Page 33 of Crash Course Omega
I hesitate, but I shake my head again. Because her presence is actually calming when I stop using my brain and just focus on regaining my routine. Even just hearing her light breaths seems to wash away that edge of worry that always hangs around me that I might miss a screw or a seal and Maddock or Jaxx will crash.
“Then we're all good, aren't we?” she asks.
I nod a final time and get back to work.
The rest of the team will begin arriving at 6 AM, and I want to show her the tweak I gave the DRS after Jaxx struggled to pick up speed on the straight in Vegas. But I don’t know how to naturally slide it into conversation, especially after she said she’s happy not to talk.
I try to focus on my last checks instead of the gorgeous omega keeping me company.
Until Harmony sighs deeply, and I shoot up from bending over the car. My desire to comfort her is taking over my common sense, and I can’t ignore my omega in need.
I clear my throat, staring even more intensely at the car so I don’t have to see her reaction.
“You can actually talk to me, you know,” I say. “We don't have to sit here in silence, even though we’ve said we like it.”
But she’s quiet for too long, so I look back at her.
Harmony bites her lip, destroying any last hope I have of concentrating.
But there's no way I’m qualified to hold a conversation about anything other than my sport. I’ve tried and failed so many times over the years that I’ve stopped trying to hide the fact that I’m not interested in anything else apart from my job.
I step toward her and offer her a hand, gulping as she looks down at it.
Touching people isn’t ideal. I had to grow used to hugs and pats on the back when the team did a good job, but I have never extended a hand to someone like this.
A sigh of relief goes through me as she gives me another smile, placing her small hand in my rough fingers. I like that I can close my entire hand around hers, and how she looks at me like she trusts me. I want to keep that going, which is why I guide her over to Maddock’s car.
“We’ve actually designed one for you in exactly the same style,” I say, keeping a firm hold on her hand.
“They are building it separately from the others. We’ll make sure it’s put together for your training session with Maddock and Jaxx this evening.”
She stiffens under me, and my brow furrows. I didn’t think that would be a problem, but maybe she’s worried about getting into a car again. It doesn’t feel like we are close enough for me to ask her that yet, so I carry on.
“If you look at the curves of the back wing here, you can see how we've changed it to direct the wind at a steeper angle. Hopefully that will help Maddock with his more enthusiastic braking style.”
She leans forward, inspecting it even more closely, tipping forward, along with her coffee cup.
“Hang on, your coffee is—” I reach out for it, and she shoots back up to save it.
But she moves too quickly, knocking into me, and throwing the coffee over her chest.
She lets out a sharp shout as it splashes on my jacket, and panic suddenly bursts through me.
I quickly grab the collar, not thinking for a second as I tear it open, exposing her chest.
I have to see if she’s burned, but it’s happening too fast. I grab the towel sitting on my trolley, whipping it up to press against her chest and dab at the coffee.
She winces, and I’m scared it isn’t enough. If she ends up getting burned because of me, I’ll never forgive myself.
I grab the neck of her sports bra, yanking at it to get the fabric off of her skin. I don’t think about what it will mean as I pull it away, instantly exposing her breasts.
Panic is eating me up, and I don’t stop patting at her chest until she suddenly grabs my wrists.
“Wait, Everest, hang on,” she gasps with a laugh. “At least buy me a drink first.”
But I can’t go along with her joke. I’ve seen too many drivers scarred from crashes and fires, and she isn’t just an actress who needs to be perfect in every way. She’s my scent match, and I can’t stand the idea that she could be hurt, especially because of me.
“Your burns,” I say, my hands shaking so much I can barely wipe her skin. “Are you okay? Your skin is so red.”
