Page 142 of Hyperspeed
“Of course you can, baby,” I said, pulling him in closer.
I slid an arm under his legs and eased him into my lap until he was lying sideways, his body resting against mine. He tucked his head into the crook of my neck, nuzzling under my chin like he was trying to lose himself in the warmth of my skin.
At least now he couldn’t hide behind his knees.
“I don’t think I’m ready,” he whispered, lips brushing my neck. His fingers tightened around the front of my racing suit. “I’m not good enough.”
“You’re more than ready.” I slipped my fingers under his chin, tilting his face up to meet mine. “You’re one of the best rookies this sport has ever seen, and not just because of some title. You’ve earned your place out there. You’ve been on that podium more than once already, which is more than most drivers can say in their entire rookie season.”
“But I—”
“You’re incredible, little comet. Don’t think about what happened this season, okay? Think about the race ahead.” I pushed some loose hair behind his ear. “And the way I’m gonna fuck you against my windows after I’ve claimed my win.”
Rev giggled, and the sound sent a warm burst through my chest. This time his smile was wide and real. He gave my chest a soft punch. “Of course you’re so sure you’ve already won.”
“One of us has to have a winning mindset, baby. Might as well be me,” I shot back with a wink.
“Still gonna fuck me if you lose?”
I gasped, feigning shock as I glared down at him. “We do not speak of such things!”
“You’ve got this,solvenari,” he reassured me, leaning up to kiss me.
When we pulled apart, I gave his hip a gentle pat and urged him to stand. He watched me with curiosity as I tapped my watch, and when an upbeat pop song filled the room, he raised an eyebrow.
“What’s happening?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t like it, rookie,” I teased, holding out my hand. “I heard you singing along in my shuttle.”
“I did not,” he scoffed.
Still, he took my hand and let me pull him close.
“We’re gonna dance it out, baby.”
Moving from side to side, Rev looked at me like I’d grown a second head.
“Excuse me?”
“We’re gonna dance it out,” I said, gripping his hips and pulling him into a sway. “Shake out the nerves, dance like no one’s watching, and get ready to race.”
“You’re insane, you know that?”
“But you love me anyway.”
“Don’t know why,” he mumbled. I couldn’t resist slapping his ass, and he yelped.
“I’ve seen you dance, rookie. It’s about time I got my turn.”
I pushed him away and grabbed one of his hands, pulling him into a quick spin. He chuckled, so I did it again before dragging him back against my chest. One hand settled at the small of his back while the other held our joined hands high as we swayed back and forth like a couple during their first wedding dance, only more exaggerated.
I cranked up the music, loud enough to fill the entire garage.
But as Rev loosened up, singing and spinning on his own, his skin flickering in a rainbow of colours while he waved his arms, none of it mattered.
Seeing him happy and free felt better than any championship trophy.
When the song ended, we collapsed against each other, breathless and flushed. Our cheeks burned as we leaned in at the same time and shared a soft kiss, and I felt Rev’s lips curl into a smile before he pulled away.
