Supercharged Love(11)

“Subaru Impreza WRX.” I’ve only ever seen her in that truck. “What do you drive?” I challenge and pray it is something decent.

“’69 Charger. Can’t beat American muscle.” She smiles, and I can’t help but laugh; the way she says it turns me on.

“I’ll remember that. You race?”

Her expression falls into a frown, and she shakes her head dismissively. “Good luck,” she whispers and takes a step away from me. But I stop her because I really don’t want her to leave.

“If I win, will you come for a ride with me?”

Her voice is so quiet. “I don’t think so.” But I see a flicker of indecision in those green eyes.

And I do something I have never done before. “Please.” Her forehead creases with uncertainty as she thinks about it, and I reach out to run my finger up her forearm. Electricity courses from her arm, up my finger, and works its way through my body.

“Okay, if you win,” she relents, and I can’t fight the cocky smile spreading over my face, even though she shrugs like she’s not bothered.

“Don’t worry. I’ll win.” My spirits soar and I lean in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek before I jog back to the Subaru.



I stand at the driver’s side of the Subaru and look around to see who’s racing. Ryder has already told me, but to be fair, I wasn’t listening. Now, I am operating in a daze; the kiss from Leigh really has me rattled. I literally cannot get that girl off my mind. Causey hands money to someone – I managed to skim some off the top of my pay and gave the rest to Meghan – before he comes back to where Ryder and I are waiting by the car.

“Right, we’re all set. Bets are on. You good to go?” He looks at me for confirmation, but I’m too busy thinking about Leigh and imagining her long legs wrapped around my waist as I bury myself in her. Causey reaches over and takes me by the shoulders, giving me a shake.

“You ready? Get your head out of your ass and focus. You can win this. These guys have raced the quarter mile, but you’re a natural.” He gives me a last-minute pep talk.

“Come on,” Ryder grumbles, bouncing on the balls of his feet with his hands shoved into his pockets.

I know I need to win this, especially if I want to take her for a ride afterward. Those green eyes, her gaze that penetrates right through me; she could see right inside, through all the bullshit, and into my soul. What the fuck am I talking about?

“Max,” Causey clips out, and I shake my head.

“Come on, man.” Ryder tugs on my sleeve before pushing me toward the car.

“Coming,” I mumble and turn to the Subaru. Over the top of the roof I catch Leigh watching me. My stomach somersaults when my gaze locks with hers. She doesn’t look away immediately and I smile, giving her a swift nod before I climb behind the wheel. Once I’m strapped in, I start the engine and get ready. Closing my eyes, I push all thoughts of Leigh out of my brain and concentrate on the road ahead. I ignore the guys at the side of me and focus on what I’ve got to do.

A girl stands in front of us with a ball cap in her hand and lifts it above her head. She looks at each of us before the cap drops and the race starts. It’s a blur, and I move on autopilot. Without thinking, I pull away faster than the others and drive. Shifting through the gears automatically.

Once I cross the finish line, I skid to a halt and slap my palm against the steering wheel in triumph. Nothing beats the feeling of winning a race. Well, almost nothing. The kiss I shared with Leigh earlier came close to making me feel something. Something I’ve never felt before. And seeing as I’ve won … well, now she’ll have to ride with me. I turn the car around and head back the way I came, not sure of the etiquette. In my experience, the cops have turned up at this point and everyone starts to disappear before anyone is arrested. Ryder assures me that Fred, the sheriff, knows what goes on up here but only sometimes shows up to move people on.

Causey waves me down and I pull to the side. Ryder opens the driver’s door and yanks me out, slapping me on the back in congratulations. I’m too busy searching the crowd, looking for a head of dark hair and flash of green eyes belonging to Leigh. My eyes find her and a calm settles over me. Before I can make it over to her, Causey pushes through the small group that has gathered in front of me.

“I knew you could do it,” he booms.

A pretty girl pushes against my side, brushing her fingers over my arm. I try to extricate myself, straining to hear what Causey is saying to me over the loud music and growling engines.

“Let's go to The Three Monkeys,” he shouts and jerks his head in the direction of town.