Start Me Up

Start Me Up
Victoria Dahl

Lori had always planned to get out of tiny Tumble Creek, Colorado, but when her late dad left her his beloved auto body shop, she'd stayed. Now, according to her crazy best friend, Molly, what Lori needs is some excitement, in the form of hot, no-strings-attached sex…and lots of it.

Quinn Jennings has buildings on the brainnot love and romance. A serious architect, he's delighted to discover that Lori is willing to skip dating protocols and head straight for the sheets. And aided by the steamy books on Lori's bedside table, he's busy indulging both of their wildest fantasies. But when life in Tumble Creek takes a dangerous turn for Lori, Quinn's protective instincts kick in.

Suddenly he cares. More than either of them ever expected…

Praise for works by VICTORIA DAHL (#ulink_a76ab51a-15af-5ba5-b22a-4fbbcb0d0fc2)

“Dahl delivers a fun, feisty and relentlessly sexy adventure in her first contemporary…. Dahl smartly wraps up a winning tale full of endearing oddballs, light mystery and plenty of innuendo and passion.”

— Publishers Weekly on Talk Me Down

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

—Connie Brockway, New York Times bestselling author

“Dahl brings a highly sensual, emotional and moving story to the pages with aplomb. Her clever plotting and engaging characters drive the story forward at a fast clip, and the depth of emotions will keep you enthralled.”

— Romantic Times BOOKreviews on A Rake’s Guide to Pleasure

“All I can say is that by the end you’ll really love Emma. And Somerhart, too. And you’ll be rooting for them to make it, to bring together their complicated, somewhat demented love affair and turn it into marriage.”

— New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James on A Rake’s Guide to Pleasure

“Dahl debuts with a sizzling love story peopled with characters you come to adore…she creates a natural conflict between her three-dimensional lovers and keeps the pages flying with a strong pace and powerful sensuality.”

—Kathe Robin, Romantic Times BOOKreviews, on To Tempt a Scotsman

Start Me Up

Victoria Dahl

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

This book is for Bill. I’m determined to make you laugh

out loud with this one, but I’ll love you even if you don’t.

Acknowledgments (#ulink_0610d035-cc6a-5de7-ae32-bfdf4f3306be)

I have to thank my family first. Thank you so much for putting up with a writer who’s been on multiple deadlines for over a year. I’m sorry about the messy house. It will get better next year. I’m almost sure of it. You make me proud.

Thank you to my wonderful editor, Tara Parsons. You have an appreciation for both Audis and backhoes, and that’s priceless. Thanks for getting me. And thanks to my agent, Amy. I couldn’t have done it without you.

And to all my wonderfully supportive writer friends—Jeri Smith-Ready, Farrah Rochon and Kristi Astor, to name a few—your support is invaluable. Jennifer Echols, you know how awesome you are, but I’ll tell you again. You rock.

Last, I want to thank my readers. Thank you for making all my work worthwhile. I’m honored.

CONTENTS

Cover (#u82038948-753e-5e94-a241-f6e536e54281)

Praise for works by VICTORIA DAHL (#ulink_aa3893b0-0ab0-5682-83f2-c20ecb13ca4a)

Title Page (#u6ab3d23e-91eb-5010-89e0-8c625f54977e)

Dedication (#uba71c584-b3f3-574d-815c-2cd6163c3ffa)

Acknowledgments (#ulink_7431f4da-f932-5af7-b480-58b6218de832)

CHAPTER ONE (#ulink_654f85ef-972a-527e-ace6-00992ef0efb3)

CHAPTER TWO (#ulink_9c69b4be-9705-534e-8d83-fb8908a3158e)

CHAPTER THREE (#ulink_ae7671f1-2bde-5109-9563-9ce80c571ea0)

CHAPTER FOUR (#ulink_b4629d81-85f6-5a06-b5a3-6350d32d8efe)

CHAPTER FIVE (#ulink_e1d2ea62-6d6e-5c23-bacb-a2bef7f6b14d)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ONE (#ulink_0f92065a-73a2-5e74-aee6-4a545d552faf)