But it’s not only her looks that have me caught. It’s her personality. “Tell me about you,” I request. “I want to know who you are. The girl under the cold façade. Because I have a feeling that this wall you’ve put up is nothing more than a shield.”
“I can’t do this, Kayden,” she admits. “I’m … My focus is on my career. Racing is my life, and I need to make my father proud.” Her words slice me right through my chest. I’ve spent my life trying to make my father proud. When he told me he wanted me to take over the company, I refused. I had to choose, but racing was always going to be my love, my passion. And he knew it.
“I know how that feels,” I admit, lifting my hand to cup her face. The smooth skin under my fingertips tingle from the contact, and I slowly swipe my thumb over the apple of her cheek.
Haelee tips her head to the side, her eyes holding questions I don’t want to answer, but the one she does throw out there is, “How?”
“I’m not just some playboy racer,” I inform her, offering a small smile to lighten the heat between us. “I’ve … I’ve been hurt and broken before. I’ve also made sure the focus of my life has been my racing. My father …” I allow my words to taper off. This isn’t the place for a conversation like this. “Come with me,” I say instead, hoping she doesn’t refuse me.
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere special,” I answer before lacing my fingers through hers and pulling her back into the bar so we can grab her purse, and I can say goodbye to Curtis. I’ll see the fucker tomorrow.
At the counter, he turns and arches a dark brow at me. “I was right. Wasn’t I?” The satisfied grin on his face causes me to chuckle.
“You’re an asshole.”
“You’re a whipped man,” he teases, tipping his drink toward me before taking a long swallow. I pull out my wallet, throwing a twenty on the bar.
“Here, get another drink and chat up those three. I’m sure they’d be up for a fun night with you,” I tell him in a hushed whisper before slapping him on the shoulder. “See you tomorrow.” By the time I reach the door, Haelee is waiting for me with a small, shy smile on her face.
11
Haelee
The car is silent for a long while, as Kayden drives. His hand moves across the gear stick while his eyes are focused on the road. I don’t know what to say to him because I feel like he has to be the one to break the ice.
The tension in the small space is stifling, causing me to shift in the seat. The lights of California stretch out in front of us as we weave along the coastline. I’ve lived here most of my life and visited the beach almost every day. My folks would bring me to the ocean as a young child, showing me the waves as we built sandcastles.
The memories of my dad hit me hard as we make our way toward whatever destination Kayden has in mind. The sound of the waves hitting the rocks below echoes through the open window, and I close my eyes for a moment, wishing the tears away. Whenever I think of Dad, I feel this agonizing pain. All I want is to make him proud. To show him I’m not going to be one of those women who loses her career over a man. He always used to tell me I had a good head on my shoulders, and even if he’s gone, I want to prove him right.
“I didn’t think this would happen,” Kayden finally speaks. Catching my attention, he causes me to open my eyes. He’s looking at the road, but from the expression on his face, he seems worried, concerned.
“What?”
“When we first met,” he says. “I didn’t think I would look at you the way I do now.” His admission sends heat to my cheeks.
“And how do you look at me now?” I ask, but I have a feeling, I know. After the kiss, it’s clear Kayden wants me, but what I don’t know is how. I’m most definitely not a one-night stand. I don’t allow myself to get into those situations. And even though I’m still a virgin, I have a feeling that even if Kayden and I did have sex, he would break my heart. Because a man like him is most certainly a heartbreaker.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” he confesses, casting a quick glance over at me before turning his attention back on the road. “You’ve captured my attention, and I don’t know what to do with that. Women were never a constant in my life, besides my mother, of course. But relationships and I don’t go hand-in-hand.”
“Then, this can’t be one. We work together, and I can’t go through drama when I’m new to the scene and want to build a rep in the racing industry.” I need to remind myself when those teal eyes lock on mine, even for a second, that he’s bad news and I should run. I should run so far, but being stuck with him daily is going to make that difficult. “My life has been one of hard work and perseverance. I’m not going to end up a notch on anyone’s belt,” I tell him.
Kayden chuckles, his smile lighting up his face, and I can’t deny the man is attractive. “I don’t do notches, and I’m not asking you to be a one-night thing,” he states. “You’re different.”
“I’ve been different all my life.”
“That’s a good thing,” he counters firmly as if he’s frustrated at what I’ve just said. “Perhaps that’s why I feel this way. You’re not like any other girl I’ve come across. The racing world is filled with beautiful women, but none of them have ever bantered with me like you do.” His admission makes me smile. I’ve always been more comfortable around guys. I guess it comes from growing up around race car drivers and garages where I would learn about engines and car parts that most girls have no idea about.
“Sometimes being different doesn’t feel like a good thing,” I finally admit as Kayden pulls into a parking spot near the pier. When the engine dies, silence fills the emptiness between us, but within that empty space, there’s also sparks, the electricity that runs through my veins at Kayden’s touch.
“I think it’s what makes you more alluring.” This time, he shifts in his seat to face me. I would move, but my dress is short, the hemline already rode up to the middle of my thighs. Teal eyes scan me, taking me in from my head to my toes. But they snap back to my face, lingering on my mouth for a long moment before he smiles. “You can’t deny that kiss was out of this fucking world.”
His words make me laugh out loud. “You seem sure of yourself,” I bite out with a grin. “I mean, it was a solid five and a half.” I shrug, and as Kayden lunges for me to tickle me, I shove the door open, escaping his fingers digging into my sides, making me giggle. It’s been a long time since I felt at ease, since I felt the weight of trying to prove myself lift. And even if it’s only in this moment, I’ll take it and run with it.
Kayden follows, and we’re soon out on the sand. He doesn’t touch me again, but I realize I want him to. I love his touch on my skin. The gentle, yet firm grasp he had on my body earlier still makes me burn.
“So, tell me about your childhood,” I request as we reach the shore. The waves crashing over the sand. We stop, settling on the ground side by side. The moon hangs above the horizon, full and looming, while stars blink in the darkness.