Mastering Heat [Men of Iron Horse 9] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  Fire blazed in his chest and shot straight to his balls, as he reached for her hand and placed it over his crotch. He was hard enough to hammer nails. “You tell me.”

  She licked her lips and glared at him. “Pull. It. Out.”

  Releasing her hand, he freed himself from his slacks. Her eyes were riveted to it. She pulled up her dress and slowly slid he panties down her legs. Then, she knelt down and gripped his cock in her hands. Gazing up at him, she took him into her mouth and sucked.

  “Ah,” he groaned, her warm mouth gliding over him like silk. “You’re beautifully wicked.”

  She sucked and licked him feverishly. Then she abruptly stopped, rising to stand in front of him. “The show’s about to start. We should go.”

  His knees were buckling with disappointment as the cool air covered his shaft. He pressed himself against her, lifting her dress up enough for her to feel his swollen length against her pelvis. “I want to fuck you,” he grumbled.

  She trailed her fingers over his lips before she kissed him. “I know. Now let’s go before we’re missed.”

  He sighed hard as he adjusted himself back to normal. Then, he reached for her panties and stuffed them in his pocket.

  “Hey,” she breathed.

  He pressed his hand over his pocket, blocking her attempt to retrieve them. “You’ll get these back when you finish what you started.”

  She narrowed her gaze on him, letting her hand fall to her side. “I have others.” She grabbed the doorknob, but before she could step from the room he had her pressed against the door. He hiked up her dress and kicked her legs apart. He caressed her ass and then spanked her. She gasped, but didn’t argue, so he rubbed the reddened skin.

  “I’ll expect payment tonight.” She shivered against him, and when he pulled her ass against his erection, he brushed her hardened nipples with the palm of his hand. “I think you like the idea.” He trailed his hand down her body, dipping his fingers between the folds of her sex. She was wet, drenched. “I know you like the idea.”

  He kissed her neck and stepped back, once again straightening his clothing. She did the same. “You leave first,” she demanded.

  He smiled. “We go together.” He shut off the light, opened the door, and pulled her behind him, cutting through the crowd without a care in the world.

  Chapter Five

  “What took you guys so long?” Janie asked, as Claire and Nox sat at the restaurant table across from her and Victor.

  “Traffic,” Claire and Nox said in unison.

  Smiling at the simultaneous answer she and Nox gave, Claire’s body was overwhelmed with sensations. On the drive over from the theater, Nox had found a dark alley, parked, and took her in the back seat of his car. The thrill of being caught heightened every ounce of pleasure that surged between them. She felt alive, overcome with exhilaration.

  “So, we’ve been wondering all night, how it is the two of you know each other?” Janie asked as her gaze darted from Claire to Nox and back again.

  A lump formed at the back of Claire’s throat as she cast a quick glance at Nox. His expression was stoic. Then one side of his mouth quirked and his eyes moved to hers.

  “I met Claire at the university, while giving a lecture,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “Oh,” Janie said, leaning back in her seat. “Are you one of Claire’s professors then?”

  He shook his head. “I’m head of the legal studies department. Somehow, Claire’s managed to avoid taking any of my classes.”

  She lifted a brow, her heart beating faster. Her mind drifted back to the night they spent in his office alone and naked. “I guess I’ve been lucky,” she teased, eyeing him from over the rim of her wine glass.

  “Or unlucky,” Victor chimed in. “Nox is one hell of a lawyer, Claire. You could learn a lot from him.”

  “Oh, I think she has already,” Nox said with the grin that had her pressing the heel of her shoe on top of his. He winced. “But that’s only because I subbed in one of her classes.”

  Victor, Janie, and Nox shared a laugh.

  Smiling, Claire pointed out, “I only met him a week ago. I assure you I haven’t learned that much.”

  “Really? I would’ve thought you’d known each other longer,” Victor added. “You two seem very comfortable together.”

  “Is that a problem?” Nox asked, his tone sharp.

  Claire’s spine went ramrod straight as if Nox’s defensive tone alone had pulled her up in her chair. She looked at Janie and then Victor. She held her breath, waiting for someone to speak.

  Janie laughed, cutting through the tension that ran through Claire’s body and was plastered on Nox’s face. “Problem? Heavens no. I personally haven’t seen Claire this lighthearted in ever. She usually so busy with—”

  Claire’s stomach lurched up into her throat. “I know. I know,” she started, cutting Janie off. “I’m always busy, focusing on college and career, and my personal life.” She eyed Janie and Victor. “But I’m still aloud to socialize from time to time, right?”

  “Even with this guy?” he asked sarcastically.

  Claire smiled, thankful attention was averted from her personal life and Nox no longer looked as if all the blood had drained from his face. When he glanced her way, his gaze softened as if all that mattered was her answer. “Yes, even with Nox.”

  They each took another sip of their wine.

  “Claire, did you grow up around Dallas?”

  She looked at Victor. “I grew up north of Dallas and I’ve been here ever since.”

  “No travels?” Nox asked, accepting the new glass of wine from the waiter.

  “No. I—”

  “Don’t have time,” Janie finished and then laughed.

  “Exactly,” Claire added, sipping her wine. “Good old predicable Claire.”

  “Predictable?” Nox frowned. “I would never think of you as predictable.”

  “You haven’t known me long enough,” she reminded him.

  “If you had time, what would you want to do?”

  Claire didn’t need a moment to think about what she’d do if she had time for fun. The list was long, but the money was in short supply. “I’d take a vacation on a motorcycle.”

  “You would?” Janie asked, her tone a reflection of her surprise. “I didn’t even know you rode.”

  “I don’t. Not yet anyway.”

  “Nox rides,” Victor shared.

  Claire’s gaze shifted to Nox who was already eyeing her. “You do?” She wasn’t sure why it surprised her, but it did. She hadn’t pictured him being that cool. Devilishly sexy, sophisticated, daring in the sack, but not the type of man who would venture out on two wheels.

  “Since I was a kid,” he said candidly. “I grew up with a motorcycle lover for a father. He was usually tuning it up or taking me and my mom out on road trips.”

  An image of Nox as a child hit her. She thought of him so differently than the man beside her now. She pictured Nox as playful and silly, a child filled with adventure before reality consumed him. She knew what it was to grow up fast, to put priorities in order based on responsibility. Getting married early on in life and pregnant soon after can do that to a person.

  “If you’re interested in motorcycles, why haven’t you ridden before?”

  Overbearing ex-husband. Fear of getting hurt and not being able to take care of my daughter. “I don’t know. Just haven’t taken the time to do it.”

  “Why don’t we plan to go on a group outing,” Victor announced. “I think it could be fun. Make a weekend of it.”

  Claire’s mouth dried. “I don’t know. I can’t with school and work—”

  “I’ll write your professors a note,” Nox said, his expression blank.

  Claire’s mouth gaped, then her stomach rolled with nervous tension. “What about my job? I sort of need my paycheck.”

  “Don’t we all,” Janie added with a laugh. “I know all about bills.”

  Victor leaned to her and kis
sed Janie’s cheek, as if exchanging a secret that only the two of them shared.

  “It would be my treat to take you out for the weekend, Claire,” Nox said, ignoring everyone at the table but her.

  “I couldn’t ask you to do—”

  “I offered,” he clarified, knowing what she was preparing to say.

  “Come on, Claire. It will be fun. How often do we get to do that?” Janie asked with a smile.

  She took a sip of her wine, fearing that spending a weekend with Nox would be a mistake. Not to mention, who would take care of her daughter? A babysitter for the evening was one thing, but a full weekend? “I’ll think about it.”

  * * * *

  Nox felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. He had expected Claire to jump at the chance for a long weekend away from life—on a motorcycle she apparently craved riding. He’d watched as she’d grown uneasy, sitting there after he’d asked her to join him. Sadly, his ego had taken a drastic blow.

  Why is this bothering me so much?

  When dinner had ended and there was no more small talk to be spoken, Nox had asked if he could drive Claire home. She’d accepted.

  She didn’t live far from the restaurant. The townhome she lived in was in a gated community and was well taken care of. He parked in front of the one she indicated.

  She reached to exit the car, but he leaned over and grabbed the door. “Invite me in.”

  Her eyes scanned his face, settling on his mouth, which hovered close to hers. “No.”

  Disappointment ate at him, a sensation he was experiencing more often tonight than in his entire life. He released the door. “Will I see you tomorrow?”

  “I have class.”

  “I have an office,” he reminded her.

  “So you do. Goodnight, Nox.” She slipped from the car.

  He couldn’t take his gaze off of her as she walked to her front door. He hoped she’d look back, and when she did, something churned inside him, a sensation he couldn’t make heads or tails of.

  Then, something caught his eyes and he looked to the last window of her home. A small child stood, looking at him—a girl with golden blonde hair that shined in the moonlight. His brow pinched tightly as he held the child’s stare, then a light flickered on and the curtain was closed.

  Does Claire have a daughter?

  Inhaling deeply, he pulled out of parking spot and dialed Victor’s number. When Victor answered, he asked, “Does Claire have a daughter?”

  Victor was quick to ask, “Does that matter?”

  “Just answer my question,” he barked, hating when people answered a question with a question.

  A long pause held between them. “Yes, she has a daughter.”

  Nox’s chest squeezed tight. He wasn’t sure why, but knowing that changed something inside him.

  “You and Claire have something going on, don’t you?”

  Nox’s throat dried. He wasn’t sure what he and Claire had. Being with her was amazing, like he was discovering his passions for the first time.

  With someone who needs to just as badly as me.

  Then he recalled her pale face as he’d offered to treat her for a long weekend away. “That’s why she’s hesitating to take a trip with us.”

  “What?”

  “Come on, Victor. Catch up. Claire. She’s worried about going on a motorcycle trip because of her daughter.” A daughter I never knew about. Because you’re supposed to only be Claire’s bed buddy.

  “I hadn’t thought about that, but I bet you’re right.”

  “I’m always right,” he pointed out.

  “So the big mystery is solved. Now what?”

  Nox’s mind was working overtime. He wanted a long weekend with Claire. Wanted to feel her wrapped around him on his motorcycle as they cruised down the highway. Wanted to hear her panting moans of pleasure as he took her whenever possible.

  “Ask Janie for any ideas. Maybe they can get someone to cover for her and babysit.” He paused, and then added, “But make sure she doesn’t know that I know.”

  The last thing he needed was for Claire to run from him because he knew she had a kid. Mothers were protective of their babies. Knowing that she had a daughter didn’t change his desire for her. It simply made her more interesting. Claire was complex, and he liked that about her.

  “All right,” Victor said, his tone low as if trying not to be overheard by anyone but Nox. “What’s going on? Why the covert—”

  “Why does it matter?”

  “I’m your friend, Nox. I know when something’s off about you. Do you like her?”

  Did he like her? Yes, and he probably shouldn’t. Not if he wanted to keep things as they were between them. “What are we, twelve?”

  Victor scoffed. “You know what I mean.”

  Nox didn’t want to discuss it. Mainly because he didn’t understand what the hell was making him crave her the way he was. “Just help me out and stop being my mother, okay?”

  Victor laughed. “Whatever you say, Romeo.”

  Nox rolled his eyes and disconnected the call. He glared out the window of his car, his mind racing with thoughts of Claire. At that moment, he decided to keep longer office hours tomorrow night, and if he was lucky, Claire would stop by.

  Chapter Six

  After class Claire raced home. Her sitter could only stay for few hours and her time was about to expire. She bolted inside her townhome with only minutes to spare.

  “I’m home,” Claire shouted.

  Jenny came down the stairs two at a time. “Hi,” she said, reaching for her backpack and belongings as she made her way toward Claire. “Lacey’s had dinner, a shower, finished her homework, and is in bed.”

  “Thank you, Jenny. I appreciate you so much.” Claire handed her a twenty.

  “Glad to help. See you later.” And like that Jenny was out the door and gone.

  Like every late night, Claire came home, she ate something light, took a shower, and checked in on her daughter. Lacey was sleeping soundly, snuggled up in her bed with her favorite blanket cuddled up under her cheek. A smile graced Claire’s face and warmed her heart as she stared at her baby who was growing up before her eyes. Nothing in the world meant more to her than Lacey. At that thought, she wondered if that meant she wasn’t allowed to have a life outside of being a mother. It had been so long since she’d given herself permission to do anything but her schooling and job.

  She wasn’t sure how to feel about Nox’s offer for a getaway weekend. Her first instinct had been to tell him no, but the needful gleam in his eyes reminded her of how much she craved being with him. It wasn’t just the sex, she realized. It was the connection she desired with a man—a connection that ignited fiercely with Nox and no other. That knowledge frightened her.

  After closing the door to Lacey’s room, she settled into her own bed. Her phone chimed, letting her know she had a text. When she read it, her heart raced and her body tingled from head to toe.

  The text read, “I missed you tonight. Will I again tomorrow?”

  Her breath quickened, as she placed the phone on her chest and closed her eyes. Each time she’d spent time with Nox, it was like going on the most exhilarating and terrifying ride of her life. The fear of the unknown followed by supreme pleasure. Her thoughts were on him more than they should be, but to stop them seemed impossible. Not that she wanted to. Being with him was a release beyond the physical. He gave her an outlet to just be her without the responsibilities her life demanded. With Nox, she had a moment of freedom.

  Trouble was, she feared that freedom would end up costing her greatly.

  The next morning, she woke from a dream—a Nox-filled fantasy. But it hadn’t been a fantasy—not anymore anyway. He’d really had made love to her in his car, seducing her in a way that had her wanting to do it again and again. Then, escaping into the custodial closet, a public place where they could’ve been seen. She’d never realized these things turned her on so much, but they did.

  Nox was not
only taking over her dreams, offering her a chance to be a desired woman, he was real and available whenever she wanted him. He whispered naughty things in her ear, things she secretly craved hearing. He gave her options, allowed her to explore just as he did. There were no restrictions between them only pleasure and need and a chance to fulfill both.

  She reached for her phone and texted him back. “I can’t tonight. But I’ll come to you tomorrow.”

  Soon after, Nox texted back, “I’ll be waiting.”

  Her breath rushed from her body as pure excitement funneled through her. Inhaling a gulp of air, she tossed the cover off her body and rushed to shower again. She needed something cold and something that would take the fiery need out of her blood. It did little to help, but it did make her shower a heck of a lot faster.

  After dressing, she headed into Lacey’s room to get her up and ready for school. To her surprise, she was already up and dressed.

  “Hi, honey,” Claire said, smiling.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “Why are you up so early? I figured I’d have to use a bucket of water on your head to get you up. You and Jenny tend to have long, fun nights together when I have class.”

  Lacey shrugged, letting the answer fall between them. Claire dismissed it. “Would you like something to eat?”

  “I’ll just have some cereal.”

  “It’s Thursday. I thought you’d like your usual round of eggs and pancakes.”

  Lacey scrunched up her nose, as if the idea disgusted her. “I’m not that hungry.”

  Not that hungry? The kid could eat her weight in pancakes.

  Alarm bells rang out loud and clear in Claire’s head. Something was off with her daughter. Since she was four, Lacey had never passed up a chance for Claire to create snowman pancakes. Doing so on Thursdays had become a family tradition.

  Claire moved to hug Lacey. “Are you sure everything is all right?”

  “Yes.” Lacey darted from the room and into the kitchen, grabbing a box of cereal from the cabinet and the milk from the refrigerator. Then she selected her favorite bowl and a spoon and then sat down at the kitchen table.