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
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Or visit her alter ego Myla Jackson at mylajackson.com
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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
