Page 41 of That Emerald Vow

“Hope you guys had a big payday recently ‘cause I’m ready to drink tonight . . .” I pretend to ponder. “Maybe with some steak and lobster.”

Damon’s mouth opens wide in the most radiant smile. “For you, gem, anything.” He winks at me, making me so infatuated in the moment that I miss the light change and horn. “But it seems like I won’t need to.” He laughs as he brings his visor down and pulls further ahead.

I hit the accelerator, quickly gaining momentum and decreasing thedistance between us. “Not so fast!” I yell out.

He turns to make a right sooner than he should have, making him lose momentum. Using that to my advantage, I stay straight until the last moment to make the turn from the outer edge and stay at top speed as long as possible. I straighten my kart out and continue in the lead.

“You sure you’re not lying? Seems like you’ve done this before,” Damon says as he catches up to me.

Not turning to look at him—knowing that it will distract me—I say, “I’m just naturally gifted at multiple things.”

The track starts to narrow where only one kart will be able to go through at a time.Fuck.

We’re both neck in neck when he yells in my direction, “Multiple things, huh? What else are you naturally gifted at, gem? Are these those adrenaline-pumping things we talked about earlier?”

I immediately turn my head to the right to look at him as he passes me. The moment’s hesitation costs me the possible lead. “You asshole!”

“If anal is what you’re into baby!” he shouts as he moves forward.

“That does it,” I mumble to myself.Two can play this game.

Once the track opens up again, I do everything to catch up. “You’d be surprised what I’m into. And I feel bad for you if you think anal is the kinkiest thing that can be done,” I say as I pull up next to him.

“I’m here for trying new things, gem.” Damon chuckles as he tries to pull a little forward. But I’m right next to him, slamming my foot on the pedal.

“There is this Kamasutra book I’ve been dying to try out. Maybe you and I c—” I don’t need to even finish the sentence as I see him hesitate causing him to slow down his momentum. I take the opportunity to get the lead and finish the first lap in first place.

“You’re the devil!” I hear him laugh behind me.

We continue to tease each other until the final lap where I barely takethe lead and win. That doesn’t stop me from gloating though.

“I win!” I shout, louder than necessary.

One of the workers comes towards us and says, “Uh . . . Hey . . . Good job . . . Just so you know for next time . . . Those comms are . . . um . . . they are connected to the speaker.” The boy—who can’t be more than sixteen—is turning bright red. “You can’t use profane language like that during the race. This is a . . . um . . . a family establishment.”

Damon immediately bursts out laughing as I look around the sides of the race track where people can watch. There’s some confused little kids and really angry parents. Some amused parents too. And some teenagers looking aroused.Ugh. Ew.

Looking at Damon, my lips quiver into a smile as I also burst out laughing. “Sorry. Won’t happen again.”

Damon grabs my hand as we quickly shuffle out of the place. As we walk through the door, a group of teenagers come barreling in without a care in the world. Damon tugs me by the hand he’s already holding to pull me out of the way. My chest meets his as his back is to the side wall. His arms wrap around me, sheltering me from the onslaught of teens.

I can’t help but think how perfectly I fit in his arms. I’m not short, but he’s definitely a good foot taller than me, and I nuzzle perfectly into his chest. He smells like a warm, smokey cologne that I can’t quite place.

I melt into his arms, not realizing how much time has passed. It’s become quiet, making it clear that the teens must have gone inside already. I look up at him through my lashes—my eyes locking onto his.

He looks down at me with . . . something I can’t pinpoint. In my own body, I feel this primal want—need. But it’s not just lust, it feels like more. One side of his lips quirks up, and he moves one of his arms from around me, instantly making me miss the warmth and security.

He takes his hand to rub my cheek. “What are you thinking of right now, gem?”

“I—I . . .” I stutter out, not knowing how to convey all I want. “What are you thinking of?”

“I asked you first, baby,” he says, still gently caressing my cheek.

“How good this feels,” I admit.

He leans his forehead to mine as his eyes close. “Mmm.”

“Your turn,” I whisper so low, I am not sure he hears me.There’s not enough oxygen on the planet right now.

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