Supercharged Love(33)
My smile widens. “Good. My money’s on you.” Then I turn and walk away. It’s all I can do to keep from grabbing her and kissing the shit out of her. Something is seriously wrong with me because I’m so fucking turned on by her snarky mouth and pissed-off attitude. Why am I still craving a girl who can barely stand the sight of me and has turned me down numerous times? I am a sucker.
When I ask Aaron if he’s racing tonight, I’m being genuine, but then Leigh answers for him. When I ask her, I was trying to be a dick and piss her off. The minute she looked at me, I know she can see right through to the real me, even after all this time. Past all the bullshit and the act everyone believes. She isn’t impressed with it and still looks at me as though she wants to kick me in the balls. The Subaru is off the road, so I’m not racing. Someone clipped my back end and tore off the bumper, so I’m out.
From a distance, I watch as the enormity of what she’s agreed to sinks in, and if I’m not mistaken, she’s freaking out. Sitting on the driver’s side of her Charger, she stares ahead at nothing. She’s grown more beautiful if that’s possible. I never imagined she’d say yes, but then I should have realized she would never back down from a challenge, especially one laid down by me. Aaron approaches her to check she’s ready, and I watch as a mask slides over her; it’s her game face. She slams the door to her Charger and lines her up along with the others.
I goaded her into this race, but the moment I see her sitting in her Charger, hands gripping the wheel with a look of grim determination on her face, I know she will win. Which is why I bet a ton of money on her. As soon as Sugar drops the ball cap, she pulls away from the line in a textbook standing start. Unable to look away, I watch the race with my heart in my throat. Icy cold panic slides through my veins, taking hold and making me powerless to stop it. Any number of things could happen to her and different scenarios flash through my mind as I watch her fly down the quarter mile. Is this why she warned me against racing last year? Is this what she feels when she watches me race, or am I just fooling myself and she really doesn’t give a shit? What a stupid fucking idea, goading her to race. Now, I’m terrified something will happen to her. One thing’s for sure—my master plan to move on from Leigh Storm isn’t working for shit. This has proved it; I’m still as infatuated with her as I was a year ago, maybe even more so. Nice one, dickhead. Now, you really have blown it.
When she crosses the finish line, having won the race, I let go of the breath I was holding and my body relaxes. Leigh was gorgeous before, but knowing how well she can race makes her ten times more amazing in my eyes. When Aaron drags her out of the car, she looks exhilarated, if a little dazed. I know the feeling well. Her cheeks are flushed pink and her chest rises and falls rapidly. Guys surround her and Aaron, congratulating them both and watching Leigh with renewed interest. Damn, all I’ve succeeded in doing is putting her on their radar. The need to go over there and drag her away becomes too strong, and before I know what the hell I’m doing, I’ve marched over to the small group surrounding her. They sense my presence and move out the way; for once, I’m grateful for the way they hero-worship me.
“Well done, Storm,” I drawl.
She spins around, hand on her hips, and grinds out, “Don’t call me that.”
“I cleaned up too. I knew it was a good idea to bet on you.” Not put off by her angry stare, I move closer. As predicted, she doesn’t back away.
“Well, it was a once-off. It won’t happen again.”
“But you’re a good racer,” I say and mean it—she was amazing, fearless, and so fucking sexy.
Her green eyes flash. “Whatever. It. Is. Not. Happening. Again.” She emphasizes each word, and I know I’ve pushed her far enough. I hold my hands up in surrender and back away from her.
“Always a pleasure, Storm.” I love using her nickname, not only because I know it pisses her off, but also because it suits her. I turn away from her and hold my arm out to the girl who’s been with me all night. Damned if I can remember her name, but there’s only one girl I’ll be thinking about tonight when I’m alone in my bed. Contrary to popular belief or urban legend, I don’t sleep with them all and this one is no exception.
Chapter Seventeen
Causey has been too fucking cheerful all morning. By the time we pull up in front of the diner at lunchtime, he is driving me mad talking about Sugar. Can’t they make it a few hours without needing to see each other? He practically lives at our house, I grumble to myself as he heads straight to the counter and perches on a stool. Sugar beams at him and leans over to kiss him full on the lips. Wolf whistles sound from other diners, but Causey couldn’t give a shit; he wants everyone to know that Sugar is his. Peggy laughs at them and swats a towel at her son’s head. Ignoring them all, I take a seat in the back corner, which has become my table. Good view of the door and the window and more private. Leigh never comes in. Well, very rarely. I look for her every day but nothing. Aaron does, but she waits outside in the truck.