Secret Heat

by Morgan Fox

  “That would be great.”

  He stalked to the dresser and pulled out some clothes. “This should work,” he said, handing her a white T-shirt and blue boxers.

  She thanked him and headed for the bathroom. She turned on the water, suddenly not wanting to be alone. She needed him to stay close. She’d never felt so distraught in her life.

  She peered around the white shower curtain and called out, “Jaxson?”

  He opened the door and rushed into the bathroom. “Everything okay?”

  It will be. “Would you stay in here with me? I need to hear your voice. I can’t seem to clear my head.”

  “I know exactly what that’s like.”

  “You do?”

  “Sure. Military life can often leave a haunting impression.” He tucked his phone into his back pocket and hopped up onto the counter.

  She hadn’t thought of that, but she figured there were many things military men saw that were hard to forget. Trauma was trauma, no matter what kind, and it hurt like hell.

  “Do you work tomorrow?” he asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

  “No. You?”

  “Yes, but not until the evening shift. I’ll give you my backup key, before I leave. I’ll sleep on the sofa sleeper and you can take the bed.”

  She popped her head out from behind the curtain again. “I can’t do that. This is your place. I’m a guest. I’ll take the sofa sleeper.”

  “Yeah. Not happening. I’m on the sofa. You’re in the bed. End of discussion.”

  She let the curtain close once more. She appreciated his offer for the bed. It was hard not to like him and his gentleman qualities.

  “Thank you,” she said, turning off the water and reaching her hand out to grab a towel.

  He handed it to her. “Here.”

  “Thanks.” She took it and dried off. Then she opened the curtain and stepped from the tub.

  He was already leaving the room when she slanted him with a look. “I’ll be right here if you need anything.”

  She looked in the mirror, the image foggy. Exhaustion replaced apprehension. Dressing, she opened the door to find he’d already pulled the bedding down and dimmed the lights.

  He sat at the table working on something, glancing up to meet her curious gaze, his expression strained. “If you’d like to go to bed, feel free. I’ve got some homework to do. Believe it or not, I’m new to the restaurant business and have a lot to catch up on.”

  She smiled, seeing appreciation smear across his face. She was drawn to him, needing to uncover what worried him. “Anything I can do to help?”

  “I’m getting certified in food handling,” he said with a sideways grin. “My test is next week.” He held up the thick book. “This is my study guide.”

  The book banged loudly on the hard wood of the table, tugging her attention back to his weary gaze. She was compelled to reassure him that he didn’t need to be concerned. From what she knew of him, he was an intelligent, fearless man. “You’ll do fine.”

  “Sam and Daniel seem to think so,” he muttered.

  She moved closer, placing her hand on his muscular shoulder. “They wouldn’t have hired you if they thought you couldn’t handle the responsibility.”

  His shoulders slumped forward. “I hope you’re right.”

  She was surprised by his insecurities. “Oh, my. Is that uncertainty coming from the badass Marine?” She tsked under her tongue while shaking her head. “I don’t think so.” She pulled out the chair and twisted to take his hand in hers, as if he were putting his hand on a Bible. “Repeat after me—I am going to kick Ms. Food Handler’s ass.”

  “Right.”

  She arched a brow and glared, then cleared her throat. “I said, repeat after me.”

  He grinned, inhaling a deep breath. “I’m going to kick Ms. Food Handler’s ass.”

  “Exactly.” She stood. “Now study. I’ll quiz you tomorrow and every day until your test.”

  He laughed. “Great. I can’t wait.”

  She headed for the bed, crawling into the cool sheets, feeling safer than she had in a long time. She glanced over at Jaxson who was still watching her. His gaze so familiar and trusting.

  “Thanks, Jax,” she whispered.

  His brow flickered just a bit and he smiled. “My mom calls me Jax. No one else ever has.”

  She paused. “I’m sorry.”

  “No. Don’t be sorry,” he replied. “I like the way you say it.”

  “Good,” she started, pointing a determined finger at him. “But don’t even think about calling me Lay. Got it?”

  He chuckled. “I don’t think you have to worry about that.”

  Her smile eased as a warm rush of heat slipped its way from her chest to her belly. She licked her dry lips as something different moved inside her heart. Appreciation, she told herself.

  Averting her gaze, she pulled the sheet up to her chest and snuggled into the bed. She chanced one final glance. “Goodnight, Jax.”

  “Goodnight, Layton,” he replied, returning his attention to his book.

  His concentration was impressive. She wished she could’ve said the same thing. Instead of falling asleep, she stared at him, watching him from across the room like a secret admirer. Shirtless, low-hung blue jeans, and bare feet—her mouth watered.

  Maybe it would’ve been different, if she didn’t know what a wonderful lover he was, but she did. And maybe she would’ve easily fallen asleep, if the bed sheets didn’t smell like him—a musk and clean air scent she would never forget.

  She was doomed with a sleepless night, and for the first time in a long time, it wasn’t because she was fearful to close her eyes. This time, it was because of a soulful calm and an appreciative view.

  Chapter Five

  Jaxson finished up his hundredth pushup and felt Layton’s eyes on him. He grinned, wondering just how long she’d watched him-shirtless and sweating. There was a certain pleasure in having a gorgeous woman admire him, especially one he admired in return.

  He jumped to his feet and slanted her with a curious look. “Ready to go get your stuff?”

  Groaning, she pulled the covers over her head and twisted to shove her face into the pillow.

  He laughed. “Is it because you have so much stuff or that you are not a morning person?”

  She flipped the covers down enough to sit up. “Don’t tell me, Mr. Marine, you haven’t even had coffee yet?”

  “Nope.” He began doing jump swats. “I was waiting for you.”

  She shifted to place her legs over the side of the bed and her feet on the carpet, then she scrunched her toes. Was it wrong that he thought she had the cutest feet and painted pink toes he’d ever seen?

  She stretched. “Do you always start your day with exercise?”

  “Whenever possible.” He leapt to his feet, placing his hands on his hips. “I prefer running, but I didn’t want to wake you. Maybe you’ll join me one morning.”

  Layton smiled as if she heard the funniest joke ever. “Yeah. I’ll get back to you on that.”

  “What? You don’t exercise?”

  With a snort, she stood. “Not if I can help it.”

  “Maybe you’d change your mind if you had a really good exercise partner.”

  She moved into the bathroom, clasping the doorframe, and glancing back before saying, “Know anyone?”

  Why did the idea of watching her run seem so appetizing? Was it the idea of checking out her sexy ass as she tried to sprint ahead of him, or catching a glimpse of her soft mounds bouncing beautifully? His body stirred.

  He cleared the image from his head, focusing on the day ahead instead. “I put your clean clothes on the counter with a toothbrush and hairbrush.”

  Right after he’d said it, he heard the water turn on in the shower. Fifteen minutes later, she returned dressed and more awake.

  “That felt nice and I didn’t have to barricade the door.”

  “What?”

  She furrowed her brow
. “Nothing. Thanks for the bathroom stuff and my clothes.”

  “Anytime.”

  “Can we grab a bagel on the way over to my apartment? I’m starving.”

  “Sure.” He tugged a shirt up over his head and shoved his wallet into his back pocket. Then he followed her out of the hotel room and down to his truck. Before getting the door for her, he handed her a keycard for their now shared room. “You’ll need this.”

  “Thanks,” she replied with a soft smile. “I really appreciate everything you’re doing for me.”

  “Don’t mention it. It’s no big deal. I’m glad to help.”

  She put her hand on his, stopping him from closing the door. “But it is, Jax. It’s a very big deal. You don’t really know me and yet—”

  “Layton, I think I know you pretty well and I like you. I’d like for us to be friends and this is exactly the kind of thing friends do for one another, right?”

  She nodded, releasing his hand.

  With a smile, he closed her door and moved around the truck to his side, and climbed in. “There’s a bagel shop a few blocks over.”

  “Perfect.”

  He fired up the truck and country music began playing through the speakers. She stared out the window and didn’t say a word until they pulled into the bagel shop parking lot. He didn’t mind. In fact, he was grateful. Inhaling a deep lungful of her fragrance was all the distraction he could take. Hearing her voice so close to his ear might’ve rendered him incapable of driving.

  This is exactly why we can never sleep together again.

  And that sucks.

  He parked the truck and hopped out after her, following her inside. When she ordered, he ordered right after her, making it so he could treat her for breakfast.

  “You didn’t have to do that,” she told him with a scowl.

  “I know,” he said cheerfully. “That’s why I did it.”

  Her confusing grimace faded. “Thanks.”

  Once they finished their breakfast, they drove to her apartment complex. Layton stared out the front windshield toward her apartment building. She seemed fearful.

  “You okay?”

  She swallowed hard. “What if someone’s there?”

  He twisted in his seat to face her and took her hand in his. “Layton, you’re not alone. I’m here and I don’t plan on letting anything happen to you.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and her gaze shifted to his. “Let’s just get this done and be on our way.”

  She nodded.

  At the door, she held the keys. He cupped his hand over hers and took the keys in his hand, opening the door for her. He entered the room first. The foul scent of sex and drugs wafted into his nose and he quickly covered his mouth and nose with the back of his hand. The curtains were closed and the lights were off. He felt for a switch and turned on a light. The glow left the room in a yellow, almost smoky brown color. From what he could see, no one was in the living room.

  He said nothing about the stench or filth of the apartment as he continued to search the rooms, making sure there were no possible surprises lurking in the shadows. He stalked into the kitchen, flipped on the switch and spotted the used condom on the floor. Bile choked him.

  Fucking nasty. How did she live in this?

  Layton moved to the curtains and opened them, bringing more light into the small room. Then she joined him in the kitchen. Horrified, she covered her mouth and turned away.

  “I’m so sorry, Jax,” she told him.

  “Don’t be sorry. This isn’t you. Let’s just get what we came for and get the hell out of here.”

  She led him toward her room, there was a padlock on the outside of the door. She worked the combination and opened the door. Glancing back over her shoulder, she said, “This is the only room that’s really mine.”

  When she opened the door and stepped inside, it was like an entirely different world. The room smelled of flowers and was bright and clean. Her bedroom was like an apartment of its own.

  “So this is how you survived living here.”

  “Yep. If I had a door instead of a window, I’d never see the other side of the apartment.” She paused with a smirk. “Climbing through windows does seem to draw unwanted attention.”

  He arched a brow. “Personal experience?”

  She closed her door behind him, locking it. “Let’s just say, I know what it’s like to have the cops called for a B and E.”

  “Right.” He watched her as she locked the door. “Do you always do that?”

  She nodded. “I can’t risk—” She sucked in a breath. “It’s just safer this way.”

  He couldn’t wait to get her out of this shithole. She’d been living in fear for, shit, he didn’t know how long. He knew firsthand what it was like to live in an area that was under constant assault. That’s exactly what living in this apartment had been like for her.

  “Where do I start?” he asked, ready to get packing.

  “I’ve got stashed boxes in my closet. I’ve been collecting them from Iron Horse for months. I wanted to be prepared when I finally had enough money to move.”

  “Good thinking.” He opened the closet door and grabbed a stack of boxes that were stacked against the wall. When he placed them on the bed, she handed him a roll of shipping tape. He assembled the boxes.

  Layton grabbed them as he finished. She tackled the closet.

  “If you want, you can pack up my nightstand and anything else you see in my room that will fit in a box. I’m taking everything in this room.”

  “Okay. Was there anything else in the apartment that was yours?”

  She cringed. “Everything was mine, but I don’t care about anything outside this room.”

  He didn’t blame her. There was no telling what had been done to or on any of the furnishing inside the apartment. Her room was the only safe zone.

  He patted the top of the mini-refrigerator. “Beer fridge?”

  She shook her head. “Open it.”

  He did. Not a single beer to be found. Instead, he saw lunch meat, cheese, milk, apples, and yogurt. “This is your refrigerator.”

  “I kept my bottled water in the big fridge. I didn’t trust leaving anything else out there.”

  “I’ll leave this for last so nothing spoils.”

  She returned to box up the closet. She didn’t have a ton of stuff. Just enough to fill up the back bench of his pickup and the long truck bed. He was a pro at stacking and making sure they only had to make one trip.

  “Everything that I need now I placed in the back seat. All the other stuff can go into storage.”

  “Great. Once I finish strapping everything down, we can go.”

  “Okay. I need to take off the padlock.”

  * * * *

  Layton grabbed her drill case and began to take the padlock off the door. Ruby’s bedroom door opened as soon as the drill started. Her eyes were wide with questions as she moved closer.

  “What are you doing?” she barked.

  “Moving out,” Layton told her directly. Finally.

  “You can’t. We have two more months left on our lease.”

  “The next two months have been paid and I already made it known that I would not be renewing.”

  “How did you afford to do that?”

  Ruby was clueless. “I took the money you threw at me and paid off your portion. When I leave, I’m paying off mine.” She pulled the lock off. “I’m not living here anymore, Ruby. I’m done.”

  “You’re just leaving?”

  Acid churned at the memory of the putrid man’s hands on her. “Ruby, your customer thought I was a prostitute like you. Last night, he tried to force himself on me in the kitchen. I don’t know how you can do this to yourself. How you can let these pigs hurt you for money. Sure, I might not make fast cash like you can, but I have something more important. I have integrity and self-respect.”

  Ruby locked her jaw, her face reddening. The front door opened and it was Jaxson.

  “I hope you f
igure out a way to make your life better, Ruby. This life”—she shook her head—“it’s not a good one.”

  “Just go,” Ruby grumbled.

  Jaxson stepped to the side, letting Layton out the door first, then he closed the door behind them. They both glanced back with a jolt, at the sound of something smashing against the back of the door.

  Jaxson turned to face Layton. She shrugged. “Not my problem anymore.” They climbed into the truck. “Would you mind stopping at the office. I’m going to turn in my key and pay the remaining portion of the rent.”

  “No problem.”

  Later that night, Jaxson left for Iron Horse and she stayed in his hotel room. He’d made sure she had food and drinks before he left, but she grew restless and needed a break. She spotted his food handler study guide and devised a plan of distraction. Snaking it off the table, she grabbed her helmet and headed up to Iron Horse.

  “Last I checked you didn’t work tonight,” Jaxson told Layton, coming up behind her as she sat at the bar.

  She twisted around the face him. “Funny thing, I was sitting in your hotel room—”

  Glancing around to see who heard her, he muttered, “Which sounds inappropriate when you say it like that.”

  She shot him a lopsided grin. “Anyway, I thought you might need a break and we could study together.”

  His adorable smile faded. “Oh,” he breathed. “Study.”

  She narrowed her eyes on him. “What’s wrong? Isn’t that why you came in tonight, to study up for your test?”

  “Right. Yeah. I just—” He licked his lips, shifting nervously.

  How strange it was to see this man of confidence and strength so off kilter about studying for a…it hit her. He was worried.

  “Look, I think you’ll do great if you just read over the materials and practice. It’s no biggie.”

  He looked like he swallowed a bug. “Have you taken the test?”

  She nodded. “Last year. I thought about becoming a manager, too, but I wasn’t ready.”

  His expression eased, his hand clasping the back of her barstool. “I think you’d make a wonderful manager.”

  She smiled, liking how close he was. The scent of his body was so appetizing. “I think you’d make an excellent student, if you let me help you.”