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Smoldering Desire (Hellfire Series Book 3)

Page 13

by Elle James


  “He’s paying to rebuild the garage and the apartment over it. He also paid to have Lola’s garage painted, inside and out,” Rider said.

  Shane’s brow dipped. “Your ex tried to talk me into burning down your garage. I told that crazy bit—woman where she could go with that idea.”

  “When is Lydia’s court date?” Beckett asked. Kinsey perched at the foot of the lounge he’d sprawled out on.

  “Three months, if her attorney doesn’t get the date moved again,” Selena said.

  “How’s the new shop coming along?” Shane asked.

  “Should be finished by the time Selena heads off to school.” Rider slipped an arm around Selena’s waist and kissed the top of her hair.

  “I’m going to miss you,” Selena said and wrapped her arms around his waist.

  “I’ll come to visit as much as you can stand me,” Rider promised.

  “Then you might as well move in with me.” Selena smiled up at him.

  Rider shook his head. “You’ll need your time to focus on your studies. I promise not to get in the way of you reaching your full potential.” He brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek. “Don’t worry, I’ll be here in Hellfire when you come home. Just promise me one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Don’t forget to come home.”

  She hugged him around the middle and pressed her cheek against his chest. “I won’t forget. Home is where the heart is. And my heart belongs to you.”

  HELLFIRE IN HIGH HEELS

  HELLFIRE SERIES BOOK #4

  New York Times & USA Today

  Bestselling Author

  ELLE JAMES

  CHAPTER 1

  LOLA ENGEL FLIPPED the sign in the window of her shoe shop to display CLOSED and exited the building, pulling the door shut behind her. She locked it and glanced at her watch.

  Damn.

  She had only an hour to get home, change and stage an “accident” before Chance Grayson went off duty at the fire station.

  Running in high heels was never good, nor classy. If at all possible, Lola avoided running in public. Scarred as a child by name-calling bullies, she didn’t want anyone comparing her to an epileptic giraffe during a grand mal seizure. So, she hurried, skipping along, and then running all out when she verified no one was watching.

  For a thirty-nine-year-old woman—okay, forty-three, though no one but her doctor knew the truth—she kept her body in top physical condition, with not an ounce of fat on her thighs or belly. Since her husband had passed, she’d had loads of time on her hands. Time she preferred to fill working out or flirting with the best-looking man in Hellfire, Texas.

  Chance Grayson. One of the four Grayson brothers, all of whom were incredibly clean-cut, drool-worthy, butt-hugging, jean-clad cowboys and firefighters. They’d struck it rich in the gene pool, and Lola wouldn’t mind having some of that gold stretched out in her bed.

  Oh, she wasn’t looking for long-term commitment or love. She’d already been in love once and losing someone you cared for as much as she’d cared for Mr. Engel hurt far too much.

  No, she’d vowed to enjoy an active sex life with whomever the hell she pleased, and screw the tongue-wagging, back-stabbing biddies of the community who thought they were better than anyone else because they were married and settled.

  Settled only meant living in a rut. Lola refused to slip on a ring or into a rut. Losing her husband had taught her one valuable lesson: Life was too damned short. She had to seize it by the balls and hold on to that orgasmic finish line.

  Two blocks down, two to go. Why the hell had she walked to work that morning? And why the hell hadn’t she worn tennis shoes?

  Because you’re too goddamn vain and won’t let others see you in anything less than the most expensive shoes this side of the Mississippi.

  New York City didn’t have anything on Hellfire, Texas. Lola made damn sure of that. If she didn’t sell many expensive shoes in her brick-and-mortar store, she sold a truckload every week from her online shop.

  Just because a person lived in small-town, snail’s-paced Texas didn’t mean a woman had to deprive herself of the best and sexiest shoes from some of the most fabulous designers this world had to offer.

  Slowly, but surely, she’d educated the ranchers’ wives on the difference between Jimmy Choos stilettoes and Ariat cowboy boots. Not many of the wives had the kind of money for the more expensive brands, but Lola stocked budget knock-offs to satisfy the locals.

  At that moment, she would trade her Jimmy Choos for some running shoes. All because she wanted a shot at seducing Chance Grayson. The younger man had caught her eye the day she’d seen him shirtless hosing down his big, red fire truck.

  The day had been a typical hotter-than-Hades summer one in Texas. Sweat had glistened on the young man’s shoulders, and all Lola could think was how she wanted to run her hands over every part of Chance’s body. Then she’d start all over with her tongue.

  Who said a woman of thirty-nine had to settle for men her own age? Forty-year-old men dated twenty-somethings all the time. Lola was a heck of a lot better in bed than most of those little girls. She could show Chance Grayson a thing or two. She just had to get his attention.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  ELLE JAMES also writing as MYLA JACKSON is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of books including cowboys, intrigues and paranormal adventures that keep her readers on the edges of their seats. With over eighty works in a variety of sub-genres and lengths she has published with Harlequin, Samhain, Ellora’s Cave, Kensington, Cleis Press, and Avon. When she’s not at her computer, she’s traveling, snow skiing, boating, or riding her ATV, dreaming up new stories. Learn more about Elle James at www.ellejames.com

  Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Newsletter | BookBub | Amazon

  Or visit her alter ego Myla Jackson at mylajackson.com

  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter

  Follow Me!

  www.ellejames.com

  ellejames@ellejames.com

  ALSO BY ELLE JAMES

  Hellfire Series

  Hellfire, Texas (#1)

  Justice Burning (#2)

  Smoldering Desire (#3)

  Hellfire in High Heels (#4)

  Playing With Fire (#5) Jan 2019

  Up in Flames (#6) TBD

  Total Meltdown (#7) TBD

  Brotherhood Protectors Series

  Montana SEAL (#1)

  Bride Protector SEAL (#2)

  Montana D-Force (#3)

  Cowboy D-Force (#4)

  Montana Ranger (#5)

  Montana Dog Soldier (#6)

  Montana SEAL Daddy (#7)

  Montana Ranger’s Wedding Vow (#8)

  Montana SEAL Undercover Daddy (#9)

  Cape Cod SEAL Rescue (#10)

  Montana SEAL Friendly Fire (#11)

  Montana SEAL’s Bride (#11) TBD

  Montana Rescue

  Hot SEAL, Salty Dog

  Hearts & Heroes Series

  Wyatt’s War (#1)

  Mack’s Witness (#2)

  Ronin’s Return (#3)

  Sam’s Surrender (#4)

  Mission: Six

  One Intrepid SEAL

  Two Dauntless Hearts

  Three Courageous Words

  Four Relentless Days

  Five Ways to Surrender

  Six Minutes to Midnight

  Take No Prisoners Series

  SEAL’s Honor (#1)

  SEAL’S Desire (#2)

  SEAL’s Embrace (#3)

  SEAL’s Obsession (#4)

  SEAL’s Proposal (#5)

  SEAL’s Seduction (#6)

  SEAL’S Defiance (#7)

  SEAL’s Deception (#8)

  SEAL’s Deliverance (#9)

  SEAL’s Ultimate Challenge (#10)

  Ballistic Cowboy

  Hot Combat (#1)

  Hot Target (#2)

  Hot Zone (#3)

  Hot Velocity (#4)

  Texa
s Billionaire Club

  Tarzan & Janine (#1)

  Something To Talk About (#2)

  Who’s Your Daddy (#3)

  Love & War (#4)

  Cajun Magic Mystery Series

  Voodoo on the Bayou (#1)

  Voodoo for Two (#2)

  Deja Voodoo (#3)

  Cajun Magic Mysteries Books 1-3

  Billionaire Online Dating Service

  The Billionaire Husband Test (#1)

  The Billionaire Cinderella Test (#2)

  The Billionaire Bride Test (#3) TBD

  The Billionaire Matchmaker Test (#4) TBD

  SEAL Of My Own

  Navy SEAL Survival

  Navy SEAL Captive

  Navy SEAL To Die For

  Navy SEAL Six Pack

  Devil's Shroud Series

  Deadly Reckoning (#1)

  Deadly Engagement (#2)

  Deadly Liaisons (#3)

  Deadly Allure (#4)

  Deadly Obsession (#5)

  Deadly Fall (#6)

  Covert Cowboys Inc Series

  Triggered (#1)

  Taking Aim (#2)

  Bodyguard Under Fire (#3)

  Cowboy Resurrected (#4)

  Navy SEAL Justice (#5)

  Navy SEAL Newlywed (#6)

  High Country Hideout (#7)

  Clandestine Christmas (#8)

  Thunder Horse Series

  Hostage to Thunder Horse (#1)

  Thunder Horse Heritage (#2)

  Thunder Horse Redemption (#3)

  Christmas at Thunder Horse Ranch (#4)

  Demon Series

  Hot Demon Nights (#1)

  Demon's Embrace (#2)

  Tempting the Demon (#3)

  Lords of the Underworld

  Witch's Initiation (#1)

  Witch's Seduction (#2)

  The Witch's Desire (#3)

  Possessing the Witch (#4)

  Stealth Operations Specialists (SOS)

  Nick of Time

  Alaskan Fantasy

  Blown Away

  Warrior’s Conquest

  Rogues

  Enslaved by the Viking Short Story

  Conquests

  Smokin’ Hot Firemen

  Love on the Rocks

  Protecting the Colton Bride

  Heir to Murder

  Secret Service Rescue

  High Octane Heroes

  Haunted

  Engaged with the Boss

  Cowboy Brigade

  Time Raiders: The Whisper

  Bundle of Trouble

  Killer Body

  Operation XOXO

  An Unexpected Clue

  Baby Bling

  Under Suspicion, With Child

  Texas-Size Secrets

  Cowboy Sanctuary

  Lakota Baby

  Dakota Meltdown

  Beneath the Texas Moon

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Contents

  SMOLDERING DESIRE

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Author’s Note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  Hellfire in High Heels

  Chapter 1

  About the Author

  Also by Elle James

 

 

 


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