Fated Encounter

By Samantha Gentry

Seattle restaurant owner and entrepreneur Brody Danvers met the woman of his dreams a year ago at a party in Phoenix…her and her fiancé. When a chance encounter brings her—minus a ring on her finger—back into his life, he'll do whatever it takes to keep her there.

Graphic artist Shaina Thomas has moved from Phoenix to Seattle to get away from a controlling ex-fiancé who refuses to accept the end of their relationship. Seeing the man she'd nicknamed Mr. Incredibly Sexy and Desirable and not forgotten is an unexpected but complicated surprise. She's seriously attracted to him, but he seems to possess the same controlling traits as her ex. And then there's the beautiful restaurant hostess who has her sights set on him…

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Apr 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781509231454

Samantha Gentry

I've lived most of my life in Los Angeles and earned my living for twenty years by working in television production. I was always interested in writing and dabbled at it, but not seriously. I combined my interest in writing with my avocation of photography and began doing magazine articles featuring my photographs. After selling several articles, I discovered I enjoyed the writing process as much as the photography. My friends told me I should make use of my television contacts and write scripts. I enrolled in a screen writing class at UCLA. By the close of class I knew screen writing was not for me. The other thing I knew was that I wanted to write novels rather than magazine articles.

Book preview

You

Fated Encounter

by

Samantha Gentry

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Fated Encounter

COPYRIGHT © 2020 by Samantha Gentry

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Diana Carlile

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Scarlet Rose Edition, 2020

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-3145-4

Published in the United States of America

PRAISE FOR AUTHOR

Samantha Gentry

AND HER BOOKS

STEAMY ENCOUNTER

Samantha Gentry is an awesome writer who spins a tale of so much interest you have to fall in love with the characters and the book itself! Trust me on this! You will enjoy Ms. Gentry’s style. I guarantee it…read this book!

~The Romance Studio

~*~

MASKED ENCOUNTER

"I found Masked Encounter a lovely and steamy way to spend a couple of hours. This is another story that will be placed prominently in my short story library."

~Joyfully Reviewed

~*~

UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER

Ms. Gentry has believable characters that are well written. She tells a visual tale with words.

~Fallen Angel Reviews

Chapter One

Shaina Thomas attempted to quell the nervous energy churning in the pit of her stomach, part anticipation and part doubt. She took a calming breath and turned toward the entrance of the Overlook Bistro, an upscale restaurant perched on a bluff with a spectacular ocean view. Clouds hung low in the sky, cutting off the start of the sunset. The air had taken on the feel and smell of rain.

A quick glance at her watch confirmed she was fifteen minutes early. Had this really been the good idea it seemed at the time?

She swallowed her apprehension, squared her shoulders in determination, and walked through the double doors with the oval etched glass inserts. She took a moment to survey her surroundings—an attractively decorated restaurant, elegant yet comfortable and inviting. Both the cocktail lounge to her left and the dining room to the right appeared busy. She didn’t see anything indicating the location of the scheduled gathering.

The hostess greeted her in an upbeat, friendly manner. Good evening. Welcome to Overlook Bistro.

Uh, I’m not sure I’m in the right place. Is this where the radio station game participants are supposed to meet?

The hostess extended a gracious smile. Yes, you’re in the right place. We had a sudden rush of business during happy hour. I haven’t had a moment to put out the—

You don’t need to cover for me, Jeannie. Totally my fault. A spontaneous laugh accompanied the man’s words. Time got away from me. I came sneaking in the back door hoping for an unobtrusive arrival.

The smooth masculine voice sent a rush of excitement darting through Shaina’s body. Something familiar about it, something stuck in the back of her mind…something from the past. She turned to see who possessed the mesmerizing sound.

A sheepish expression covered the man’s face. Obviously, I failed.

First surprise, then confusion hit Shaina’s senses. Just like the sound of his voice, he looked very familiar, but from where? How could she not remember the identity of Mr. Incredibly Sexy and Desirable, all six feet one inch of him with his thick light brown hair and piercing blue eyes? A dynamic man who appeared to be maybe four or five years older than her thirty-two years? She had just moved to Seattle and didn’t know anyone other than the few people she had been introduced to at her new job and the couple who lived next door to her. Where would she have encountered this very handsome and enticing man? Equally curious and frustrating, why couldn’t she place him?

As soon as he looked in her direction, his face lit up. Shaina Thomas? Is that you?

Yes… She searched her mind for any hint to his identity. He obviously remembered her, which confirmed they had met, but it only increased her bewilderment. Where and when?

He flashed a devastatingly sexy smile as he held out his hand toward her. What an unexpected pleasure running into you. It’s been…what— He wrinkled his brow in a moment of concentration—a little over a year ago that we met? The party at Kent and Patti Blanchard’s house. He gave her a teasing grin. You were with a date and left before I had a chance to get you alone and ask you to have dinner with me, followed by a totally indecent proposition.

Yes… The memory suddenly popped into her mind. I remember now. She accepted his offered handshake and extended a friendly smile. His touch sent an instant arc of sexual desire coursing through her veins as the dampness wet the crotch of her panties. No man had ever sparked such an immediate and intense response in her. Not until now.

A sparkle darted through his eyes. Had he experienced the same erotic jolt of excitement as a result of the physical contact? You’re Brody… She visualized the party scene where they had met but couldn’t recall his last name.

Danvers…Brody Danvers. He continued to clasp her hand, his touch playing havoc with her senses as he steered her away from the front door and out of the main flow of customers coming and going. Would it be presumptuous of me to hope that your presence here means you moved to Seattle? As he released her hand, he took a blatantly obvious close look at her ring finger. And you’re unattached?

A bit of a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Very straight forward, not even a pretense at trying to be subtle. I’m not sure if he’s arrogant or a breath of fresh air. Guilty. I just moved to Seattle a week ago and will be starting my new job in another week. I’m still unpacking and getting settled into the apartment I rented. I saw the information for the game weekend and immediately signed up. I love games. I thought this might be a good way to meet people. You mentioned just now about being late. Do you have something to do with the radio station’s game? I understand the pre-game social get together always takes place at this restaurant.

Yes, upstairs in the banquet room. I coordinate the activities—decide what the game will be, see that newcomers are made welcome and introduced to the other participants, keep everything on track, organized, and under control…things like that.

Apparently you moved to Seattle, too. How long have you lived here?

"All my life—born and raised in the greater Seattle area. I was in Phoenix on business. Kent Blanchard is the attorney who