Blindsided: Hopeless Romantics, #3

By Matilda Martel

 

 

Event coordinator Gemma Davenport is in the business of love… literally. She loves her job, and she's good at it. Still, Gemma has never had the opportunity to try love out for herself. There's only one man who's tempted her enough to consider it, and he's a jerk. The sexiest jerk she's ever met. So, why does her body come alive when she walks into a blind date to find…him.

Fergus Digby hates incompetence. He is meticulous and runs his company with an iron fist. Fergus is used to getting what he wants. And he wants Gemma Davenport. Since she turned down his advances not once, but twice, he can't stop thinking about her. Fantasizing about having her in his bed.

When Fergus finally gets Gemma alone, the sparks between them grow into fireworks. Can they look past the reasons they shouldn't be together and embrace the once-in-a-lifetime passion they've ignited? Or will their relationship go up in flames before it's really begun?

This is a standalone, first in a new series set in the Hopeless Romantics universe. It's a steamy short romance with high heat, lots of laughs and a happily ever after.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matilda Martel
• Release date: Sep 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223032892

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/

Book preview

Blind Sided

Copyright © 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 Covergirl Design

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Edited by Aquila Editing

Proofed by VB Proofreads

CONTENTS

Summary

1. Fergus

2. Gemma

3. Fergus

4. Gemma

5. Fergus

6. Gemma

7. Gemma

8. Fergus

9. Epilogue-One Month Later

10. Epilogue-Three Months Later

Hopeless Romantics

Also by Matilda Martel

Follow Me

SUMMARY

Event coordinator Gemma Davenport is in the business of love…literally. She loves her job, and she's good at it. Still, Gemma has never had the opportunity to try love out for herself. There's only one man who's tempted her enough to consider it, and he's a jerk. The sexiest jerk she's ever met. So, why does her body come alive when she walks into a blind date to find…him?

Fergus Digby hates incompetence. He is meticulous and runs his company with an iron fist. Fergus is used to getting what he wants. And he wants Gemma Davenport. Since she turned down his advances not once, but twice, he can't stop thinking about her. Fantasizing about having her in his bed.

When Fergus finally gets Gemma alone, the sparks between them grow into fireworks. Can they look past the reasons they shouldn't be together and embrace the once-in-a-lifetime passion they've ignited? Or will their relationship go up in flames before it's really begun?

1

FERGUS

Move my five o'clock appointment to ten tomorrow morning and move my ten-thirty to noon. If I don't finish this project before the end of the month, my August will resemble last November. That was a fucking nightmare. I glance at the grandfather clock at the far end of my office and confirm the time with my watch. 

Hand it off to one of the managers. That's why you hired them. Riley, my executive assistant, hands me a printed email with my evening’s itinerary. I scan the contents and make a note of my date's name: Amelia Crawford. 

No one ever completes the work to my satisfaction. They take short-cuts, and I abhor anyone who can't commit one hundred and ten percent to the job, I snap, then search my desk for my keys. 

I hate these blind dates. If I hadn't paid Lana Howard—or Lana Fitzgerald, whatever she calls herself these days—a small fortune, I would have bailed months ago. If I could only get her out of my mind, then I could find someone on my own. No desire equals no will, but I’m not getting any younger. 

Maybe this time will be different. It's about time the odds turn in my favor. Who am I kidding? This will be no different than all the rest—an absolute disaster. 

Riley clears her throat and breaks me out of my daze. Sir? 

Sorry, I'm on my way to meet a lady. It's another one of these infernal matches. Wish me all the luck you can spare. I peel my suit jacket off the hook and set the alarm on my phone. I agreed to meet this woman at seven o'clock, but I like to arrive early enough to watch her enter the room. A woman's confidence is written in her gait. If she slouches, walks horribly in heels, or threads her fingers through her hair more than once, I take it as a bad sign. Plus, it’s an easy excuse to end things before they start. 

I don’t know why I try. I know who I want. These days it’s all I can think about. But she’s steered me off course long enough. It’s useless waiting around for someone who can’t stand the sight of me. 

"Good luck, sir. Just be yourself…but engaging. Talk slow and act like you've known her for years. Think of it as catching