Love Interrupted: An Age Gap Second Chance Romance

By Matilda Martel

Igor Ivanov is a mob lawyer who's fallen head over heels in love with a senator's daughter. 

Charlotte Wentworth is a Park Avenue princess who's in way over her head.

Madly in love, they defy their families and elope.

But after three blissful days, everything implodes, favors are called in and the two desperate lovers are torn apart.

Powerless and clueless, they part ways and spend four miserable years apart. 

When a heartbroken Charlotte is finally allowed to come home, she wants answers. When Igor learns the truth, he wants things made right and more than anything he wants his Charlotte back.

He let her go once, he won't make that mistake again.

Can he convince Charlotte he's the same man she fell in love with? Or will four year of secrets, lies and threats tear them apart again?

This is a steamy second chance romance with two soul mates who fight the odds and crawl their way back home. Grab a cookie, sit into your favorite chair and meet Charlotte and Igor. As always, no cheating and a guaranteed happily ever after!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matilda Martel
• Release date: Nov 29, 2023

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

ONE

IGOR

FOUR YEARS AGO

A nton, pull over on the next block and turn off the engine. It’s almost time. He nods and signals right, weaving through cars before the light changes colors. Anton is the only one who knows my secret. He’s been my driver and bodyguard for two years, and I take good care of him. We take care of each other. I trust him with my life.  

More importantly, I trust him with hers. 

I expect to catch hell for this. Uncle Ivan thinks I should marry someone from the neighborhood. Someone who knows the game and won’t keep me from climbing the ranks. A senator’s daughter brings too much attention. Too much trouble if things go south. And he’s not entirely wrong. 

There’s a reason I haven’t told her the whole truth. I’m an asshole, I know. This is a big thing to hide from the woman you love. 

From the woman you marry.

At first, I told myself there was no need. Someone like Charlotte wouldn’t want someone like me. Not permanently. A girl who grows up on Park Avenue only comes out to play with a boy from Brighton to sow her oats. Maybe I could scratch a few itches before she settled down into a lifetime of boredom with a more suitable choice. 

But that was before I knew what kind of doll I had on my hands. Charlotte’s the real thing. The golden ticket. 

From the moment we first kissed, I knew she was different. We were different. Every day got better than the one before, and she never once hesitated to give me every piece of her heart. 

When I knew she truly loved me, I should have come clean, but I couldn’t. So much more was at stake. That girl owns me. Every ounce. Body and soul. No matter the consequences, I can’t live without my doll. As shitty as it seems, I won’t do or say anything to jeopardize the best thing that’s ever happened to me. 

For now, there’s no need for her to know. I’m not all the way in. And maybe, I never will be.

Yeah, right. Keep telling yourself that, asshole.

Do you want me to go for a walk? He smirks, and I laugh under my breath. He never goes far. Every time I’m with my girl, he idles nearby, keeping an eye on the car, on me, on her, until I call him back. 

No. Today, you’re taking us to City Hall. I crack my knuckles and stare at the crowd turning the corner. Any minute now, I’ll see my girl’s beautiful face, and in less than an hour, we’ll be husband and wife. 

We shouldn’t be doing this in secret, but it feels right. I never thought I’d marry. I never dreamed of having an ordinary life with the kind of future my father and uncle planned for me. Charlotte changed that. With her by my side, I can do anything. I can fly straight and make my mother proud. It was her idea to send me to law school, to keep me on the fringe of the family, working with them and not for them. 

That’s the way I want to keep it for both our sakes. There’s nothing I won’t do to keep my doll safe. If I can manage it, then all of this isn’t a lie. It’s just an omission from a very desperate man.

I know. I know. I should have told her.

Today? Anton is understandably surprised. I told no one of my plans. He’s discreet, but I didn’t want to place him in a position to lie. Only Charlotte and I know we’re eloping. 

Yes, today. We decided last week and got our certificate yesterday. Yuri is covering for me. He doesn’t know why, but I think he suspects. You’re our only witness. After that, you can drop us off at The Plaza. We’ll be there for three days. I check my watch and move to the edge of my seat. She didn’t want to draw suspicion by meeting me near her parents. Crowds are thicker in Midtown, and no one she knows will be here on a Thursday afternoon.  

I thought you planned to try again with her father. He turns to face me. He’s right. I said I would, but Charlotte asked me to drop it. She’s pled our case for days but doesn’t think he’ll change his mind. The more she presses, the more she fears he’ll restrict her freedom. 

Arrogant ass tried to turn her against me, but she wouldn’t have it. She’s made her choice, and it’s me.

Change of plans. The old man thinks too highly of himself to let his princess date someone with my name and pedigree. Or lack thereof. This gives him no choice. I huff and recheck my watch. She’s two minutes late, and my heart can’t handle the suspense. I don’t know what I’ll do if she can’t get away, but it won’t be pretty. 

A text comes in, and my heart flutters in my heavy chest. 

Charlotte: I just got off the subway. I’m coming, baby!  

She follows it with a heart and a kissy