Page 23 of Survival

“Definitely good, but I want you in a bed again as soon as we get a chance.”

I grinned, my heart happy. “Deal.”

We sat there holding hands, our gazes out on the gently rippling water for the next several minutes, when Jetlooked over at me. “Were you okay today? You seemed a little off when you stopped by the shop.”

My brow dipped for a second. “I was just surprised to see the new girl there. Ruby?”

Jet nodded. “Gotcha. She surprised me, too. I didn’t realize Dad was looking to hire anyone, but I guess it makes sense since I’m not staying on next year.”

I nodded. “She knows you race?”

“Yeah. Sounds like she’s been out at the races a few times. We’ll have to keep an eye out for her the next time we go.”

“Sure.” I hid my frown, something with that sitting strange, but I dismissed it. Things were just off after Jet being gone. “So, we didn’t get to talk much yesterday. How was your trip?”

“Great. Greece was amazing, but my dad didn’t lie when he said there was bad blood back there. The tension was crazy. One of the only good things that I think came out of it all was meeting my grandma before she passed. She had such a warm spirit. I wish she could have met you.”

My chest swelled, everything in me warming at that. “I wish I could have, too. I would have loved to go with you to meet your family.”

“Well, you get to meet Nic.” Jet gave me a teasing grin, and I scowled. “No.” He squeezed my hand. “Really. It was a promise I made to my grandma. That I’d get to know him. Which is why—”

“You invited him last night.” I sighed. At least, it sort of made sense now.

“Yeah, but I should have made it just about us. He was in a bad mood, and you needed me.”

“So, he’s not always an ass?” I raised a playful brow, and Jet smirked.

“Just give him a chance, please. I need to try to get to know him, and that will be hard if y’all can’t get along.”

Ugh, catch me right in the gut, why don’t you?But I nodded. “I’ll try.”

It was late when we got home, and I knew Tucker and Izzy would already be in bed. Jet and I quietly shut the doors to the Mustang, and he sent me a playful look from over the hood.

“Getting your door ismyjob.”

I bit my lip and popped a shoulder. “Guess you were too slow this time.”

He shot after me, and my eyes widened, taking just a second too long before I took off. Jet raced me across the lawn and wrapped his arms around my waist, scooping me up as I held back a squeal. He ran a few more steps, hauling me into the shadows between our houses, his hands immediately reaching down to grab my ass while mine reached up his shirt, my fingers running through the hairs on his chest.

His lips found my neck, tasting my skin as he nibbled a trail to the spot that could make me melt, and I gasped, moving my hands to his broad shoulders. Jet reached to pull me up as my knees wobbled, and my legs wrapped around his waist, eager to have him near.

He carried me a few quick steps to brace me against the side of his house, freeing the use of his hand to slide it up my top as he pulled aside my bra, caressing my breastthat so perfectly filled his palm. Our lips met again, our breaths rapid to match our pulse as Jet began grinding his hips against mine.

“Fuck, babe,” I groaned into his ear. “I’m so freaking starved and wet for you. Just take me right here.Please.”

Immediately, he reached for the button on my shorts, but then we froze at a couple rapid taps at the window. Our eyes locked together in surprise, a moment of fear washing over us, scared for who had caught us as the window slid open.

“I just thought I’d point out that snogging and shagging against the side of the house isn’t private if someone’s on the other side of the wall.”

Fucking Nic.Relief spread over me even as irritation flared.He could’ve just fuckingleftthe room.I snarled in my thoughts as Jet chuckled.

“Sorry, man.”

The window slid shut, and I watched the grin spread across Jet’s face, feeling my own body start to move as his quiet laugh shook us both. I cracked a grin.

“I guess that killed the mood,” he said.

“Just a little,” I agreed as Jet lowered me to the ground. “It was still fun, though.”

---