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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 theas they slowly inched up the driveway to the hotel’s entrance He brushed her hair to one side, his touch ainst 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 ht where she was, kissing hiue teased her lips and she opened her e hands settled on her thighs, but went no further They stay locked like that, as time seemed to slon She focused on hiot her just by nibbling on her bottoht be so coht? Blood pounded in her ears as she let her hand drift down, finding his rock hard length At least her desire for hiroan, 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 knohether 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 jus slow? If she’d waited any longer for hiray by the tian to hurt Almost as much as her heart

The cab finally made it to the hotel’s main entrance Reluctant to leave Carter’s e cold air shot inside,a little ht," he said as he helped her out

"Thanks" She tugged gently on her necklace "Thank you for this, too"

"Don’t thank " He looked around, then back at her "It would mean a lot if you would spend the day without a shaky breathe, she smiled "What ti 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 ht after you say your prayers"

Rolling her eyes, she shook her head and shifted froht, sweetheart," he called out and her heart soared

Glancing over her shoulder, she said, "Night, baby doll" She blew hi a jumpy clap at the heated look on his face

To, to say the least

Chapter Thirteen

After they arrived at the racetrack, Carter had introduced her to his buddies as his good friend, whichreally honest, ithiht to behold Not even fifteen o, he had decided to take up Jake on the offer to war like that

All suited up, Carter strode onto the track

"What do you think you’re doing?" She thought that by waro to the place where he hadn’t slaan to shake

"Hopefully, he’s ih

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

"Are you insane?" The car that waited for hi lifetiave her a wicked smile and a wink before he put on his hel 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 al 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 "Coh it"

"But you have to pro, 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’sher eyes from the afternoon sun

"So are you," Jake said She turned a little, keeping one eye on Carter "I re 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 scheoes out and parties while the man they love is in a co about her, else I won’t be able to stopa crime of passion the next ti On the inside, her thoughts were anything but light or teasing More like dark and uy, I’d probably hate him" Jake reset his stopwatch on his phone

"Why?"

"Because it’s effortless with hiive a shit like the rest of us--pardon e, 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 hilory or theon the cake"

"So he’s really okay with giving all this up?" Jake fiddled with the bri He can still be involved without being out there, and he’s got the business sense to do it"