“Didn’t see you last night,” I call out as I walk into the garage. She lifts her head and a fleeting smile passes over her lips before she schools her features.
“That’s ‘cause I wasn’t there.”
“I missed out on a good luck kiss.”
She snorts her laughter, but the smile on her face is a genuine one. “I’m sure someone was willing to step up.”
“No, there was no one.” I shake my head; my smile of amusement mirrors hers.
“I seriously doubt that but whatever.” The sound of popping gum echoes, the sound bouncing off the stone walls. “Didn’t make any difference. You still won.” Hmm, she already knows I won, has she been asking about me?
True but I still wanted a kiss from her. “How’s it coming along?” I nod toward the car.
“Getting there.”
“Good.”
“Are you sure you want me to carry out all these modifications as well? It’s gonna cost.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll find the money,” I say with certainty. Now that I’m working with Causey, I’ll be able to get most of it, but if I keep racing, I’ll win the rest.
“Will you race her?” She lifts her head and straightens, facing me.
My eyes grow wide. “No.” A half-smile plays over her lips as she runs her eye over the car.
“Good.” We stand and stare at each other. Electricity crackles between us, and I can’t look away. It’s now or never. I step closer, daring her to back away but I don’t intimidate her and she stands her ground.
“How about it, Leigh?”
“What?” Her face is a picture of innocence as if she doesn’t know what I’m talking about.
“You and me, a proper date?” There is a flash of intrigue in her green eyes. “Instead of hiding out here in secret.” So maybe now I’m taunting her a little.
“Dream on.” She gives a throaty laugh, which is sexy as hell, and my dick stirs. Again.
“Every fucking night,” I reply with a straight face, deadly serious.
“It’s. Not. Happening.” She emphasizes each word, anger flashing in the depths of her eyes and replacing whatever was there before. “I’m not hiding. You want me to work on your car, and this is the only way it’ll get done. It’s not a secret.” To my ears, it sounds as though she’s justifying it.
“Scared to be associated with me?” I joke, a cocky smile on my face. Which she wipes off when she mutters, “Something like that. It won’t do your rep with the groupies any good if they knew you were here with me instead of with them.” Her jaw clenches and she shifts her gaze.
The comment angers me. With a growl, I stalk toward her and maybe it is the wild look in my eyes, but she moves back this time. Not far enough—she has nowhere to go when she bumps into the open hood of my GTO.
“Yet you’re here every night.”
“To work on your car,” she grinds out, and I smile at her feeble excuse, especially ‘cause her voice is breathy and seductive, and I know she certainly doesn’t mean it to be. She can deny it all she likes, saying I don’t have any effect on her, but her body and breathing betray her every time. It reacts the same way as mine does and that tells me everything I need to know. My heart is hammering in my chest right now, and I bet hers is too.
“So you say.” I reach out and her eyes flicker a fraction as I push a strand of hair that’s escaped from that damn ponytail she wears out of her face, held back by a crappy elastic band she no doubt found lying about. I know it’s more practical when she’s working, but the swing of her ponytail as she walks is hypnotic. I really want to delve my fingers into her hair and tug her closer to me while I devour her mouth.
Instead of withdrawing my hand, I cup the back of her head and slowly draw her to me, giving her plenty time to object. Her eyes widen as if she can’t believe I’m about to do it, but still, she doesn’t stop me. Even when her mouth parts, no sound comes out, and I take my chance. Sealing my mouth over hers, I let my tongue wrap around her willing one. A rush of warmth spreads through every vein in my body. She sighs softly into me and that sweet, sexy sound sends all the blood rushing to my dick, which, of course, hardens rapidly.
Her fingers grip the waistband of my jeans, curling over the top, and brush against my blazing skin. Electricity rushes through me and my breath stutters. The grip I have on her tightens and I draw her closer. Surely, she can feel my hard-on pressing into her thigh. She shifts and brushes against it. My deep moan dissolves into our kiss. A kiss I don’t want to end or for her to move out of my arms and see the look of disdain back on her face.