Jaded
by M.J. Kane
A devastating breakup leaves Yasmine Phillips in shambles. Unable to trust another man with her heart, she focuses on the one thing she can control—starting her own business.
When her computer crashes, taking months of hard work with it, she must rely on computer genius Zachariah Givens to save her. A complete opposite of men from her past, she doesn't expect the passion that ensues. But just as she finds happiness, she learns the truth about the other women in Zachariah's life.
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Chapter Excerpt: Jaded by M.J. Kane
I sat on the other side of the office, working furiously on my laptop to compile the data for the business reports and receipts I kept in the filing cabinet, information that had been lost when the computer died. I promised myself to keep a backup on my laptop, USB drive, and any other digital format outside of the main office set up from now on. I did not intend to repeat this scenario.
“Yasmine, a few more minutes and I’ll be done,” Zack said. “Sorry I couldn’t save the hard drive.”
I glanced up from my screen. “No need to apologize. I should have had everything backed up. You live and learn.” I saved my work, stood up, and stretched. “Is it that late already?” The clock on the wall said it was nearly eleven. “Would you like something to eat? I don’t know about you, but I missed breakfast. It’ll be my treat. The kitchen is open and Mrs. Davenport will be making lunch.” I studied him for a moment. “You look like you could take one of her Double Decker Monterey burgers. They are to die for.”
Zack appeared surprised by my offer. “I’d like that.”
I stopped in the doorway. “I’ll come get you when it’s done.”
Twenty minutes later, we sat in a booth in the back of the dining room, away from the guest.
“This has got to be one of the best burgers I’ve ever eaten. I would drive all the way back up here for another one.” Zack bit off a large bite. He’d finished half the thing in record time.
I smiled. “I’ll be sure to give your compliments to the chef.”
“I’ll be sure to kiss her.” He drank from his cup and pointed at my salad. “Why aren’t you eating one of these?”
I stabbed at my chicken salad with my fork and glanced at the remains of his burger. “Good question.” I laughed. “I ate one yesterday for lunch. Too many of them will mess with my figure.”
Zack’s eyebrow arched, but he remained silent.
My gaze dropped back down to my plate. In my past life, flirting was my way of finding out if a man would be competent enough to handle my sexual needs. It was second nature.
But this was now.
Besides, trying to seduce Zack would be a waste of time; he didn’t seem interested anyway. Unlike most men I ran across, he didn’t flirt with me at all. Any other man would have taken my comment and told me how fine I was or some other line to find a way into my bed.
Not Zack. He was the epitome of the perfect gentleman, never uttering a suggestive comment or taking the obvious stroll over my body with his eyes. I caught him watching me once or twice, but it wasn’t lust in his gorgeous hazel orbs, it was something I had never seen before.
To be honest, it made me nervous not knowing what he was thinking. Yet at the same time, it was refreshing to be in the company of a man who was able to have an intelligent conversation without his panting tongue being in the way.
My cell phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID and excused myself. “Yes, Mrs. Langford, how are you?” I waited a beat for her reply and dug into my purse for pen and paper to jot down notes. “Perfect, I’ll see you then.”
A smile of satisfaction spread across my face when I hung up.
“Must be good news,” Zack said before popping the last of the burger in his mouth.
“Very. I work with this program called Dress for Success. It helps underprivileged woman prepare for job interviews. We take them shopping, show them what to wear, how to apply make-up, and do their hair. Anything we can do to help them succeed.”
Zack sat back and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Really? What made you decide to do that?”
His question startled me. I looked up and found genuine interest in his eyes. Men in my past could care less what I did when we weren’t together. The only thing that interested them was what I did in the bedroom.
“I’m starting a business of my own, outside of managing this hotel,” I said slowly, deciding whether I wanted to share the details.
“What kind of business?”
Apparently I had his full attention.
“As a fashion consultant. I’ve been helping friends and family for years. I’d like to help as many people as I can. Participation in a program like this allows me to give back to the community and help people free of charge. As a bonus, I get to build my portfolio and gain experience working with a variety of clients.”
I held my breath, waiting for a laugh or sarcastic comment sure to come.
“Do you work with more than just underprivileged women?”
I sat back in surprise. “What do you mean?”
“Would you work with a cancer survivor?”
My curiosity peaked. “Who are you talking about?”
“My mother.”
( Continued... )
© 2016 All rights reserved. Book excerpt reprinted by permission of the author, M.J. Kane. Do not reproduce, copy or use without the author's written permission. This excerpt is used for promotional purposes only.
The Butterfly Memoirs (4 Book Series) by M.J. Kane
A Heart Not Easily Broken (The Butterfly Memoirs Book 1)
Jaded (The Butterfly Memoirs Book 2)
Lonely Heart (The Butterfly Memoirs Book 3)
Nobody's Business (The Butterfly Memoirs Book 4)
Purchase the series: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016QAXZ04
Purchase Jaded (Book 2 of The Butterfly Memoirs) by M.J. Kane
Genre: Women's Fiction, Interracial Romance, African-American Romance
https://www.amazon.com/Jaded-Butterfly-Memoirs-Book-2-ebook/dp/B00BYCL54I
About the Author
M.J. Kane stumbled into writing. An avid reader, this once stay-at-home mom never lost the overactive imagination of an only child. As an adult she made up stories, though never shared them, to keep herself entertained. It wasn’t until surviving a traumatic medical incident in 2006 that she found a reason to let the characters inhabiting her imagination free. Upon the suggestion of her husband, she commandeered his laptop and allowed the characters to take life. It was that, or look over her shoulder for men caring a purple strait jacket. And the rest, as they say, is history.
