Текст книги "Throttled"

Автор книги: Elizabeth Lee

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“I’m sorry about jumping you like that outside,” Reid said, following me over the sofa. “I got a little carried away when you said you were single,” he chuckled.

“Yeah, me too. Probably not a good idea to attach my face to the first guy I see, huh?” I joked.

“I’m just glad it was me,” he smiled. “So, what happened with Beau?”

“What do you think?” I teased. He shrugged, I could tell he was trying to play off that fact that he was sure it was because of him. I sighed, “He was worried when I didn’t answer my phone, so he came over. I might have answered the door wearing your sweatshirt. Needless to say the conversation kind of took a left turn from there.”

“I’m not going to pretend like I’m not thrilled that you’re done with him,” he admitted. “But, I’m sorry if it made the situation uncomfortable.”

“It wasn’t just you. It was a lot of things. We were never going to be that couple that had the epic love story, you know?”

“But, you think we could be?” he asked, hesitantly. “That couple. I mean, I think we could.”

“Now, you’re getting a little carried away.” I laughed. “I was thinking maybe we could just get to know each other again. You hurt me, Reid, and as much as I think I’m ready to move past that, I can’t just jump right back in to a relationship with you.”

“That makes sense,” he agreed. “We can take it as slow as you want,” he said, taking my hand in his. “Just because speed is my thing with my job doesn’t mean I live my entire life that way. I want to take my time with you, Shutterbug. Do it right. I don’t expect you to just forgive and forget what happened back then. I know I have to earn your trust again. And, I will.” I wanted to tell him that I’d already forgiven him and that I was trying to forget that part of my life, but I didn’t think I was ready. When his serious expression turned playful, I knew it was his way of giving me the time I needed. “I do have a few requests though.”

“Lay it on me.”

“We get to do this now without feeling guilty.” He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against my lips. “Any time we feel like it.”

“Okay.” I nodded. I’d definitely missed the feel of his kiss, and I was done pretending like I didn’t. The skill of his lips and tongue could have won medals.

“Two,” he said, touching his nose to mine. “I don’t plan on kissing anyone else.” He leaned back. “Can we keep whatever this is, just me and you? I mean, I love a good competition, but not as far as you’re concerned. I want you all for myself.”

“Deal,” I agreed. The last thing I was planning on doing was playing the field. My life had been super complicated lately, I was looking to simplify. The guy sitting across from me was making it impossible to even entertain the idea of another man being in my life.

“Oh, and,” he waggled his eye brows, “I’m going to need you to come over for a ride every day. I missed having you on the back of my bike.” He grinned.

“I could probably live with those terms,” I agreed, leaning in for one more kiss. The impromptu make-out session we’d just had in the trailer had been enough to satisfy the desire I felt for him... for now, but I’d just asked him to take things slow with me and even if I wanted to rip his clothes off, I knew it was a terrible idea. “So, how about you take me to lunch?”

“Your wish is my command,” he grinned.

If only I could make a wish that the future be as easy as it was to be with him at that moment. A wish that ensured we could get a happy ending. That hearts wouldn’t be broken. Especially mine.

* * *

“Anything particular in mind?” he asked as we drove down the two-lane highway to the city closest to Halstead. As good as a bacon cheeseburger from the diner sounded, we decided it might be a good idea to lay low in our small town before going out into the world together. Rumors were already going to fly that I’d cheated on Beau with Reid, hell, they probably already were, but there was no sense in giving the town gossips any fuel.

I glanced around at the signs for the restaurants in the area we were driving through. It was just like any other moderately sized town. A McDonald’s, a T.G.I. Fridays, and a slew of other fast food and chain restaurants.

“You pick,” I suggested. “I’m not too particular.”

“Ha!”

“What?”

“I know exactly how this is going to go, Nora.” He cocked his brow and looked over at me. “You say ‘you pick’, but you are going to shoot down every restaurant name I say until we end up over at The Cracker Barrel.”

My mouth watered at the mention of the name. “That’s not true,” I lied. “Just tell me where you want to go, I know you hate that place. Even though I’m not quite sure why. You can get breakfast any time they’re open, who hates that? It seems un-American. It should probably make me question your sanity, at the very least.” I sighed dramatically. “But seriously, we can go wherever you want.”

“Don’t act like you aren’t thinking about a short stack from there right now.” He flicked on his turn signal and pulled into the turn lane. “You want pancakes and hash browns, plain, not the casserole kind with onions,” he added.  “Oh... and, one of the Orange Creme sodas, don’t you?”

“Maybe.” I pursed my lips. “How do you—”

“I know you, baby.” He laughed, pulling into the parking lot. I’d missed the easy fun of being with him. And, it didn’t hurt things that he was calling me baby. He had a way of making me feel like I not only belonged with him, but that he was grateful for it. The pro’s and con’s list that I’d drunkenly scrawled with Georgia had been right. We did make each other laugh. There was some unspoken connection between us that I just didn’t have with anyone else. “And, don’t worry, I’ll order bacon so you can steal one of the three pieces from my plate.” This wasn’t the first Sunday morning we’d ate at this restaurant, but it had been a long time. The fact that he remembered my order, down to the specifics, was sweet. “Even though I’m clearly a man who needs his protein,” he said, playfully flexing his biceps as he turned into a parking space and shut off the truck.

“Don’t worry, Arnold,” I teased. “I don’t eat bacon anymore,” I told him. “I became a vegetarian a few years ago.” I jumped out the truck and walked around to meet him. The utter look of disbelief on his face had me laughing out loud. “I’m kidding,” I said. “I’m still a meat eater. And, I’ll absolutely be stealing a piece from you. Maybe two.” I winked.

He slipped his hand in to mine and we walked into the restaurant like we had a hundred times before.

By the time we were seated and had ordered our food, I’d started to see that neither of us had really changed as much as we probably liked to believe. I couldn’t look at him without smiling. Especially as I watched him attempt to finagle golf tees around a tiny wooden triangle, with no luck of completing the infuriating little game.

“This is why I hate this place,” he said, pushing the game in my direction. “I swear they want to make you feel like a complete idiot before you leave.”

“Ignoramus,” I corrected. “They want you to feel like an ignoramus.” I pointed to the scoring chart etched onto the game. “You left four tees.”

“You’re not helping,” he teased. “I bet the inventor of that game can’t jump a double on a dirt bike.”

“I bet he can’t.”

“Probably doesn’t even know how to start one,” he smiled proudly.

“So, tell me about the circuit,” I said. It was as good of time as any to talk about Reid’s future. It was his career after all. If we were going to try and make things work between us, I might as well bite the bullet. “What’s it like to be a professional motocross racer? Everything you’d ever hoped for?”

“It’s all right,” he said. His mouth said one thing, but his eyes said another. Did he not want to tell me that he loved it? I could see that he did.

“Reid, I’m serious. I want to know all about it,” I pushed him.

“It’s really great,” he confirmed my suspicions and went on to fill me in on his many accomplishments. I’d never doubted his ability. That was one of the things that hurt so much when he left. I was his number one fan. I’d wanted to be there cheering for him and celebrating after a big win.

“I’m so proud of you. I just wish I could have been there...” I trailed off when I saw the smile fade from his face.

“I know. I’m sorry that I took that away from you. From us. Believe me, I did want you there. It just didn’t seem fair to make you put your life on hold while I got mine started.”

“I really wasn’t trying to make you feel bad,” I told him. “I do understand why you ended things, believe it or not.” I’d been trying to look at our breakup differently. Instead of being the scorned little girl I’d been back then, I was trying to be the adult, rational thinking woman I was now. “I know that you were worried about failing or letting me down. And I get that you wanted to protect me from the hardships of being a thousand miles apart. It still hurt me, but maybe a little less now than it used to.”

“I know I have a lot to make up for,” he said. “And, I can promise you that from here on out you’re at every race you want to be at. I know that might not be the taking it slow you were looking for, but I really want you there. I want to share that part of my life with you.” The sincerity in his eyes and the way he was clasping both my hands with his knocked down another brick in the wall I’d built around my heart.

“I’ll be there.”

“Good,” he said, the agreeable look on his face had my heart beating a little bit faster. The waitress showed up with our orders before I could tell him how much I really appreciated his words. “Can we get another order of bacon, too,” he asked the waitress. The second she sat down his plate I snaked the first piece.

“You bet,” she nodded as she walked away.

“See,” he said. “Some things never change.”

After lunch I, being the completely respectable gentleman that I was, took her back to her car and let her go home. It was hard to not beg her to stay. A part of me was scared that if I let her go, she might change her mind about giving me another chance. She leaned over and kissed me softly on the lips.

“Thanks for lunch,” she said. Her lips still lingering inches from mine, as we stood next to her car in front of the cabin. “And for the ride.”

“No problem.” I hesitated to kiss her again, wondering exactly what she wanted when she’d suggested we take things slow. I had seven long years to make up for and only a couple months left to do it in.

I was a professional motocross racer, going slow meant you were losing, so I decided to go for it. In my world, hesitation was the enemy and I wasn’t going to hesitate to claim what was mine. I snaked an arm around her back and pressed my lips back to hers. She didn’t resist me, in fact, she welcomed it. Her hands fisting my T-shirt, pulling me closer. It wasn’t nearly as aggressive as our kiss in the trailer, but it was just as sweet. I felt her hands flatten out against my chest, and I knew that she’d come to her senses. Her senses which told her that taking it slow was a good idea.

“I should go,” she said, breaking her lips from mine.

“You should.” I paused. “I mean, unless you want to stay.”

“Reid,” she sighed. “I want to stay, believe me. But, what would people think? I just broke up with Beau this morning. I can’t just spend the night with you and pretend like the past never happened.”

“You’re right.” I said when I really wanted to say, “Yes, you absolutely fucking can. And, who gives a shit what people think?” But, I understood, and when she did finally stay with me, I wanted it to be her decision. The last thing I wanted to be was something she was going to regret. I didn’t know exactly how we were going to make it work, but I wanted her to be my long-haul girl. The one that I was with until the end. Seemed all right to take it slow now, if it meant I got her forever.

“I’ll see you soon.” She turned to open her car door. The competitor in me grimaced, but when she turned and gave me another soft, slow kiss, I knew that I was one step closer to winning her back. For good.

* * *

“There he is,” Brett said loudly when I walked into the house. The shit-eating grin on his face said I was about to be answering a lot of questions about what he and my brother had seen go down between Nora and me in the trailer. “Reid “Ricochet” Travers!” he announced as if I was pulling up at the starting gate for a hole-shot. The nickname that I’d earned on the circuit did seem fitting. I’d somehow managed to ricochet my way back into Nora’s life.

“Have I told you how ridiculous you are today?” I said with a laugh.

“I know you love me,” he teased. “So buddy, you got the girl back?”

“Maybe.” I shrugged. “It sure feels like things might be headed in that direction.”

“I never doubted you,” he said, when I joined him on the couch.

“Where’s Hoyt?” I asked, deliberately dodging his comment about doubting me.  I didn’t want to admit that I doubted she could be mine again.

“He had a phone call. He’s out back I think.” Brett said, folding his arms over his lap. He was trying to hide something. When I saw a book sitting open on Brett’s lap, and under his arms, I had to look twice. “Are you reading a book? Do you even know how?” I teased.

“Yes, I know how.” He shook his head. “I’m not a complete Neanderthal.” He held it up. The Girl on the Train.

“Really? Chick lit?”

“It’s not Chick Lit,” he argued. “It’s a mystery. I was bored, okay? I can only ride a dirt bike so much, RT.” He sighed. “Plus I saw Georgia reading it the other day.”

“Where did you see Georgia?”

“I ran into her at the diner. She was reading it, so I thought I’d give it a shot.”

“Uh-huh.” I hesitated asking him my next question. Not sure if I should even be getting involved. But then again, hesitation is the enemy and all that so I went ahead. “And, why exactly would you be interested in something Georgia was reading?”

“Does it matter?” He said, giving away his exact reason. I’d told him all about Georgia losing Jamie and how I didn’t think she was interested in a fling, especially with a guy that wouldn’t be around for too long.

“You better be careful, Brett.”

“I know, but I can’t help it if I’m attracted to her.”

“You most certainly can. She’s been through the wringer. The last thing that girl needs is for you to hit it and quit it.”

“You really think I’m that big of dick?” he asked. The usual cheeriness gone from his eyes and replaced with defeat. He closed the book and dropped it onto the coffee table with a thud. “And you’re being a complete hypocrite. You planning on giving up racing to live here with Nora? You ready to put your roots down for a girl?”

“I might be,” I replied. I knew that I wasn’t going to lose Nora again, and if that meant giving it up, I would. But, I knew for a fact that Brett Sallinger was not ready to make that sacrifice. He craved the fame and the thrill way more than I ever did. As we stared each other down momentarily, I realized that his glare wasn’t going anywhere. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt his feelings. “Maybe I am being a hypocrite, but Nora and I have a history. It’s different.” I countered. “I just know that relationships have never really been your thing. I don’t think you’d intentionally hurt her.” I said, trying to apologize for making him feel like shit. I was just telling him the truth though. It was hard to hear sometimes, I knew from personal experience. I shouldn’t have said anything.

“Yeah, well it’s going to take a lot more than me reading a book to win her over anyway. She doesn’t seem the least bit interested.” He stood up and dropped the book to the coffee table. “Don’t worry, Reid. She’s safe from me.” he said, walking out the front door and letting it slam behind him before I had a chance to respond. Nothing like having a fantastic day with the girl you love only to come home and royally piss off your best friend. My high became a low real quick.

I know we gave each other a lot of shit, but Brett was my best friend. I shouldn’t have been so hard on him. I was out the front door and ready to apologize again for doubting him, but I heard his bike fire up and knew that I wouldn’t be seeing him for a while. Riding was therapeutic for Brett, just like it was for me. Sometimes we needed the noise of a motor revving to actually be able to think clearly. Brett took off on one of the trails leading into the woods. I knew when he came back, he and I could talk and make things straight again.

“Hey,” Hoyt said, walking out the front door and on to the porch with me where I was leaning up against one of the wooden pillars. “Can I talk to you about something?”

“Sure.” Today was apparently the day everyone wanted to talk. He walked up next to me and rested his hands on the railing.

“Nick Pilsner just called me.” Nick Pilsner was the head of the Throttled Energy’s sponsorship program. The same guy that had hooked Brett and I up with our contracts.

“Don’t tell me he wants us to pack up and go on some arena tour or something. I’m not ready to leave Halstead yet.”

“Not exactly.” Hoyt shook his head. “He wants me to pack up.”

“Why?”

“Did you mention something to him about me coaching riders?”

“I might have.” I smiled. “I know you want more than to just follow my dumb ass around all the time.”

“Well, he took your word. He offered me a position working with some up and comer. Chayse McCade or something like that. Ever heard of him?”

“I haven’t. You’re going to go right? I wasn’t lying when I said you’d be good at coaching. You’ve been coaching me since you were twelve. And let’s face it, I’m pretty well seasoned. I’m a big boy now,” I teased. “I mean,” I hesitated at the risk of sounding like a complete chick, but this was my brother. I could be a little mushy. “I’ll always need you on my team, little brother, but I want to see you do something great.” I smiled.

“You’re right. But, it’s a big step. I’m not sure I’m ready.”

“You need to go, Hoyt. This sounds like a fantastic opportunity.”

“It would be cool to help someone get in shape for the pros. And, you’re right about not really needing me anymore.” He sighed and thought for a moment. “I should do it.” I gave him a pat on the back. I was proud of my little brother. I wanted more for him than just being my manager. “Now who is going to keep you in line?” He laughed.

“I think I might know someone.” I winked. I hadn’t told him yet, but I was feeling pretty confident about Nora being back in my life. Hoyt might have thought he was good at keeping me in check, but there was no one that kept my ass in line quite like that girl.

What am I doing? I thought as I lie in bed that night. I hadn’t been able to stop smiling since I’d left Reid’s house, and I hadn’t been able to fall asleep either. Was it stupid that I was giddy over the idea of being with him again? And, not just sleeping with him, not that I wasn’t excited about that part. If the kiss we’d shared was any indication of what was to come, then how could I not be?  I meant actually being with him. Being his girlfriend again.

I felt switched on after years of living in the safety of numbness.

It was electrifying and terrifying all at once.

But… no risk no reward, right?

For the first time in seven years, I was starting to remember who I was and who I wanted to be. The feel of holding on to him on the back of that bike was so freeing and fun and everything I’d thought I didn’t want anymore. Turned out, I’d been completely lying to myself. I wanted to be—no. I was wild and carefree. I wanted to follow my passions and be spontaneous. Being buttoned up and boring was over.

Less than twenty-four hours had passed since I’d broken up with Beau and told Reid that I was single. I’d become so used to my slow, uneventful life, that with everything that was happening, I felt like I was moving at light speed. No matter how I tried to rationalize the situation the fact was, I wanted to be with him. The risk of having my heart broke again was still there, but it didn’t seem as scary as it had when he first came back to town.

I believed him when he said he would never hurt me and that he wanted a future with me. I hated that we’d spent five years apart, but I don’t know if the seventeen year old me was actually ready to commit her life to someone else. Maybe Reid had done us both a favor by ending things back then. Maybe we both needed to grow up a little and discover who we were as individuals before being a couple.

I wasn’t the same little girl that would have followed him around the world, no questions asked. I wanted a life with him, but I still wanted my own life—whatever it was. I was content with my real estate job, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to dig my old camera out of storage and give photography another shot. Reid had been living his dream, perhaps it was time that I started living mine.

I wanted to tell Reid about what I was thinking, that I was proud of him, that I was inspired by him, but stupidly I went home, when I could have spent the rest of the day and the night with him. I was worried about what people would think, but did I really care? Did I really need to put boundaries on what we had? It wasn’t doing anything but making me question what I felt and I didn’t want to do that anymore. I wanted to live in the moment and quit over thinking everything.

I wanted more moments like the one we shared in the trailer. The way he’d kissed me—the way I’d kissed him. It felt amazingly chaotic and I loved it. It was filled with the passion and desire that we used to have for one another, but different enough that it was still new and exciting. Just thinking about his kiss had my lips tingling in anticipation.

I jumped up out of bed and grabbed the sweatshirt of Reid’s that had caused so much trouble. A good kind of trouble. A kind that helped me end something that should have been ended long before Reid showed back up. I zipped it up over my pajamas—a motocross T-shirt and a pair of cropped black leggings—and slipped on my tennis shoes. I grabbed my keys as I was walking out the front door and carefully closed it behind me, not wanting to wake my sister. Not that she wouldn’t have supported my new go-after-what-you-want attitude, but I didn’t want to waste another minute. I couldn’t lay in that bed another second wondering about all the what if’s.

I was done waiting for answers to come to me.

* * *

The glow of the television lit up the windows of the cabin and I was happy to see someone was still awake. I hadn’t called Reid on my way over. I wanted to surprise him. I wanted him to see that I could come to a decision about us all on my own. I parked the car and made my way up the stairs and I peeked through the window. Reid was sitting in the recliner, a blanket pulled up over him, his eyes wide as he stared at the television. Hoyt was on the sofa and looking equally as enthralled by what they were watching. Judging by the way they both jerked at a loud noise and whatever was on the screen, I had a good guess it was something in the horror genre.

He always was a big baby when it came to scary movies. While I loved them, I practically had to drag him to the theater with me, but he still went every time and held my hand like he wasn’t scared at all. I remembered feeling the tight squeeze of his hand around mine every time something unexpected happened, or how he’d kiss my neck when there was something he didn’t want to see and play it off as him making a move. It was sweet and silly and one of the reasons I fell for him. He might have acted like the big, tough guy, but he had a vulnerable side, even if he only let me see it. He’d probably even gone as far to suggest that he and Hoyt watch whatever it was to validate his man card, which made the sight of him sitting there that much more comical.

Reid pulled the blanket tight around him, not wanting to cover his eyes and look like the chicken I knew he was. He might not have been scared of fast bikes and big jumps, but put on a slasher flick and all bets were off.

I rapt on the window—loud enough to draw their attention—before I ducked out of sight.

“What the hell was that?” Hoyt asked, grabbing the remote and hitting the pause button. “You heard that, right?”

I covered my mouth, trying not to let them hear the laugh I was fighting back as I made my way over to the door.

“Had to be the wind,” Reid reasoned. I heard the heavy thud of their footsteps across the floor. I assumed they were walking over to look out the window I’d just knocked on. I counted to three before pounding my fist against the front door. One, two, three times. They both screamed. Deep, masculine screams, but screams nonetheless.

Reid whipped open the front door and was greeted by the laughter I’d been holding back the entire time.

“You boys watching a scary movie?” I teased, watching the angry, I’m-gonna-kick-someone’s-ass look on his face fade to an embarrassed smile.

“Son of a bitch, Nora,” Reid said, taking a breath.

“I’m sorry,” I said, holding my hands up. “I couldn’t help myself. You were so into the movie. It was like I was being handed a prank on silver platter.”

“You’re gonna pay for that,” he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me inside, undoubtedly from the monster he was afraid was lurking outside. I was intrigued by his playful warning and even more by the wicked grin that fell on his lips. I had a few suggestions for punishment, starting with the mandatory placement of my lips against his.

“I’m fully prepared for payback,” I joked.

“You say that now, but we’ll see,” he said, closing the door behind him. The low slung sweatpants and T-shirt he was wearing said he was in for the night. I hadn’t even thought about what I would have done if he hadn’t been home. Maybe surprised him by hiding in his room. I would have to save that for another night. It was invigorating to actually be thinking of ways to surprise Reid. To have some excitement in a relationship.

With Beau, I was never spontaneous, he didn’t like surprises or trying new things. He liked routine and familiarity. I thought I did, but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted the unknown. I used to be a free spirit and a little bit reckless, and I had fun. I thought that was one of the reasons I’d been hurt before—because I fell too hard and too fast for a guy that wasn’t as invested. But, looking at Reid and replaying in my head the reasons he’d really left, I knew that it had nothing to do with who I was. Neither of us were to blame. He was trying to make the best out of a bad situation—we were young and he had a lot riding on making the best of his opportunity. I wished he would have confided in me back then, but at least now we were getting a do over. I was getting a chance to be the kind of girl I wanted to be. With him.

“You’re evil,” Hoyt said, smirking as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Oh, come on,” I said as I leaned against the counter. “You would have done the same thing. You two just made it too easy. All huddled up under your blankies like the boogieman was going to get you.”

“It wasn’t the boogieman,” Hoyt corrected. “It was a possessed demon child.”

“Even better.” I laughed.

“Now that you’ve scared the shit out of us,” Reid began, propping his arm across my shoulders as he stood next to me. “Why the late night house call?” I looked up into his eyes and almost forgot why I was even there. He leaned in and I felt an all too familiar burn deep in my belly as he whispered. “Not that I’m complaining.”

“I was hoping we could...” I wanted to lean into him the rest of the way and close the distance between our lips, but I felt Hoyt staring at the two of us like we were as interesting as the movie he’d just been watching. “Talk.”

“I think we can... talk.” Reid winked and bit at his bottom lip as he nodded. He turned his attention to Hoyt briefly.

“Um, yeah,” Hoyt said, clearly receiving the look his brother was giving him. “I’m gonna see if Brett’s still up. Maybe beat my fists on the side of the Airstream and see if I can’t make him scream.” He laughed as he headed for the door. “Good to see you, Nora.” He smiled. “You two have fun talking.”

As soon as the door closed behind his brother, Reid turned to face me. His arm fell from my shoulders to my waist as he pulled me to him.

“It’s awfully late at night for you to be showing up,” he murmured and cocked a brow.

“Yeah well, I decided that this is where I wanted to be,” I said matter-of-factly.

“Is that so?” he chuckled, lowering his mouth to mine. The fullness of his lips and the taste of peppermint on his tongue as it found mine made me weak in the knees. I wrapped my arms around his neck to hold my body against his and returned his kiss.

“That’s so,” I said when we parted. As much as I wanted to skip the talking part and go right back to kissing him, I remembered exactly what I came here to tell him. “I don’t care about what anyone thinks.”

“Okay,” he said with a confused look. “I don’t care either?”

“I mean, I don’t care if anyone sees us together. Or if they think I ended things with Beau because of you,” I clarified. “I guess what I’m trying to say is, I want to be with you. I want to really try and make this work. You and me.”

“Man, am I relieved to hear you say that.” He wrapped his other arm around my waist and with the other lifted me up until I could wrap my legs around him. “That’s exactly what I want, too.” With my body pressed firmly held against his, he reclaimed my mouth with his. I could feel my heart beating against his chest as he carried me toward the steps that led to his bedroom. He lowered my feet on the second step up so I was eye to eye with him when he broke our kiss.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m planning on taking you upstairs in a second and showing you exactly how badly I’ve missed you.”

“Okay,” I agreed. “So why the pit stop?”

“Just giving you a second to catch your breath before I remind you exactly why you belong to me,” he said with a devilish smirk.