I want to push him away. I swear I do. But the kiss is too hot and dizzying. Thankfully, one of us still has brain function because Jace breaks apart. I lean back, attempting to gain my senses. I would have let him take me here in broad daylight in the middle of a bustling parking lot. This is no way to keep him at arm’s length.
“This is a bad idea, Jace.”
“You’re probably right,” Jace sighs. “I’m not sure I can fight this pull between us. That’s the plain truth, Charlotte.” Jace starts the truck, aggressively throwing it into drive. “Look at us, making more bad decisions,” he scoffs, driving out of the parking lot, leaving me a little shaken, and a lot wet.
After the kiss, we quietly drive to the track. We had one night together, and I barely know anything about him, but he’s turned my whole world upside down.
Jace fiddles with the radio until he settles on a country station. Sam Hunt’s smooth voice filters through the speakers, singing about taking some girl home tonight. I would love to take him home tonight, but he’s right, it would be a poor decision.
I stare out the window for the rest of the drive, trying to understand why this man has such a pull on me. The closer to our destination, the more awkward the ride becomes. Maybe it’s the cloud of sexual tension floating in the air. Maybe you really like him, Charlotte.
“Thanks for the ride.” I hop out of the truck, not sparing him another glance. I quickly make my way to the team’s garage entrance. I need to put some space between us.
How the hell am I supposed to be close to him like this every day and not kill him…or fuck him? Truth is, I want him. Badly.
What the hell am I doing? I’m playing with fire.
The problem is, I’m finding it hard to care.
Chapter Seven
Jace
Why did I think kissing Charlotte again was a good idea? Because the intense desire is still there. I continue the internal conversation as I drive back to her house to check on the alarm company.
If I’m being honest, the craving for her has intensified. I’m thankful to get far away for a bit. How the fuck am I supposed to be around this woman, when I can’t stop thinking of all the wicked things I want to do to her?
It takes a few hours at her house for the alarm company to finish their installation. After the work is complete, I make sure everything is locked up tight and head back to the track. I’ll drive her home, show her how to use the alarm system, and leave. I’m not sure how I can continue this job.
Watching Charlotte work out this morning, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Those fucking yoga pants like a second skin, hugging her curvy hips and tight ass. I couldn’t stop fantasizing about all the dirty things I wanted to do her beautiful body. I should have had my sights on the room, focusing on threats, not thinking about how I want to fuck her again. How can I protect her if I can’t see past my own desire? Last time I was responsible for someone’s safety, it didn’t turn out well.
When I return to the speedway, her car is on the track. I stand on the garage side of the barrier and watch. I’m mesmerized as she flies around the track at an ungodly speed. The woman rides hard on and off the track, and fuck if it doesn’t make my dick twitch.
Every time I think about her, I taste cinnamon whiskey on my tongue. The kiss we had this morning only magnified the situation. It was more than a kiss, and I’m afraid of what that means.
The attraction we had the first night we met is still there, only deeper. I’ve never wanted anyone like I want Charlotte. I should find Sammy and tell him I can’t do the job any longer. I’m not the right person for this.
My phone beeps in my pocket, and I pull it out, staring down at the incoming text from Aunt Jenny. She’s getting impatient, and I have no choice but to answer her. I promise myself when I get home tonight, I’ll call.
“What’s up, Brother?” Sammy’s deep voice sounds in my ear, disrupting my thoughts. “How’s everything going?” He claps his hand on my shoulder.
“Uh…great…good,” I mutter. Tell him now; you’re not the right man for the job. Tell him he needs to find someone else, and be done. You never have to see her again. “The alarm system is installed on her house. I’m sitting down with her later to map out her schedule.”
“Good. Someone will be posted outside her house overnight, starting tonight. Here’s his name and number. Coordinate a schedule with him. I want you on her during the day when she’s out in public.”
“Is all this really necessary?”
“There’ve been serious threats. Someone purposely fucked with her car.”
“Her tires were slashed on her Camaro, I had to change them.”
“Fuck.” He lets out a harsh breath. “I’ll let Colton know. For now, stick by her side. She went through some serious shit back when she was racing Formula. We don’t need a repeat. It’s my ass if something happens to her, which means it’s also your ass.”
“Got it,” I say, already wondering what shit he’s talking about. I make a mental note to go over the file of information Sammy gave me on her tonight.
“Make sure your head is in the game. I’m here if you need to talk about anything.” He clutches my shoulder. “Call me if you have any questions.” Here’s a question: what happens if I already fucked her, and I plan on doing to do it again?
“Okay.”
“And fucking call Kiely already, man.” He calls over his shoulder, already walking away, not waiting for me to grunt my response. “I’m dying’t to see her.”
I turn my attention back to the track and Charlie’s already pulled her car in. The huge smile on her face when she climbs out is infectious. You can see how she loves racing from the excitement written on her face. She’s like a kid at Christmas.
She unzips her fire suit, making her way straight toward me. The permanent grin she’s wearing falters a bit when she sees me, and I’m not sure why it’s a knife to my chest. I’m making her unhappy, and I need to get my head on straight. From here on out, I’m going to take this seriously and keep things between us professional.
It’s tough to stay focused when she’s so fucking gorgeous, though. I thought she was sexy in her workout gear this morning, but her walking toward me all confident, her fire suit half unzipped, hanging off those luscious curves is fucking hot.
I’m having visions of bending her over her Indy car and fucking the shit out of her. The attraction we had the first night we met is still there. Working so close with her on a daily basis is going to magnify the situation. I’m so fucked.
I casually lean against the wall, with my hands in my pockets, as Charlie strides toward me with a shy smile. She’s so beautiful. She’s a few feet away when a tall, lean man with ink-colored hair walks up behind her. There’s an arrogant swagger about him, and a determined look on his face. I immediately consider him a threat. He rubs me the wrong way, and alarm bells start to go off.
“Charlie?” The sketchy looking dude reaches out and grabs her shoulder. “I thought that was you.”
“M…Mason?” Charlie turns, locking eyes with him. She’s upset or maybe shocked like she’s staring at a ghost. “What are you doing here?”