book cover of Hot Zone
 

Hot Zone

(2003)
(The third book in the Chicago Heat series)
A novel by

 
 
Owner of the local coffee house, Helen Rhodes can't believe the infamous Hot Zone, a corporate coffee rival, is landing across the street from her business. Owner Luke DeVries has closed competing coffee houses in other cities and his new hot tub and massage chairs could lure her customers away. Helen is not about to go under without a fight. Luke has never met a woman who challenges him like his feisty business rival. He finds himself falling for her, but he is horrified by her three date rule. Three strikes and he'll be out? He does everything in his power to keep her seduced so that all she can think about is having him in her bed for good. Helen reluctantly realizes she wants Luke. But when someone else can't have him, she turns her wrath directly on her rival.

Excerpt from Hot Zone:
"You wouldn't want to go out with me," she said. "I have rules for dating."
"Like that book?"
"Not exactly. Actually I only have one rule, a really simple - "
Before she could say rule again, he interrupted. "You can tell me about it over dinner. Or coffee. Your choice."
He certainly was insistent. Cock-sure of himself, as a matter of fact. Then again, with his looks, why wouldn't he be? He probably scored big-time when he put on the charm. Which should be putting her off big-time.
Instead, she found herself breathless at the thought of getting to know the man more intimately. And then she found herself asking, "When?"
"Tonight. Seven-thirty."
"I suppose I could leave early."
That's why she'd finally hired an assistant manager, so she could have time off. Besides, she could handle herself with any man, even one so attractive, Helen assured herself. She'd come up with her three date rule as emotional protection, after all, and she'd never, ever broken it. And as long as she kept to that, she could have her physical pleasure and keep her psychological health, too.
"Pick me up at the cybercafe," she finally said. "That's at the corner of North - "
"I know where it is."
Suddenly, she realized they hadn't introduced themselves. "I'm Helen Rhodes."
"Nice to meet you, Helen." Trouble extended his hand and she slipped her beringed fingers in for a shake so that they were stuck there, caught in his strong fingers, when he said, "Luke. I'm Luke DeVries."
Helen gasped and for a moment her fingers felt boneless and she felt utterly trapped.
The shark himself had her in his jaws!


Genre: Romantic Suspense

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