“My mom found out I was racing my Chevelle,” he grumbles.
“And?”
“It belonged to my dad. It’s the only thing of value I have since he died.”
“Oh.” Now I understand why she would be pissed about him driving it.
“Yeah, the thing is he would have wanted me to race it. He raced a bit too but gave it up when he met my mom but kept this car.”
“But she still let you come tonight?”
Ryder smiles at me, his eyes full of mischief. “I can go as long as I don’t race the Chevelle. Not like she could stop me,” he says with a wink.
Chapter Five
Holy fuck, she’s here. I spot her the minute I climb out of the Subaru. Under the pretense of listening to Ryder, I rest my arms on the roof of the car and watch her over his shoulder. But I’m not listening to anything he’s telling me about the other racers. His voice fades into the background until it’s just his lips moving, but no sound is coming out. As usual, she’s with the same guy from the other day, who I’ve found out is her cousin, Aaron. A small blond girl is flirting shamelessly with him, and he’s clearly into her too because he keeps looking down her top at every opportunity.
For some reason, I didn’t expect her to be here. But then, why not? Her head is under the hood of a Mustang as she checks out the engine. Wiping her hand over her ass, I move around the car to get a clearer view, unable to take my eyes off her. Then she straightens, reaching to the side for a tool, and our eyes lock. I get the feeling of a lightning strike, and I can’t look away. Fuck, she’s gorgeous, and she doesn’t even know it. I’m betting none of the yahoos here realize or even appreciate how gorgeous she is. Long dark hair tumbles down her back, and a white tank top hugs the curve of her breast and the concave of her waist. Images of my hand delving into her long hair as I hold her to me and kiss her senseless flood my brain.
My lips curve into a smile, and I hope that smile conveys that … I like her? I want her? How beautiful she is? Shit, I don’t know. The corners of her mouth finally tip upward to a small, shy smile. But then Aaron shouts at her, and the instant she turns to him, the spell is broken. Aaron says something to her that I can’t hear, but I keep watching until my attention is distracted when a girl presses her body into my side, and reluctantly, I look down.
“Good luck for your race,” she purrs. Fuck knows who she is, but I smile anyway, my mind still on someone else. But when I look up, her head is bent over the engine of the Mustang.
Dammit.
I move away from the blonde and weave through the crowd to where Leigh is now rooting around in the trunk of the Mustang muttering something about a toolbox.
Taking a deep breath, I come out with it. “Do I get a kiss good luck?”
She turns around, a scowl etched on her face. “Not fucking likely.”
Instead of discouraging me, her answer is more of a challenge and I step closer. “Just one little good luck kiss.”
“Isn’t there someone else who can do that?” She stands her ground, and I move even closer until I am inches away from her. Green eyes look me over, as though noticing any number of little things.
“I’m sure there is, but I want you.” It is hard to breathe properly under her intense scrutiny, and all I want to do is kiss her.
“Yeah, well, it ain’t happening.” But her voice is breathless, and I don’t believe her. Feeling bold, I reach out to cradle her head in my hand and draw it upwards. I lower mine but pause before our lips make contact. This is her last chance to say ‘no,’ and to my amazement, she doesn’t. Before she can come to her senses, my lips press against her soft full lips.
At first, she is hesitant, so I take control. My fingers bury themselves in her long dark hair and my tongue sweeps across the seam of her lips. With a soft moan, they part. I can taste her fruity lip-gloss on my tongue, and her smell surrounds me and I inhale deeper. My dick twitches as my tongue brushes against hers, and her small fingers grip my shoulders, bringing her body closer.
Never one for butterflies and that shit, I definitely feel a soaring sensation in my stomach.
Holy shit.
When we pull apart, I rush out a breath and stare down at her, confused as hell at what just happened. That was some kiss. Surely, she felt it too? Glazed eyes flicker as I brush a strand of hair off her face.
“You have beautiful eyes,” I murmur as my thumb brushes over her bottom lip. “The way they sparkle.” What the fuck? My mouth runs away with me, but it’s true. They are beautiful; she’s beautiful.
“What are you driving?” she asks. I wasn’t expecting that question, and I laugh; it has certainly cleared away the tension.