Page 56 of Rear View
She shook her head vehemently. “Never. You’re stunning.” Her squeal cut through the vehicle before she practically tackled me from the side when she wrapped me in a hug.
“Should I be doing this?” I wanted to. So badly, but what I wanted didn’t always matter.
Leaning back, she held me at arm’s length and pursed her lips. “Yes. Stand tall, girl. Do not lethimruin this for you. You deserve more than hiding in your room. You deserve a life, and happiness. Get out of your own head for a bit.” She tugged a strand of my hair. “Although, I think Xavier will help with that.”
I nudged her with my elbow.
“So, where’s he taking you, anyway?”
“The Hawthorne Circuit.”
“Good plan. No innocent bystanders.”
I pushed her for real that time, then popped my lipstick open and reapplied.
Her snicker was all gloating and pride as she hugged me again. “I’m a text away if you need anything.”
“Thanks for driving me.”
“Anytime. Safety first.”
“Love you.” Inhaling long and slow, I drew back my shoulders and slipped out.
“Love you too!” Then, as I closed the door, she said louder, for the people in the back, “Show him whatcha got, girl!” With that, she drove off.
Shaking my head, I drew a hand through my hair and swept the waves from my face, then unbuttoned my coat. I smoothed a hand over my navy shape-hugging sweater,and adjusted the waist of my jeans. It was from the more modest collection of my “someday” clothes, but it showed off curves even I hadn’t seen in forever. Turning to the right, I stopped dead. A four-door, gunmetal-gray Jeep sat parked thirty feet away in the lot where I’d suggested we meet, Xavier behind the wheel. His arm was stretched across the back of the passenger seat, and his head was leaned against his rest.
He wore a black leather coat with a black shirt underneath. They shaped his broad shoulders and accented the thick muscles of his chest. His body was honed from work—the hard, physical kind. The sort of man who knew how to use his hands.
His icy-blue eyes collided with mine before they took me in, head to toe. My body heated as he sat straighter and a smile pulled across that sexy, sharp-edged face. Turning the vehicle over, he put it in gear and met me as I walked toward him. Leaning over, he popped my door open.
“So punctual,” I teased when I set my foot on the sideboard and hoisted myself up.
“I race the clock for a livin’, darlin’. Not about to be late for you.” He winked.
I bit my lip and fastened myself in.
“You warm enough?” he asked.
“Perfect.” I traced a line on my jeans and peered at him through my lashes. “Your Shakedown looked wild this morning.”
His brow arched. “You watch it?”
I bounced a nod. “Sure did, rally boy.”
He smirked. “Gonna be a fun course this weekend.” Shifting, he settled deeper into his seat, looking relaxed.He pulled us onto the road, and we headed off. “You feelin’ like a fan yet?”
Shrugging, I said, “I’m getting there.”
He laughed as he rested his right forearm along the length of the center console. His knuckles were lined with scars, while black stains creased their folds and followed the curve of his nails.
He followed my line of sight and flexed his hand. “Clean dirt.”
I eyed him.
“That’s what it’s called.” His mouth arced up in a smirk. “You wash it, but it never fully comes off, so the dirt’s clean.”
I laughed softly. “I like it.”
