Competitive Heat [Men of Iron Horse 8] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Morgan Fox

  She nodded, feeling her pulse ease a little.

  “But I did work as a rescue diver for my hometown fire department when I was in college.”

  Heat swirled low in her belly. “You can’t be real,” she said aloud, not meaning to.

  “Excuse me?”

  She licked her dry lips, feeling as if she were living in an impossible dream. She never ventured out of her protective world. Guarding herself had always been her priority. Letting down her walls had given her the best night of her life and a chance to know someone she never would have otherwise. But it was short-lived. She knew that. Soon Finn would return to his football life and she would head back into her own career-seeking adventures. She would enjoy every second while it lasted.

  “You know you’re made up of a lot of sexually charged clichés, right?”

  He furrowed his brow. “How so?”

  “Ever read a romance novel? Shit, have you ever looked at the covers of romance novels?”

  “No. Should I?”

  She laughed. “Finn, honey, the covers are generally of a hot, muscular guy, a cowboy, a man on a motorcycle, an athlete, or a firefighter. Technically, you’re all of those in one package.”

  He smiled. “I’m just a guy from Texas. That’s all.”

  She scoffed, rolling onto her side as her head fell hard onto the pillow. “That’s even worse,” she blurted out. “You don’t even notice that you’re that guy.”

  “Is that a bad thing?” he asked.

  Her chest rose and fell with her heavy breaths, her body overrun with thoughts of him. Being humble? Hell no, that wasn’t a bad thing at all.

  “What about you, miss blonde hair and blue eyes, tight in all the right places with a long and lean body? Did you notice how long it took me to kiss from your ankle up to your inner thigh? It was like an hour. Your legs never end.”

  It was her turn to laugh. “Whatever.” She fanned her hand at him dismissively. “I’m just a cranky, miserable, fitness instructor bartender from Texas,” she teased with a wink. “That’s all.”

  He flashed a lopsided grin. “Don’t forget mouthwatering, sexy, and extremely competitive.”

  That made her laugh harder. Smiling, he opened his magazine again. She glanced over at the clock and wondered why he wasn’t kicking her out so he could head to practice.

  “Don’t you have football today?”

  “Classroom time,” he corrected. “And it starts in about an hour.”

  She shot up. “Don’t you think you should get dressed or something?”

  He smiled. “I’m a guy, Noble. It only takes me a few minutes to get ready.”

  “How far away is your—”

  “I’ll make it,” he said, cutting her off. “Stop worrying about me, Mom.”

  Mom! Oh, hell no! She hooked her closed mouth to the side in an awkward don’t call me Mom grimace, flipped the covers off, and began to search for her clothing. She paused and remembered her clothes were still in her car. He must’ve heard her irritated groan.

  “Your bag is on the counter in the bathroom.”

  She inclined her head to glance at him from over her shoulder. “Thanks.” When had he found time to get it? Regardless, she was grateful. “Do you mind if I use your bathroom to clean up before I head out?”

  “Help yourself.”

  Sauntering into the bathroom, she dug through her bag and pulled out a pair of panties and bra and put them on. Next she slid on a clean pair of dark jeans and a bright pink T-shirt that read, Cyclist Do It Best. Brushing her hair, she put it into a ponytail. Lastly, she brushed her teeth and put on a pair of gray sneakers.

  When she opened the door to peer out, the shadow of the past flooded through her. The echoes of River’s football team taunting her held her in place. But this wasn’t River’s dorm room, it was Finn’s home, and they were alone. At least, she hoped they were. Sucking in a deep breath, she moved back into the bedroom, but Finn wasn’t in bed.

  With her bag slung over her shoulder, she went in search of the clothing she’d worn the night before. She found them folded and waiting for her on the foyer table beside her purse. He’d taken care to put her things in a place where she wouldn’t forget them. She could either look at it as a kind gesture or that he didn’t want her leaving anything behind. Shaking the thoughts away, she placed the items in her bag and followed the sound of clanking cups that led her into the kitchen. Finn was dressed and making coffee.

  “You really don’t need a lot of time to get ready.”

  “Having a spare bathroom helps,” he pointed out, pouring the dark and savory liquid into cups for each of them.

  A strange sensation sank to the bottom of her stomach as she tried to figure out the best way to leave without feeling awkward about it. Did they share a cup of coffee and try for small talk? Did she thank him for last night? Did she ask to see him again? Did she want to see him again? Did she just head out with a see-you-later in mind? She had no idea how any of this worked. This was new to her and she didn’t know what to say or do.

  “Are you working up at Iron Horse tonight?”

  The deep timber of his voice had her insides turning to jelly. “Yes.”

  He sipped his coffee, looking at her from over the rim. “Would it be weird if I stopped by? I want to show you something.”

  “Didn’t you show me enough last night?” Again she used playful sarcasm to deflect from her uncertainty.

  “Good point,” he replied. “However, I was thinking of something that required a bit more clothing.”

  Like your teammates cheering you on as you tell them how many times I let you fuck me? Her insides knotted. “Should I be concerned?”

  He frowned. “Not unless you would rather not see me again.”

  The air in the room seemed to get sucked out in the blink of an eye. Was he asking her out? Did he want more than one night? Was she worried for nothing? She needed to get the hell out of his house so she could think clearly. Being near him was rotting her brain.

  “Don’t you have practice tomorrow?”

  He nodded.

  “Don’t you have a team curfew?”

  He shrugged. “Technically, yes, but it’s really enforced the night before a game.”

  She groaned, a long vibrating sound, contemplating how late it would be if he planned on seeing her tonight. She didn’t get off work until eleven, and that was only if Sam didn’t need her to close. There was a good chance he wouldn’t show anyway.

  “That’s likely to suck for you then, since it’s a late night for me,” she shared, her tone sarcastic as she headed into the foyer to grab her bag. She slung it over her shoulder, catching Finn coming up behind her.

  “You never answered my question,” he pointed out. “Can I see you again tonight?”

  “Just you or did you plan on bringing your teammates, as well?” She sounded defensive. She was. She couldn’t help it.

  He scowled. “Why would I bring them? I’m not into sharing.”

  Finn wasn’t River. She had to keep reminding herself of that and stop assuming the worst.

  She bit her lower lip, breathing him in once more before she grabbed the doorknob and opened the door. With one final glance at him, she said, “Show up, if you want.”

  She didn’t have to turn around to know Finn was watching her every move. She could feel his eyes on her body like his hands and mouth had been most of the night. The night they shared had been game changing, and if she could get past her fear, she’d admit that she couldn’t wait to see him again, too.

  * * * *

  Finn placed his helmet on the tank of his motorcycle and hiked his leg over the midnight-blue custom Road Glide Screaming Eagle. His prized baby. This was the one treasure he’d desired after signing his football contract with Dallas, and damn it, he’d earned it. It was a shame it spent so much time in the comfort of his garage. He’d much rather enjoy it than let it stay hidden away. He just hadn’t had an opportunity until now, and that was onl
y because he made the choice to make time.

  For Noble.

  Decked out in his riding gear, midnight-blue T-shirt, a dark pair of blue jeans with black leather chaps and jacket, and black combat boots, he stalked inside the bar, seeking out the woman who made his blood boil. Since she left him this morning, he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. A vibrating warmth sprang up into his chest and rocketed straight to his groan as he caught his reflection in the mirror above the bar, remembering the way Noble’s eyes had flickered with heat when he’d told her he rode a motorcycle. The way her cheeks had glowed with color when he’d told her he’d actually had three stirred something wicked inside him. The thoughts he’d had about her and his motorcycle were too good to ever erase. She clearly had a thing for bikes, and he was going to use that to his advantage.

  “Look what the night brought in,” Jace said, wiping the bar down in front of him. “What can I get you?”

  “Noble,” he said directly, glancing around to see if he could find her in the crowd.

  “She’s not here.”

  Finn whipped his head back to meet Jace’s hard stare. Disappointment weighed heavy. “What?” He looked at his watch, making sure he wasn’t late. He remembered that she worked until eleven. “She told me she worked tonight.”

  Jace’s expression was unbreakable. “And when was that?”

  Finn’s brow furrowed. He’d spoken with Jace a number of times at the bar. He liked him and appreciated his help when he had first tried to get Noble to give him a chance, but right now, all he wanted was to see Noble.

  “A lot can happen after lunch,” Jace added.

  Lunch? “No, I didn’t see her at lunch. It was this morn—” Finn pursed his lips and breathed hard through his nose. “She didn’t tell you I was coming, and now you’re trying to get me to spill the information she clearly didn’t. You’re good, Jace, but you’re also a dick.”

  Jace snickered.

  “Everyone knows that,” Noble confirmed, coming up alongside Jace, elbowing him. “Don’t tell me, he was trolling for information. It’s a cop thing.”

  Finn’s heart revved, his breathing became shallow the moment his eyes locked on hers. He nodded, unable to find his words. She was stunning. Her hair was hanging loosely around her face, her eyes highlighted with a thin layer of kohl. The pink in her lips was deeper than he’d recalled earlier. But what had his words escaping him wasn’t her hair or makeup, it was the Iron Horse shirt, leather jacket, and tight jeans that gave his body a charge, as if jolted by a bolt of lightning. He was ready to fuck her where she stood.

  I’m doomed.

  “Are you okay?”

  Her soft flowing voice tugged him from his wayward thoughts. “Yeah. Yep. I mean yes.” He released a breathy laugh, trying to get his body and brain to perform on the same page. He was lucky his tongue hadn’t rolled out of his mouth.

  “Are you sure?” The way the words parted from her lips, she didn’t believe him.

  He was normally so put together. So calm and collected. How had the sight of her alone made his brain turn to mush? Noble was beautiful, but now that he knew what she tasted like and how fiery she was in bed, she was even more of a temptation than he’d ever expected.

  “I’m afraid I might not be,” he admitted.

  “What’s wrong?” Her eyes widened with concern, and when she leaned over the bar to be closer to him, it only made matters worse. The valley between her breasts caught his eye and stiffened his cock.

  Holding her gaze, he wet his lips and gripped the edge of the bar. “Noble, I hope you don’t get offended easily.”

  She arched a brow. “That depends. Why would I be offended?”

  He growled, sounding like he was about to come undone. He was. “I’m ready to fuck you right here. Right now. Leave with me.”

  A butter-melting smile curled her lips and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was crippling him, like no other ever had, and they weren’t even dating.

  What the hell’s gotten into me?

  “You have no idea how sexy you are, do you?”

  She sauntered around the bar like a vixen preparing to claim her prize. She had a renewed confidence as she moved toward him, like she owned the night. He drank in her every step, eyeing her combat boots, body-hugging jeans, the V between her thighs, all the way over her full breasts, and finally her heat-seeking eyes. “Are you referring to the way I’m dressed?”

  He bit into his lower lip, his mouth going dry. “Hell yes.”

  “If you must know, I spilled a strawberry daiquiri on my shirt and the only one back there belonged to another bartender who apparently likes to show off her girls.” Noble blushed, her gaze fluttering up to meet his. “Was I right when I heard that a bad-ass motorcycle pulled into the parking lot? Rumor has it, the biker guy’s pretty hot.”

  “Is that right?” His gaze drifted down her body once more. She was bewitching him.

  She spread her arms at her sides, her leather jacket opening enough to show more of her body molded attire. He wanted her naked and in his bed. Now. “Do you like this look?”

  Damn, he was playing with fire. He pulled her against him, spinning her to pin her back against the bar, his arms on either side of her. “Woman, I’m going to take you right here on the bar, I swear.”

  She gasped, her breathing harder, sexier. When she pushed to her tiptoes and nipped at his ear, he closed his eyes and groaned. Damn, he’d just wanted to see her, and now all he could think about was taking her home.

  “Did you come to show me your motorcycle? If you did, I’d really like to see it.”

  Chapter Nine

  “So this is how it’s going to be between us then?” Finn held Noble’s hand, clinging to it as he guided her through the parking lot to his motorcycle. “Are you planning to torment me every chance you get?”

  When she didn’t answer, he stopped to look at her. She was smiling. Yep, she planned to torment him. Question answered.

  “Two can play this game,” he warned.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” There was laughter in her words.

  “Right.” He liked the saucy, competitive Noble. She was so much better than the one who ran from him. “I’m game for whatever you can dish out.”

  “Again, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Right,” he muttered again, rolling the R and dragging the I. “And you dressing this”—he roamed his hand over her body, through the air—“provocatively is not normally how you dress. Spilled drink or not. I don’t think so. You did this for me.”

  She squeezed her lips closed, but the smile she tried to hide was still there. “That’s what I thought.” He didn’t move, just held her beautiful gaze. “Have you been dressed like this all night? How many people saw you?”

  A curious gleam flashed in her eyes. “Are you jealous?”

  He locked his jaw. Jealous? Shit, he was, even if just a little. He wasn’t the type to grow all possessive, but there was something so different about Noble, it was starting to drive him mad.

  “At least a dozen times, I’ve seen you dressed for work, and that never included painted on jeans and a tank top that curved so—” He groaned, holding his words. His mind could only handle so much. Describing her mouthwatering appearance only made his body harder.

  Her eyes filled with a determined intensity he’d only seen when she’d taught spin class. “I told you that I spilled a drink. I did. And if you must know, I did it about twenty minutes before you showed up. So don’t worry, Mr. Jealous, no one had ogled the girls other than you.”

  He licked his dry mouth. “Come home with me.”

  “No.”

  He pulled her against him. “Come home with me,” he demanded, his voice dipping into a low rumble.

  “You have practice in the morning,” she reminded him, tightening her muscles, not shoving away, but not exactly compliant either.

  “It doesn’t matter. Come home with me.”


  She shook her head. “You’ll thank me in the morning, if I don’t.”

  “I’ll hate myself for not trying harder,” he countered.

  She laughed. “Whatever. You and I had a great night last night.”

  “So,” he hissed. “Why not a repeat?”

  When he cradled her face in his hands, she sighed and pressed her fingers to his chest, then trailed her arms around his neck. “You’re really nothing at all like I thought you’d be.”

  He furrowed his brow. “How do you mean?”

  She opened her mouth to speak then closed it, shaking away whatever thoughts she’d had. “Nothing. Don’t worry about it,” she said, seeming to backpedal. It only made him more curious.

  “Tell me,” he whispered, tucking her hair behind her ear. The soft gesture so familiar, as if he’d done it a hundred times.

  She pressed her cheek into his opened palm, staring up at him. “I honestly didn’t expect you to want more than one night with me.”

  At her surprising words, he pinched his brow tight. How could he not want more with her? She was a perfect fit for a good old southern boy from Texas. Well, outside the distraction during football season thing, but perfect all the same. She was feisty, smart, fiery, and sweet, she didn’t want anything from him, didn’t care about his fame, and she was raw, honest. He needed someone like Noble, always had, but never thought he’d find her. Not in a sea of so many leeches. Being surrounded by people who wanted something from him had deadened him to his true desires. Spotting Noble at Iron Horse had given him hope and had opened his mind to the realization that finding someone he could truly trust was possible.

  * * * *

  Noble held Finn’s hazel gaze and wondered how she’d gotten to this point. Steering clear of men had been easy. Avoiding him had been impossible. She tried, but he was always there, chasing her. She liked that he did, and here he was again, asking her to go home with him. Her instincts were all over the place, telling her she shouldn’t, but screaming that she should.