“Different times, Ash.” I pushed back his damp hair. I loved that we could talk about anything—even books.
He closed his eyes with a contented sigh. “Tell me something else,” he whispered, holding me tighter. “I love listening to you.”
“You’re tired.” I kissed his forehead. “How was training?”
He yawned. “Good. I think I’m ready. The opening ceremony and my first race are in Emerport.”
And he’d be there alone. No family cheering him on. My chest ached. If only I had a car. He’d never say it, but I knew he wanted me there. The first race with a new team was a big deal.
“I wish I could see you race,” I whispered, tracing lines across his shoulder with my fingertips. “I was going to ask my father for a secondhand car, but…”
“Don’t worry. You can watch online,” Asher said. “And I’ll have something just for you.”
He caught my hand, pressed it to his heart, then lifted it to his mouth, kissing my fingers. “Trickier with the helmet on.” He chuckled. “But when I win, you’ll see this—and know the victory’s for you.”
I melted inside. More than ever, I wanted to be there on his big day. He came to my showcase. I’d find a way to cheer him on too.
I pressed my lips to his. His sharp inhale parted his mouth, and I deepened the kiss, caressing his tongue with mine.
Ash rolled us over, pressing me into the mattress. The friction between our bodies stole my breath. We’d never been this close—I’d never felt him like this. His fist tangled in my hair as he kissed me harder, until a moan slipped free and I lifted my hips to his.
“Fuck, mi niña.” He panted, sliding his hand from my waist down to my hip. “We can’t. Not yet.”
“When?”
He braced his weight on his forearms, smiling down at me, his dark eyes warm with affection. “You’ll find out if you spend Valentine’s Day with me.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Kaia
Iwas lucky—Dad bought my lie about spending Valentine’s at Mandy’s. He was taking Sharon out, and I couldn’t wait to spend the night with Asher, just the two of us.
My heart pounded an excited rhythm as I scanned the street outside our gate. I had no idea what Asher had planned. All he’d told me was to wear comfortable clothes and meet him here at six.
The second I spotted him leaning against his bike, I hurried over. Dressed in black leather, he looked unfairly good, our helmets resting side by side on the saddle.
“Finally,” Ash said, pulling me to his chest. His lips found mine, and just like that, everything was worth it—the sneaking, the lies, the fear of being caught. His kiss was eager, his mouth warm against me, the cool leather of his jacket beneath my palms.
I cupped his jaw. “Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “When do you need to be back?”
“Ten.” I sighed. “I’m sure our parents won’t return before midnight, but I’d rather not risk it.”
“Good.” Ash grabbed a helmet and settled it on my head, smiling. “I don’t know if I’ve said this before, but you look great in it. You’d make a cute racer, peque.”
“A badass one.” I flipped the visor down. “A menace on the track.”
Asher shook with laughter, swung a leg over the bike, and glanced back at me. “Hug me tight, okay?”
I climbed on behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist. When we were set, he started the engine, and we roared away from the neighborhood.
I clung to him as he wove between cars. He didn’t take the road downtown, and for a second I thought he meant to leave Stetbourg altogether. Then he swerved toward the industrial district, and suspicion bloomed in my chest.
Ten minutes later, he opened a pair of gray gates with a remote. My cheeks ached from smiling. He’d brought me to the track.
Ash pulled into a garage. I tugged off my helmet and helped with his before he climbed off, steadying me by the waist as I followed.
