Jamie Sobrato - As Hot As It Gets (Harlequin Blaze, 167)

Dear Reader,

As Hot As It Gets tells the story of Claire and Mason, two characters from my first novel, Some Like It Sizzling . Many people who read my first novel wrote to me, asking if I was going to tell this secondary couples story, and although I hadnt exactly planned on it, I decided that those readers were rightClaire and Mason deserved their own book!

I had a blast revisiting these two strong, sexy characters and discovering how they would find their incendiary path to happiness. I hope you enjoy As Hot As It Gets as much as I loved writing it. If youd like to drop me a note and let me know what you think of it or any of my books, you can reach me at jamie@jamiesobrato.com, or visit my Web site, www.jamiesobrato.com, to find out more about me and my next release.

Sincerely,

Jamie Sobrato

Books by Jamie Sobrato

HARLEQUIN BLAZE

84PLEASURE FOR PLEASURE

116WHAT A GIRL WANTS

133SOME KIND OF SEXY

HARLEQUIN TEMPTATION

911SOME LIKE IT SIZZLING

997TOO WILD

AS HOT AS IT GETS

Jamie Sobrato

To Rich, for showing me how hot it can get

Contents

E SCAPADE .

Where adults come to play.

Claire Elliot reread the resort brochure someone had left on her desk. The creators of the Fantasy Ranch bring you a tropical paradise on a private Caribbean island, an adult playground with every amenity, a hedonistic escape from harsh reality.

Come. Adventure awaits.

Claire frowned and clicked her French-manicured nails together. Her stomach formed a familiar knot, and she began to suspect that none other than her best friend and co-worker Lucy Walker had been the one to place the glossy magazine-size brochure prominently on the top of her in-box stack. In the midst of a slow afternoon at the travel agency, when the August Phoenix heat was keeping everyone indoors, it was impossible not to be drawn to the images of clear turquoise water, white sand beaches and palm trees casting shade over cool white buildings.

Claire had already heard about Escapade, of course. It was her job as the manager of Sunny Horizons Travel to keep up with the latest tourism industry news, and word of Mason Walker opening a new adults-only resort had spread like wildfire. Shed had clients calling months ago to book vacations there, many of them fans of Masons other resort.

The Fantasy Ranch inevitably brought back memories shed tried hard to forget, memories that haunted her at night when she lay in bed alone. Correction, make that memories of a certain man that haunted her on those long sleepless nights.

Mason Walker. The last man she wanted to think about. He was also Lucys brother-in-law, and her friend had employed some pretty sneaky tactics trying to get Claire and Mason together.

Claire looked up from the brochure and spotted the person she was sure had planted it. Lucy was sitting at her desk trying hard not to look guilty, but she made the fatal mistake of glancing up at Claires doorway, and the curiosity in her eyes gave her away.

Claire glared at her and crooked a finger in her direction. Lucy rose and came toward Claires office like a woman condemned. She stepped into the office and closed the door, then flashed Claire a stricken look.

Before you say anything, just hear me out, Lucy said.

I thought youd learned your lesson about matchmaking in Hawaii! Claire still hated to think about the week shed spent stranded in paradise with Mason, having been lured there by a fake invitation Lucy had concocted to get the two together.

Not to mention the bachelorette auction dating disaster and the subsequent accusations of a stolen Porsche. Their first encounter at Masons Arizona resort had left Claire depressed and out of sorts over a man for the first time in the thirty years shed been alive, and she had no intention of letting it happen again.

Whenever Claire and Mason got together, sparks flew, no doubt about it. But rather than anything sexually incendiary, they were more like the sparks from metal grinding furiously against metal.

I just thought you should know all about the resorts amenities, thats all. Purely for professional reasons. You wouldnt want to get caught off guard by a client asking you about it, right?

Lucy was becoming less and less convincing at the Little Miss Innocent act these days.

And thats the only reason you put this on my desk?

Absolutely, Lucy said, but her gaze darted out the window over Claires shoulder.

Youre a terrible liar.

Lucy tried to look offended, but in the end she smiled. I just think theres something special about the two of you together.

Yeah, special like an atomic bomb. I dont need any more explosive relationships. Claire dropped the brochure into the recycling bin next to her desk.

Arent you even a little curious about this resort? I mean, Escapade it sounds scandalous. Its billed as being even wilder than the Fantasy Ranch, and from what Mason says, the place is really luxurious.

What kind of idiot would build yet another resort in the already resort-laden Caribbean?

The same guy who turned a failing resort in the middle of the Arizona desert into a smashing success.

Youre a little biased, considering. Considering Lucy had met the love of her life at Masons Arizona resort. Judd Walker was Masons younger brother and more than reason enough for Lucy to feel biased with regard to all things Walker.

Lucy smiled. Maybe a little, but picture what hes donesultry tropical setting, upscale accommodations, hedonistic atmosphere, a private island.

Ill just direct all interested clients to you for information, Claire said in a tone that indicated it was her last comment on the subject.

Lucys expression fell. Okay, fine. If thats what you want

It is! Absolutely. Positively.

But Claire spent the rest of the afternoon feeling distracted and edgy, thoughts of Mason crowding her mind. This was dangerously close to the very same state of misery she swore she wouldnt endure again. Shed been sure she had finally overcome the obsession, yet here she was again, out of sorts at the mere mention of Masons name.

After leaving the office, Claire navigated the streets of suburban Phoenix in her ragtop Mustang, the top up to protect her from the sun, wishing in the midsummer heat that she could give up her obsession with vintage muscle cars in favor of a nice late-model roadster with reliable air-conditioning.

Instead, she swiped at the perspiration that had formed on her forehead, then rolled down her window. Mirages of water glistened and then disappeared on the sweltering road ahead, and the nauseating scent of car exhaust filled the air.

Either the exhaust fumes were affecting her brain, or the guy in the car next to her bore a resemblance to Mason Walker. Claire blinked and looked at the man again. Definitely not Mason, but close. He had the same dark brown hair, cropped short with a slight wave, the same strong jawline darkened by an uncontrollable five oclock shadow.