Book Read Free

Blind Date

Page 22

by Bella Jewel


  He goes silent, and I know he’s pondering my words.

  “Even though,” I continue. “There were times I wanted to fly-kick you in the face for being such a jerk. And honestly, those manners of yours … terrible. We’re going to work on those. I’ll be having a word with your mother about it when I meet her.”

  “What makes you think you get to meet her?” he teases, tugging my hair softly.

  “Well, Ace, I’m going to have to meet her to explain why her son is in the hospital.”

  “In the hospital?”

  “Yes, after I kick you in the face, because I can guarantee it’ll take a few times to get you behaving like a well-mannered adult.”

  “I’m not that bad,” he grumbles.

  “You scare people. Lena only bakes for you because she’s probably scared of you. Give her a smile, maybe a wave.” I pause. “Actually, just start with a small wave. If you’re too nice to her, she’ll think you’re crazy and then she’ll likely fall and break a hip.”

  His chest starts shaking. For a moment, I wonder what’s happening. One big arm circles my waist, the other slings over my back, and he keeps shaking as he hangs onto me. What the?

  I look up, and a huge smile breaks over my face when I see his. Two big dimples greet me, and with those perfect white teeth and eyes so light, they could ignite a whole room. Ace Henderson is laughing, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

  “I was right,” I say to him, my own body starting to shake.

  “About what?” he wheezes.

  “Your smile, it did stop the world, for just a second.”

  A beautiful second.

  Don’t miss these other novels by USA Today bestselling author

  Bella Jewel

  THE WATCHER

  72 HOURS

  From St. Martin’s Paperbacks

  Also by Bella Jewel

  THE WATCHER

  72 HOURS

  Acclaim for the novels of Bella Jewel

  “You can’t go wrong with a Bella Jewel book.”

  —Lustful Literature

  “The story was fresh, unique, sexy, and loaded with mystery and intrigue. The dynamic characters came to life and jumped off of the pages. Enthralling!”

  —Smut Book Junkie

  “A hot-as-hell ride … I expect nothing less from Bella.”

  —A Hopeless Romantic’s Booklandia

  “An entertaining, hot read that will keep you on your toes.”

  —Rochelle’s Reviews

  “A sexy, dramatic suspense that I didn’t want to put down!”

  —Harlequin Junkies

  “Fast-paced, action-packed, steamy story. Definitely grab it if you like strong, kick-butt heroines, an alpha hero who wants to care for her, and lots of action and romance!”

  —Crystal’s Many Reviewers

  “Bella Jewel knows how to write herself a female lead and bring us all with her for the ride.”

  —Readful Things Blog

  “Sexy, irresistible, this story was addicting! I read it all in one sitting and I couldn’t get enough.”

  —The Novel Tease

  “Brazen and a bit of a thrill, it just works on all cylinders.”

  —Smexy Books

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  USA Today bestselling author Bella Jewel is a fun-loving Australian who lives in sunny Queensland with her two playful daughters. She’s been writing since she was fifteen and has authored a broad range of stories with wild characters ranging from bikers to pirates. When she’s not writing, Bella can be found kicking about on dirt bikes or riding horses. Bella has many more books planned for the future. Visit bellajewelbooks.com to learn more, or sign up for email updates here.

  Thank you for buying this

  St. Martin’s Press ebook.

  To receive special offers, bonus content,

  and info on new releases and other great reads,

  sign up for our newsletters.

  Or visit us online at

  us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup

  For email updates on the author, click here.

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  BLIND DATE

  Copyright © 2017 by Bella Jewel.

  All rights reserved.

  For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

  www.stmartins.com

  eISBN: 9781250108371

  Our books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, ext. 5442, or by e-mail at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.

  St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / August 2017

  St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

  CONTENTS

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Prologue

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Twenty-Seven

  Twenty-Eight

  Also by Bella Jewel

  Acclaim for the novels of Bella Jewel

  About the Author

  Copyright

 

 

 


‹ Prev