Unbridled Heat [Men of Iron Horse 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 2

  “Let’s face it, Luke. I’m not exactly the walking, talking badass bartender who survives in places like biker bars. I was fooling myself to think I could do this job.” Her shoulders fell forward. “I’m not like the other girls.”

  No, she wasn’t. But he liked that about her. Strangely, he couldn’t stop himself from staring at her mouth as she moistened her lips and when she looked up, he found it impossible to look anywhere other than into her crystal blue eyes.

  He cleared his thoughts. “Don’t stop working there over that one jackass,” he told her, standing to close the distance between them. “Don’t let him dictate what you’re capable of.”

  “Come on, Luke. Do I look like the bartender of the year? I’m five-four and shy. I’m not likely to last much longer around all of those rough and demanding biker dudes.”

  He clasped her chin with his forefinger and thumb. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you that size doesn’t matter? Besides, I’d buy drinks from you.” As he spoke, his voice felt deep and unfamiliar.

  She held his stare, her cheeks filling with color. When she nibbled her lower lip, he stepped back, realizing he never should have said that. It wasn’t professional. Not with the lust-filled thoughts racing through him and plunging straight down to his cock.

  Layla Grey was a beautiful woman and she was teasing him to the brink of rational thought, forcing his body to want something he had no choice but to avoid. He had a job to do and that was that. And as protective as Jason was about his bartenders, he would most likely castrate Luke for touching her or even thinking of touching her. Besides, she was too sweet to sleep with once and leave. A girl like her deserved better and that was something he couldn’t do. Commitments weren’t his thing and thanks to his absent, neglectful father, they never would be.

  The nurse came into the room with the discharge papers and they were ready to go. He drove her back to the bar so that she could get her car. “Are you sure you don’t want me to follow you home? I don’t mind making sure you get inside safe and sound.”

  With a smile, she shook her head. “No. I’m good.” She reached out and offered him her hand, shaking it. “Thanks again for all your help.”

  “No problem. I’m glad I could.”

  She moved from the truck and he watched her get into her car, turn on the engine, and drive down the road. As soon as her taillights had faded in the distance, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed Jason’s number. He had to speak with his friend. Had to find out what was going on with Daniel and update him about Layla.

  His body stirred as he considered reasons to see her again. For his job, of course. He wanted to make sure she didn’t have another night like the one she’d just experienced. At least, that was what he told himself.

  Chapter Two

  Layla jumped clear out of her skin as a thunderous knock came from her front door. She looked over at the clock. It was seven in the morning. She hadn’t even had a chance to fall asleep.

  Tossing the blankets off her legs, she slipped from the bed and made her way to look through the peep hole. It was Samantha, a tall, brown-haired, tough-as-nails friend with a sisterly love for Layla and a protective streak a mile wide.

  Great.

  Opening the door, Sam pulled her into the biggest bear hug humanly possible. “Oh, my God. Are you all right?”

  “Wow. That was fast,” she mumbled, her face plastered against Sam’s chest.

  Easing back, Sam grimaced. “Your sister’s going to kill me.”

  “She can’t kill you if she doesn’t know, right?” she said, easing back to let Sam inside.

  “As if I could avoid telling her. She trusted me to keep an eye on you. Why didn’t you call me when Jason had to leave?” Before Layla could answer, Sam added, “I’m going to kick his ass. He never should’ve left you alone. What the hell was he thinking?”

  Layla closed the door and locked it. The events of the night were once again so fresh in her mind. “I’d rather you didn’t. Shit happens,” she muttered, moving into the kitchen to get something to drink. “Thirsty? I’ve got…water.”

  She hadn’t had a chance to go shopping. She was supposed to stop at the store on her way home from the bar. For the most obvious reason, she couldn’t make herself stop at the twenty-four-hour food market. She just wanted to get home, shower, and crawl into her bed.

  “Nothing for me. What happened?”

  She told the story, revealing the same details she’d shared with Luke. Then a wave of curiosity hit her. “When did Jason call you?”

  “About an hour ago. I came right over.”

  “Did he mention who told him?”

  “Said something about his cop friend filling him in, but what does—” Sam groaned. “Don’t even think it.”

  “What?” Her heart raced as Sam’s angry tone slid over her. The heated glare in her eyes set her on edge.

  Sam folded her arms over her chest. “You’ve got that puppy dog look in your eyes, and trust me when I tell you not to go there.”

  “Don’t go where?”

  Sam scoffed. “Chasing after men you have no business chasing after.”

  Layla shook her head, as if brushing off her words. What did Sam know about Luke? Why did Sam even care who she dated or wanted to date? Shit, Layla hadn’t even seen him more than once to know what she wanted. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just wondering how you managed to get to my apartment so quickly when I just got home a short while ago. Bad news really does travel fast.”

  Sam shot her a scrutinizing glare as she stepped around the counter. “Layla, I love you like my own sister, and I’m not kidding when I tell you that Luke Mackenzie is trouble.”

  So Sam did know Luke. “I never said his name.”

  “Yes, I know Luke Mackenzie. I know him very well. He’s a good friend of Jason’s and he has a serious reputation with the ladies. Whatever weird fantasies you’ve got about him need to go away now.”

  Why did Sam and her sister treat her like she was some weak-minded little girl? She was twenty-five, not twelve. “I appreciate your concern, Sam. I really do. But I’m not having any kind of fantasies and even if I was, it wouldn’t matter. Men like Luke don’t want girls like me. I’m shy and awkward.”

  “You’re prey,” Sam corrected. “And you’re beautiful. All men want you. Haven’t you learned anything working at Iron Horse?”

  Layla waved her hand dismissively in the air. “Those men are just being asses. Luke wasn’t like that at all with me.”

  Sam groaned. “Seriously? Do you not understand that men like him will get into your pants because they don’t act like barbarians?”

  Layla laughed. “That’s ridiculous.”

  Sam pursed her lips together. “Okay. Fine. If I’m wrong, then the likelihood of seeing him again is pretty slim. But if I’m right, I bet he’ll find a reason to be at the bar when you work next. Some bullshit maybe about more questions, or maybe even just checking in on you.”

  That wasn’t fair to assume at all. A man or not, he was still a cop and likely investigating the events of the night before. She rolled her eyes at Sam. “He could do that anyway because he’s doing his job. It doesn’t mean he wants to take me to bed.”

  Sam laughed, digging her hands into her hips. “How the hell have you survived this long?”

  Layla gasped. “Now, that was just a horrible thing to say to me.”

  Sam moved up and clasped her shoulders. “I’m sorry, honey, but I need you to listen to me. Stay away from Luke Mackenzie. He’ll fuck you and leave you. I’ve watched it happen to others in the past.”

  Layla’s gut twisted. She didn’t want to believe Sam, but she’d never steer her wrong. She loved Sam like a sister, too, and trusted her judgment. It didn’t change the fact that Luke had gotten under her skin, and as much as she wanted to shove aside the warm, buttery feeling that filled her veins at the thought of him, she couldn’t.

  “Like I said, it doesn’t matter. He doesn’t
like me.”

  “We’ll see about that.” Sam moved back around the counter and headed for the front door. With her hand on the knob, she glanced back over at her. “From now on, no one closes alone. I’ll be working with you tonight.”

  When Sam disappeared, Layla locked the door behind her and rested her head against it. She didn’t like that Luke had a reputation. But that wasn’t what really bothered her. The allure of being with a man who knew his way around a woman’s body did.

  Her nipples beaded against the thin material of her nightshirt and she groaned. Luke Mackenzie was the perfect fantasy man. Black hair, blue eyes, chiseled jaw, tall and firm muscular body, and a deep voice that sent chills racing along her flesh. She bit her lip.

  Sure, she’d had sex before, but only with two other men and they’d both sucked. She needed a way to end her dry spell, even if in her dreams. Giving up on the fantasy of her sexy cop would be near impossible. And since there was absolutely no way she was ever going to see him again, it didn’t matter.

  Keep telling yourself that.

  She nestled back into her bed, closed her eyes and pictured him in her mind. His short black hair only made his eyes more delicious. But it was the soft pink of his lips that had her toes curling. The man offered so many wicked temptations and it was a shame she was too scared to try for more. For all she knew, he could be the one to set her spirit free and give her every reason to unleash her unbridled desires.

  He made her hot and that heat needed to be quenched. Badly.

  * * * *

  Luke sat on his motorcycle, staring at the packed parking lot. The place was busier than normal. Motorcycles and pick-up trucks filled the spaces. He removed his helmet and placed it on the back of his bike, a silver and chrome Road Star.

  The night had been perfect for a ride and now he wanted to quench his thirst. He knew he should stay away from Iron Horse, especially since Jason had threatened to cut off his balls if he went anywhere near Layla. He still couldn’t. There was something that enticed him a little too much at the bar, something that had his cock stirring with promise.

  Being told he couldn’t have something only sweetened the pot.

  All night long he’d imagined her sweet mouth on his body. Her innocent blue eyes staring up at him while she took him deep. Nothing could stop the groan of need that surfaced each time he thought of her.

  Her innocence turned him on. Then again, maybe it was that he was horny. He’d fuck most anything if it stood still long enough. Sex felt good, at least while it was happening. The awkward aftermath, however, needed sorting out. Women tended to want more from him than he could offer, so he didn’t hang around clubs and bars too often. The regular scene made for complications he didn’t want to be bothered with.

  After all, he was a man in his prime. Was it his problem that the ladies made it easy for him to get laid? They practically threw themselves at him.

  One of the main reasons he avoided Iron Horse was that his best friend owned the bar and fucking his bartenders and customers was a Jason No-No. For almost a year, Luke had followed that rule and had it not been for Sam’s clingy friend, what’s-her-name, he would’ve kept to his word.

  But this time was different. He was checking in on Layla. Not just trying to get into her pants, even though he couldn’t stop thinking about how warm and wet she would feel as he slid deep inside her.

  Stop that! Keep it professional.

  Right.

  He stepped into the bar and the loud blast of music and cigarette smoke assaulted him. For the most part, he saw the usual clientele. People drinking, shooting pool, playing darts, and just having a good time. Nothing out of the norm. Iron Horse was a popular club that attracted all types: those who rode hard and fast and those who wanted to look as though they rode hard and fast—the wannabes.

  He weaved through the maze of people and found the bar. Leaning against it, he spotted Layla at one end and Samantha and Zerina at the other. And once he locked eyes with Sam, he knew he was in trouble. Since he’d slept with her friend and never called her again, she’d been pissed at him. The situation surrounding the one night affair had been awkward and uncomfortable.

  “What do you want?” Sam snapped, sounding like she wanted to rip his head off.

  “Still angry, huh?” He chuckled when she narrowed her eyes as if to call him an asshole. “Just a beer,” he replied.

  Muttering something under her breath, she curled her lip and slammed a bottle of his usual in front of him. Then she leaned closer, her hands on the bar like she was prepared to launch over it to get to him. “I know why you’re here and I’m warning you to leave Layla alone.”

  Yep. She was still pissed.

  “I’m here to check in on her,” he said, not sure if he was trying to convince her or himself more.

  Sam scoffed. “Right. She’s got me and Zerina here with her. She doesn’t need your kind of checking in.”

  He grinned and took a sip of his beer, watching as she returned to tend to new customers. Sam was tough as nails and he’d never had an issue with her. Until he’d fucked her friend, that is. Now Sam detested him and he didn’t think there was a thing he could do to get back into her good graces.

  He glanced toward Layla, who was staring at him. She wore light blue jeans and a blue sweater, her long hair tucked behind her ear. That sweet girl-next-door look was really working for her. What made her even more adorably sexy was the thick white headband she used to pull her hair back.

  His cock stirred. Most of the women he’d spent time with were edgy and demanding. That wasn’t what he saw in Layla.

  Groaning, he hooked his finger to draw her attention. She moved to stand in front of him.

  “I’d offer you a drink for helping me last night, but it seems you’ve already been taken care of,” she said.

  “You can buy me another one later,” he teased, as a warm blush tinted her cheeks. “How are you doing? I’m surprised you didn’t take the day off.”

  “I’m fine,” she said, leaning her hands on the bar. “Besides, I couldn’t afford to take a day off. What brings you in tonight?”

  “You,” he said bluntly, and he meant it.

  She swallowed hard, her eyes darting toward Sam and back to him. “I should probably get back to work.”

  He reached out and placed his hand over hers. He didn’t know what made him do it, but he had to keep her from running away. He was more than aware that Sam had most likely filled her head with a bunch of garbage about him. Okay, so it might not have been all lies.

  “Is it because Sam’s watching you so closely?”

  She nervously glanced around just before stiffening her jaw. “How come this is the first time I’ve seen you here? I’ve worked here for months and I don’t remember seeing you once.”

  He pulled his hand away. “Work kept me busy these last few months. I just closed a case that ate up most of my time.” Not exactly a lie. He had just closed a case. He just didn’t share that he’d been avoiding Iron Horse because he tended to screw anything with two legs and a heartbeat.

  “Oh,” she breathed, as if not fully accepting what he said.

  A change of subject was definitely needed. “Are you closing again tonight?”

  She tucked her hair behind her ear, most likely a habit, and his chest tightened. Her coy sweetness should’ve had him running for the hills. He didn’t normally spend much time desiring girls he had to work hard for. But somehow Layla was different and he wasn’t sure that was such a good thing.

  “Yes, but Sam and Zerina will stay with me. None of us will close alone again.”

  He nodded, slanting a hard look to Sam, who was still staring at him.

  “Would you like to grab a drink with me after you close?” he asked Layla.

  He never should’ve asked that. He should tell her he had other things to do and that he was glad she was okay. He should heed the cold glares of hatred Sam was shooting at him. But he couldn’t resist the innocent gaze h
e saw radiating from Layla.

  Shit…

  “Sure. Why not? I don’t work tomorrow.”

  “Perfect. I’ll see you just before two, then.”

  He slipped from the bar to find a table. He didn’t know what the hell he was doing, but he couldn’t deny the need to spend time with Layla. Lust burned hot in his mind and he wanted her. Badly. But when did he not want a woman? He just hoped his big head would do the thinking for his smaller head or things would end up horribly fucked.

  Chapter Three

  After watching Luke play pool and shoot darts with several women, Layla accepted that Sam had been right about him. Women flocked to him like bees to honey. He was sexy and incredibly handsome and she was fooling herself to think that she was anything special to him. They didn’t know each other and after tonight he’d see that she wasn’t worth his time.

  Just before everyone was ushered out and the bar closed, she watched as he stepped outside. She wasn’t sure where he was going, but a tall blonde with legs to her chin followed him out. Layla wished it didn’t bother her, but it did.

  Get over it. He’s just a guy.

  Did she expect anything different after the way she saw them flirting together? Not really.

  Regrettably, he hadn’t come back inside either as Sam locked up the front door. Maybe he wasn’t as interested in seeing her as he led her to believe. Maybe what he wanted was an easy lay and he’d obviously found that with the blonde hussy.

  To her relief, closing was much easier when she had help. Zerina, her purple-tipped, black-haired, tattooed, and pierced friend, counted down the register and Sam did a security sweep of the bar while Layla picked up the last remaining chair and placed it upside down on the table.

  “You guys ready?” Zerina asked, putting her jacket on. “Tonight was a good night.” She tossed an envelope to Sam and one to her as well. Their tips were the best she’d ever had.