“Ready.” She just hoped her heart was ready for more because it was pretty clear that was where things were headed with the two of them.
Whether she wanted to put the brakes on or not, she could see the writing on the wall.
Excitement and fear warred inside her but she was going to let excitement win. Logan was worth it.
* * *
“Success!” Grace pumped her fist in the air as she put on the go-kart’s brakes. Then she turned around to grin at Logan, who was trailing behind her in his own go-kart. “I see you finally caught up, slacker.”
“You were shockingly savage out there,” he said laughingly. “So…you actually are competitive.”
“Like I said, only when it’s something I’m good at. And I just destroyed you.”
“Cutting me off like a total lunatic seems a little unsportsmanlike.” His grin was firmly in place as he jumped out of his go-kart.
She shrugged and jumped out of hers. “You’re learning new things about me.” It had been fun to speed around the little racecourse with no one else around. Rick had turned on the spotlights and there were plenty of lights from a nearby mini-golf course anyway.
He strode toward her, looking like a sexy, lethal predator. “Rick texted me, said we could just leave from here if we want. Unless you want to head back in?”
“I’m good. I’m kind of hungry too.”
“I’m glad you said that. There’s a little Italian place a couple blocks over. We can just walk if you want?”
“Perfect.” The truth was, pretty much everything about him and this date was perfect. Her mind started to wander toward the future and what-ifs, but she ignored those thoughts. For once, she wanted to live in the moment, to enjoy this.
They stepped over the fence that extended around the go-kart area into the parking lot and Logan waved at one of the security cameras. “How does this rank as far as first dates go?” he murmured, slipping his hand into hers so smoothly.
She loved how openly affectionate he was, and tried not to compare him to her ex. But it was hard because Logan was wonderful in so many ways. And that terrified her. He seemed almost too good to be true. With her free hand, she tapped her lips with her finger. “Well, it’s not over so I’m going to have to hold off on rating it just yet.”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “Is that right?”
She shrugged, not bothering to hide her grin as he led them to his truck.
“Hmm, what can I do to make it the best first date you’ve ever had?”
“We’ll see how your kissing skills are when you take me home.” They’d kissed before, but she was going to tease him a little. She wasn’t sure where the words were coming from, but she loved the way he slightly jolted as he opened his door.
“I’ll try not to disappoint,” he murmured. “You need your purse?” he asked.
“Yeah, thanks. And I’m paying for dinner tonight.”
He snorted as he handed her purse over and shut the door. “I’m paying.”
“Don’t be difficult.” She looped her purse over her body at a cross angle.
“I asked you out on a date,” he murmured. “I’m paying.” Taking her by surprise, he pinned her up against the door as he shut it, his gaze molten hot. “And I don’t want to wait to kiss you.” His words were harsh and raspy.
“So don’t.” She didn’t want to wait either. Maybe she’d regret this later, but she didn’t think so. And she had to stop fighting this thing between them, had to let her guard down a little.
That was all the encouragement he needed. Cupping her cheek, he slanted his mouth over hers, his tongue playful and teasing as he deepened the kiss.
She leaned into him, going from zero to a hundred just like that. Or maybe it wasn’t so sudden. They’d been building to this all night—for weeks, even. She’d been having so much fun with him, but there’d been an underlying heat simmering the whole time just waiting to boil over.
And now she wasn’t hungry for food at all, didn’t care about heading to that restaurant. The only thing she wanted was more of Logan MacNeil.
When he slid a hand down her hip and moved it around her body, cupping her ass, she rolled her hips into his. This might technically be their first date but she already knew what was underneath his clothes and she wanted more.
So much more.
She nipped his bottom lip, earning a growl of appreciation from him. As she slid her hands up his chest—
A bright light illuminated them, startling her as an engine revved.
“What the hell?” Logan jerked back then stepped in front of her, blocking her from the spotlights.
“What’s going on?” she asked, looking around him and shielding her eyes. “Did Rick turn on the—”
Lights blinded her as the sound of squealing tires filled the air. Her stomach tightened as Logan grabbed her hand and pulled. She didn’t think, just ran with him across the parking lot as a vehicle raced at them.
The engine roared wildly over the erratic beat of her heart. She didn’t dare look back because she was afraid of falling.
Logan’s grip on her hand was tight as he dragged her forward.
Crunch!
As they dove over the fence to the go-karts, the loud sound of metal meeting metal rent the air. Her knees slammed against the concrete even as she allowed herself a quick glance back.
A truck had rammed into Logan’s and was reversing.
“Keep going!” Logan yanked her to her feet and they ran across the racecourse. “We’re almost there!” Logan’s voice managed to get through to her over the loud rush of blood in her ears, over the fear eating away at her as they ran from the lunatic destroying Logan’s truck.
As they reached the arcade doors, Rick swung one open, his eyes wide.
“I’ve called the cops! Saw that crazy driver on the security cameras. Are you guys okay?” He shut and locked it behind them.
“We’re fine.” Logan’s voice was clipped as he pulled out his own phone and started making a call.
Grace finally turned to look out the glass doors and could see the taillights of the truck swerving out of the parking lot like a bat out of hell. Breathing hard, she forced herself to take slow, steadying breaths as she tried to get her heart rate under control.
What the hell had just happened?
Chapter 12
“I don’t like that this has happened twice.” Detective Hurley’s expression was grim as he looked between the two of them. “It’s not feeling like random violence anymore.”
Yeah, no kidding, Logan thought. Sitting on a bench inside the now fully lit arcade, he scooted closer to Grace as they spoke to the detective.
Grace wrapped her arms around herself so Logan curled his arm around her shoulders. Some lunatic had tried to run them over while they’d been making out in the parking lot. That was some seriously psycho shit. Violent and unstable. Grace leaned into him, her slender frame trembling slightly, and he wanted to pummel whoever had done this.
“Thank you for coming down here,” Logan said. He’d called Hurley directly even though Rick had said he was calling the cops. Because Logan’s gut was telling him this and the drive-by at his house were connected, no matter that there had been a string of drive-by shootings. He simply didn’t believe in coincidences like that. And both times he’d been with Grace when something had happened.