A Hostile Takeover: Manhattan Bachelors

By Matilda Martel

Kaleb has been avoiding his hometown for the last 15 years.
When his closest friend, Landon, stole his college sweetheart, he left for New York and swore he'd never return. Now, he's back for their friend's wedding and he's still holding a grudge.
Sofia is Landon's ex-girlfriend. She hates him. She doesn't want to be at this wedding, but he's promised not to stage a hostile takeover of her best friend's company if she plays along and makes nice one more weekend.
He's hoping he can win her back. But his plan backfires.
Sofia and Kaleb have crossed paths before.
Explosive chemistry and instant love bring them whirling back into each other's arms and sexy Kaleb teaches Landon all about a different kind of hostile takeover.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matilda Martel
• Release date: Sep 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223634638

Matilda Martel

Matilda loves many things---her husband, dachshunds, cats, the two terrible Chihuahuas who live with her, Paris, New York, a few select friends and family, Nutella, books, lots and lots of books, and writing sweet, steamy romance for nerdy girls-- because that's who I am.If you like your romances steamy but sweet. Sexy, but on the shorter side. With smart and sassy heroines who fall for soulful Alphas- then you might like my books.I write A LOT of OMYW, cause that's just my bag. But no matter what kind of story it is, my ladies are always adored and my endings are always HEA.Please head to my blog: www.matildamartel.com, to learn what's in the final stages and will be coming out soon!Want a free Ebook? Join my mailing list to get my monthly newsletter at : www.matildamartel.com/mailinglist/

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A Hostile Takeover

Copyright © 2019, 2021 by Matilda Martel

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

Cover Design by Cover Girl Design

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For my boy, the real Pete

Contents

1. Sofia

2. Kaleb

3. Sofia

4. Kaleb

5. Sofia

6. Kaleb

7. Sofia

8. Kaleb

9. Sofia

10. Kaleb

11. Sofia

Epilogue- Six Months Later

Preview of Lucky Man

Also by Matilda Martel

Follow Me

Chapter 1

Sofia

Ican't believe he talked me into this. What am I doing? Smile, Sofia, swallow it. It's only two more days. Two days won't kill you. You'll only feel like you're dying. 

Stop complaining. You gave your word, and you're helping a friend, not to mention those who might lose their job. 

It's a small price to pay for getting involved with someone like Landon Malone in the first place. What was I thinking?

People like him are never as charming as they seem. People like him think they can use their money to get whatever they want, which might work in this case. 

I'm the idiot who told him about that offering. I gave him ammunition to use, and now, come hell or high water, he's going to use it. It's not fair to them. It's not fair to anyone. 

Suck it up, cupcake. You brought this on yourself.

When the driver approaches the church, I hop out of the car, thank him again, and head in. I love this church. 

Find something positive—that's the spirit. 

I don't believe in any of this, but I like the aesthetic. And this is the church my mother brought us to when we were little. It's not too big and still looks like an old-fashioned church, not those modern monstrosities.  

Jumping on the sidewalk, I see a big guy wearing sunglasses standing near the church door. He looks a bit familiar, but he shouldn't. I'm never in this part of town anymore, and I would know if there was someone like him roaming around San Francisco. 

He's gorgeous. Pacing slowly, he's holding a wedding program. He must be in the bridal party. 

He's hot, damn hot, too hot for this crowd. Which leaves little doubt that he's probably someone's husband. The good ones are always taken. And why wouldn't he be? This guy must be 6'5, with dark hair. He's a little rough around the edges, but in a good way, and I can't tell for sure, but he looks pretty ripped under that dress shirt. 

That's definitely a mountain of muscle. 

When I step closer, eyeing the door behind him, he stops in his tracks and offers me a lazy smile. Miss Sofia Leon, this is the best surprise. The hot man removes his glasses, and I look up to see the big brown eyes of the hottest chef in New York.  

Who the hell let you off the island, big boy?

Oh my God, Kaleb? Is that right? You're the chef from Pete's? I reviewed you, didn't I? I practically jump back in my stilettos and clutch my heart in surprise.  

You know damn well who it is, you little liar. You stalked him online for months after you left the city.

"Yes! You gave us a five-star review---that was very generous of you. I asked your magazine for your contact information to thank you. But they wouldn't give it out---privacy concerns." He stops and takes me in from head to toe. I feel undressed, vulnerable, and violated by his eyes, but all in the most delicious way. 

Look at you! You're here! This is the last place I want to be, and you're here. He appears absolutely elated to see me, little old Sofia, a simple food critic who gave him an excellent review. When he reaches out to hug me, I awkwardly accept, basking in the warmth of his mammoth chest.  

Oh, beautiful man, please marry me.

I pull away for propriety's sake, fearing Landon may arrive any moment. It's painful pulling away. I've fantasized about this man for over a year. He was one of my last reviews before I left the city to come home after my mother's passing. It was a mistake coming home. Coming here only put