Victoria Dahl - Flirting with Disaster

There’s no hiding from sizzling chemistry…

Artist Isabelle West has good reasons for preferring a solitary life. Tucked away in a cabin in the woods, she has everything she needs…except a red-hot love life. That is, until a hard-bodied US marshal threatens to unearth secrets she’s spent years protecting. But giving in to the sparks flying between them can only lead to one thing…disaster.

Tom Duncan lives by the letter of the law. But no one has tempted him—or confused him—more than free-spirited Isabelle, who arouses his suspicion and his desire. As their connection grows, and their nights get hotter, they find their wild attraction might shake everything he stands for—and expose everything she has to hide.

Bonus Novella!

For your enjoyment, we’ve added in this volume

Fanning the Flames, a Girls’ Night Out story by Victoria Dahl!

Praise for the novels of USA TODAY

bestselling author

VICTORIA

DAHL

“Wonderfully unconventional and deliciously sultry…among [Dahl’s] hottest to date.”

—RT Book Reviews on Looking for Trouble

“Dahl brings her signature potent blend of heated eroticism and emotional punch to another Jackson Hole cowboy story, to great success.”

—Kirkus Reviews on So Tough to Tame

“So Tough to Tame was a delicious, funny, warm-hearted read… Obviously I highly recommend this book. It’s like a comfort read with a dose of sass and smarts; it’s just about perfect.”

—Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

“Dahl adds her signature hot sex scenes and quirky characters to this lively mix of romance in the high country.”

—Booklist on Too Hot to Handle

“Victoria Dahl never fails to bring the heat.”

—RT Book Reviews on Too Hot to Handle

“Hits the emotional high notes. Rising romance star Dahl delivers with this sizzling contemporary romance.”

—Kirkus Reviews on Close Enough to Touch

“This is one hot romance.”

—RT Book Reviews on Good Girls Don’t

“A hot and funny story about a woman many of us can relate to.”

—Salon.com on Crazy for Love

“[A] hands-down winner, a sensual story filled with memorable characters.”

—Booklist on Start Me Up

“Sassy and smokingly sexy, Talk Me Down is one delicious joyride of a book.”

—New York Times bestselling author Connie Brockway

Flirting with Disaster

Victoria Dahl

www.millsandboon.co.uk

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover

Back Cover Text There’s no hiding from sizzling chemistry… Artist Isabelle West has good reasons for preferring a solitary life. Tucked away in a cabin in the woods, she has everything she needs…except a red-hot love life. That is, until a hard-bodied US marshal threatens to unearth secrets she’s spent years protecting. But giving in to the sparks flying between them can only lead to one thing…disaster. Tom Duncan lives by the letter of the law. But no one has tempted him—or confused him—more than free-spirited Isabelle, who arouses his suspicion and his desire. As their connection grows, and their nights get hotter, they find their wild attraction might shake everything he stands for—and expose everything she has to hide.

Praise Bonus Novella! For your enjoyment, we’ve added in this volume Fanning the Flames, a Girls’ Night Out story by Victoria Dahl! Praise for the novels of USA TODAY bestselling author VICTORIA DAHL “Wonderfully unconventional and deliciously sultry…among [Dahl’s] hottest to date.” —RT Book Reviews on Looking for Trouble “Dahl brings her signature potent blend of heated eroticism and emotional punch to another Jackson Hole cowboy story, to great success.” —Kirkus Reviews on So Tough to Tame “So Tough to Tame was a delicious, funny, warm-hearted read… Obviously I highly recommend this book. It’s like a comfort read with a dose of sass and smarts; it’s just about perfect.” —Smart Bitches, Trashy Books “Dahl adds her signature hot sex scenes and quirky characters to this lively mix of romance in the high country.” —Booklist on Too Hot to Handle “Victoria Dahl never fails to bring the heat.” —RT Book Reviews on Too Hot to Handle “Hits the emotional high notes. Rising romance star Dahl delivers with this sizzling contemporary romance.” —Kirkus Reviews on Close Enough to Touch “This is one hot romance.” —RT Book Reviews on Good Girls Don’t “A hot and funny story about a woman many of us can relate to.” —Salon.com on Crazy for Love “[A] hands-down winner, a sensual story filled with memorable characters.” —Booklist on Start Me Up “Sassy and smokingly sexy, Talk Me Down is one delicious joyride of a book.” —New York Times bestselling author Connie Brockway

Title Page Flirting with Disaster Victoria Dahl www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication This book is for everyone who’s had to start over.

FLIRTING WITH DISASTER Flirting with Disaster Victoria Dahl

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

FANNING THE FLAMES

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

Extract

Copyright

This book is for everyone who’s had to start over.

Flirting with Disaster

Victoria Dahl

CHAPTER ONE

ISABELLE WEST EDGED her SUV up the steep driveway and winced as she heard a grocery bag tip over. She tried to identify the dull rolling sound that followed. Probably the cantaloupe. But maybe just a can of soup. It’d be a little surprise for her when she opened the hatch and saw what sprang out and tumbled through the snow toward the trees.

She was getting tired of that particular surprise and promised herself she’d order the cargo net as soon as she got inside. She’d been meaning to do it for...maybe two years now. But today she’d remember. She was trying to teach herself to be proactive. Or at least to manage the small things that every other adult seemed to have no problem with.

As she rounded the last curve of the drive and spied her little cabin, she wrinkled her nose. Not because of the cabin. She loved that. It was perfect for her in every way with its dark log walls and big windows and front porch. What made her wince was the sight of the manual garage door past the haze of snow sifting from the sky, a reminder that she’d also been meaning to call about getting a garage-door opener installed. That one had been on her mental to-do list for at least four years. Definitely not five.

“I’ll do that, too,” she said to herself as she pulled close to the garage door and tugged up the hood of her coat. “As a matter of fact...” She dug her phone from her pocket and held down the button. “Phone, remind me to order a cargo net and call a garage guy.”

The phone beeped and said, “I’m sorry—I didn’t catch that.”

Gritting her teeth, Isabelle hit the button again. “Remind me to buy a cargo net and call the garage guy.”

“I’m sorry—did you need me to find a mechanic?”

“Fuck you,” Isabelle growled. She ducked out of her car, thankful that the giant, wet flakes of this morning had given way to the dry Wyoming snow she was more used to. The snow sounded like sand as it bounced off her jacket and slid to the ground.