Jena' Galifany - Author - Editor - Romantic

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"Her Perfect Man by Jena Galifany is a book that every woman should read. This book is written in an eye opening way that shocks you on how some women were treated in the early 1900’s."

Read the complete review at Happily Ever After Reviews.

Colin stalked toward his house. The shock of seeing another man at Anna's feet rendered him speechless. What did the man think he was doing? He stuffed his hands in his trouser pockets as he walked. Anna was his girl. She had been for years. She just didn't know it yet.

He stopped, turned to go back, but could not find the ability to move. He had to tell her she was his girl. Too many times he tried, but she didn't take the hint. He'd have to muster the courage to come right out and tell her, so there would be no further misunderstanding. He persuaded his feet to move and made his way toward her street. He'd tell her, and then he'd run the dandy back to where he had come from.

But what if she refused him? Could he take the rejection in front of Aidan and his friend?

Aidan never thought of Colin as an equal, anyway. If Colin came roaring out of the alley like a wounded lion, would it only prove his inferiority?

Colin was halfway to the street, halfway to a decision. If he didn't say something, he had the feeling he'd lose her.

He took several more steps. By the smile he'd seen on her face, she was lost already. Did he even have a chance? He moved to the wall, and relived the few moments when he held her there, completely in his power, completely his. He pressed his back against the wall, chin to chest, and wondered what he should do.

* * *

Anna was much too excited to go home. She wanted to see Colin. As soon as the two young men turned the corner, she dashed toward the alley. Colin stood, hands stuffed in his pockets, his back pressed to the wall where he had her trapped against the brick only a few minutes before. His countenance was dark and brooding. She skidded to a stop before him.

"Who was he?" His voice rumbled low, ominous.

"Aidan. Surely you remember Aidan?" She played dumb, which she knew would make Colin bristle.

Colin spoke just above a whisper, a dark, stormy look in his eyes. "You know who I mean."

"You are referring to Mr. Chase Trent, newly arrived from New York, America? Don"t you think he is exactly what I wished for?"

"He's not one of us."

"Exactly." Anna clapped her hands. She could hardly contain her joy. "He's better than us. He's rich. And he wants to marry me. What do you say to that?" She proudly drew herself up.

Colin was silent as Anna gloried in her good fortune. His words were hesitant. "Is he what you really want?"

"Yes," she hissed. "He's all I want, and more. He is my dream come true, my ticket upward, as I planned." She pressed her hands to his chest, and felt his heart thrum as she stared into his dark eyes. "I defy you or anyone else to take this opportunity from me."

After a long, silent moment, he dropped his gaze. Had she felt his heart beat skip and slow under her palm?

Her Perfect Man

Anna Scott saw snippets of the future. She knew she'd have everything she wanted. Unfortunately, she couldn't see the perfect man she should marry, or the years of unhappiness to come.

Colin Marsec would do anything for Miss Anna. He tried to make her see beyond her dreams, to see him as the man who loved her. Once she chose Chase, Colin's world crumbled.

Chase Trent breezed in from America, presenting himself as the perfect man. Good looks, charm and money blinded the saucy Miss Anna. Chase decided this sample of English tart would look good on his arm. Plus, she thought he was perfect. On their wedding day, he'd reveal the truth.

And what of Justin Waring?

1907—Southampton, Yorkshire, England

"I plan to marry well and will do anything to make it possible," Anna announced to Colin one warm day the following spring. "I dreamed of the man who would be perfect."

"The perfect man—again." Colin rolled his eyes.

Anna continued, ignoring his attitude. "He has to have dark hair and brown eyes. He is romantic—and loving—and adores me no matter what I do. I will be pampered and taken care of for the rest of my life."

"Where do you think you will find this man?" Colin looked up and down the street. He leaned against the high brick wall surrounding his home. He ate an apple thoughtfully as she paced back and forth before him; his eyes ever surveyed her frame. "There are not too many fitting your description around here."

He took a bite, and blotted juice from his lips with his sleeve. The warmth of the day had prompted him to come out with his shirt loosely tucked and partly open at the neck. He looked very much the part of the gypsy that day.

"Don't worry. I'll find him. You'll see." Anna stopped pacing and pulled his hand down to take a bite from the apple.

"Do you think I might apply for the position?"

Anna laughed. He smiled, and cast his eyes down in mock embarrassment.

"As if your father would allow it. He wants you to marry a girl from a finishing school," she paused to drop a curtsey, "who can run a proper household. Someone who can entertain the best company and…"

"Enough, Anna. I know what my father wants." He paused as if weighing a thought before he ventured on. "It's not especially what I want." He threw the apple core over the wall above his head. Colin caught Anna by the wrists, and slowly pulled her toward him. "Let me tell you what I want." He looked down at her.

Anna stumbled, and nearly fell against him. She recovered her footing at the last moment. He pulled her palms to his chest, their faces barely six inches apart. Anna could feel his heart beating like thunder; the heat of his body penetrated the thin material of his shirt.

She swallowed as she wondered at the emotion that rose within her. "Colin Marsec, we are standing in a public street." Pulling her gaze from his face, she looked around to see if anyone was about. "Someone might see us. This does not look proper."

"I don't care." He shrugged, and increased his hold on her. "I want a certain sixteen-year-old girl. She is slender." His eyes caressed her face. “Stubborn, red-haired, and not as in control as she thinks she is.” His voice lowered to a whisper. Anna caught herself as she leaned closer to hear, melting into his dark eyes before she realized what she was doing. “She thinks she knows what she wants. I happen to know what she needs. I also know where to find her anytime I want her. I don't have to wait for her to materialize from a dream."

She pulled her hands from his grip, and stepped away before she found herself lost in his fantasy. "Your father would disown you and your gypsy ways without a second thought. You’d not be able to support her. Then what?" She turned her back on him, as she tried to control the beating of her own heart. She walked proudly away, and swung her hips. She paused to look over her shoulder in what she considered a seductive manner.

His lips curled in a playful smile and there was a dangerous spark in his eyes. Anna loved that look. He was about to break the rules. She picked up her skirt and dashed as fast as she could down the sidewalk to the alley, a short cut to her street.

She heard Colin giving chase and he caught her just over half way through the alley. He had only to reach out and catch a handful of her hair, using his hold to guide her back against the eight-foot brick wall that separated his yard from the alley. Anna grasped his hand with both of hers, and tried to free herself. He took advantage of the situation, captured both of her hands, and pinned them above her head.

"Someday, Miss Anna Scott," his face barely an inch from hers, "you will regret teasing me."

His voice was low and menacing. He pressed his body against her, holding her to the bricks. With the tilt of his head, his lips met hers in a hard kiss that kindled sparks all the way to her toes.

He stepped back in triumph, and slid his hands down her arms and her sides before he allowed them to drop from her hips. Colin winked and strolled briskly toward his street, not looking back.

"No, I don't think so," Anna called after him.

It was too exciting. Anna hadn’t known she could draw such attention from him. She was surprised at how she had reacted to his attentions as well. Had the kiss been any longer, any deeper, she would have had no choice but to completely surrender.

NOW AVAILABLE FROM RED ROSE PUBLISHING

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