I cannot believe I'm doing this.Rolling down the window, I stick my hand into the rushing wind.It’s icy and cold and invigorating as it rushes into the car, turning my hair into a tornado of brown while I give the black car trailing behind us the middle finger.Ford’s laughter echoes from the driver’s side, and I can’t help it.My own amusement bubbles out of me.Oh.My.Gosh.I cannot believe I just flipped off Roman or that I’m sitting in the passenger seat of a freaking car during an illegal race in the middle of an abandoned airfield.How is this my life?If I had a million dollars, I never would’ve guessed I’d wind up here.But that’s the thing about Ford.Every moment I spend with him makes me feel like I’ve won the lottery in the most unexpected ways possible.
Giving in to the sensations, I scream at the top of my lungs, “Woo-hoo!”
“Woo-hoo!”Ford chimes in.“Screw aerodynamics, leave the window down.”
I do as I’m told, soaking up the icy air as we take the final turn toward the finish line.Combined with the hair whipping around my face, it makes me feel like I really am flying.Like I'm untouchable.Like I could do anything I wanted at this moment.Anything.Nothing is holding me down or restraining me.Not even my seatbelt.It’s only me and Ford and the empty road in front of us.
“We’re going to make it,” I yell over the rushing wind.
“Woo!”he screams.
Seconds later, we fly past the finish line flanked with spectators on both sides.Most are cheering.Some are pissed.Seems they bet on the wrong car.The realization makes me laugh harder.Fools.If they could see what Ford looks like when he’s behind the wheel, they’d know without a doubt who to put their money on.I know I’ve learned.It’s a scary thought, but for some reason, there’s a calmness to it.Like I’m done straddling the fence.I’m done being scared.Even if Ford and I crash in the long run, having a glimpse of what we could be, even if it doesn’t last, is still enough to make me want to climb inside and take a drive as long as he’s the one behind the steering wheel.
I lay my head against the headrest.It’s like the last of my energy has been sapped now that we’ve finally won.
Finding a relatively out-of-the-way place to park, Ford rolls up the passenger window and shuts off Esmerelda while people begin gathering around the vehicle.Hands slam against the metal and the glass.The same cheers and curses mingle together.It seeps in from the outside as I push my messy hair away from my face, trying to come down from the rush of the win.
“Told you,” he murmurs.
My head rolls toward him, and just like that, the chaos outside ceases to exist.It’s only me and Ford and his warm gaze turning me into a puddle.I smile.“Hmm?”
“My lucky charm.”
My heart pitter-patters all over again as I bite the inside of my cheek.“I thought I was your June Bug.”
His smile softens, and he leans over the center console.“That, too.”
Then, as if in slow motion, he shifts even closer and brushes my lips with his.I close my eyes, returning the kiss.Hesitant.Unsure.Heck, it feels like the first time even though we’ve shared a kiss on multiple occasions.But the crazy part?It doesn’t feel like a show.It doesn’t feel like it’s meant for anyone else, despite the spectators lining the road and surrounding our winning car, who I know can see us right now.No, this kiss?This kiss is for Ford and his precious little secret he’s announcing to the world, even if he doesn’t know it.
41
FORD
Ihave a problem.Okay, problem might be a bit of a strong term, but considering how foreign the entire thing is, I can’t find a better word to describe the deep shit I’m in.
I like June Withers.I like her for more than her body.I like her mind.Her smile.The way she gets nervous and can’t look me in the eye.I like the way she flipped off Roman tonight, and the way she squealed when I took the last turn.But most of all?I liked the way she looked at me.Don’t get me wrong.I like the way she always looks at me, but tonight?When I was driving Esmerelda, she looked at me like…like I was worth it.
I’ve never been worth it before.The headache.The effort.The sarcasm.A good fuck, sure.A solid bet, definitely.But me, in general?Not so much.
“Thanks again for tonight,” June murmurs.Her shy smile is back with a vengeance as she peeks up at me.
“Anytime, Bug.”
It’s late.After the race, we hung out, had a couple of beers, and celebrated the limelight until I caught June’s yawn and offered to drive her home.Now, here we are, standing in front of her apartment building.
“I had a lot of fun,” she says.
“Me, too.”
“And the race?”She whistles.“That was insane.”
“Yeah.”I nod.“Yeah, it was.”
“Thanks for, uh, for twisting my arm,” she adds.“I know I was a little hesitant to ride with you, but…” She nibbles the edge of her bottom lip.“I had a really good time.”
“No problem.”Reaching for her fingers, I run my thumb along her soft knuckles.“And just so we’re clear, I wouldn’t have wanted anyone else in the passenger seat.”
A pink tinge blooms across her cheeks as she looks down at our feet.It’s awkward and adorable and addictive in a way I don’t fully understand.But most of all?It’s refreshing.Being around someone who’s genuine and honest.Good and kind.Gentle and patient.I bend closer and kiss her softly, breathing her in.Fuck, I really like this girl.
