Hot Pursuit: Hot Pursuit, #1

By Layla Valentine

He's an oasis in the desert
And I'm going in for a dip
I'm riding on top, down under…

Her:

I've traveled the world, reached the top of my field,
But something's missing.,
I'm a lone star, far from home
And now I'm lost in the most desolate climate on earth, caught up in a kidnapping plot meant for someone else
The Australian Outback is dangerous enough without a bunch of hired goons on your tail
The hot-as-hell SEAL claims he can protect me
I hope he's going to do much more than that…

Him:

I came back to this dusty town to settle some old business
The last thing I expected was to meet a gorgeous fellow Texan
Now, she's in danger, and it's all my fault.
I'm the only one who can protect her,
But to do that I have to resist her.
It gets mighty cold in the desert at night,
But for the two of us, things are about to get scorching hot…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Layla Valentine
• Release date: Feb 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201751722

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

DELANEY

The tinny alarm on my phone blared. Part of me wanted to grab the damn thing and launch it across my hotel room. Instead, my eyes still closed, I dropped my hand repeatedly on the nightstand until I felt the smooth plastic of my phone case under my palm. A few swipes later and the alarm was silenced, the shrill beeping replaced by the low hum of the air conditioner.

Forcing my eyelids open, I held the phone in front of my face and saw that it was a little after seven in the morning. I was relieved—after the international flight from Dallas to Sydney, followed by a connecting flight to Alice Springs, I’d been prepared for the jet lag to wreak its usual havoc, either preventing me from getting a wink or causing me to sleep until some ungodly hour late into the afternoon.

But this wasn’t my first rodeo. After all, when you’re an oil company executive for whom globe-trotting is just part of the job description, international flights are to you what rush-hour traffic is to any other commuter.

I heaved myself out of bed and plopped my feet onto the plush carpet of my hotel room. Forcing my body to stand spear-straight, I stretched my willowy frame and reached my hands up toward the ceiling, my muscles crying out in relief. I knew I needed to do my usual post-flight yoga routine, but I was too eager to start the day for any of that.

Not to mention that my traveling was far from over. I still had an eight-hour drive ahead of me to my ultimate destination of Longbridge, a former mining town in the middle of the outback in Australia’s Northern Territory, a dusty little place home to fewer than a thousand souls.

After a quick shower, I stepped back into the hotel room and threw open the shades, the sunlight that poured into the room overwhelming me. My arm shot up in front of my face so quickly that I felt for a moment like a vampire recoiling from her one weakness.

After acclimating to the light, I adjusted the towel around my breasts and opened the closet. Being used to the rigors of international travel, I’d unpacked my suitcase and ironed my clothes the night before. I picked out my clothes for the day. Once I was dressed, I stepped in front of the room’s full-length mirror, scrunching up my face as I looked myself over.

My chestnut brown hair was slicked back and tucked behind my ears, and this combined with the bright light of the morning sun caused my grass-green eyes to shine even brighter than they normally did. I nodded approvingly at my outfit of black slacks, a trim white blouse, and stylish but comfortable flats that were the same deep, coal black as my pants. If it were up to me, I’d be dressed in sweats and a T-shirt for the drive ahead, but I needed to look professional for the meeting with the miners that awaited me at my final destination.

Once I had my things gathered, I checked out and made my way to the car rental business next to the hotel. Once inside, I slipped off my sunglasses and stepped up to the counter.

You say you’re going to Longbridge? What for?

The college-aged girl behind the counter in the car rental shop spoke in a cheerful Australian accent, and with her bleached-blond hair and guileless demeanor, she reminded me of the sorts of small-towners I’d encounter back in rural Texas.

It’s for a business meeting, I said.

The girl raised her dark eyebrows at me.

A business meeting? Can’t imagine what kind of business they’d be getting to up there. The roos out of control or something?

She snickered, pleased with her comment.

Anyway, I said, hoping to get the girl back on track. I’m going to need something that’ll be suitable for the drive up there. Something that can handle the outback.

We’ve got a few utes that’d be all right for the trek.

Utes? I asked.

Utility trucks. Any price you’re looking for?

Price isn’t a problem, I said.

With that, I reached into my purse and pulled out the prestigious, platinum credit card that my company gave me for expenses. The girl’s face lit up, knowing just what this meant.

Well, then, she said. Let’s get you sorted out, Miss, ah—

Delaney Fenn, I said, my voice its usual clear and professional tone. But you can call me Miss Fenn.

Well then, Miss Fenn, let’s get you mobile!

An hour later, I was behind the wheel of a chrome-colored 4Runner on the road up to Longbridge, the huge tires of the SUV kicking up orange dust all around me. I watched Alice Springs disappear in the rearview mirror. If the pictures of the city that my boss, Roger Noah, had shown me were any indication, the city behind me was the closest thing