Hot Pursuit (Book Two): Hot Pursuit, #2

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…

This is the second book in the Hot Pursuit series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Layla Valentine
• Release date: Feb 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201977771

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

DELANEY

"W hat’ve we got?"

I looked through the small duffel I’d taken from the backseat of the SUV.

We’ve got, I said, shifting through the contents, two bottles of warm water, a gun, and that’s it.

That all they had back there?

Not unless you wanted me to grab that half pack of cigarettes.

Shit.

We’d been walking through the outback for fifteen minutes or so. The cars had evidently taken us to some far-flung gas station off the main road, and Justin and I were out in the middle of nowhere. The sun blazed down from above, the heat positively oppressive. Suddenly very thirsty, I reached into the bag and twisted the cap from the bottle of water.

Whoa, said Justin. We need to ration what we have. Who knows when we’re gonna find more water, you know?

So, I’m not supposed to drink the water? Isn’t that what it’s for?

It’s for when you actually need it, not when you’re feeling a little parched.

How will I know when I actually need it?

You’ll know, he said. First stage, your mouth will feel like it’s full of sand. Then you’ll get the worst damn headache of your life. Then you’ll feel like you’re about to keel over.

Sounds lovely.

You got any of those symptoms now?

My mouth’s a little dry, I guess.

Then you’re not dehydrated. Put the water away.

Taking one last look at the bottle of water, I dropped it back into the bag with a sigh. After another twenty minutes or so of walking, my legs felt so cramped I could barely support my weight.

I need to sit down somewhere, I said. I don’t know how much longer I can even walk.

No time for that, he said. The kidnappers are going to be looking for us. Not to mention we’re not going to get where we’re headed by taking breaks.

Pain shot up my legs; each step felt like torture.

I—ow—I can barely walk.

It’s the adrenaline, said Justin, his eyes fixed forward. You need to keep walking. Your body will be getting back to normal before too long.

I realized that whining wasn’t going to get me anywhere. Grinning and bearing it, I kept on.

And where is it that we’re headed toward, exactly? I asked, looking around and seeing nothing but flat rusty earth.

Back to Longbridge, he said. Closest thing to civilization we’re going to find.

Are you serious? I asked. We’d been driving for over an hour? And you want to walk all the way back?

Justin looked away and shook his head.

You know what makes trekking through one of the most inhospitable places in the world even more of a pleasant experience? Someone complaining every step of the way.

‘Complaining? I asked, taking on an indignant tone. You nearly got me killed, and now you’re going to call me a complainer? Hell, maybe there’s no ‘nearly’ about it. Maybe we’ll both expire out here in this heat.

Listen, he said. You’re right—I dragged you into something that you didn’t need to be a part of. You were just some girl in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s a bullshit situation, and I’m sorry.

Are you really apologizing? I asked, more than a little surprised. I thought it was going to take more nagging to pry that out of you.

Whatever gets you focused on the task at hand, he said.

I didn’t want to push my luck.

I just want to know how the hell they knew that I was in town, he said. As far as anyone else was concerned, I’d be in Alice Springs for the next few days.

Maybe someone spotted you? I suggested. Those locals at that little dive were kind of sketchy.

Possibly, he said. I should’ve kept a lower goddam profile—that’s for sure.

We trudged along. Sure enough, my legs loosened up, and I found my stride. The sun was punishing, however, and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to take much more of the heat.

Before I could spend too much more time considering the matter, however, Justin stopped in his tracks.

What’s wrong? I asked.

You still thirsty?

Like you wouldn’t believe.

Come on, then.

The thought of a sip of cool water driving me absolutely crazy, I was ready to follow Justin anywhere. He picked up his pace, soon arriving at a thick-trunked tree unlike anything else growing in the area.

Eucalyptus, he said, stopping in front of the leafy plant. Normally, you only find these in New South Wales, but it looks like a few have managed to make their way up here.

Didn’t you say it was poisonous?

Not if we just drink from the tree roots. Hold on.

Justin squatted down and pulled out his multi-tool, flicking out the knife. With a quick stab, he jammed the blade into the root, water seeping out as soon the tip pierced the skin.

Holy shit! I said, shocked to see how much water came out of the roots. That’s good to drink?

As good as it’s going to get out here. Drink up.

I dropped to my knees right next to him and scooped up the water in my hands. My eyes rolled into the back of my head as soon as the liquid touched my lips.

Careful there, thirsty girl, he said. Drink too much and you’ll make your stomach hurt.

Oh, my God. I don’t even care, I said before going back in for more water. I’m so thirsty I can barely stand it.

The water had a bit of a strange tinge to it, but it tasted like liquid ambrosia to me. It dripped over the cracks in my lips and down my chin as I scooped handful after handful of it