Page 19 of Need for Speed (The Elite 2)

“Nah. You might be unconscious, then what?”

I nodded. “You’re right. Maybe you should stay.”

“Yeah.” Solo ran his eyes down over me. “I think that’s smart.”

“And we’re nothing if not smart.”

Solo reached for the sheet and tugged it down a little, revealing our naked torsos.

“Very smart. I mean, I somehow wound up lying in bed with you half-naked. I’d say that makes me practically a genius.”

I reached for Solo’s hand and drew it up over my heart. “Mateo?”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t do this either.” When Solo held my stare, I added, “Ever. This thing between us, I never thought it would be more than sex.”

Solo scrunched his nose up. “Um, how about extremely hot fucking sex.”

I chuckled, and my chest vibrated under our hands. “Well, that goes without saying.”

“No, you should always feel free to say it.”

“Okay, let me try again. I never thought this thing between us would be anything other than hot fucking sex.”

“And here I didn’t even think that would ever be on the agenda. You were pretty adamant you hated my guts.”

“Hate’s a strong word. More like frustration that I couldn’t have you.”

“Ahh. So you think you can have me now?”

With his hand still firmly planted on my chest, I grinned. “I think I already do.”

Surprise briefly flitted through Solo’s eyes before he twisted his lips. “Who’s cocky and reckless now?” When I laughed, he said, “Don’t try to deny it. You’ve said this was a bad idea from the beginning.”

“It is a bad idea.”

“But you still wanna play with fire, huh?”

I brought our hands up to my mouth and sucked his index finger between my lips, teasing just enough that embers smoldered in Solo’s eyes. “I want to play with you.”

Solo dropped his face into the pillow. “Fuck yooou.”

“I can’t. Doctor’s orders.”

“Fuck your doctor.”

“Can’t do that either.”

Solo lifted his head, pinning me with a fierce stare. “You seem like you’re feeling better now.”

“You’re a good distraction.”

“Thanks for reminding me that I could be an even better one if not for doctor’s orders. You better make it up to me soon.”

“Oh, so your greedy cock is my fault. Got it.”

“No, my hard cock is.” Solo shook his head and began to move off the bed. “And on that note, I think we should go to sleep.”

Before he slipped away completely, I squeezed his hand, tugging him back. “Where you going?”

“I’m not leaving.”

“I know, but…maybe you should stay. With me.” I patted the bed. “Here.”

Solo raised an eyebrow but didn’t say a word to protest, slipping beneath the covers beside me so we were almost touching. As he adjusted his pillow, I reached for his hand again, drawing it flat against my chest, and then I closed my eyes.

He’d chased the nightmares away for now, and maybe with him sleeping beside me, they’d stay gone for good.

14 Solo

“YOU SURE YOU’RE up for this?” I locked the door to the convertible as Panther rounded the car, somehow making even gym clothes look sexy. His bruises were slowly beginning to fade, and the whites of his eyes were back to normal—no more possessed red to be seen.

“The doctor said I’m cleared for it.”

“It’s only been a week.”

“And classes start back next week. If I can’t make it through a workout, they’re sure as hell not gonna let me back in.”

“If you wanted a workout, I could’ve helped you with that privately.” I grinned and pulled open the door to the gym on base, and as Panther passed by me, he said, “Who said I won’t need a private session later?”

Ah, shit. I wanted to respond to that, really I did, but leave it to Houdini to cock-block by sidling up to Panther as we walked inside.

“My man. Look at you. Back from the dead.” Houdini bumped fists with Panther and then noticed me bringing up the rear. “Aw hell. If you needed a ride, you could've asked. No need to slum it with this guy.”

“He’s already had one major accident. No need to make it an even two.” I bumped Houdini’s shoulder hard and headed onto the floor, where it seemed like the other trainees had gotten a memo that we were coming, because they were all there.

“What the fuck is this. A party?” I growled. All that was missing were balloons tied to the equipment.

Gucci looked up from where he sat on the rowing machine, catching his breath. “What are you grumbling about?”

“Everyone’s here.”

“Where the hell else are we supposed to go?” When he caught sight of Panther over my shoulder, a knowing look crossed his face. “Ahh. Sorry, did you have reservations for two? Need us all to leave?”

“Fuck off.”

“Nah, I’ve got a few more rounds to do.” Then to Panther he said, “Good to see you back.”

“Does he know?” Panther whispered.

“Nah, he’s just screwing around.” I gestured toward the cardio equipment. “Let’s start on the treads.”

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