League City, Texas. To find out more about this extraordinary author, go to her Web site, www.lindahudsonsmith.com.

Dear Reader,

I sincerely hope that you enjoyed reading Romancing the Runway cover to cover. I’m very interested in hearing your comments and thoughts on this romantic story featuring international supermodels Kennedy Bassett and Xavier De Marco, who find love despite the attempts of other women to turn Xavier’s head and make Kennedy feel invisible.

Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with all your correspondence and mail to: Linda Hudson-Smith, 16516 El Camino Real, Box 174, Houston, Texas 77062. Or you can e-mail your comments to [email protected]. You can also visit my Web site and sign my guest book at www.lindahudsonsmith.com.

Linda

This novel is dedicated to Amanda Carter,

Clarence Morrell and Damon Waldon, Sr.: Your presence in our lives will be sorely missed.

Amanda Carter

Sunrise: November 4, 1912

Sunset: June 19, 2008

Clarence Morrell

Sunrise: March 30, 1930

Sunset: August 2008

Damon Waldon, Sr.

Sunrise: November 22, 1947

Sunset: July 20, 2008

I want to thank all my supporters. Your support and encouragement means a lot to me. I appreciate having each of you as first-time and loyal readers.

Hearts in Motion Book Club—Bermuda

The time I spent in your company was special. Each of you exhibited a warmth and friendliness that touched me deeply.

Thanks for a great time on your beautiful island.

Lillian Grant—Leader

L. Lynette Harvey

Donna Belton

Eulette Mallory

Gabriela Pozo

Loida Ratteray

Sandra U. Stowe

Carol Seymour

Norma Showers

Dasmine Thompson

Ladies of Distinction Book Club—Palatka, Florida

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

Xavier De Marco couldn’t seem to pull his gaze away from the exotic Kennedy Bassett, the supermodel he’d worked with on a couple of modeling assignments. No matter how many times he’d watched her take the high-fashion runway by storm, Xavier was still overly excited by her performances.

Kennedy looked sensuous and hot as ever. Decked out in leather from head to toe, she wore the heck out of red leather pants, a matching bolero-style jacket and a pair of ankle-length red leather boots. The silk shirt she wore, startlingly white and crisp, showed off a discreet amount of mahogany cleavage. As Kennedy began to slowly and seductively remove the leather jacket, Xavier’s breath caught.

This woman had more sex appeal than Xavier thought the law should ever allow. Interestingly enough, despite Kennedy’s natural beauty, it was her pureness of heart and selfless spirit he had found attractive. He hadn’t gotten to know her all that well, but her kind spirit had shone through during the few times they’d worked together. Kennedy wasn’t the least bit demanding on the set, but she would speak up if things weren’t going well. She was always polite and considerate of her coworkers, readily accepting directions from those in charge. The cameraman had also mentioned to him that she was a delight to work with. Never once had he known her to be late for a shoot during their campaigns. That in itself was very commendable. The genuine way in which she had interacted with the other models had told him a lot—and it had been enough to let him know she was someone he was eager to learn everything about.