Page 28 of Bump and Run
“Wonderful, wonderful. I see a lot of potential. You handled that car like a true pro. We should talk.” Henry handed me a card. “Call this number and set up a meeting with my secretary.”
I was going to pass out. “Sir?”
“I’d like to talk about having you run a race with me and seeing how that goes. Then we can maybe talk part-timeor full-time. Go from there.” Henry held out his hand, and when I shook it, I thought he might rip my arm right off. “Wonderful. Fantastic job tonight, son. Just amazing. I look forward to meeting with you.”
I stood there as Henry said his goodbyes to Charlie, made me promise to call to make that appointment—as if I would forget—and then he was gone.
I grabbed my boyfriend’s hand. “Did... did that really just happen?”
He nodded. “Surprise.”
“Can I kiss you right now?” I whispered.
When Charlie stepped closer, I didn’t care who saw because that was the nicest, most amazing, sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me before. I wrapped my arm with the flowers around him, so they didn’t get ruined, and listened to the catcalls, wolf whistles, and loud clapping, but it didn’t matter.
Charlie was all that I cared about.
***
“How does your daddy know Henry Richardson?” I asked once we were back at Charlie’s house.
He had helped me put the flowers in a nice vase, and we displayed them in his room on the dresser. I wanted to take them home, show them to Mama and show her how caring my boyfriend was. Instead, I settled for taking a bunch of pictures, so I never forgot this moment, and posted themon my Instagram.
Charlie gripped my head between his hands. “They went to school together.”
“No way!”
“Yes way.”
I smiled. “I can’t believe you did that for me, Charlie.” I dropped my forehead to his chest. “This is my dream. You know that, right?”
“That’s why I did it, Bashful. I want you to have everything you deserve.”
He rubbed circles into my back before I realized I was still wearing my fire suit. Covered in sweat and grease from the race, I probably stunk like old cheese and roadkill. Hardly sexy. Yet Charlie was still holding me like I was the most precious thing in the world.
I pulled back. “I should wash up.”
“If you want.” He pushed the hair back from my face. “You look sexy, though.”
I rolled my eyes. “Gross is the word you might be looking for. I look and smell gross.”
“That is not a word I would ever use to describe you. You can use my shower.” Charlie’s eyes lit up before he spoke again. “We could wash up together.”
Goosebumps broke out over my body. “Y-you want to shower with me?” Why did I have to continue to sound like such a novice? I was such a country bumpkin, and I wished I had more experience.
“Mm, Jonesy, I want everything with you.” He brushed his lips against mine. “You’re shaking. Are you cold? Is the air on too high? Are you feeling all right?” He started to placehis hand against my forehead before I gripped his wrist to stop him.
“I’m fine, Charlie, I just... It’s silly.” I pulled my lip between my teeth. “Does it bother you that I’m such a virgin about things? That I was never kissed until you or touched or any of those things? You make me feel nervous but in a good way. I like you. I like having your hands on me, and I enjoy touching you. I just don’t want you to think it’s silly.”
Charlie yanked lightly on the zipper on the front of my fire suit. “Jones, nothing about you is silly. I love that you’re a newbie to everything. It’s fucking hot and sexy. Is that why you’re shaking?”
I nodded.
“You can shower alone if it will make you feel better.”
“No!” I exclaimed. “I mean, no, please, I would love for you to shower with me. I’ve never showered with another man before. I’d like you to change that for me.”
A smile tugged at his lips. “Jonesy, you’re so fucking... Damn, how did I get so lucky with you?”
