“You don’t seem too happy.”
“Think I may have lost in the long run,” I say cryptically.
Causey gives me a questioning look, and I shake my head. “I’m going to bed.” He nods and I leave him in the kitchen and strip off before crawling into bed.
The money I won will cover my repairs for the GTO. As I lie in bed, the buzz I felt from earlier disappears. I should be on a high from winning, but I’m not. I feel worse than ever. Winning the race may have cost me something more important.
Chapter Fourteen
The next morning, I am up early, desperate to pay Leigh a visit. I need to know once and for all if I have blown any chance I ever had at being with her. It’s all I can think about on the walk over and the butterflies in my stomach have gone wild at the thought of seeing her. They grow in numbers the closer I get to the garage. Or maybe I’m nervous because I don’t know how she’ll react when I tell her I won. She warned me about racing, but I did it anyway. Now, I can pay for the repairs to my GTO, and I’m not going to race the Gauntlet again. Ryder was right; it definitely is a one-time deal.
As predicted, she’s at the garage working on Aaron’s Mustang. Chevelle’s “Hats off to the bull” blasts from the stereo and her tapping feet are the only thing visible from underneath the Mustang. Leaning against the doorway, I watch her and wait. When she slides out from under the car, she catches sight of me and raises her head. Our gazes crash into each other and the smile freezes on my face when I’m met with a fierce look of disapproval. She isn’t surprised or impressed to see me. This had become our little routine, but I wonder for how much longer. I’ve not made any progress; in fact, I seem to be going backward.
“Heard you won,” she clips out as she pushes up to stand and turns to the tool chest.
“You didn’t come.”
“Told you I wouldn’t.” She continues to work and I move closer, edging forward, gauging her reaction with each step. Sometimes, she reminds me of a skittish animal—one wrong move and she bolts.
“What happened to Ryder?” She stuffs a tool into her pocket and reaches for another one.
“A BMW clipped his back bumper.” As always, I’m watching her so closely; a shiver works its way through her body and her muscles tense. She blinks but her eyes remain closed for a second too long as she composes herself.
What the fuck?
“I’ll be expecting him and his Chevelle tomorrow,” she sighs and shakes her head.
“Yeah, most likely,” I comment in a tight voice.
“See you’re still in one piece.” Her eyes skim down my body. “That’s something, at least. How’d your car hold up?
“Couple of dents but nothing serious.”
“Hmm,” she mutters before turning back to concentrate on her work. The tension in her shoulders remains, giving away how angry she is. I thought her temper was a quick flash and it was done, but she’s scarier when she’s had time to work herself up.
Mentally, I count to myself, waiting for the burst of temper I know is coming. I reach eight.
“Why, Max?” She drops the spanner, or rather throws it to the ground, bouncing it off the concrete with a loud clang. “Why did you have to go to that race?”
I shrug. No one, not even Meghan, has asked me why and I’m unprepared.
“Because I enjoy it and I’m good at it.”
“It’s dangerous. You’re dangerous.” Another shiver runs through her and she wraps her arms around her middle.
“I’m not.” I take a few steps, closing the physical gap between us, but I feel even further from her than ever before. Expecting her to back away from me, I’m surprised when she doesn’t. Even more surprising, she doesn’t pull away when I reach for her hands. Instead, my fingers entwine with hers and she lets me pull her closer. Her shoulders slump forward, defeated, and her erratic breathing matches mine. The way my heart hammers against my ribs is as if it’s going to burst out of my chest. If anything, I’d say she looked defeated, but I’m positive she feels something for me, something other than annoyance. When she still hasn’t pulled away, I grow bolder and let go of her hands to circle her waist. After a brief second of hesitation, she moves into me, her cheek rests against my chest and I hold her. The fight in her drains away and her whole body melts into mine.
This feels so right, having her here in my arms, and I don’t want to let her go. The smell of her is intoxicating; bodywash and shampoo mixed with the faint odor of engine oil. Dammit if I can’t help pressing my lips on top of her head. A tremble works its way through her frame and my grip tightens at the same time as hers. Pulling back slightly, I hook my finger under her chin and tip it up to look at her. I see the want flash in those gorgeous green eyes, combined with a sadness I don’t understand. I lower my mouth and with a soft sigh, she surrenders and her lips meet mine. Fingers grip my shoulders as Leigh holds on while I kiss her. She tastes sweet and delicious of bubble gum as my tongue rolls around hers. My dick stirs to life in my jeans, her effect on me immediate as always and I will it to behave. I drag my teeth over her bottom lip and soften our kiss.