Redeemed (Dirty Air #4)(83)

Trophies of all shapes and sizes line the shelves from floor to ceiling, shining under the spotlights. They’re all the reminders of my past, dusty and neglected after years of abandonment. Pictures of my family, friends, and crew break up the space, displaying some of my proudest moments.

Chloe walks up to a brightly colored trophy resembling an alien spaceship. She runs a finger across the metal, swiping a line through the dust. “Wow. I knew you were good, but I didn’t realize how good.”

My chest puffs with pride. “This is a glimpse at what I did before.”

She sneezes, making a plume of dust fly into the air.

I wince. “Sorry. It’s a bit messy right now.”

“Please don’t apologize. This is amazing.” She gives each trophy special attention, reading off the race and year.

I lean against the wall, enjoying her amazement. Any discomfort I used to feel whenever I entered this room is absent. For the first time in what feels like forever, it doesn’t bother me to be surrounded by my past success. Instead, it fuels the beast inside of me that wants to return.

It’s the reason I came in here today and invited Chloe along with me. Now is the time to consolidate the racer I was then with the man I am now. Rather than fight it, I want to accept every single part.

“Why are you showing me this?” She stops in front of my first World Championship trophy. The massive piece still shines after years of abandonment. It’s the trophy that started my entire journey—the one that not only changed my life path but my sister’s as well.

“Because I wanted to show you the racer I was.”

“That’s all?” she whispers.

“And I wanted to remind myself why I’m worth fighting for. Why I shouldn’t be afraid of the meeting I scheduled with the Formula Corp to defend my case.”

“Really?” She turns on her heels and swallows the distance between us. “You’re going to speak to them?”

“I’m going to fight for my right to race again, and there’s no one I want there more than you.”

Tears glisten in her eyes, but she blinks them away before they have a chance to trail down her cheeks. “I’m so proud of you. Like my chest hurts because I’m ridiculously proud.”

“I couldn’t have done this without you.”

She offers me a watery smile. “You could’ve.”

“Okay, let me amend my statement. I wouldn’t have wanted to without you.”

“Okay, you got me there.” Chloe tips her head back and smiles up at me. She steps onto her toes and leaves a lingering kiss on my lips.

I deepen it, cradling her head in my palm as my tongue caresses hers. Chloe lets out the softest moan, and I take initiative. I move away from her lips and bend down. She screams as I hurtle her over my shoulder. There’s a slight pinch from my prosthetic leg, but nothing I can’t handle for a few minutes. Some things take precedent, and the way my dick throbs tells me I’m making the right choice.

“What are you doing?” she cries out.

“I have one last thing to show you.”

“What?”

I clutch onto the backs of her thighs and carry her through the house. She pinches my butt cheeks and complains about the blood rushing to her head, but I ignore her. With my free hand, I rip her shoes off. They clatter to the ground.

I enter my bedroom. The sunset on the lake casts an orange glow across the walls. Chloe lets out an audible oomph as I throw her onto the bed.

I grab a few things out of a drawer and place them beside the nightstand.

“Newsflash: I’ve seen your bedroom. This isn’t anything new or shocking here.” She pushes her hair out of her eyes. The dark strands stand out against the white pillows.

I’m stuck in place, staring at her like a fool. She’s perfect in every way. From her smile to the tiny freckles running across her nose. But most of all, I like the way she looks at me. Like I’m more than just a guy.

Like I matter to her as much as she does to me.

“Bueller,” she calls out in the same voice as the movie we watched.

I crack a smile.

She pokes me in the chest with her foot. “What do you have to show me?”

“How much I care about you.”

Now that shuts her up. Chloe remains mystified as I turn and crawl over her. I pause, unsure how to go about the next steps without making things awkward between us.

“Can you do something for me?” Chloe shifts beneath me.

“What?”

“Will you swap positions with me?”

I blink at her. Following her command, I press my back into the mattress. My head sinks into the soft pillows, and Chloe follows, covering my body with hers.

Chloe’s lips press softly against mine. Her hands run over my shoulders before drifting down my abs. Every muscle she touches contracts, tightening until she moves on. Her hands lift the hem of my shirt, pulling it over my head. She kisses her way down my body. I’m addicted to the feel of her running her tongue across the rigid muscles.

My dick throbs painfully against the seam of my sweatpants. Her light caresses leave me straining for more. More of her. More of this. More of everything she has to offer.

“Keep your eyes shut. If you open them, then this is over.” Her hot breath trails against my skin.