Fated Heat [Men of Iron Horse 7] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Morgan Fox

  “You’re right.”

  He sipped his beer. She did, too. Then she laughed. “Wow, talk about a buzz kill.”

  He chuckled. “Think we can rebound?”

  “That depends,” she said, pausing. “Is there something worth rebounding for?”

  There it was. The sexy confrontation she wasn’t afraid to share with him. He chugged down the rest of his beer and then faced her. “Finish that beer and I’ll show you.”

  He placed his empty bottle on the table and tugged his shirt up over his head, tossing it onto the back of the sofa and then made his way toward the weight room. He was going to have a taste of Sage and explore a fantasy, one that vividly filled his mind.

  By the time she entered the room, he had his pants unbuckled and was barefoot.

  She bit her lower lip and leaned against the doorframe. Again, he didn’t think she knew just how sexy she looked. “You don’t waste any time.”

  “I only have tonight,” he said, with a wink. “I don’t want to waste the time we have left.”

  She smiled, scanning the room. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but there’s no bed in here.”

  His grin broadened and his chest tightened. “I want you here.” He pointed a determined finger to the weight bench.

  “Are we going to do a few reps before we have sex? Is this how you ensure you never have a repeat date?”

  He laughed. Damn, he liked her wit. “I hadn’t thought about that. But no.” He erased the distance between them and took her hand in his. “I had an image of you earlier today. I want to see if my imagination is as good as reality. I’m betting reality is going to be so much better.”

  She locked her feet in place, holding steady. “You fantasized about me today?”

  She sounded thoroughly surprised as he studied the amber gold that circled the iris of her eyes. He traced his tongue over his lower lip, his cock stirring. Sensing the heat of desire ignite between them was almost too much to control. He couldn’t resist the need to tell her exactly what was on his mind.

  “I’ve fantasized about you since the day I saw you in the bar throwing back shots like a pro. I wanted you then and there—on the pool table, bar, floor, it didn’t matter.” His jaw locked as the truth of his words sprung out. “It killed me watching you walk out with someone else that night.”

  Eyes wide, she placed her opened palm on his hard chest, his muscles flexing the moment her skin touched his. “I’m not sure you will once you see me naked.”

  He hesitated, inclining his head as he contemplated why she’d think that. “Do you have a penis?”

  She smiled shyly. “No. I’m penis free.”

  “Then I don’t see a problem.”

  He pulled her away from around the doorframe and fully into the room. Both of her hands were now on his chest and his hands circled around her waist.

  That nervous gleam in her eyes had returned. “Remember when I said I was thrown from my parent’s car?”

  “Yes.”

  “I went through the window. The glass—”

  She whimpered, but he placed his index finger under her chin and brought her gaze up to meet his. He could almost sense her concern, the words that went unspoken. “How badly were you hurt?”

  She trembled against him, her gaze lowering for a moment. “The glass shredded the skin on my neck, back, and arms. I’m badly scarred and I know you won’t have the same fantasy about me once you see my body.”

  His mind reeled with her words. She thought scars made her less attractive. If she knew anything about him, she’d already know that nothing would make him think she wasn’t perfect. Her soul, the one she revealed to him, the one that reminded him of himself, wouldn’t allow him to think anything otherwise.

  “You think scars make you ugly?” He scoffed. “Shit, they make you a badass. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that guys dig chicks with scars?”

  She furrowed her brow, cocking her head as if to tell him she didn’t think he was funny. He wasn’t trying to be. He was deadly serious.

  He wasn’t perfect either. He didn’t have acne or much body fat, but that’s because he used dermatologist approved cleaners and worked out daily. It was a must. Being in shape made his job a lot easier. He wasn’t ready for desk duty, staying in the field was where he wanted to be. He’d seen badly injured officers and firemen before. It was tough to witness, but after they healed they were the same people they’d always been. Scars didn’t change their integrity or heart.

  From what she’d already shown him of who she was, scars wouldn’t change his opinion.

  “Sage, do you know that every experience in your life gives you character. My father was a police chief. I watched him go to work every day, knowing it could be his last. All because he wanted to serve his community. Make his city safer for his family and friends. Staring at you, I see a woman, a hot one, too, that went through something awful, but managed to come out of it to take on a profession that would save lives. Don’t think I didn’t make the connection that you’re a firefighter and your parents died in a fire. I’m a cop because of my father and you’re a firefighter because of your parents. I admire you, Sage. It takes courage to go through what you did and come out as successfully as you have.”

  She looked at him, her expression that of wonder. “Wow, you really know how to get into a woman’s pants.”

  He grimaced, stepping back and dropping his hands back to his sides. “I say sweet nothings to women to get into their pants, that’s true. I’m told I’ve got commitment issues. And they’re right. If they grew up around my parents they would, too. But I’m not blowing smoke up your ass to get laid. I respect you, I admire you, and I want to fuck you. I’ve never lied about that and I’m not lying about the scars on your body either.”

  She pursed her lips. “I’m sorry. I just haven’t been in a situation like this in a long time.”

  He folded his arms over his chest. “Don’t tell me. He was a selfish prick who didn’t know a good thing when he had it.”

  Sage glanced down. “He said some awful things about me. I was hurt, embarrassed.” She glanced back up, meeting his gaze. “I never want to feel that vulnerable, that ugly, again.”

  Something twisted in his chest, a sensation he wasn’t accustomed to. “I’m not him,” he said directly. “I’ll never hurt you.”

  * * * *

  Jace said things to her that she’d always longed to hear. Wanting a man to see her as a person and not someone marred by scars was a dream come true. Biting the inside of her cheek, she turned away from him and began lifting her shirt up over her head. Once he saw her flesh, she’d know for sure if what he said was true.

  The soft material brushed over her face and she twisted the shirt in her hands. Dropping it, she reached around to unfasten her bra. Then, she pulled her hair away, and draped it over her shoulder to expose the damaged flesh.

  “Do you still feel that way?”

  She closed her eyes and waited for his reaction. A gasp. A backtrack of words to get out of sleeping with her. She heard nothing. Instead, she felt his strong hands drift over her back, tracing the scars, and circling around her waist. The most unbelievable thing happened. He dragged his mouth over her scars, kissing every single one. Riddled with disbelief, she melted and let her head fall back as he caressed her body.

  How can this be real?

  Slowly, he guided her to the wall and reached around her to clasp her wrists. He stretched her arms up above her head and placed her hands flat against the wall. With one hand around her wrists, he trailed a sensual path down her arms and over her breasts, teasing her nipples. Then, he glided the tips of his fingers over the flesh of her belly, unbuttoning her jeans to fit his hand inside. Her body tingled as he worked his finger past the elastic band of her panties and dipped it between her legs. Her knees wobbled as he massaged the sensitive bead that had only known her touch. Feeling the raw power of his caress, smelling the masculine scent of his body, had her wet and ready to take e
very hard inch of him.

  He spun her around to take her mouth in hard kiss. Moving with a burning need, he shoved her jeans and panties down her hips and she did the same to his. A frantic longing consumed her, demanding more.

  Kneeling down, he removed her boots and tugged her clothing off her legs. When he stood, he kicked out of his own clothes and wrapped her in his arms once again, kissing her. Their time together was surreal, dreamlike.

  He held her close, lifting her up and carrying her across the room to the weight bench. He ravished her mouth before encouraging her to lay flat. With a seductive grin, he knelt down and spread her legs. There was a good chance he could actually hear the pounding of her heart. She’d never been so overcome by lust filled thoughts. Her mind was screaming for him to do all the wicked things he could and more. She felt naughty, but sexy. Glancing down to see his head between her legs, her body pulsed with a fiery heat.

  She arched her back as he slipped his finger between her wet folds, a vibration started in her chest and exploded outward toward every limb. She raised her arms above her head and nipped at the fleshy part of her arm to keep from screaming. The tantalizing pleasure had her head spinning. Her lungs squeezed tight, leaving her breathless and panting.

  “Any objections to what I’m doing so far?”

  She shook her head. There was no way in hell she was about to let him stop now. Even her body agreed, her hips rolling upward as if to wave her pussy in his face. “No. None.”

  “Good.” He smiled, his gaze darkening as he thoroughly looked her over.

  In that moment, her pussy, stomach, breasts, mouth, and every inch of her belonged to him. This was a first. Not just sex with Jace, but the powerful emotions surging through her blood, the desire bombarding her mind, and the sheer pleasure.

  Please, don’t be a dream.

  Lowering himself, he spread her legs and lapped at her center. Moaning, he did it again, and again. She was coming undone so fast she couldn’t see straight. Tiny bursts of light erupted in her eyes. But the moment wasn’t perfect until he slipped, not one, but two digits into her pussy and latched his mouth onto her clit. Sucking and fucking her in rhythm, her world erupted into a sea of euphoria.

  “Oh God!” she cried, rolling her hips as she came, gripping his scalp in her hands to hold him in place.

  He lapped at her wetness, tasting every drop of her cream. Breathless, she watched him through her dark lashes as he searched the pocket of his jeans, pulling out a square golden foil. He tore open the condom and worked it over his very impressive shaft.

  He stood beside her and offered her his hand. He helped her stand. She licked her lips, glancing downward at his erection. “How does a girl return the favor if you’re wearing a condom.”

  He quirked a grin. “Sorry. This is my fantasy and I’m ready for the next part of it.”

  She stepped aside as he laid down and her eyes flared wide as he stroked his cock. “I want you to straddle me.”

  The flesh of her body grew hot as she pictured him filling her. “Your fantasy has me riding you?”

  “Not just riding me,” he corrected. “But getting off on me.”

  A zap of electricity charged along the flesh of her body, warming in places that had long been cold and dormant. Every part of her was alive now, thanks to Jace.

  He wiggled his fingers, beckoning her to mount him. She lifted her leg over him and slowly lowered herself onto his cock. From the second the head of his penis entered her, she was overcome, digging her nails into his chest. She started slow and steady, but soon moved to harder thrusts, pounding against him as vigorously as she could.

  The wickedness that filled her, knowing that he’d just tasted her body and now was watching her ride him, was naughty in all the right ways. She hissed, taking him as deep as her body would allow. When she paused, he placed his hands on her hips.

  “Whatever pace you desire works for me—slow, fast, furious, it’s all good,” he said, his voice deep and raspy. “Damn, you look so fucking hot.”

  Her nipples hardened as she took notice of his darkening eyes drinking in her body. No other man had ever looked at her like that before. She closed her eyes, inclined her head back and let her hair fall back onto his thighs. His touch was sensual and she liked the way they felt together. She rolled her hips, sliding up and down his shaft as he massaged her breasts and pinched her nipples.

  “Has anyone ever told you that you have the most perfect breasts?”

  She opened her eyes, the slickness of her body coating his cock. “No, just you.”

  He groaned, his hands moving back to her hips. He had her pumping up and down harder, faster. Tingles filled her pussy as he took control of her, making her take him with an intensity she longed to feel.

  “Ah,” she moaned, her body once again engulfed in a fiery release.

  “I want to take you over the bar,” he told her, glancing up at the bar above his head.

  Before she could respond, he was up and walked her around the bench. “Grab it and lean over.”

  She wasn’t sure she liked the idea of him behind her, staring at her scars. A thud of nerves sank to her belly.

  He cupped her face and kissed her. “Don’t let fear stop you from enjoying what we have together.”

  It was fear. Embarrassment. Unease. So many emotions that made this position a challenge for her. But she didn’t want to end things like this. She wanted this moment to be real and it couldn’t unless she figured out a way to let it happen.

  Gritting her teeth, she gripped the bar and arched her lower back like a cat. He dragged his finger down the length of her spine and passed the seam of her ass, until his fingers swirled around her clit and then plunged inside her pussy. She purred.

  “Perfect.”

  As difficult as it had been for her to assume the position, Jace still managed to make her feel desirable.

  He guided his cock back inside her and took her from behind. The power in his thrusts was overwhelming. He felt so good, gliding against her inner walls. She wondered if one time with him would be enough. She cringed, shaking the thought from her mind. Then, she felt him buck hard and he groaned loudly. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her back against his chest and then placed his other hand beside hers on the bar. He stayed that way for at least a minute, and kissed the back of her neck, before he pulled out. Then, he spun her around for a deep kiss, savoring her mouth with slow, soothing caresses.

  Jace kissed like a god, utilizing every inch of his mouth and tongue. Cool air touched her lips and her eyes fluttered open. He cupped her face, his eyes bright with longing.

  “You taste like heaven, by the way.”

  A quiver settled in her belly and she nibbled her lower lip.

  “How about a shower?”

  Sage grimaced, slapping her hand down on her thigh. She’d been so filled with unease when she’d arrived at his house that she’d forgotten to pick up her belongings. “My bag’s still on my bike.”

  He brushed her hair back with his fingers, tucking it behind her ear. “I’ll go get it. You get the shower ready.” He disposed of the condom and reappeared wearing his briefs, pointing toward the door down the hallway. “Shower’s in the back bedroom and towels are in the linen closet in the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

  He headed toward her motorcycle and she crept toward the back room, hoping that he lived alone and she wasn’t about to be surprised by a roomie. Stalking naked down a hallway was a hell of a way to greet someone.

  Great time to consider that.

  She found the bathroom and again she liked how it was decorated. Glossy black tile covered the floor, a large glass shower stall with smaller gray tile on the walls and even smaller multi gray tile on the floor, and navy blue hand towels hung beside a double sink.

  She liked it and she was surprised that his home was so neat and tidy. Glancing around, he didn’t have a thing out of place or any clothing on the floor. He took pride in his appearance and his
home. That was something she could appreciate.

  Opening the shower door, she pulled the knob out to turn the water on. Then, she adjusted it to the perfect temperature. Placing two towels on the sink counter, she stepped under the warm stream of water and let it cascade over her head and down her back. Closing her eyes, she recalled the events that had transpired between her and Jace. Warmth filled her cheeks. She liked everything they did together and the only regret she had was that it hadn’t lasted a bit longer.

  The shower door opened. “Why are you smiling?” Jace asked, moving in behind her. “Was it something I did?”

  She laughed softly, almost a giggle. “You really don’t have to worry about conceit in your family. You clearly got it all.”

  He chuckled. “I’m not conceited. Just confident. There’s a difference.”

  “Is there?” She quirked a brow. “I hadn’t noticed. Perhaps it’s a cop thing and I just wouldn’t understand.”

  Her smile faded as his expression went blank, his thoughts unreadable through his eyes. She hoped his change wasn’t brought on by her cop reference. She hadn’t meant to offend him.

  “Sage, I don’t normally do this, but I can’t seem to help myself.”

  “W—what?” she stammered, a tight knot filling her belly as dread washed over her. He was going to dismiss her over her scars. Tell her she was right about being ugly. Why had she even bothered to go through with a one night stand?

  I’m such an idiot.

  She covered her breasts, trying to hide her body from him. He closed in on her, forcing her to look up at him.

  “I want you again. I mean like right now.”

  She huffed out a breath, relieved she’d been wrong. Jace was an anomaly. How he’d been able to kiss her scars boggled her mind. He was a breath of fresh air she couldn’t stop needing to inhale.

  “Oh,” she breathed.

  He pulled her against him, lifting her in his arms. He was strong, effortlessly holding her. “How do you feel about sex on a bed, table, or even the bathroom floor?”