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

  Men of Iron Horse 8

  Competitive Heat

  Iron Horse bartender and fitness guru Noble Truce longed to own her own fitness center, but after an embarrassing breakup, coupled with the tragic loss of her father, she was never able to subdue the guilt and realize her dreams.

  Finn Kipling, pro quarterback, is fed up with flirtatious women who only want him for his fame and money. So, when he spots an abrupt and dismissive Noble bartending one night, he’s hooked. Trouble is, she’s not.

  Determined to win her over, he attends her fitness classes. He is desperate to prove his interest is genuine, but again she rejects him. One night, while hiding in a private room at Iron Horse, Noble discovers he’s there. Intrigue draws her out and right into his arms.

  Passion engulfs them, and the real competition begins. Sex was sex and never meant to be more, but to him, it’s only a chance to win her over, and if given the chance, he will.

  Genre: Contemporary

  Length: 46,703 words

  COMPETITIVE HEAT

  Men of Iron Horse 8

  Morgan Fox

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  COMPETITIVE HEAT

  Copyright © 2017 by Morgan Fox

  ISBN: 978-1-64010-596-6

  First Publication: September 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

  [email protected]

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  To my amazing husband. Thank you for the countless hours of watching football with me and cycling. You are an inspiration. I love you. Always and forever.

  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

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Landmarks

  Cover

  COMPETITIVE HEAT

  Men of Iron Horse 8

  MORGAN FOX

  Copyright © 2017

  Chapter One

  Noble Truce rolled her eyes as overrated football star Finn Kipling strolled into Iron Horse Bar & Grill, looking like he owned the place. The six foot-three, short brown-haired, green-eyed, muscular quarterback was all ego, trailed by groupies, wannabes, and who-give-a-shits. He was seriously not worth the beer she was forced to serve him and his band of merry followers.

  I should’ve called in sick.

  She clenched her jaw, stunned by just how many people still adored him after the kind of year he’d had. He sucked. Big time. He threw more interceptions than she could count and was sacked so much she couldn’t believe every bone in his body hadn’t been permanently displaced.

  Not to mention, all men like him want to do is talk about how great they are and screw anything with a hole and heartbeat.

  No, thank you. Been there. Done that. Never again.

  “Why the mega eye roll?” Claire Buckman asked, sliding up alongside Noble as they both waited for drinks at the bar.

  Noble drummed her fingers in a quickening rhythm on the dark wood countertop, apprehension rising. The memories of the mistakes of her past were never far away. It didn’t mean she wanted to spill her guts up all over the floor. “What eye roll?”

  “The one where you caused the wind to change direction,” Layton Goldman said with a snicker. “We all saw it the minute”–she changed her voice to sound like Marilyn Monroe—“Finn Kipling entered the bar.”

  Claire and Layton sighed, fanning themselves.

  Noble rolled her eyes. Again. Her friends had zero taste. The mere mention of his name churned the acids in her belly enough to make her want to gag. Finn was no longer the type of man she wanted anything to do with, even though he didn’t look half bad. She wasn’t interested in jocks. They were arrogant and selfish.

  They’re jerks.

  The room darkened around her, swallowing her up within its cold, suffocating grasp. Her hands grew sweaty as she fumbled with her serving tray, thinking back to her time in college. She’d given her heart and virginity to River Knight, star quarterback. He had shown her exactly how much he cared about her. She could still feel the burning gazes of everyone on the football team as she stepped from the room where she’d given everything to the man who betrayed her. River stood by the door, holding it open, wearing a smug look. He’d shared personal details about her with his teammates—how wet she was, how tight she was, he’d even made up things too—dirty, nasty, unspeakable things. Her reputation was ruined. All because he was the star quarterback and she was just a regular student who’d stupidly fallen for his lies.

  She cringed.

  “See!” Claire cheered, pointing a determined finger at Noble. “There it is again.”

  “Why do you dislike him so much, Noble?”

  “My guess,” Jace Burnette started, placing drinks on her tray, “Noble had a groupie-styled one-night stand with him and he never called back.”

  A switch flipped in her head, tearing her from her wayward thoughts. “So not what happened,” she grated, collected her drink covered tray and headed back for the table she was tending.

  “Excuse me?”

  She turned and the smile that once coated her face slid down like a fast-moving avalanche. The cold chill that raced up her spine shot out to every limb, making her fingers tingle. Her stomach sank to her shoes as her eyes drifted over his face, suddenly feeling as though she were once again making her walk of shame. Whispers and snickers echoing like ghosts, forever haunting her.

  Gritting her teeth, she swallowed down the bitter memories. �
��Can I help you?”

  Finn Kipling smiled as if he were auditioning for some teeth whitening commercial. “My friends and I would love a round of beers.”

  “Great. I’ll send someone over.”

  She headed straight to her table to drop off her customers’ drinks, then she bolted for the bar, shouldering past Finn, not looking back. Even though she wanted to. His flawless olive skin, deep penetrating eyes, soft smile, and body that left a massive shadow over hers, played at the parts of her womanhood she’d wished would shut the hell up. She wasn’t blind, and she sure the hell wasn’t a saint. She just couldn’t get caught up in a man like Finn.

  Even if he does smell like the deep woods after a crisp rainfall. So damn sexy. She groaned. What the hell’s wrong with me? Finn Kipling sucks.

  “Who is waiting on Kipling’s table?”

  “Not me,” Claire said. “My shifts ending and I have to go pick up my daughter.”

  “Layton?”

  “Sorry, babe. I can’t. Sam asked me to—”

  “Seriously? No one wants to wait on—” Noble pursed her lips. “You know what? Never mind.”

  She was sure one of the girls would’ve jump at the chance to cover a football star’s table, but no. They were busy, had plans, or just didn’t want to. Her luck sucked.

  Locking her jaw tight, she turned and stalked toward Finn’s table, the one loaded with all the types of people she loathed. People who had no clue about how the world really spun. People who didn’t care who they trampled on their way to the top. Selfish asshats who never considered how their actions could destroy others around them.

  Drinks and food. That’s it. Then they’ll be gone.

  I hope.

  * * * *

  Finn Kipling stared at the waitress’s ass longer than he should have. She was stunning—blonde hair, aqua-blue eyes, model height, and curvy in all the right places. She was fit, lean, and far from the Barbie doll plastic girls who clung to him. She was just the kind of woman who sparked his interest. Clearing his throat, he forced his mouth closed before he did something ridiculous like drool.

  He glanced back at the table filled with people he didn’t really know. Sure, they hung around him like the adored him, but they weren’t his friends. He knew that. They only wanted to be around him because he was a pro quarterback. When it came down to it, he didn’t really have anyone important in his life, besides his parents.

  Maybe that’s where the attraction to the waitress burned from. She didn’t look at him like he was a god. Actually, she appeared to be repulsed by him, curling her lip and nose as if he smelled bad. She, on the other hand, smelled heavenly—like sweet grapes and a touch of winter mint. He’d noticed her the second he’d entered the bar. She was gorgeous, but what he’d noticed more was her immediate need to bolt in the opposite direction away from him.

  Is it possible she doesn’t like me?

  That would be a first. Usually women were falling all over him, tossing their panties at him in invitation, or slipping their number in his pocket for a whenever booty call. He was surrounded by people who worshiped him, yet he didn’t care. He preferred a connection with the woman who couldn’t seem to breathe the same air as him.

  He chuckled, returning to his table.

  “What can I get for you?”

  He cocked his head, glancing over his shoulder, surprised to see the beautiful waitress glaring at him. He figured she’d pawn him off on someone else. Lucky me. His gaze moved to the name tag on her tight, black Iron Horse T-shirt. Noble. He wasn’t sure why, but that name sounded sexy-as-hell when he said it in his mind. “Beers would be great, Noble.”

  Saying it aloud…still hot.

  Her brow arched high, annoyance plastered on her face. Could she get any sexier?

  “Any particular kind or should I guess?”

  He smiled, twisting on his barstool to face her more directly. She had an attitude, clearly disappointed that he and his “friends” placed themselves in her section of the bar. He was so glad this table was open. “Any suggestions?”

  Flashing him a smile that was anything but genuine, she reached around him, getting close enough that he could’ve planted a dozen kisses to her neck, and pulled the menu from the table. “Here, this menu is full of all kinds of drinks.” She paused, pulling the menu back toward her before he could clasp it between his fingers. “Wait. Can you even read?”

  His lips pulled back slowly. She was poking fun at him for being a jock. So she had a sense of humor and knew he was a football player. “Yep. I can read.”

  “Good. Glad to hear it. I’ll give you a moment to look it over.”

  She turned to leave, but he tapped her shoulder with the menu. “What do you suggest?”

  Her brow perked up again and she huffed out a breath, rolling her eyes. He kept his mouth tight, fighting the need to laugh.

  She dropped her serving tray to her side, while her free hand dug into her hip. “I’d suggest you take your drinks to go,” she shared with a smirk.

  His eyes drifted over her face, dipping from her piercing stare to her mouth—berry-colored lips he’d enjoy sampling. He met her gaze. She was tempting him, and he wasn’t sure she was aware of just how much.

  “Is that an offer?”

  She gaped at him, then pursed her lips together into a tight frown. She moved closer and whispered, “Not if I ached all over and you were the only dick around.”

  The muscles in his jaw ticked as he angled his face toward hers. “Have we met before?”

  “What, you don’t remember?” Her eyes scanned the table behind him. “Is it because of all the groupies glued to you?”

  No. They’d never met before. There was no way he’d ever forget a woman like her. She was different. “Don’t tell me, you’re not a football fan?”

  She laughed. “Oh, I like football, just not you.”

  He laughed. “Football players in general?”

  She shifted her jaw from side to side. “Not football players. Just quarterbacks.”

  Now we’re getting somewhere.

  “Ouch.” He rubbed his chest as if his heart ached. “Well, we’re not all the same you know?”

  “Yes, you are,” she argued. “Now what would you like?”

  He didn’t know what was overcoming him, especially with football season underway and his focus needing to be on the game ahead, not the woman with the all-consuming fire burning from her eyes, but he couldn’t help himself. His curiosity had piqued. He wanted to know what it was about quarterbacks she despised so much. He also wanted to know if she tasted as spicy hot as her attitude.

  “Your number would be a good place to start.”

  Noble eyed him hard, a sight he couldn’t decipher. The moment she turned around and headed back toward the bar, he figured it wasn’t a look of interest.

  One thing about Finn, he never gave up. Even after a fumble.

  * * * *

  “Did they not order any drinks?” Jace Burnette asked, resting his elbows on the bar in front of Noble.

  “Not yet. Are you sure you don’t want to switch places with me? I could run the bar while you handled”—she hiked her thumb over her shoulder—“them.”

  He grinned, his eyes filled with intrigue. “I don’t get it. You love watching football with me. What’s it about this guy you don’t like?”

  Noble frowned. “Men like him are all the same—egocentric, cocky, and overrun with STDs.”

  Jace chuckled. “Okay. I’ll have to remember that.” He popped his bar rag onto the counter and began cleaning. “So I can check off cops, firemen, and pro athletes from your list of no-chance-in-hell of dating, right?”

  Noble gave her head one fierce nod. “Yep, especially cops. They’re the worst.”

  “Don’t knock them until you try them,” Jace said with a wink. “Ask Sage about cops and the mad skills they have.”

  When not at Iron Horse, Jace was a police officer and Sage was a firefighter. Somehow they’d fallen
in love and started a romance Noble never saw coming until it did.

  Lucky them.

  “I’ll pass,” Noble said, smiling wide.

  “So you can smile.”

  Noble’s jaw locked as Finn’s deep, honey-coated voice rolled its way over her body and into her ears. A quiver of something hot and electric raced along her nerves.

  What’s wrong with me?

  Stiffening, she forced her body to behave. “Did you figure out what you wanted to drink or did you need the picture menu?”

  He shot her a lopsided grin. “As a matter of fact, I did.”

  “What can I get you?” Jace asked, moving in to save her from having to do it herself.

  She owed Jace big time.

  “Would you mind having a round of lite beers sent over to the table for my friends?” he asked, gesturing behind him.

  Jace nodded. “And for you?”

  “Club soda. I don’t drink alcohol during football season,” he shared, eyeing Noble. “And I wasn’t kidding about wanting your number.”

  She breathed out a husky laugh. Sexy, but clearly dense. “What on earth makes you think I’d give you my number?”

  His blue eyes twinkled as if unaffected by her abrupt dismissal. “I’d like to know why you ran away from me when I asked for your number.”

  The muscles in her neck and jaw tightened, as she stiffened her chin. “I didn’t run away.”

  “What would you call it then?”

  He wasn’t backing down, even though she wouldn’t answer.

  “Look,” he started, resting his elbow on the bar beside them. “This is my only night off this week. I have practice until game day on Sunday. Go out with me after the game.”