Another first for her, she’d never been given jewelry before. But she felt too silly and too embarrassed to admit it.

“Let me put it on you.” He took the necklace. She turned to the side, staring out the window as they slowly inched up the driveway to the hotel’s entrance. He brushed her hair to one side, his touch making her shiver.

The necklace dropped into place against the back of her neck and she whirled to face him. His emerald eyes looked black in the dim interior of the cab. “Thank you.” Then she leaned forward, intending on giving him a kiss on the cheek, but he turned at the last minute and their lips met.

Neither of them pulled away, so Melanie stayed right where she was, kissing him and letting her hands steal up his chest. His tongue teased her lips and she opened her mouth, taking him inside of her.

Large hands settled on her thighs, but went no further. They stay locked like that, as time seemed to slow down. She focused on him, his taste and smell. How hot and wet he got her just by nibbling on her bottom lip.

How could something that felt so right be so completely one-sided? How could she ever stop kissing him tonight? Blood pounded in her ears as she let her hand drift down, finding his rock hard length. At least her desire for him wasn’t one-sided.

She squeezed and he let out a groan, turning his head. “Stop…I can’t do this.” But he didn’t push her away, instead he gathered her in his arms and held her close. She didn’t know whether to be flattered or insulted by his rejection.

Then again he had said can’t, not won’t. Hardly a rejection. “We need to take things slow, not jump into a relationship like we did before.”

Take things slow? If she’d waited any longer for him, she‘d be old and gray by the time he came around to her way of thinking. Her head began to hurt. Almost as much as her heart.

The cab finally made it to the hotel’s main entrance. Reluctant to leave Carter’s embrace, she sat until he finally opened the door.

Freezing cold air shot inside, making her teeth chatter. She wished she’d worn something a little more weather appropriate.

“You looked damned sexy tonight,” he said as he helped her out.

“Thanks.” She tugged gently on her necklace. “Thank you for this, too.”

“Don’t thank me for apologizing.” He looked around, then back at her. “It would mean a lot if you would spend the day with me tomorrow.”

Letting out a shaky breathe, she smiled. “What time?”

“Around noon. I know how much you like sleeping in.” He pressed one last kiss to the top of her head. “I’ll wait until you get inside. Text me when you’re back in your room.”

“Should I text you after I brush my teeth, too?”

“And right after you say your prayers.”

Rolling her eyes, she shook her head and shifted from side to side. “Thank you again for my present.”

“Night, sweetheart,” he called out and her heart soared.

Glancing over her shoulder, she said, “Night, baby doll.” She blew him a kiss, nearly doing a jumpy clap at the heated look on his face.

Tomorrow would be interesting, to say the least.

Chapter Thirteen

After they arrived at the racetrack, Carter had introduced her to his buddies as his good friend, which made her only a little sad. Okay, so if she were being really honest, it made her a lot sad. But seeing him back in his element was a sight to behold. Not even fifteen minutes ago, he had decided to take up Jake on the offer to warm up his car. Or something like that.

All suited up, Carter strode onto the track.

“What do you think you’re doing?” She thought that by warming up his car, that they’d go to the place where he hadn’t slammed into the wall. Her knees began to shake.

“Hopefully, he’s impressing his girl,” Jake said with a laugh.

Carter flipped him off, then turned to Melanie. “Want a turn when I’m done?”

“Are you insane?” The car that waited for him cost more than she’d ever make in a freaking lifetime.

“I’m crazy all right.” He gave her a wicked smile and a wink before he put on his helmet and climbed in the driver’s seat.

“How long has it been since he’s last driven?” Fear gripped her heart, sinking its razor sharp claws deep. The last race she’d watched, he’d crashed into the wall and she almost fainted. Seeing him lying in the hospital, so pale and helpless when usually he was sun-kissed and heroic, had brought her to her knees. She’d never prayed so hard for God to not take the one she loved away, not since her momma had died.

“It’ll be okay,” Jake said, his hazel eyes dancing as if he knew a secret. “Come stand beside me and I’ll help you get through it.”

“But you have to promise to quit holding your breath,” he added.

Blushing, she exhaled and adjusted her sunglasses. Carter peeled out of his spot like the devil was after him. She whooped when he made the first lap.

“Told you he’d be okay.”

“He’s more than okay, I think.” She held up her hand, shielding her eyes from the afternoon sun.

“So are you,” Jake said. She turned a little, keeping one eye on Carter. “I remember you praying for him at the hospital. Not even his ex stayed around to do that.”

“Not everyone does public exhibitions of prayer,” she said, trying to downplay what she’d done, which in the grand scheme of things was not much.

“Yeah and not everyone goes out and parties while the man they love is in a coma for three days.”

“Please stop talking about her, else I won’t be able to stop myself from committing a crime of passion the next time I see April,” she said, her tone light and teasing. On the inside, her thoughts were anything but light or teasing. More like dark and murderous.

“You know if he wasn’t such a great guy, I’d probably hate him.” Jake reset his stopwatch on his phone.

“Why?”

“Because it’s effortless with him. He’s a natural, only he doesn’t give a shit like the rest of us—pardon my language, ma’am.” Jake tapped his screen and whistled as Carter zoomed past. “Just shaved a half second off, the bastard.”

“I hate to disagree but I think Carter gives a shit”—She grinned.—“about racing.”

“Nah, he only hates not being first. Racing cars is an outlet for him. It’s all about the thrill, the sport…not the glory or the money. All that is icing on the cake.”

“So he’s really okay with giving all this up?” Jake fiddled with the brim of his baseball cap. “Not everything. He can still be involved without being out there, and he’s got the business sense to do it.”

A sense of foreboding washed over her, but she shook it off as Carter came roaring into the Pit. He climbed out of the car, pulling off his helmet and tossing it at Jake. His hair was plastered to his forehead. He unzipped his suit, exposing the form-fitting t-shirt underneath that defined his muscular chest.

“What did you think?”

“I think it’s a damn good thing you’ve retired.” Jake bumped Carter’s fist with his own. “Else I’d be eating your exhaust.”

“Admit it: You love the taste of my exhaust,” Carter said and Jake punched him in the shoulder.

“On that note, I’m getting the heck out of dodge. Going to see a woman about a woman.”

“Later, bro.”

Melanie smiled over their exchanged. Carter crooked a finger at her. “Get over here and stroke my ego.”

Oh, she’d like to stroke more than his ego, she thought as she ran to him. “That was amazing! You were amazing and I couldn’t stop cheering for you, once I picked my heart off the asphalt.”

Trying to hold her at arm’s length, he said, “I’m all dirty and sweaty.”

“Don’t care.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she hugged him tight. “You looked good out there.”

“Not as good as you did running to me.” He let her go slowly, his eyes dropping to her breasts. “Everyone else enjoyed the show, too.” Fingering her necklace, he smiled. “This looks good on you, too.”

Stepping back, she tucked her hands into the pockets of her jeans and toed a boot on the asphalt. “I slept in it last night.”

He raised his brows, his fingers dipping lower and making her shiver. “That so? Well, how about you wear that necklace to my house and I’ll cook you dinner?”

“You cook?”

“You can’t live with Leah and Lawton Ambrose for eighteen years and not learn how. It’s a requirement for the boys and the girls. Chaps my ass that Heath’s better than me. Boy can make some mean strawberry and cream crepes.”

Laughing she laced her fingers with his, walking off the Speedway with him. “What about the rest? Wait, I already know. Luke lectures on safety while Logan is the bottomless pit. Evangeline sits back and takes notes and Zoe bosses everyone around.”

“I’d be impressed with that, except for the fact that you practically lived at my house since you were eight.”

“Please, you can know a person for years and not really know about them or their family.”

He got a faraway look in his eyes. “Ain’t that the damn truth.”

Chapter Fourteen

Carter’s house was nothing like she imagined, mostly because she’d only seen homes like it on MTV Cribs and Southern Living magazine. The foyer had a ceiling that had to be as tall as the house. Her stilettos clicked with every step she took on the white marble floor.

“Nice shoes.”

“Thanks. I wore the necklace, too.” And her shortest skirt. The pushup bra seemed to be doing its job as well. Pinning her shoulders, she smiled.

Carter ran his eyes over her, green turning dark with desire. He cleared his throat and motioned for her to follow him. “Dinner’s ready.”

“Sure it’s big enough for the two of us?” The dining room was bigger than her entire house and could seat at least fifty people. Okay, so maybe she was exaggerating but the room was ginormous.

“We can eat in the kitchen, if you want.”

Letting out a thick sigh, she pretended to consider his offer. “Nah, I’ll suck it up and eat in here.”

“I appreciate your sacrifice,” he said with a wry smile. He held out her seat, waiting for her to sit before he wiggled the chair up to the table.

Her plate was already fixed, with a juicy steak, steaming baked potato and a fresh salad. “Dessert’s in the kitchen, so eat all your veggies, Miss Smith.”

Rolling her eyes, she picked up her glass of red wine and took a small sip. “Yes, sir, Mr. Ambrose.”

Waving a fork at her, he made a sound of mock disapproval. “Don’t make me punish you for having a sassy mouth.”

“How would you go about that?” She put on her best angel face to hide how wicked she wanted to be with him.

“I’d put it to work singing my praises.”

“Boring,” she said with a pout. “I bet you could think of something else for my mouth to do.”

His eyes dropped to her lips and she could practically see the lust written in them. “How’s the steak?”

She almost dropped her fork. The steak?! “Fine.” She stabbed a piece and chomped down on it. Chewing the delicious meat, she stared at everything in the room, but him.

Trying to make small talk was too much to ask of her, mostly because she was too ticked off and—once again—too embarrassed by her shameless mouth.

Eating the last bite of salad, she pushed back her chair and stood. “Thanks for dinner. I’ll help clear the table.”

“Wait.” Carter’s arm shot out, grabbing her by the wrist. “I have something that needs saying.”

Yeah, well she didn’t want to hear some speech, re-emphasizing how they needed to take things slow. Or at all. “My steak was great, the meal was great. Everything was so great that I’m too full to eat dessert,” she said, smoothing her skirt down. “You don’t have to drive me back to the hotel. I’ll text the driver I used last night. He was great.” If she said great one more time, she would stab herself in the hand with her own fork as punishment.

“I thought it best if we were to go back to being friends.”

Of course he did. She closed her eyes, tears threatening to fall. “Yeah, I guess that’s—”

“But I can’t do it, sweetheart.” His chair scraped back and she felt the heat of him as he came to stand behind her.

“You can’t?”

“Hell, no. I can’t stand idly by, watching other men talk to you. I know what they’re thinking, what they’re seeing and what they want, because I’m feeling the exact same way.” One of his hands slid around and up, cupping her breast. His free hand joined in, going to the small buttons of her shirt and slowly freeing each one. “I want you in my bed. I want to hear those breathy sighs while my cock is in you.”

Her breath hitched and her eyes opened. “Carter…”

“Tell me you want that, too.”

“I want you in me,” she said, arching against him and rubbing her bottom against his erection.

“Jesus, you say the sexiest things.”

She shoved the plates away from her. “Right here is good.”

“Right here is great.” He pushed her down on the table and flipped up her skirt. She heard his zipper being pulled down, then the sound of foil ripping. “Fuck me. Who bought you these?”