Hearts on Fire: Romance Multi-Author Box Set Anthology Read online

  Hearts on Fire

  Violet Vaughn

  Phoenix Sullivan

  Jennifer Lewis

  Lily Zante

  Sara Wylde

  Lib Starling

  Anna Alexander

  Sugarloaf Press

  Contents

  About Hearts on Fire

  Craving for Love - Violet Vaughn

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  About Violet Vaughn

  Brave Hearts - Phoenix Sullivan

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  About Phoenix Sullivan

  Rescued by the Sheikh - Jennifer Lewis

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  About Jennifer Lewis

  Fat - Sara Wylde

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  About Sara Wylde

  All That Glitters - Lily Zante

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  About Lily Zante

  Rock the Boat - Lib Starling

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  About Lib Starling

  The Cowboy Way - Anna Alexander

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  About the Author

  About Hearts on Fire

  * * *

  Escape to exotic settings with these sizzling heroes and strong, admirable women. From sweeping deserts to secluded islands, from the African savannah to snow-covered peaks—the passion burns hot in these seven full-length contemporary romance novels. An alpha rock star with a dominant streak… a special-ops veteran turned wildlife ranger… a cowboy with a tragic past… and a BBW who will make you stand up and cheer. Fall in love with HEARTS ON FIRE.

  Please enjoy the seven full-length contemporary romance novels from Anna Alexander, Sara Wylde, Lib Starling, Lily Zante, Jennifer Lewis, Violet Vaughn and Phoenix Sullivan.

  ~We all thank you for being a valued reader ~

  Craving for Love - Violet Vaughn

  Snow Kissed Love

  It's a slippery slope between love and lust...

  Bound and determined to get over Jason Garrison, the man who broke her heart, Casey Cassidy moves to Colorado to start over. Landing a job on the slopes, Casey meets Blaine Johnson, a hunky surfer-turned-ski instructor. He's everything she ever hoped for--except for one small detail...

  Blaine's hiding something--something so big that it keeps Casey mildly smoldering when she really needs to ignite in flames. But when Jason shows up, Casey questions everything she ever wished for. Should one woman have to choose between having a family and the love of her life?

  Copyright © 2016 by Violet. Vaughn

/>   All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover by Llewellen Designs

  Editing by Jodi Henley and Red Adept Publishing

  Don’t miss an installment from Violet Vaughn. Sign up for her newsletter.

  1

  My car swerves abruptly and begins to fishtail. “Crap!” Lifting my foot off the gas, I slow and let the wheels gain traction. As my heart settles back down from my throat, I take a deep breath. That’s all I need, to total my Saab the day before I leave for Colorado. My life is such a mess right now—I need to start fresh, far away from my pain.

  I turn off my music so I can have quiet to focus in the storm, and flash to Jason’s smile at the bottom of a great ski run. An East Coast skier all my life, I’ve craved powdery snow, steep terrain, and huge bumps to bounce down instead of the icy slopes I’m used to. Moving out west has been my dream for years. Jason should come to Colorado with me, since it’s his dream too. Except that wouldn’t solve anything. We need to go our separate ways and stop clinging to something we can’t have.

  Jason doesn’t want children, and I do. He has no intention of ever having a family or the trappings to tie him down. I’ve done my best to stay away from him since we broke up, but he continues to invade my thoughts.

  My heart pounds against my chest when my car suddenly slides off the road. Plastic is hard in my palms as I white-knuckle the wheel, trying to gain control. Metal scrapes when I graze the embankment, and I imagine what I just did to the paint job as something fizzles and pops. I think it’s a headlight, judging by the sudden lack of lighting. I yank the wheel to the right and bump back onto the road. Once I’m in control of my car, I let out the breath I was holding and gasp for oxygen. Serves me right for letting my mind wander in this kind of weather.

  My trembling subsides by the time I get home. The engine rumbles as I get out to assess the damage, and I discover it’s a headlight. Relieved it’s an easy fix, I turn off the ignition and head toward my apartment. Wood is heavy in my arms when I grab two logs for the woodstove and let myself in.

  White vapor escapes my mouth when I get inside, and I drop my purse to take the five steps to check the cast-iron woodstove. The faint glow of red tells me I’ve got embers only. I sigh as I stoke them, and kindling clatters when I drop it in to ignite.

  Once my fire is roaring, I plop down on the couch. Somehow I have to replace my headlight before I leave for Colorado tomorrow. Tears fill my eyes when I remember who always used to deal with things like this for me. A log on the fire snaps, and I pick up my cell phone to call Jason. No. I need to stay strong, so I get up for a hot drink instead.

  Combining leftover coffee and sweet liqueur, I microwave something to warm me. But when I finish it by the fire, I realize all I’ve done is weaken my willpower, and I call Jason. A groggy voice answers, “Hello?”

  “Hey.” Soot from ashes is acidic in my mouth as I chew on my thumbnail.

  “Casey?” He sounds as unsure as I feel.

  “Yeah,” I say. “I need your help.” Darn it, I’m crying. This is getting old.

  His voice is suddenly alert. “Are you crying? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  “Uh-huh.” I sniff and swallow to tamp down my tears. “I did something to my car. I think it’s only a headlight, but... would you come over?” Yeah, I’m lame. It’s not like this is an emergency, but now that I have him on the phone, I want more.

  There’s a long silence, and I’m about to tell him to forget it, when he says, “I have to plow in the morning.”

  I jump in before he can say more. “You can start here. Like you used to. I’ll make you coffee and breakfast.” I’m not above begging, and I hear myself whine. “Please?” He doesn’t reply, but there’s rustling in the background. “Jason?”

  He sighs, and his voice is resigned when he says, “I’m coming. Be there in a bit.”

  Pacing my apartment, I wait for him. Not that there is much to pace. I count fifteen steps and turn around. My home is an old garden shed converted into a loft apartment, with tacky ’80s décor. But it’s all mine. The main floor is open, with a loft setup in the eaves where I sleep. I placed my bed so that the loft’s triangle-shaped window that frames a view of the valley at my feet. It allows me to gaze at the stars on a clear night, and it’s not uncommon to see a shooting star. I’ve made my share of wishes, but unfortunately they aren’t coming true.

  My stomach grumbles, and I remember a banana, a few stolen French fries, and alcohol. A wave of nausea passes through me. I need food. Foil rustles as I grab a granola bar out of my packed box of dry goods, and I open the fridge to more glaring white than anything else. Working in a restaurant feeds me well most days, so there isn’t much need for food at home. I pop the top of a diet cola and let the cool fizz soothe my tongue as I hop up on my tiny counter.

  I’m really going to leave Jason behind. I gulp down more soda and let the carbonation burn my throat. I need more alcohol. I reach around to the freezer and pull out the chilled vodka to pour a hefty amount in the can. I think I’ll be hungover tomorrow, but right now I don’t care.

  Snow from the storm beats against my kitchen window. We’ve already had a great ski season, and it’s shaping up to be an amazing one. I glance at my skis that loom in the corner, waiting for me. The storm is supposed to last through tomorrow, and if I weren’t leaving, I’d be excited about the skiing. Wind howls, and I shiver.

  Not many skiers venture out in a blizzard. Blustery winds, sleet-covered goggles, and snow swirling make for low visibility, but it also means nearly fresh tracks every run. A blast of snow splats against the glass and makes me jump. Maybe I won’t leave tomorrow after all.

  Lights flash, and a loud thud sounds before Jason’s plow scrapes the snow off my driveway. Peering out the window over the couch, I notice truck headlights shine on my car. Jason gets out and bends down to inspect the damage I caused. His jeans are tight across his butt, and my body reacts with the familiar tingle of desire for him. I fidget with a button on my blouse as he walks toward the door. Cold air blows in when I open it before he can, and the chill seems to stoke my fire.

  Icy cotton is cold in my hand as I grab his coat and tug him inside. Shoving the door shut, I push him up against it. Jason stiffens in surprise. Before he can speak, I pull his head down and kiss him. Hard. I thrust my tongue into his mouth as if I can’t taste enough of him. His flannel shirt is soft on my palms as I slide my hands into his open jacket to strip it off his shoulders. Jason moans into my mouth as he relaxes. When he darts his tongue into my mouth, I pull away.

  His voice is husky. “Case?”

  Putting my finger to my lips, I say, “Sh. Don’t talk.”

  I grab the waistband of his jeans, and the floor is cold and hard under my knees when I drop down. His erection strains against denim, making me grin when I glance up at him. The zipper hums when I pull it down, and I return my gaze to discover he’s not wearing underwear. Hot. Silky skin is smooth under my fingers when I grip his cock for a quick stroke before I yank his jeans down to drag my tongue up his hardness.

  A groan rumbles through Jason’s body. I grab his hips and pull him deep into my mouth. My senses are intoxicated with the musky woodland scent of him, and I place my hands in the hollows of his butt to grip hard so I can suck him the way he likes. Desire makes me tremble for this man, and he sways a little as I give him pleasure.

  I push away and stand up. Jason opens his mouth to speak, and I shake my head as I lick my lips. Plastic buttons are slippery in my fingers as I work on removing my blouse. It has the effect I was going for, because Jason scrambles to take off his boots as he watches me. Stepping back, I fling the shirt onto the couch. His eyes are full of lust, and I quickly add my black lace bra to the pile. It lands with a sof
t swoosh. The carpet is cool under my feet as I move toward the ladder for the loft.

  I strip off my jeans as I walk. With the smooth, wooden rung of the ladder in my hand, I turn toward him. Jason’s eyes are big, and I guess he noticed I’m not wearing panties either. A deep, throaty sound escapes as he shakes his head.

  When he pulls off his shirt, I gaze at the hard planes of his chest that are emphasized by the dim light. I hook my finger at him to follow me, and his breath is warm on my butt as we climb. When I arch my back to push my bottom closer, Jason nips at me, and I scramble up with a yelp. I turn to stare at him and put my hands on my hips. My loft is small, and he can only stand in the very center. Having hit his head more times than I can count, Jason is wise enough to crawl across the shag carpet toward me.

  As he rises up on his knees, I push his head between my legs, and his hair tickles my tender skin. His tongue darts right home, and I let out a small noise of appreciation. Ripples of pleasure spread through my core, and it isn’t long before I’m about to climax. Trembling, I grab a condom from the top of my bureau and lie back on the bed.

  Jason gazes down at me with a smoldering look I know well. He loves me. A flicker of guilt passes through me, and I want to glance away in shame. The foil package rips, and I order, “Hard and fast.” Jason doesn’t break my gaze as he thrusts into me, and I cry out at the abrupt pleasure.

  He pumps quickly, bringing us both to the edge. Waves of ecstasy course through me as he drives deep, as if he wants more. But I don’t have more to give. His body tenses, and I know he’s almost there. The muscles in his groin are hard on my hand as I push him away. Jason shudders and lifts up to his knees as he frowns at me. I reach out and whisper, “Slow now.”

  He slides back in, and I sit up to taste the salty moisture on his chest as I flick my tongue up to his neck. I touch his lips with my fingers to make sure he doesn’t say the words that will shatter me into pieces. But I know how he feels, and tears burn in my eyes as my heart breaks anyway. Burying my head in his chest, I wish he could be inside me forever. I wrap my legs around his waist and settle back so he’ll take over.

  2