White-Hot Hack (Kate and Ian #2)(9)

Kate opened her eyes. “Oh my God.”

“Do you like it?”

“Oh my God.”

“Does that mean, ‘Yes, Ian. I totally love it’?”

“It’s amazing. What kind of car is that?”

“A Porsche Spyder 918. Gorgeous, isn’t it?” The only thing that would enhance its appearance was his beautiful wife sitting in the driver’s seat.

“But I already have a car.”

He’d bought her a Tahoe to replace the TrailBlazer he’d asked her to sell. “That’s your everyday car. This is your fun car.”

She walked around the outside of the vehicle. “Nothing says keeping it on the down low like a Porsche.”

Loudoun County was no stranger to luxury vehicles, and Kate’s Tahoe probably stood out more than a Porsche would. “It’s not registered in either of our names.”

She grinned. “Of course it isn’t.”

The bright blue car sparkled in the late-afternoon sun. “I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t consult you on the color.”

“I love the color. It’s just like the Shelby.”

“The Shelby was Guardsman Blue. This is sapphire-blue metallic.”

Kate laughed and held up the hand with the sapphire ring. “Ah, I see the connection now. Where did it come from?”

“I bought it online and had it shipped to a local dealer.”

“Don’t tell me how much it cost. I might not be able to handle it.”

He’d paid just under a million for the car. It was six million less than he’d paid for the Shelby, but somehow he didn’t think Kate would consider it the bargain he did. “All right. I won’t tell you.”

He’d always known it would take Kate a while to get used to his money, but he wanted her to think of it as their money. A week ago he’d handed her their credit card bill. “Look at this.”

She’d scanned the bill and handed it back. “I don’t understand. Did we get overcharged for something?”

“You’re not using the card.”

“Yes I am. I’m using it at the grocery store, and I bought a bunch of cooking stuff online. And I’ve spent a lot on the house. I don’t think Jade is sticking to my budget as well as she could.”

“But you’ve bought nothing for yourself. Would you rather I shopped for you? I do enjoy it.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I cannot wear pajamas and lingerie to the grocery store. Silly.”

He never took his wealth for granted, and he appreciated the freedom it allowed him and the safety it provided. Now that he had a wife, those things were more important than ever. Kate had handled the price of the house better than he’d expected, but that was more than likely because she knew how important the security and privacy were to him. He’d discovered the hard way what access to unlimited funds could do to a woman, and it wasn’t pretty. The fact that Kate had never been interested in his money and didn’t want expensive things only made him want to buy them for her.

She rested her hand on the hood of the car. “This is a very extravagant gift.”

His expression grew serious. “I’ve never had a wife to spoil before. Let me spoil you a little. It makes me happy.”

“Okay,” she said. “But this car is ours to share, and you have to promise me one thing.”

“Anything.”

“Promise me that it will never end up in the Potomac, no matter what. My heart couldn’t take it.”

He could see the apprehension on her face, and it bothered him that he’d been the one to put it there. She needed to know that whatever happened, he would never let her go it alone. Never put her through something like that ever again. He looked into her eyes. “I promise, Kate.”

She peered in the window. “I’ve never seen a gearshift like that.”

He smiled.

She opened the driver’s side door and slid behind the wheel to get a better look. He walked around and sat down in the passenger seat.

“How many speeds?” she asked.

“Seven. And it’s a hybrid.”

“Really?”

“Yes. This car is spectacular. It’s no Shelby, but I think you’re going to love it.”

“You miss the Shelby, don’t you?”

“I would like to have driven it one more time.” Unfortunately, his beloved car hadn’t survived the dip in the Mississippi. She’d run again, but the water hadn’t been kind to the electrical systems, and she’d never be the same. He’d donated the car to an auto museum in Nashville.

She started the car, and he could tell by the way she listened intently as he explained the dual-clutch and shift paddles that she was itching to drive it. She leaned over the gearshift and kissed him. “Prepare yourself for an amazing ride.”

“Okay, but I think the only way we can do this with any finesse whatsoever is if you’re the one riding me, because I’m too tall to be on top. You’ll have to straddle me, and even then it’s gonna be tricky, but if I recline this seat all the way back, I think we can make it work. No one can see us, so I want all your clothes off. From my vantage point, the view will be absolutely incredible.”

“You kill me. You really do.” She laughed and shook her head. “I hate to break it to you, but that’s not the kind of ride I meant.”