by Cat Gardiner
Also by this author: Denial of Conscience: A Modern Darcy & Elizabeth Adventure, Villa Fortuna, , Undercover, A Moment Forever, Without a Conscience
Published by Vanity & Pride Press Genres: Austenesque, Contemporary Romance

New York City advertising executive, Elizabeth Bennet is determined to find a respectable date to take to Christmas dinner with her insane family. So, what’s a girl to do with only 26 days remaining? She and her best friend embark on a mad-cap dating blitz.

Speed dating and blind dates become a source of frustration when one man continually shows up, hell-bent on either annoying her or capturing her heart. Fitzwilliam Darcy, wealthy, hunky, part time New York City firefighter is Elizabeth’s new client, one of thirteen men chosen for a fundraising, beefcake calendar.

Sparks fly and ignite as misunderstandings abound. Sit back and laugh as friends and family play matchmaker, conspiring to bring these two together for an unforgettable, hot, holiday season in New York City.

Lucky 13 is a fresh and fun Pride and Prejudice inspired, steamy, holiday romance. Imagine “You’ve Got Mail” meets “Sex in the City” in a sexy tale where the secondary characters are as lovable as our hero and heroine. Let the holiday season come to life with romance, comedy and a ton of feel good moments that’ll leave you smiling and dancing.

Authors Note: This novel has a companion blog that Elizabeth writes and all our characters comment in. You can follow along through page links at the bottom of each e-book chapter and table of contents. Paperback purchaser will find the blog address at the beginning of the book, along with the story’s Spotify soundtrack and Pinterest inspiration.

*This novel contains adult language, adult themes, and sexual situations.

One after the other, the men strutted out the door, securing their positions around the balcony overlooking the stage and the horde of women. Red and white emergency strobe lights circled the room, and stage smoke billowed behind the men. Emanating from the flametron projector simulated flames licked a paneled wall, creating a hot, hot, hot atmosphere.
Elizabeth tried to remain objective and professional, after all, this was business and she was a judge. She tried not to look for Darcy, really she did, but didn’t know why she found herself doing so. He had offended her, insulted her and provoked her, yet simultaneously he had intrigued her. Moreover, she acknowledged in the silence of her heart, she was petrified by what he had awoken in her in just two brief meetings.
She was oblivious to Catherine’s unexpected expression of wonder as though the woman hadn’t seen a man in years, and if paying attention, Elizabeth would have been surprised to see her sister diligently cataloging each man’s physical attributes, noting their photogenic potential. At that moment, she couldn’t even be bothered to notice Charlotte’s expression hidden behind the huge lens of the camera, but without a doubt, the zoom lens certainly was having a good time. The only thing she noticed was the frenzied response of the women when the men appeared above them. More screams equated to more money for the charity. There was eye-candy for everyone’s taste: athletic, beefcake, slender, ethnic variety, even hairy vs. manscaped and every one of them ate up the attention they were receiving.
The music’s heavy beat thundered almost as hard as Elizabeth’s heart against her chest wall.
Her eyes stayed riveted upon the door as each man exited raising an arm to acknowledge the crowd upon his entry to the balcony. When finally Darcy appeared, he smiled broadly and raised his arm, showing that smattering of dark, wispy hair.
Thunderstruck, she intently watched him take his place at the railing and all the other hot-bodies faded away. All she saw was number twelve smirking at her as he gripped the railing and rotated his hips clockwise to the music. He was raw heat and she caught fire from his smoldering.
Perfection was the word that came to mind. Broad shouldered and muscular, his tight, six-pack abs clearly showed the thin trail of sexy hair descending to what lie only inches below the low resting bunker pants on his hips. She licked her lips. Unlike many of the other guys, Darcy didn’t have a tattoo. His chest was smooth and unspoiled. His physique was the artistry; he didn’t need ink to enhance its beauty.
She was screwed and she knew it. Looking down at her clipboard to avoid the penetrating heat of his stare was useless. A slow burn traveled over her aroused body. Flushed and suddenly nervous, she looked up again, her eyes meeting his. That man was hotter than the sun.
He winked at her.
Her heart rate sped up.
It felt like a scene from the 1970s Tom Jones TV show. The women went wild, some even throwing things up onto the balcony. Someone screamed out to the captain, “Take it off, Colin!”
Like all the men, Darcy provocatively and slowly slid his spread hand down his greased, bare chest, and it was then that Elizabeth knew she was more than just intrigued. She was attracted to him like a moth to a dangerous flickering flame.
Elizabeth felt her chin drop, hanging open at the sight of Darcy’s raw masculinity. In an attempt to distract herself from the slow movement of his hard body to the rhythm – Oh God, he has rhythm – she removed the lip balm from the inside of her watchband and smoothed it over her open lips, quickly stopping once her thoughts drifted to the phallic symbolism brushing against her mouth.