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Under Locke by Mariana Zapata, book cover

Under Locke

by Mariana Zapata

Spice 3 out of 5, Steamy3/5 · Steamy: Open door

He was my boss, my brother’s friend, a Widow, an ex-felon, and a man I’d seen casually with a handful of women. But he was everything that gripped me, both the good and the bad. Worst case scenario if things turned awkward between us, I could go somewhere else. I’d gotten over epic heartbreak before, one more wouldn’t kill me.

After moving to Austin following six months of unemployment back home, Iris Taylor knows she should be glad to have landed a job so quickly... even if the business is owned by a member of the same motorcycle club her estranged father used to belong to. Except Dex Locke might just be the biggest jerk she’s ever met. He’s rude, impatient and doesn’t know how to tell time.

And the last thing they ever expected was each other.

But it was either the strip club or the tattoo shop.

… she should have chosen the strip club.

“Babe, I’ve handpicked everythin’ and everyone in here. I know what I want and I get what I want,” he breathed. “And I keep what’s mine.”

Spice
3/5
Burn
Slow
Pages
~590
Ending
HEA

KU Is it on Kindle Unlimited? Check on Amazon

How spicy is Under Locke?

Under Locke is a 3 out of 5 on our spice scale: steamy (open door). On-page sex scenes, a handful of them, with some detail. Spice supports the plot. Slow build: spice arrives late.

  • Steam: Open door
  • Burn: Slow burn
  • When: Slow build: spice arrives late
  • Pairing: One man, one woman
  • POV: First person, heroine's POV only
  • Ending: Happily ever after

Content warnings

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Show 6 content warnings
  • Sexual assault
  • Death of a loved one
  • Serious or terminal illness
  • Graphic violence
  • Murder
  • Slut-shaming

Our editorial notes, which may be incomplete. If something is a hard limit for you, check the author's own content notes too.

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    Under Locke: quick answers

    How spicy is Under Locke?

    Under Locke is a 3 out of 5 on our spice scale: steamy (open door). On-page sex scenes, a handful of them, with some detail. Spice supports the plot. Slow build: spice arrives late.

    Is Under Locke a standalone?

    Yes, Under Locke is a standalone. You can read it on its own.

    What tropes are in Under Locke?

    Under Locke features bad boy, boss x employee, workplace romance, alpha hero. It is a slow burn M/F romance that ends with a happily ever after.

    Does Under Locke have content warnings?

    Our notes for Under Locke include: sexual assault, death of a loved one, serious or terminal illness, graphic violence, murder, slut-shaming. This list may not be complete; check the author's own content notes if anything is a hard limit for you.

    What should I read after Under Locke?

    If you loved Under Locke, try Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren, Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory, Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata. They share its bad boy and boss x employee energy at a similar spice level.