Secret Heat Page 2

  He was either ex-military or a cop?

  Jaxson reached out his hand. “Jaxson Winters.”

  “Reid Wilson.” His grip was strong, commanding respect.

  “And the lovely redhead beside Reid is Brynn Sloan,” Layton added.

  “Soon to be Brynn Sloan Wilson,” Brynn corrected, wiggling the fingers of her left hand to show her engagement finger. “If we ever set a date.” She batted her lashes at Reid.

  Jaxson smirked. “Why haven’t you?”

  Brynn hiked her thumb in Reid’s direction. “Ask him.”

  The way Brynn and Reid sat so close to one another, looked at each other, Jaxson assumed they were already married—newlyweds. Reid and Brynn locked gazes and he simply kissed her as if to exchange a private communication.

  Jaxson cleared his throat. “Shall we?” He took Layton’s hand, slipping his fingers between hers. She smiled.

  “Have fun, you two,” she replied with a wink, as if to acknowledge the two were eager to leave so they could fuck each other’s brains out all night.

  If I’m lucky.

  He led her outside. “Where did you park?”

  She pointed. “The white motorcycle over there.”

  His mouth watered. “You ride a motorcycle?” His cock stirred at the thought. Damn, she was getting sexier by the passing moments.

  “Since I was about ten. I blame my dad. He loved to ride. I started out on dirt bikes and graduated to sport bikes and cruisers.”

  He started moving toward her bike. “Before I left for the marines, I had a black Softail. It sat in my mother’s garage for six years. I missed her.”

  “Marines?” she said, sounding impressed, and he liked that her tone went up as she spoke the word. “I thought you were military.”

  “Retired military,” he corrected.

  She licked her lips and his eyes were riveted. “Was there no one to take care of her for you?”

  He shook his head. “Sadly no. My mother lives in Tennessee and all my friends live in Texas.”

  “And your dad doesn’t ride?”

  He stopped in front of her bike and faced her. “He was never interested. My old man never would’ve dared ride a bike. He thought they were death traps. I, on the other hand, started sneaking dirt bike rides when I was fifteen.”

  “And you weren’t worried about getting hurt?”

  He gave his head one hard shake. “It’s exhilarating. Freeing.”

  “I know what you mean.”

  He sighed, relishing the way she looked up at him, wide-eyed with interest. “I’m new in town. I’m currently staying at an extended stay hotel. Still interested in joining me tonight?”

  “Anything’s better than going to my own place,” she muttered and then looked as though she hadn’t meant to share that with him.

  His curiosity was piqued and he couldn’t avoid asking why. “What’s wrong with your place?”

  She sighed hard, her mouth curving downward. “I guess you could say that I live with jumbo rats. The human kind.”

  Female or male? He wasn’t sure why he cared, but knowing she lived with women would be more agreeable. “Bad roommates?”

  “Roommate, one who has never respected me or anything else.”

  “Why stay there.”

  She dug the heel of her black knee-high boot into the pavement, her eyes drifting up to his. “I’m not sure about you, but I’d prefer we did other things besides talk about my less than exciting living arrangements.”

  He could take a hint. “Come home with me in my truck. I’ll bring you back for your bike later.” He held her hand more firmly. “We can stop and get us something to eat and drink along the way.”

  She grinned, her gaze softening. “Sounds good.”

  He slipped between a few rows of cars until he came upon his navy blue pickup truck. He unlocked it and opened the door for her. She climbed inside. Once he moved around the truck and was seated beside her, she said, “It’s funny. This is exactly the type of truck I figured you’d own.”

  He smiled. “Why is that?”

  She tapped the corner of the windshield in front of her. “Marine decal. A specialized USA licenses plate and your truck is blue. Your patriotism is obvious.”

  “I love my country.”

  “I bet Toby Keith is set to play on your radio, too.”

  He snickered, turning on the radio as he said, “George Strait.”

  She laughed. “Are you a country boy?”

  “My parents were both Texans, but father’s job took him to Tennessee where I was born.”

  “So Texas is sort of in your blood then.”

  He nodded. “It sure is.”

  “Good to know.”

  “Where were you born?”

  “About twenty miles north of here.”

  He chuckled. “So you’re a Texan too then.”

  “Damn Straight.”

  Chapter Two

  Layton and Jaxson walked to the local convenience store beside his hotel and grabbed snacks and a six pack of beer—Layton’s choice. What a gentleman. Once they made it to his hotel room, she noted that it was tidy. The bed was perfectly made and everything was in its place, but on the door was a Do-Not-Disturb sign.

  “Do you have something against housekeeping?”

  He shook his head, smiling. “Old habits. I make my own bed and I’m not a slob. Can’t be when you’re in the service.”

  “Right.” She moved over to the bed and dug into her pocket for a coin. Her father had been in the Air Force. He took pride in taking care of the things he worked hard for. He passed those traits onto Layton.

  “What are you doing?” Jaxson asked, furrowing his brow.

  She held her expression. “I’m trying to see how well you can make a bed.”

  His furrowed brow deepened, but the second he saw the quarter she held, he obviously knew what she was doing. “Bounce away.”

  She tossed the quarter onto the bedding, and sure enough, it bounced. “Well done,” she praised.

  My dad would be pleased.

  He closed the distance between them, his eyes narrowing on her. “I can do other things really well, too.”

  The air in the room supercharged. She breathed hard as he pulled her against him, his fingers curling around the belt loops of her jeans. He pressed his pelvis against hers. “You can?”

  He nodded, his gaze on her mouth. “I can.”

  She licked her lips. “Like what?”

  He lowered his face, brushing his whiskered cheek over the side of her sensitive skin. “I can open up a beer bottle with an opener.”

  She laughed, shaking her head. “Of course you can.”

  He eased back, the sexy grin on his face was panty melting. “Thirsty?” he asked, moving to open two bottles of beer.

  “Sure.” It was refreshing that he didn’t simply throw her on the bed to get his dick wet. He seemed more interested in making sure she was comfortable and not rushing the night. He was like an old friend—a friend with benefits. “I’d love one.”

  He handed her the beer. “Do you like music?”

  “I like all kinds of music.”

  He pulled his phone out of his pocket, plugged it in, and then surfed through it to find something to play. It was country.

  She grinned. “I could’ve guessed that, you know?”

  Again, his smile toyed with her. “I can’t help it. I grew up listening to traditional country with my dad, but thanks to my mom, I enjoy the new pop style country, too.”

  “So you were an only child, I take it?” she asked and his eyes widened.

  “How did you guess?” He gulped his beer.

  She shrugged. “You talk about your parents, but never say anything about siblings.”

  “You guessed right. No siblings.” He gulped his beer again, and then added, “My friend Daniel and his brother are the two closest things to siblings I have.”

  “I’m an only child, too.” Her chest tightened. “My parent
s couldn’t have any more after me. My mom almost died giving birth to me, and my dad wouldn’t risk losing her. So my mom said she was a one and done kind of girl, but I think she would’ve loved more.”

  “Being an only child doesn’t suck,” he told her, hooking his index finger around the neck of the beer bottle. “I didn’t have to share my toys. I got all the extra cake and cookies my mom baked. It wasn’t all bad.”

  “Yeah, that part didn’t suck at all. Your folks sound like they spoiled you to death.”

  He took another long swig of his beer. “I’m betting yours did, too.”

  She smiled wide. That was a statement she couldn’t deny. They did spoil her, every chance they had. She missed them dearly, but working every shift and overtime drained her of all the energy she had. The best times to visit her folks had always been the best times for her to work and gain extra tip money. Not to mention, she couldn’t ever invite them over to her scary as hell current apartment. The embarrassment alone would kill her.

  I really need to get a nice place of my own. One located right smack in the middle of where they lived and Iron Horse.

  She sipped her beer and asked, “Why did you leave for the military?”

  He nearly emptied his bottle of beer before answering. “It was time,” he replied candidly.

  She knew better than most that not everyone enjoyed talking about their time in the military. It was a brotherhood and not all experiences were pleasant. Even so, she was still curious about him.

  “Was your dad in the service?”

  He gave his head one shake. “Nope, my mom was in the Air Force.”

  That surprised her. “No kidding, so was my dad. How did your mom feel when you picked the Marines?”

  “She didn’t mind one bit since her father, my granddad, was also a Marine.”

  “Oh, so this is a family thing?”

  A pride-filled smile lit up his face. “For as far back as I can remember.

  My dad grew up a Texas rancher and my mom was stationed in San Antonio. That’s where they met. When my dad showed her the Texas ranching lifestyle, she was hooked and they were together every second after.”

  Her heart fluttered. “That’s very romantic.”

  A chance meeting had changed his parents’ lives forever. No one ever knew their fates until it happened, and sometimes what happened was wonderful. Her body stirred as she stared up into Jaxson’s darkening gray eyes. They were stormy, firing with heated desire.

  He hooked his finger around the neck of her beer, took it from her hand, and placed it on the table beside them. Then he eradicated all distance between them, cupped her face, and brushed his thumbs over her cheeks. The tenderness of his touch, the possessiveness in his eyes, and the fierce heat from his body had her breath hitching in her throat.

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve waited long enough to do this.”

  He pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, moving his mouth sensuously over hers. His fingers slipped back into her hair and she craned her neck back to allow him to deepen the kiss. Her hands glided from his chest, down his stomach, and around his waist, until her fingers were kneading the muscles of his lower back. She untucked his shirt, the heat from his skin penetrating into her palms. He groaned as she pulled him into a tighter embrace, pressing her full breasts against his firm chest. Jaxson felt good molded against her, like she’d always been meant to hold him so closely.

  “You taste like strawberries,” he muttered against her lips. “I happen to be very fond of strawberries.”

  His voice was rich, deep, and erotic. The warm buttery smoothness and husky rumble had her toes curling. She gripped his shirt. “Does your voice sound this sexy when you’re naked?”

  He locked eyes with her. “We should find out.”

  He yanked his shirt up over his head and tossed it to the ground. Then he kicked out of his boots and reached to unbuckle his pants. She stopped him.

  “Don’t take away all my fun.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.” He dropped his hands to his sides, letting her know he was all hers.

  She smiled, taking her shirt off and adding it to his pile. Then she unzipped her boots and stepped out of them. He reached for her as she began unfastening her jeans. “The fun goes both ways, sweetheart.”

  A fiery rush enveloped her, warming her to the pit of her stomach, and straight between her legs. She closed in on him, her fingers roaming his chest and diving to his buckle. Slowly, she worked his pants loose and shoved them down his legs. His erection punched against the front of his briefs. She rubbed her hands over it, feeling the firmness, the length, and thickness.

  Her eyes swelled. With a cock like his, he was going to make her walk funny for a week. Maybe longer.

  A wild shiver jolted through her veins, an excitement burning like fire. She hadn’t been with a man in a long time. She should be nervous, a little worried, but she wasn’t. The idea of being with him was too arousing. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply.

  He placed his fingers under her chin, bringing her gaze up to meet his.

  “Are you all right?”

  She sucked in a breath and moistened her lips. “It’s been a while.”

  He nuzzled against her face, kissing her cheek. His mouth at her ear, he whispered, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’re good and wet and ready for me.”

  He bucked hard against her hand. She gasped, another jolt blazing through her. “Yes,” she hissed. “Do that.”

  His mouth quirked as he picked her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to the bed. He laid her down and helped her wiggle out of her jeans and panties.

  “You’re beautiful.”

  “I bet you say that to all the girls you’re about to have sex with.”

  He shook his head. “It’s been a long time for me, too, Layton.” The sound of her name from his lips sounded heavenly. He removed his briefs, his erection jetting forward. “Please forgive me, but we’re going to have to do this more than once.”

  She leaned up onto her elbows, her eyes scanning over his delicious body. He was rock hard everywhere. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m likely to come just looking at you,” he replied, crawling on top of her. “You give fucking hot a new meaning.”

  I know the feeling.

  She closed her eyes as his fingers slipped between her legs. She was slick, more than ready. She held her breath as his finger slipped inside her pussy. She was overcome with the need to feel him inside her, stretching her.

  “Damn, you’re so tight,” he rasped. “So wet.”

  He fucked her with one then two fingers, reading her. She spread her legs wider, giving him more room to tease her sensitive flesh. She rode his fingers, relishing the way his palm pressed against her clit as his fingers filled her. He eased his hand away from her pussy and sucked them into his mouth.

  “Delicious.”

  She gripped his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh. He’d tasted her, licking his lips as if he wanted to savor every drop. An instant need to have him buried inside her flooded her thoughts. “Do you have a condom?”

  He reached beside her, opened his nightstand, and pulled out a golden wrapper. Then he leaned up and slid the condom over his cock. Her gaze was on his every movement. Including the second he spread her legs wide and pressed the head of his cock to her entrance.

  She hooked her legs around him as he carefully shoved inside her. Once he was seated to the hilt, he held still, taking her mouth in a scorching kiss. He stretched her more than she imagined he would. Damn, he was big. She held her breath, meeting his gaze as he began rocking his hips.

  “Oh, Layton, you feel like hot silk,” he murmured against her ear, his cocking plunging in and out of her.

  He shoved her knees up high, opening her further. She cried out as his pelvis caressed her clit and his cock rubbed wonderfully inside her. A heightened sensitivity sparked low in her belly and she gasped as tremors exploded from wi
thin her.

  As she came, he kissed her, their tongues dueling. She kissed him back, hard, a need unlike anything she’d ever had before. She felt his mouth on hers like a brand and she craved his flavor like an addict.

  He drilled inside her, harder and faster. Then he tensed. His entire body shook with a fierce groan. When the tremors stopped, he lowered his head to meet hers, kissing her once more before collapsing beside her.

  “Wow,” he breathed. “Tell me you felt that?”

  Boy, did I ever. She rolled to the side, placing her hand on his chest. He placed his arm out, giving it to her as a pillow. She snuggled in close, her leg draped over his.

  “You have skills, Marine.”

  He exhaled hard. “I have more,” he told her, rolling over to pin her to the bed. “Give me a second and I’ll show you.”

  * * * *

  “Only a second? I’ve heard that most men need a nap after sex.”

  He chuckled. “Not this man. I just want to catch my breath, so you can lose yours.”

  He kissed her, nibbling her tongue before sucking it into his mouth. He was going to fuck her with his tongue and make her come so hard, she’d likely go blind. Tonight would be an unforgettable night for both of them.

  He moved from the bed and discarded the condom, quickly cleaning himself up. Then he returned to the bed to see Layton covering herself up with the sheet. His mouth watered with the idea of tasting her more thoroughly.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked, whipping the sheet off of her body, gripping her ankles and tugging her back toward him. “I told you I wasn’t done yet.”

  She gasped as he trailed his hands down her thighs, slipping his finger into her dewy pussy. “I’ve waited for a night like this for a long time, Layton. I’m not about to let it end quickly.” She quivered in his arms. “Do you like chocolate?”

  She pinched her brow. “Yes,” she replied shakily, as if trying to figure out why he asked.

  “Be right back.” He darted to the refrigerator and returned holding a bottle of chocolate syrup. He dangled it in the air for her to see. “I’m glad you said yes. I happen to love chocolate.”