And then she kissed my cheek and let me go. King was waiting at the passenger door for me and pulled it open. I climbed in, and he closed the door behind me before walking around the hood to climb into the driver seat.
He didn’t ask me about my whispered conversation with my mom on the porch, even though I knew he was watching. The ten-minute ride back to my house passed in silence.
I was confused, now more than ever. Should I take the risk and reach for what I want—or reallywhoI want? And do it all knowing King is going to hurt me? I know the answer should be a resounding no, but Mom’s words echo in my thoughts.It’ll be worth it.
Before I knew it, he was pulling into my driveway. He parked, and I waited at the door while he checked the house. Once he said it was clear, I planned to hightail it to my bedroom to soak in my tub and take a long nap. I needed to get my thoughts in order, and I couldn’t do that if I was letting the man in question have his wicked way with me. His cock, while impressive, seems to muddle my thoughts.
But like all of my best laid plans, these were dashed when he stopped me by the stairs, his hand heavy on my arm.
“King?”
“Not yet,” he said quietly as he turned me to face him. His face was soft, and his eyes were hungry.
“I’m tired.”
“Then I’ll go slow,” he said as he scooped me up and carried me up the stairs. “And I’ll do all the work.”
I opened my mouth to make an excuse, and he pressed his mouth to mine, gently licking into my mouth and making me burn for him.
So much for a night to think.
And then he carried me down the hall and laid me out on my bed. He undressed me gently, treating me delicately, like I was precious and special. King covered me with his body after stripping off his own clothes, and then he made good on his promises, he fucked me slow and did all the work.
It wasn’t until this morning, when I woke up all alone in my big bed, the sheets on his side cold and empty, that I realized he didn’t fuck me at all. He made love to me like I mattered.
But in the end, he still left, so what did it even matter anyway?
I got up and showered. I braided my hair down my back so it would fit under my helmet and gear, and dressed in my usual workout shorts, sports bra, and tank. I brushed my teeth and made my way downstairs to see King dressed and waiting for me. He looked so handsome, standing in my kitchen with a cup of coffee half raised to his lips. He almost looked as if he belonged there. But he was removed enough to remind me that was forever to remain impossible, and it broke my fucking heart. My mom said it would hurt, and she was not wrong about that.
I need to get my head on straight before I hit the track. Distractions at this speed lead to accidents and tragedy. My family lost my grandfather in a crash, and countless friends in race-related accidents. I don’t need to add myself to the list of those they mourn.
But again, I don’t quite execute my plan, which is how I end up here, barreling around the track at breakneck speeds, hoping to clear my head. And spoiler alert: it’s not working.
My speaker crackles to life, breaking me free from my thoughts. “We have lightning within three miles. Please leave the track.”
Honestly, it’s probably a blessing, because I was being an idiot and doing it out in the open for all to see. I should go lick my wounds with my watermelon candy and maybe a little crying and screaming in the ladies’ room. Who knows?
I slow down and make my way off the track. My team unhooks me and pulls me from the car. I take one look at Amy and Luna and see they are spitting mad.
“What the fuck was that?” Amy bites out.
“Nothing,” I lie. We all know it’s a lie. I don’t drive like that… ever, like I have a death wish. I make calculated risks and press my advantage.
“That’s bullshit,” Amy snaps.
“Amy—” Luna tries to stop her from tearing me apart, but it’s no less than I deserve, and we all know it.
“You represent all of us,” she spits.
“I know.”
“No, you fucking don’t. Or else you wouldn’t have driven like that out there. You represent all women in racing. Show the world we deserve to be here, not behave like we’re childish little girls playing pretend in a man’s world.”
She’s right.
“I’m sorry,” I say honestly. “You’re right.”
“I know I am,” she snaps, still pissed at me, and then she takes a deep breath. “If you drive like that with other cars on the track, you won’t walk away from your car, Addie.”
