Seducing the Matchmaker

Seducing the Matchmaker
Elaine Overton

As the owner of Love Unlimited, a matchmaking firm, Noelle Brown has an enviable track record. When world-renowned and drop-dead gorgeous architect Derrick Brandt graces her doorway, she's incredibly pleased.Hooking him up will raise her agency's profile and give it an incredible public-relations boost. But after a few moments of conversation with the arrogant Derrick, Noelle understands why the tabloids have labeled him the most ineligible bachelor in the city.Derrick needs to find himself a wife–a woman who understands his demanding career. He's stunned to find himself captivated by the sexy siren Noelle. As the sparks of passion heat up between them, they both wonder if their relationship is indeed the perfect match….

“I’ll show you.”

In a flash Derrick was off the sofa, and with two steps in her direction, he reached down and pulled Noelle from the loveseat. His large hands fastened on her hips and moved her forward in one swoop until they were standing, pressed body to body.

Before Noelle’s brain had time to even process, he was kissing her. And much to her amazement, she was kissing him back.

Oh, he tasted good! Like a cinnamon bun, Noelle thought dreamily, even as she parted her lips and allowed his warm tongue inside. Of their own volition, her arms slid up and over his broad shoulders, and she discovered he was just the right height for her to rest comfortably against him.

Noelle was not able to resist the soft sigh that escaped from her mouth. His tongue darted out and ran over her bottom lip in a slow, sensual caress, and Noelle felt her knees weaken.

But his strong hands tightly gathered the material of her skirt at each hip, holding her up and against him. She couldn’t have fallen if she wanted to. Feeling the growing warmth pressing against her center, Noelle knew she should end the kiss, end the touching. This was wrong…so wrong.

But all she could do was allow her head to fall back as his soft lips left a trail of kisses from her chin to her collarbone. Her heartbeat sped up as she felt him grinding his growing erection against her. She couldn’t have lied to herself if she wanted to. The feeling was mutual and she spontaneously began to meet his grind with her own.

ELAINE OVERTON

currently resides in the Detroit area with her son and dog. She attended a local business college before entering the military and serving in the Gulf War. She is an administrative assistant, and currently works for an automotive industry supplier. She is also an active member of Romance Writers of America. You can contact her via e-mail at www.elaineoverton.com.

Seducing the Matchmaker

Elaine Overton

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

To the Creator of all that is good in my life.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Rejoice evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

In everything give thanks; for this is the will

of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for taking the time to read Seducing the Matchmaker. I hope you have enjoyed Derrick and Noelle’s long, winding road toward a loving, open relationship.

Like most authors, I spend the majority of my writing time not actually putting words to paper but trying to show the reader what I see in my head. To me the characters are these fully formed, complicated people with lives and histories, and I want to share those stories with you, the way I think of them.

As a longtime romance reader, there is nothing I love better than the iconic diamond-in-the-rough, tortured hero and his journey to find a woman capable of loving ALL of him. I like to think of Derrick as just such a hero.

Noelle, who had her own hurdles to climb over—including her fear of emotional pain and her preoccupation with logic and reason—was still finally able to give her heart what it most desired. I think of her as the epitome of the old adage that sometimes what you want is not what you need.

I hope I did a fair job of explaining Derrick’s troubled background and the events that forged his character, as well as Noelle’s reasons behind her doubts. Now I would love to hear what you think, so feel free to write me at elaine@elaineoverton.com.

Take care,

Elaine

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20