“Then why are you driving if you’re going to drive worse?”
I laughed, gripping the wheel. “I didn’t say worse. I said safer. Did I tell you about how I worked at a racetrack for a summer?”
Austin’s face paled. “Wait! I don’t think this is a good idea.”
I chuckled, revving the engine before taking off much to his dismay as he squealed like a baby.
Chapter Fourteen
Austin
“So, this is it?” Mak asked as she held on to my shirt. “You have to leave now?”
I nodded, stroking the skin on her arm. “I’ve been called back early since my meetings are over. I have to be in California by oh-six-hundred.”
“I was hoping we’d…”
“Me too, darlin’.” Using my fingers, I brushed a few hairs behind her ear. “Although we had all weekend, it didn’t feel like enough time.”
“Maybe we’ll meet again,” she whispered.
“I never know where I’ll be in the world and when, but I’m sure our paths will cross again.”
I’d never had a problem saying goodbye to a woman, but there was something about Makenna that made it damn near impossible. The last thing I wanted to do was leave, especially since I was just getting to know her better. I always had a good time when I went home, but being with her had only made things better.
“Sure,” she muttered, not sounding convinced. “It’s possible. I mean, anything is, right?”
I gazed down at her, holding her face in my palm as she leaned into my touch. “In a few months, you’ll forget all about me.”
“I will not.”
“You will. You’ll fall for someone on your ship after being stuck at sea with them for what feels like forever.”
“Every time I look up at the stars, I’ll think of you.”
“I’ll do the same.”
She clutched my shirt tighter. “This really sucks, you know?”
I nodded, feeling the warmth of her hand through my shirt. “It does, but I don’t regret meeting you. I don’t regret a minute we spent together.”
“Not even that we didn’t…” She waggled her eyebrows.
I smiled, biting my lip. God, I wanted her so badly, but there was no time. I’d blown my chance now. But it was probably for the better. Saying goodbye would be so much harder for both of us if we had. “No regrets.”
“Kiss me one last time before you go,” she pleaded, her green eyes blazing in the dim lighting outside her building.
I tightened my fingers behind her neck. “Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t ask if I weren’t sure. This kiss has to get me through a long deployment.”
“That’s a lot of pressure, darlin’.”
She leaned forward, pressing her chest against mine. “I’m sure you’ve had more pressure than a little kiss.”
I snaked my other arm around her back, digging my fingers into the softness of her side. “I don’t do anything little.”
She smirked, knowing she was getting the reaction she wanted from me. “Prove it.”
