Feeling dazed, I nodded and forced myself to walk toward the door on unsteady legs. I didn’t look back until I was safely inside.
Through the front window, I watched him fire up the bike and pull onto the street. My heart was still racing as I leaned my forehead against the cool glass.
He wasn’t supposed to get in my head. Now I wasn’t sure he’d ever get out.
9
TYRE
Ileaned against the warm hood of my SUV, my arms crossed and gaze locked on the doors of Cecily’s training facility. The ocean breeze cooled my skin, and the smell of brine and the salty tang in the air normally just reminded me that this town was home.
But I barely noticed any of that. I was too busy watching for the flash of fiery hair and those beautiful brown eyes I’d been waiting to see since I dropped her off this morning.
She had lessons booked at the clubhouse, and I still had work I could be doing, so I’d texted her earlier to let her know I’d pick her up and take her with me to the compound.
Cecily stepped out of the doors, her bag slung casually over her shoulder, and I straightened instantly, my pulse kicking into gear like an engine firing to life. She moved with unconscious grace, her toned muscles shifting smoothly beneath her lightweight clothes. Her hair was still damp from the pool, slicked into a braid that fell over one shoulder, and my imagination went instantly to the way her wet skin would feel pressed under mine.
Heat tightened low in my belly, a pulse of fierce possessiveness thrumming beneath my skin. It took every ounce of self-control I had not to stride across the lot, haul her into my arms, and taste those pretty lips again before she even had a chance to say hello.
Instead, I forced myself to hold my ground and let her come to me. And she did, her steps light but deliberate, her brown eyes brightening when they locked onto mine, a faint smile curving her mouth as she approached.
Her gaze swept over me quickly, her cheeks coloring just slightly, as though remembering how intimately I’d touched her the past two nights. I wasn’t sure how the fuck I’d managed to let her walk into her parents’ house each night. I deserved a damn medal for my restraint.
“Hey.” She came to a stop just in front of me, the scent of chlorine still faintly drifting from her skin. Her gaze drifted briefly down my body before returning to my face. “Been waiting long?”
“All day,” I drawled, smirking faintly. “But only about five minutes here.”
She laughed softly, her eyes sparkling in a way that tightened something deep in my chest. “Good to know I wasn’t late.”
My mouth quirked into a half-smile as I reached out, sliding my palm along her lower back to guide her gently toward the passenger side of my SUV. Her body heat seeped into my hand, her skin warm even through the thin fabric of her shirt, sending another pulse of desire skittering along my nerves.
We were silent as I helped her into the SUV. Then I shut the door before rounding the vehicle to climb in behind the wheel. The quiet between us wasn’t uncomfortable. It was charged with anticipation and the unspoken need that crackled between us. But at the same time, it was somehow easy.
When we reached the clubhouse, I didn’t even pretend I wasn’t marking my territory as I walked Cecily through the front doors. Brothers and old ladies glanced our way, a few knowing smiles slipping free when they saw my hand resting possessively on her waist, guiding her firmly to the lounge.
Jana was already there, her smile widening warmly as she caught sight of Cecily. Nitro and Jana’s little girl, Nella, waved both her chubby little arms enthusiastically from her mother’s lap, her bright laughter echoing across the space. Jana passed Nella to Savannah and moved swiftly toward Cecily, pulling her into an easy hug.
“How was training?” Jana asked, pulling back to scan Cecily’s face. “You look tired. Must’ve gone well.”
Cecily laughed softly, shooting a glance my way before returning her attention to Jana. “It was good. Feels like things are clicking again.”
“Glad to hear it.” Jana nudged Cecily lightly with her shoulder. “You ready for lessons today? The kids are already bouncing off the walls, asking when Miss Cecily will be here.”
Cecily’s answering laugh made warmth spread through my chest even from where I stood just a few steps away. “I’m ready. Just need to change first.”
I leaned down, capturing her gaze as I cupped her cheek gently in my palm, forcing her to look up at me.
“Be good,” I murmured, my voice low and intimate as I brushed my thumb along the line of her jaw.
Her breath hitched, cheeks flushing a beautiful shade of pink as I leaned closer and pressed a lingering kiss to her lips. Her mouth parted instinctively beneath mine, soft and yielding.
When I finally lifted my head, her eyes were hazy and her lips were slightly swollen. I had to force myself to step away before I dragged her somewhere more private and made it clear exactly how much I wanted her.
“I’ll be back when you’re done,” I promised, reluctantly turning toward my office, my boots echoing heavily against the clubhouse floor as I walked away.
Jax was already there when I stepped inside, leaning against my desk with a tablet balanced in his hand. His head lifted as I entered, his expression focused. “Ready to get into it?”
“Yeah.” I sank onto my chair and pulled up the race files from earlier. “Let’s start with one of the regular racers who hasn’t been showing up. Someone solid we can dig into deep instead of wasting time on a hundred different angles.”