Carly Phillips - Hot Property

Praise for the novels of New York Times bestselling authorCARLY PHILLIPS

Fast-paced and fabulously fun, Carly Phillips entertains with witty dialogue and delightful characters.

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Gibson

Popular Phillips first attempt at romantic suspense should be eagerly received by her loyal readership, and the denouement hints at a future romance for Hunter, as well.

Booklist on

Who doesnt love a reunion of long-lost loves? Add a diabolical villain as Carly Phillips does and you have everything you need for a beach read.

Columbus Dispatch on Cross My Heart

Contemporary pizzazz with a good old-fashioned happily ever after.

Michelle Buonfiglio, Romance: B(u)y the Book, WNBC.com/romance

Cross My Heart engages readers with a light and perky story that will absorb you from start to finish. Youll be smiling while you read the book, and grinning when you finish.

Lezlie Patterson, MCT News Service

Phillips has penned a charming, fast-paced contemporary romp.

Booklist on Hot Item

A great summer read that should not be missed.

BookReporter.com on Hot Item

A sassy treat full of titillating twists sure to ring your (wedding) bell.

Playgirl on The Bachelor

A titillating readon a scale of one to five: a high five for fun, ease of reading and sex

actually I wouldve given it a six for sex if I could have.

Kelly Ripa on The Bachelor

Also by

carly phillips

Ty and Hunters stories

Cross My Heart

Sealed with a Kiss

The Hot Zone series

Hot Item

Hot Number

Hot Stuff

Hot Property

The Simply series

Simply Sinful

Simply Scandalous

Simply Sensual

Simply Sexy

The Chandler Brothers series

The Bachelor

The Playboy

The Heartbreaker

Also

Body Heat

Brazen

Seduce Me

carly phillips

Hot PROPERTY

Dear Reader,

I love writing, but no series has given me more joy than the Hot Zone, maybe because of the many personal connections for me in these books. Uncle Yank is based on my grandpa Jack, may he rest in peace, and macular degeneration runs in my family. Giving Uncle Yank a love of life despite his limitations has truly been a labor of love. From your many wonderful letters, I sense you have the same warm, fuzzy feeling for the Jordan sisters and the Hot Zone characters as I do. Thank you so much for letting me know!

Thank you, too, for being diligent, intelligent, smart readers. You picked up on inconsistencies in this series that arefranklyembarrassing for me. As I explained to those of you who wrote me about the errors, I wasnt trying to see if you were paying attention (although you definitely were!). All I can say is that Im human. I have tried to address the inconsistencies in this story and have clarified that both Annabelle and Micki have daughters.

Hot Property is the last in the Hot Zone series of books. John Roper (Mickis best friend and high-maintenance client) and Amy Stone (Rileys cousin from Florida) are about to meetand when they do, sparks fly!

So enjoy the heat and the fun, and the next time you write to me, I hope its because you miss these characters as much as I will!

Best wishes always and happy reading!

Carly

www.carlyphillips.com

e-mail: carly@carlyphillips.com

I write best when Im on vacation. Maybe its the sand, the surf or maybe its the company.

This book is dedicated to The Smith Family

Gary, Tracey, Matthew and Robbie, the greatest (and funniest) family friends ever. Thanks for giving a Table for Four new meaning.

As always, to Phil, Jackie, Jen, Buddy and Bailey

for making me crazy and keeping me sane

all at the same time.

To the editor who knows me best and always makes me better, Brenda Chin; and to Janelle Denison, for all you do, theyre all for you!

And to the Plotmonkeys: Janelle, Julie Leto and Leslie Kellywww.plotmonkeys.comfor having a brain when mine is fried. Love you guys!

Hot PROPERTY

CONTENTS

AMY STONE WAS SURROUNDED by testosterone. Not everyday, average testosterone but the heavy-duty testosterone that could only belong to athletes. She couldnt stop staring at the quarterbacks, the baseball stars and other large, muscular guests attending her cousin Rileys wedding reception. The bride, Sophie Jordan, her sisters and their friends appeared unfazed by so many hot men in one place. As publicists for the Hot Zone, a PR firm specializing in athletes, they were probably used to the sight. As a single woman more accustomed to living and working as a social director at a Fort Lauderdale retirement community owned by her relatives, Amy was out of her element.

But that was about to change. Starting in January, Amy would be working at the Hot Zone, too, and shed have to learn how to handle herself around these big-shot athletes without melting at their feet.

Shed already made a few trips to the city and had begun settling into the apartment Micki Jordan Fuller had leased to her. After spending the holidays with her family, Amy would be leaving her easy life behind.

Shed turned twenty-five on Halloweenthere was some irony there, she was sureand shed woken up, looked at her life and realized a change was long overdue. She belonged in a crowd of young people, not refereeing irreverent retirees who preferred skinny-dipping to swimming with bathing suits and Long Island iced teas to the nonalcoholic variety. But she was worried about the trouble her mother and her friends could get into left on their own.

Which reminded herShe scanned the area looking for her family.

The acreage was huge, the view beautiful. Amy couldnt find her mother or her aunt Darla, but she consoled herself with the notion that if she couldnt see or hear them, they couldnt be causing a ruckus. That had to be a good sign. Especially since the reception was being held at the Brandon, Mississippi, estate of Senator Harlan Nash, the man whod raised Riley as his own son.

She prayed her mother and aunt would behave for a change. As shed instructed them this morning, no nude bathing in the fountain, no playing tag in the yard. Her relatives lived to enjoy life. And they dida little too much sometimes, which often got them into trouble, making them all the object of public ridicule. It had often been a point of contention between her parents when her father was alive. When Amy had made the decision to move back home and had taken the job as director, aka babysitter, shed known her father, whod died when she was twelve, would approve.

The sun beat down on her head and she envied the senators guests who had parasols to shade themselves from the heated rays. The humidity was really getting to her. Her skin was sticky beneath her dress as she strode to the bar.

Can I get you a drink? a deep male voice asked.

Amy turned, shading her eyes against the glare of the sun, and stared into the most gorgeous face shed ever seen on a man. His eyes were a deep shade of green, his features more chiseled than rugged, and when he smiled, dimples embraced his white teeth and oh-so-sexy smile.

I was just about to order a cola, she said.

I think I can manage that for you. His easygoing smile grew wider.