Page 28 of Beneath the Hood

I slide in and breathe out a sigh as I melt into the buttery leather of the tan seats.

The sun dances off the strands of his blond hair as he walks around to the driver’s side door, sliding behind the wheel. Reaching up, he grabs Ray-Bans off his visor and winks at me before throwing them on and turning up the radio.

My heart skips.

God, he’s hot.

A few minutes into the drive, and I’m still staring at him like an idiot, wondering how I’ve managed to go such a long time without ever truly admiring his beauty.

He glances my way and turns down the music. “Okay. What is it?”

I shrug, warmth scorching my cheeks at being caught ogling. “Nothing. I just… you don’t look twenty-eight, you know?”

He side-eyes me. “You don’t look nineteen.”

I fidget in my seat, the heat flaming stronger on my face and racing through me until it settles between my legs. Throwing my feet on the dash, I stretch my arms, trying to lighten the mood and ignore the reaction my body is having. “So, where are we going?”

His eyes flash to my feet and I grin, a tingle lighting up my insides. “You okay?”

He smirks. “I’m perfect. Thanks for asking.”

“You sure? Seems like you might have something you’d like to say.” I move slightly, pressing the soles of my shoes onto the cherrywood front of the glove compartment, trying to get a reaction.

Everything about this car is pristine. There’s no way this doesn’t bother him.

“If I had something to say, I’d say it.”

We drive over a hill and pull into a parking lot, bright blue letters on what looks like an arena spelling outAnaMaria RaceTrack.

My stomach drops, anxiety tightening my throat.

He parks and turns to me, smiling. “You ready?”

My nose scrunches as I glance hesitantly at the building. “I’m not sure.”

“You’ll be fine, I promise.” He laughs as he jumps out of the car, and suddenly I feel bad for playing such a childish game on the way over. For not respecting his car when I know it’s probably a prized possession. Especially when he’s going out of his way to be sonice.

I’ve been dying for this side of Jackson, and I don’t want to ruin the day before it even starts.

He jogs over to my side, opening the door and reaching out his hand. My heart sputters in my chest at the gesture. The only people who have ever opened my door were always paid to do it.

The second my hand grazes his, my stomach flips, warmth sending tingles up my arm. I swallow, trying to ignore the way he’s affecting me.

“Sorry about defiling your car,” I mutter.

His hand squeezes my fingers and he leans in, his lips teasing the shell of my ear. “If anything, Blake, you improved it.”

My heart bangs against my chest, arousal splitting me in half with how quickly it surges through my body. My chest physically arches into his and I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from gasping.

Clearing my throat, I step away.Not a date, Blakely.

“What are we doing here?” I ask.

A blinding smile lights up his face. “We’re gonna drive.”

14

Jackson

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