Adrenaline (Speed Series Book 2)(41)

“What are you doing to me?” she whispered. “I don’t know how to feel around you and that scares me to death.”

My eyes closed as I said, “I feel the same way.”

Her hands clutched onto my shirt as I looked back into her eyes.

“The only man I’ve ever loved left me.” Her body shook again as tears fell freely once more. “He didn’t want me and I couldn’t understand what I did wrong. I just wanted him to love me. I begged him to love me.”

Lifting my hand, I used my thumb to wipe away her tears. “Paislie,” I spoke as my throat grew thick.

“I swore a long time ago I would never let another man into my heart to hurt me. Then I met you, and everything has been turned upside down. You do things to me . . . things that make me want to give you my very soul.”

My breath caught as her words hit me.

She covered her mouth as she squeezed her eyes shut before dropping her hands and saying, “I would be completely destroyed if I let you in and you hurt me.”

I cupped her face with my hands. “Nothing happened. Paislie, I’ve had Jessica come to the house so many times for a massage. I swear to God, nothing happened. I’d never do something like that to you. Never.”

She bit down on her lip and placed her hands on my arms. “I tried so hard to leave. I couldn’t make it past your driveway. I want to be here for you so badly. I know I can get you behind the wheel of a racecar again, but I’m fighting these other feelings and I’m so confused. I’m so scared.”

My fingers lightly moved a piece of her brown hair that had been stuck to her face. “I feel the same way. You have my stomach in knots and half the time I don’t know whether I’m coming or going, Paislie. This is all so new to me . . . these feelings. I’ve never done the exclusive girlfriend thing.” I let out a frustrated sigh. “You drive me nuts, but the thought of you leaving kills me.”

Our eyes held each other for the longest time before her gaze fell to my lips. Sliding my hand behind her neck, I pulled her to me and brushed my lips over hers.

“Your kiss is like a drug. I crave it constantly, Paislie.”

She swallowed hard as her mouth parted, inviting me to take a hit of that drug. And take a hit I did. Pressing my lips to hers, our tongues explored each other like never before. The wind blew pieces of her hair slightly as I deepened the kiss, feeling the rush of energy between our bodies. I had never been so affected by a kiss before. I needed her to stay. We needed to see where these feelings would take us.

When we both needed air, I pulled back slightly and looked deep into her eyes. “Please don’t leave. We’ll figure it all out. All I know is I want you to stay, and not only to help with my leg. Please give us another try.”

She nodded and pressed her lips together before smiling. I couldn’t help but grin back as I asked her, “Why are you smiling?”

Her face blushed as she looked away and then back at me. “I just thought of a few new things we could try in your next therapy session.”

A low rumble came from the back of my throat while her eyes burned with desire.



“Uncle Malcolm, do you know that Paislie has never had a pillow fight? Or a sleepover!”

It was Sophie’s sixth birthday and she and I were out in the stables visiting Black Jack and Honey Dew. I smiled while Paislie’s name seemed to float on the air.

After yesterday, with everything that happened and her trying to leave, Paislie and I spent the rest of the day doing nothing but sitting on the couch and talking. We finished the night out in each other’s arms watching Safe Haven. It didn’t take her long before she fell asleep. My arm was killing me by three in the morning and my leg throbbed, but I didn’t care. It was the first time I’d ever slept with a girl in my arms. I never had the desire until Paislie. Her in my arms all night was amazing and something I could see wanting each night.

“You don’t say?”

“I know!” Sophie gasped.

An idea hit me as I stopped brushing Black Jack and she followed my lead while Deuce snored away at my feet. “Sophie, what if we surprised Paislie with a slumber party on your birthday?”

Her precious blue eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “Can we have a pillow fight?”

“Yes! We have to be sneaky about this though. Do you think you could be my little secret agent and find out what other things you love to do that Paislie hasn’t done?”

She nodded her head enthusiastically. “I can do that! I’m six and a big girl.”

My heart melted. I loved this little girl more than anything. In a way, I was glad her bastard father told Autumn to leave. I knew it was selfish of me to think that way. Deuce was lying at my feet as he looked up and barked. “I know you are, princess, and it appears Deuce does too.”

Sophie ran and put the brush in the tack room and took off toward the house. “Hey, where are you going?”

“Oh, Uncle Malcolm! I have to get back to the house.”

I pinched my eyebrows together and asked, “Why?”

“I have to make sure Paislie has an amazing slumber party! On my birthday! Paislie will need help picking out a dress to wear tonight now that she is part of the party.”

“A dress for tonight, huh?”

Sophie gave me the sweetest look as she laughed. “Oh Uncle Malcolm, you’re so funny. Did you forget about the ball?”