The Reluctant Damsel in Distress

By Elizabeth Reed

This is sweet romance short story, word count 5,941.

Both Annabel and Gavin find their lives changing the moment they dramatically meet after Gavin nearly runs her over in the middle of the road!
Gavin insists on taking Annabel home after she is shaken by the event, and there, he is met by her matchmaking mother just before finding out on the same visit that Annabel is in need of much help as the bailiffs in his presence give her forty-eight hours to pay off her debts to them otherwise Annabel’s possessions will be confiscated.
Annabel feels uncomfortable that Gavin is aware of her problem, but worse is to come when he takes it upon himself to pay off her debts, and she finds that she now owes him instead of the bailiffs and so is at his mercy!
Now Annabel finds herself working hard to pay back Gavin’s money, but even more difficult for her is her fight to resist the obvious attraction they share between them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LB Books
• Release date: Feb 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507058626

Elizabeth Reed

As long as I can remember I have always loved everything and anything to do with the romance genre. Enjoying writing, reading and watching a wide range of love stories. I am a true romantic at heart! So after studying for a philosophy degree and then going on to work in a corporate job in advertising, I decided to reconnect with my passion again! I now write mainly romance short stories, with the aim to share all of my ideas with others who also have an interest in romantic fiction. I write in a range of romance subgenres including erotic romance, contemporary, sweet, paranormal/fantasy fiction and historical. I hope to continue writing as long as my ideas keep flowing out from my mind. In early 2014 I experienced my own personal love story, when I married my one true love. I now live together with my husband in London.

Book preview

The Reluctant Damsel in Distress

Elizabeth Reed

Published by LB Books, 2015.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Further Reading: Getting the Boss’s Attention

Also By Elizabeth Reed

Chapter 1

‘Are you Annabel’s mother?’ the tall man in an elegant, pristine suit enquired.

‘Yes, I’m Annabel’s mother – why do you ask? And why are you speaking so seriously? Is everything ok?’ Annabel’s mother began to panic.

‘It’s just that your daughter . . . Annabel was in a little accident. I was just bringing her back home and wanted to know that someone was here to take care of her,’ he said calmly.

‘Annabel was in an accident? Where is she? I need to see her!’ she cried out.

‘Mother, please do not panic. I am very well.’ Annabel spoke directly to her mother as she got out of Gavin’s Porsche Carrera that was parked in the driveway. ‘There is no need for any drama. It’s just that Gavin would not leave it alone and insisted that he drive me home!’

Her mother stared at her daughter, looking her up and down carefully until she was convinced she was fine, and let out a sigh of relief. ‘But what of this accident that . . .’

‘Gavin,’ the man said, repeating his name.

‘Yes, the accident that Gavin mentioned to me,’ her mother enquired.

‘Mum, could we go in? We can’t talk here – we don’t want to give the neighbours more to gossip about!’

‘Yes, come in both of you. Gavin, would you like some coffee or a tea?’ Annabel’s mum looked at the man, noting how handsome he appeared and that his age seemed appropriate for her daughter – he also did not wear a wedding ring on his finger. After her panic of just moments before, she now smiled as Gavin followed her into the house along with her daughter.

‘I’ll have a black coffee, if you please, and no sugar,’ he asked politely.

‘So, Gavin almost knocked me over while I was crossing the road,’