Page 67 of Wild Desire

He pulled into traffic. "You want something with her?"

I nodded stiffly, my throat tight. I knew what this meant. We couldn't be together, no matter what I wanted.

"I like Noelle. I don't want her to get hurt."

"What do you take me for?" I demanded, feeling a bit like I was on a short fuse after that confrontation with Cal.

Eli shot me a look. "You won't be here for long."

"Don't you think I know that?" It's what had frustration bubbling up in my chest. I'd finally fallen for a woman, and there was no way I could fit her into my life.

"Just be careful with her. She's been through enough."

My gaze swung to his. "Who hurt her?"

"Calm down. No one knows anything about Noelle's dating history. She's just never been with anyone. Isn't that telling enough?"

"Yeah, she doesn't trust anyone. Her dad left. Christoper and Winnie's dad left. Then she lost her scholarship. It was a choice, but it was a loss nonetheless. She's lost a lot. I don't want to cause her any more pain."

"So don't."

"But our situation is impossible."

"It's not if you want it to work out."

"I don't know what you're talking about. I have responsibilities and obligations to my sponsors. To all the people who work for me."

"I don't know how you fit her into your life. I just know if you love her, there's no other option. And I don't want to lose my donut maker."

"Speaking of, was it okay that she missed baking this morning?"

"We'll work it out so she has a morning or two off. No one works seven days a week, and it will make her donuts that much more sought-after."

"That's a good idea."

"It probably won't be weekends, though. Maybe a Monday and Tuesday." Eli glanced over at me before turning his attention to the road in front of us.

Noelle could never travel to visit me, not with her tight schedule here. My races were on the weekends. As much as I didn't want to think about an end date, it was hard not to. "We're just enjoying the time we have now."

"So admit something is going on?"

"I like her. I don't have any other answers for you yet. It's new." I wanted a second chance, but I hadn't thought it through. Would I be walking away from her yet again?

"You're off crutches. You must be feeling better."

"I might be paying for that later, but yeah, I've been cleared to get around without them."

"Just don't overdo it. I wouldn't want your agent blaming us for a setback."

"There won't be a setback." I was well aware of the expectations, the hopes and wishes that I return able-bodied. I was ready for the challenge. I wouldn't let this thing with Noelle come between me and my dream.

"What if you fall in love with her?" Eli asked gently.

I looked out the side window. "I don't know."

"It's going to be hard to be competing half-way across the world when she's here."

"It's going to suck, but I don't know if Noelle wants something serious." She said she'd give me a second chance, not that she'd give me forever. I wasn't positive I even wanted that, especially with our future geographic issues.

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