Adrenaline (Speed Series Book 2)(40)

Her eyes shot down to mine and said, “Trying to find the inner peace. The quiet that makes everything okay. Mr. Wallace was in need of finding it and now you’ve just brought all this negative energy.”

“Oh,” was all I said. By the time I had my wits about me, Natalie had picked everything up that had fallen off the tray and both women were retreating away as they whispered, but loud enough for me to here.

“She ruined the whole environment. Next time I will insist he comes to the spa.”

Staring at them as they walked around the corner, I continued to sit on the floor like an ass.

“Why are you on the floor?”

His voice no longer sounded angry. He seemed relaxed. Yeah . . . I wonder why.

I slowly stood and turned to him. I froze in place as I got a good look at him.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Father in heaven, help me for I am about to sin.

My tongue instinctively ran along my lips as I took in the glorious site in front of me. Malcolm had an amazing body. His chest was broad and his abs looked like something out of magazine. The towel wrapped loosely around his hips, not leaving anything to the imagination.

My lower stomach clenched as my nipples hardened.

“I’m sorry I interrupted your little ménage à trois.”

The smile that spread across his face pissed me off. “What were you doing at my bedroom door?”

The heaviness in my chest made it hard to breathe. No . . . the fact that he stood before me almost naked made it hard for me to breathe.

“I wanted to apologize for my . . . my um . . . um . . .” I couldn’t even think straight with him looking at me the way he was.

“You’re what?”

Finally shaking the thoughts running through my mind of Malcolm taking me up against the wall, I shook my head. “My actions earlier on the bench. It was insensitive of me to lead you on the way I did and my reaction was not at all professional.”

He lifted a brow and stared at me. “You said you were leaving.”

Trying not to focus on the V that dipped down into the towel, I mumbled, “What was that?”

“You said you were leaving.”

The way his blue eyes were looking at me had me so confused . . . like I wasn’t already confused enough, I needed his intense stare to add to it.

“You want me to leave?” I asked.

His face softened. “No. I don’t want you to. But you said you were.”

My lips were dry, but I was afraid to lick them.

My hands came up over my face as I let out a frustrated sigh. “I can’t think straight with you standing in a damn towel!”

Spinning on my heels, I took off as fast as I could for my room. I needed space between Malcolm and myself.

A lot of space.





I COULD HAVE EASILY TOLD Paislie that Jessica and Natalie were there strictly to give me a massage, but I kind of liked the idea that she got what she deserved.

Making my way into the kitchen, I gave Clarisse a wide grin as I slowly made my way over to her and kissed her on the forehead. “Smells really good. What’s for dinner?”

“Fish tacos.”

“Yum.” I glanced around and when I didn’t see her anywhere, I sighed. “Have you seen Paislie?”

Clarisse looked at me like I had grown an extra head. “She didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?” My heart dropped.

“She said things weren’t working out; she left a little bit ago, Mr. Wallace.”

All the air from my body escaped in one breath. “S-she left?”

Clarisse nodded. “I thought you knew.”

Shaking my head, I turned and headed out of the kitchen, “No, I didn’t know.”

Grabbing my truck keys, I moved as fast as I could.

“Malcolm! You can’t drive!” she called out. I ignored her and made my way to the truck where I slowly pulled myself in. My truck wasn’t a standard so I could drive fine.

Turning it on, I hit the gas and barreled down the driveway. Hitting the talk button on my wheel, I said, “Call Paislie.”

“Calling Paislie.”

My heartbeat was pounding in my ears as I drove faster.

I had to catch her.

I had to find her.

“You’ve reached the voice mailbox of Paislie Pruitt. Please leave—”

I hit the hang-up button as I yelled out, “Fuck!”

Once I got to the end of the driveway, I slammed on the brakes. Paislie’s car was pulled over to the side. Throwing my truck in park, I carefully got out and made my way over to her as fast as I could. My leg was throbbing but I ignored it. My chest tightened with the knowledge that she only made it this far.

Her hands were on the steering wheel with her head rested on them. It was clear she was crying and that about killed me, knowing I was the reason she was so upset. The only thing I could focus on was her and making her understand how sorry I was.

I opened the door to her car and reached in for her. She didn’t even look up as I pulled her to me, and she wrapped her arms around me while crying into my chest.

After a few moments, she pulled back and looked at me. All I saw was sadness in her eyes. I’d never felt my heart physically hurt like it did with the look on her face. I’d give anything to turn back time to just a few hours ago.