Secret Heat

by Morgan Fox

  Men of Iron Horse 10

  Secret Heat

  The second bartender and free spirit Layton Goldman set eyes on Jaxson Winters, she’s enthralled. After a few drinks and a friendly wager, she goes home with him—the perfect catch for a one night stand.

  A former Marine, Jaxson Winters is new to Dallas and, post service, he landed a great job at Iron Horse Bar & Grill thanks to friends. To celebrate, he joins a few buddies’ at the bar. His gaze wanders to a strawberry blonde who joins him for drinks and a night of passion.

  The next day when Jaxson is introduced as Layton’s new boss, things get complicated fast. Layton finds herself in dire straits and Jaxson steps up to render aid—his help, his bed, and his body.

  But when their affair is discovered, Layton ends her relationship with Jaxson in order to save their jobs, but fate may have other ideas.

  Genre: Contemporary

  Length: 34,484 words

  SECRET HEAT

  Men of Iron Horse 10

  Morgan Fox

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  SECRET HEAT

  Copyright © 2017 by Morgan Fox

  ISBN: 978-1-64010-598-0

  First Publication: October 2017

  Cover design by Harris Channing

  All art and logo copyright © 2017 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  If you find a Siren-BookStrand e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at

  legal@sirenbookstrand.com

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  I want to give a big thank you to all my readers. Without you this series would not be what it is. Thank you for your continued support and love.

  Thank you to my wonderful husband who pushes me to keep going even when I don’t think I can. I love you.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Morgan Fox lives in Texas with her husband, daughter, and dogs. She has been writing paranormal and contemporary romance for as long as she can remember.

  A graduate from the University of Texas at Dallas, she was raised in Florida, but navigated to Texas as quickly as she could. Most days, you can find Morgan on her computer, diving headlong into her fierce imagination where anything can happen.

  When not writing or thinking about writing, she enjoys cycling with her husband and reading all kinds of romance novels. A romantic junkie at heart, she can’t get enough of that mushy stuff.

  For all titles by Morgan Fox, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/morgan-fox

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Landmarks

  Cover

  SECRET HEAT

  Men of Iron Horse 10

  MORGAN FOX

  Copyright © 2017

  Chapter One

  Layton Goldman’s eyes were riveted on the six-foot-tall, grey-eyed military hottie leaning against a bar high table across the room at Iron Horse. Classic rock music pulsed hard, vibrating the chair she sat on, making her tingly with each heated glance he snared. She clasped her cold beer and chugged, using it to keep from overheating. Her mouth watered for the taste of something different.

  A military man with big biceps would do.

  “You stare at him any harder, and your eyes are likely to jump out of your head and fuck him first.”

  “Huh? What?” Layton blinked hard, extracting herself from the trance the sexy as hell mystery man had her under.

  “Exactly,” Brynn said sharply, pointing at her nose and then back to Layton. “You should go talk to him.”

  Talking’s not what I had in mind.

  She shook away her lust filled thoughts. “Why would I do that?”

  Brynn smiled wide, her pearly whites gleaming past her pale smooth skin, green eyes, and fiery red hair. “So all of you can fuck him. Duh.”

  Layton laughed. Her friend was a mess—a beautifully fierce opinionated mess. She’d met Brynn almost a year ago covering for another bartender at the original Iron Horse Saloon. The two establishments—Iron Horse Saloon and Iron Horse Bar and Grill—had become an incestuous family. Everyone knew everyone, and covering for each other at either location made life easier when a day off was needed. One thing nice about mixing with the other bar was the number of people that had become family to her. However, none of them needed a roommate.

  Bummer.

  Layton glanced back over at the tempting, buzzed cut tight T-shirt wearing Adonis and he was staring right back at her. His gaze was locked on her like a heat-seeking missile had found its target, and her pulse thundered at her temples. She licked her dry lips. “He doesn’t look that interested.”

  Liar. He looks like a predator and I’m the prey. Lord, please let me be the prey.

  “On the contrary, he looks ripe for the picking.” Brynn nibbled her lower lip for effect. “I should know. I’ve seen that hungry look before.”

  Layton’s stomach dropped as jealousy whipped through her. Had Brynn slept with her mystery man? Please no. “How do you know?”

  She fanned her left hand, showing her fat diamond ring. “This sucker didn’t just appear, you know?” She moaned. “I saw that same look staring back at me one night at the bar.”

  Brynn seemed to drift off into her memories. Her cheeks warming with color.

  “And?”

  “Let’s just say that I had a rendezvous in a storage room with a certain special agent that I now call fiancé.” She waggled her eyebrows up and down provocatively. “Haven’t spent one second regretting it either.”

  Regret? Layton knew regret.

  These days she had a lot of questionable decisions to answer for. The main focus was the slobby, dubious, and sometimes creepy roommate she’d agreed to live with. Layton had been desperate. Still was. All of her friends were settled down in one fashion or another and she was cornered into her current living arrangement. No boyfriend. No home.

  If only I wasn’t so damn broke.

  Layton grabbed as many hours at Iron Horse as she could and volunteered to cover for anyone who needed it. She saved almost every cent she earned, which meant she had no life outside of bartending, and she had hope that in a few short months she’d have enough to lock down a place of her own—creep factor free.

  Iron Horse Bar & Grill had been the best opportunity she could’ve hoped for. If it hadn’t been for a mountain of debt, she’d already be living in a better place—no longer fearful to go home at night. Afraid to bring friends around, never mind a boyfriend.

  Strange people showed up at her shared apartment at all hours of the day or night. She constantly slept with her door locked, blocked with a ch
air, and a pistol hidden under her pillow. Home was supposed to be a place a person retreated to feel safe and secure. Not the other way around.

  “What have you got to lose?” Brynn asked, pulling her from her unpleasant thoughts.

  “He could just have a glass eye. What if you’re sending me over there to talk to a guy who’s really been looking at you all night?”

  She smirked, knowing damn well that he’d been eye fucking her right back since the second she’d noticed him. There was interest brewing between them, hot, smoldering interest. But it wasn’t like she could take him back to her place.

  “Normally I’d say you were right, but since I’ve seen him watching you even when I was at the bar, I’m sure you’re the focus of his interest.” She tsked under her tongue. “But be careful. That big bulge in his pants could be a sock.”

  Layton quirked a brow. She’d been so focused on his eyes and tempting mouth, she hadn’t bothered to scope out anything below the table. But Brynn had. “Have you been checking out his crotch?”

  Brynn raised her hands, her expression yielding. “Call me your quality assurance rep. Now go and talk to him before someone else does.”

  Layton sucked in a deep breath, thinking about the storage closet, the parking lot, or even his place as a post drink destination. She’d love a night where nothing mattered but the heat between the sheets. Anything was better than going to her apartment. If she was lucky, he’d have more to offer than just eye candy.

  She noted the type of beer he was drinking and ordered two of them, then headed in his direction. As she approached, his mouthwatering grin teased her in a wickedly delicious kind of way. He was even more scrumptious up close.

  “Hi,” she said, handing him a beer. “I thought you might want another.”

  “Thanks,” he replied, taking the offered drink. His deep voice rumbled over her, causing a shivering jolt to pulse through every inch of her body. “I was hoping you’d noticed how thirsty I was.”

  Her heart skipped as she was caught up in the hypnotic pull of his gaze. The moon must be jealous of those silvery grey eyes. Her mouth dried. He was large, muscular, and broad-shouldered. The navy blue T-shirt he wore outlined the sinew of his chest and arms. A dusting of black hair covered his jaw and wrapped up to his ears. He wore his hair military style—high and tight. The sexiest peach fuzz she’d ever seen.

  She quivered everywhere.

  “I’m Layton,” she told him, trying her best not to reveal how affected she was by him.

  I wonder if his mouth tastes as good as it looks.

  “Jaxson.”

  He reached for her hand and held it longer than was necessary. She didn’t mind. His touch was warm, and his grip powerful, but gentle. Everything inside her vibrated with need.

  They pulled back from their handshake and disappointment flooded her. Touching him, staring at him, brewed an attraction that bubbled up inside her like she’d never experienced before.

  “Are you here with friends?”

  “Yes, but they brought their husbands,” she replied, slanting a gaze back toward the table she’d come from where several of her Iron Horse friends were hanging out. “What about you? Are you here with friends?”

  He quirked a grin. “Yes, but they brought their wives.”

  She smiled. “Sounds like I just rescued you then.”

  His eyes grew intense. “Yes, you did.”

  The heat in her body radiated as thirst gripped her throat. She took a deep swallow of beer.

  “Would you like to shoot darts or play pool?”

  Layton arched a brow. “I fear you might be at a disadvantage. I’m a natural at both.”

  All my long nights at Iron Horse gives me lots of practice.

  He curled his lips into a lopsided grin. “I’m willing to take my chances.”

  She sipped her beer. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “Duly noted.” She eyed his tight, butt-molded blue jeans as he moved to an open pool table and racked the balls up. “Ladies first.”

  He stepped back as she headed to the table to break. She arched her back, feeling his eyes on her as if they were his hands. She’d never felt so insatiable in her life.

  The crack of the balls sounded and a solid blue slid into the corner pocket. She pursed her lips to keep from smiling. Then she lined up the shot, and again, she dropped a solid into the pocket. Within a few shoots she had most of the balls sunk. Sadly, she missed the last shot that would have her sinking the 8 ball for the win.

  “Wow,” he started. “You’re good.”

  She shrugged. “I tried to warn you.”

  Her eyes were on him like glue. She found pleasure gazing at his hard ass, wanting to squeeze it as he bent over to take the shot. Before she could breathe again, he began sinking every striped ball on the table. Her mouth hung open and her eyes widened.

  He paused before sinking the 8 ball, his eyes darting to her. “How about a wager?”

  One that clearly has him winning.

  “What kind of wager?”

  He circled the table to stand in front of her, an inch of space separating them. She arched her chin upward to look at him. “If I sink the last ball, you go home with me tonight.”

  His home. Not mine.

  Her belly quivered with excitement and her body exploded with desires she hadn’t known existed. He was the vision from her dreams, daring and irresistible. “And if you don’t?”

  He leaned closer, his lips only a breath from her ear. “You decide.” He nipped at the lobe of her ear and she melted against him. He held her tight. “But I think you already know what you want.”

  She swallowed hard, losing herself in the heat from his body. What did she have to lose if she went home with him?

  I’d get a place to stay away from my creepy roomie and have sex with a hot guy that will likely make me walk funny for a week, deal me in.

  “Deal.”

  At the crack sound of the white ball hitting the 8 ball, it dropped into the pocket like a magnet was guiding it along the way. Her fate was set, as if she was always meant to go home with him. There was nothing stopping her, nothing preventing her from enjoying a night of desire with a man she was unmistakably attracted to.

  The pace of her heart increased as he silently moved to take the pool cue from her hand and return it to its holder. He pulled his phone from his pocket. “What’s your number?” He winked. “For directions to my place. Unless you prefer we go to—”

  Oh, hell no.

  “Your place is perfect.” She gave him her number and he sent her a text with his address.

  “Shall we go?”

  Her blood pumped through her veins like molten lava funneling through a tube, preparing to erupt. “Yes, but I’d like to tell my friends I’m leaving.”

  He nodded, following her over to the table where Brynn and her soon-to-be husband Reid now sat.

  * * * *

  If anyone had told Jaxson Winters that the women in Texas were as gorgeous as Layton, he’d have called them liars. In all his time in the military and traveling the world, he’d never seen another woman grab his attention the way she did. Her green eyes revealed that she was fearless. Her strawberry blonde hair teased him with highlights of golden strands, which he craved running his fingers through. But her mouth, that was the one thing he desired most. Tasting her. He wondered if the flavor would be as rich and pleasing as staring at her had been.

  The next time he saw his mother, he was going to give her a big hug. He was thankful she’d encouraged him to visit his friend Daniel Whitmore in Dallas. Jaxson hadn’t expected to land a job, he’d only come to vacation, but within the first forty-eight hours of his stay, Daniel had arranged for Jaxson to meet Samantha Whitmore, his wife. She owned and operated the Iron Horse Bar & Grill and was in need of a restaurant manager. Managing people had been the one thing he was good at while in the military. He was a college educated business major. He wasn’t sure why she wanted him of all other
applicants that had to be more qualified than him. But he wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

  An unexpected job offer, and the company of the sexiest woman alive.

  Layton.

  Lord knew he needed a night to relax, a night with a beautiful woman like Layton.

  Until now, he wasn’t sure what he was going to do with his life. He had a degree, but he’d been hiding in his old bedroom at his parents’ house for more than a few months, not sure what to do with it. Now he was eager to change that. He was ready to figure things out and he was most definitely ready for a long night of passion with Layton. He needed it. More than he’d realized.

  Never had he been one for random acts of sex. Even in the service, he hadn’t found the available women all that interesting. He preferred a woman of his choosing. Not one he had to pay for.

  Layton presented an instant attraction that burned hot, and when she’d returned that heated stare, he was hooked. Almost surreal, nothing had prepared him for her approach. She had guts. He liked that about her, the fearlessness. That was what made the wager so appealing. There was no doubt he would’ve sank the eight ball to win the wager. Victory had been imminent. When she didn’t reject his offer, he knew he would spend the night ensuring that she never forgot him.

  But first we meet her friends.

  “I’m heading out,” Layton told the table filled with friends, her focus on the voluptuous redhead she’d been sitting with most of the night.

  “Who’s your friend?”

  Jaxson’s gaze shifted to the dark haired man sitting with his arm around the redhead, his posture confident. His dark eyes narrowed, scanning over Jaxson as if to inspect him.