Falling Fast (Falling Fast #1) - Tina Wainscott Page 0,47
for a second. And he’d let it show.
He turned onto the track, his heart thrumming at all that beautiful asphalt. If only they’d had something like this back then. But the past is the past. He kicked it, and everything came back: the feel for the car as it gained speed, the way the handling changed, and how it took the turns.
He checked on Mia throughout that first lap, slowing a bit when her smile disappeared.
“You okay?” he asked.
She took a deep breath, and her smile returned. “Yeah. You can go faster.”
He continued watching her, inching faster mile by mile. Not fast enough yet for a true thrill, but both Mia and Cody were taking it in with big smiles on their faces. They both let out a woot when he took the turns faster and faster. They weren’t banked, like the big tracks, but the tug on his body was still gut-tightening. Satisfying. After they’d run a dozen or so laps, he slowed to a stop, put the car into park, and opened his door.
“Where are you going?” she asked as he came around the front of the car to her side.
“You’re driving.”
“What?”
“Then you can go as fast as you’re comfortable going. You’ll be in control.” He opened her door, bowed, and gestured for her to exit.
“Seriously?” She took his proffered hand and let him help her to her feet. Anticipation glowed on her face.
Raleigh escorted her around to the driver’s side, got her settled in, then leaned in to adjust the seat. Which put his face inches from hers. “About right?”
The engine rumbled, the perfect backdrop for the hunger rumbling through him.
Her smile drilled right down to his gut. “Yeah. Perfect.”
Did he recognize the same battle in her eyes that was going on inside him? Lean forward. Kiss her.
Cody made some noise in the back, no doubt watching the tense moment. Thank God for the kid, Raleigh thought again. He pointed out the basics. “Just do what feels comfortable. Ease in.”
Unlike the way they’d proceeded seven years ago. He moved back before he fell to temptation.
She slid him a glance. “You’re sure about this?”
“Absolutely.” He looked at Cody. “And just as sure that you should go hang out with Pax and Harley. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty more opportunity to come here with me.”
Cody’s frown transformed to a smile. “I will?”
He’d said that, hadn’t he? Committed, and you didn’t uncommit when you made a promise to a kid. “You will.” He tilted the seat forward, and Cody scrambled out, somewhat mollified.
Raleigh dropped into a passenger seat in which he’d never sat.
She wrapped her fingers around the wheel, her right hand over the shifter, and took a deep breath. “All those years ago, I wanted to drive your car so bad. Not in a race, but just drive.”
“You should have asked.”
“I wasn’t ready. I was already moving so fast.” She gave him a meaningful look. Sneaking out. Participating in street racing. Making love. Yeah, she’d moved damned fast for a girl just testing out the world. “It was enough to be in the passenger seat.”
She faced ahead, a picture of total concentration, and shifted into drive. Before long, they were approaching the turn.
“Ease up on the gas as you start into the turn. Then increase the speed midway and gun it coming out.”
“Wow. There’s so much power.”
“Open her up.”
She slowed down instead. “I’m afraid if I go over the line I won’t be able to pull back.”
“I’ll make sure you don’t fly off.” But only if he could keep himself from spinning out of control.
She faced the stretch of track ahead, her lower lip pulled between her teeth. Took another deep breath. And let the car fly. He watched her complete focus, the wind whipping her hair around. The racer’s high lit her eyes, breaking her out into a wild grin. She let out a whoop as they topped ninety, probably without any idea how fast she was going. The needle inched higher. Higher.
That’s when he saw the panic set in. Her face morphed into a mask of fear.
“Talk to me,” Raleigh said.
“I just had a flashback. The crash. Well, right before it.”
“Slow down. Ease through the gears. You’re fine.”
She nodded jerkily, her chest rising in rapid puffs. “All of a sudden it was dark, there was a crowd alongside the road, and I could see Cassidy’s car moving closer. Closer.”
“Nobody else is here.” He stroked her arm now, bringing her back. “Breathe deep.”