Page 23 of Speed Crush

Noah, naturally, feeds the flames.

He leans back against the pit wall, arms crossed, like he’s lounging at a photo shoot. “You all think I should embarrass your favorite teacher-slash-mechanic today?”

I let out a soft, derisive laugh, even though my knees already feel wobbly. “You wish!”

Noah leans in slightly, lowering his voice for me but not low enough.

“You sure you’re up for it, Songbird? You look… tense, the whole morning.”

He doesn’t know everything.

Not that my nipples are scraping against my T-shirt like they need relief.

Not that my thighs are clenched so tight I’m starting to shake.

Not that I’ve been aching for him since last night and haven’t done a thing about it—except get wetter.

But I think he knows just enough.

The way his eyes keep dropping to my chest?

The way his mouth tugs, slow and knowing, like he can feel the heat rolling off me?

Yeah. He knows I’m barely holding it together.

And I hate how much I want him to push it.

But he won’t win.

Tense? I’m about to bite through my bottom lip.

But instead, I force my chin up.

“You’re on,” I say, already walking toward the karts. “Five laps. The short track. Let’s see if you can keep up.”

The kids erupt in cheers and hollers, already lining up along the rail like it’s a full-blown showdown.

I climb into the go-kart, trying to sit still when everything between my legs is restless.

Noah steps forward, his eyes never leaving mine. Calm, cocky, and entirely in control. “You sure you’re not too… worked up to drive?” he says, voice low enough for only me to catch.

I freeze for a moment, my heart hammering as I force a defiant smile.

He doesn’t leer or say it outright. Instead, he simply gives me that look—the one that says,“I see every tremor, every hidden desire.”And then, with a grin that turns playful and dangerous, he addresses the gathering crowd.

“You guys might want to stand back,” he announces casually. “You’ve seen Miss Kennedy take corners like she’s chasing blood.”

Laughter bursts from the group—a mix of admiration and mischief. One of the girls fans herself dramatically, and a couple of boys whistle low.

Even so, Noah’s gaze finds me again for an instant, and I recognize the glint of challenge.

Then the engine rumbles to life beneath me, and the second my thighs part, I feel it. The pressure. The denim seam rubbing exactly where I’m aching.

Oh shit.

This thing is vibrating directly against my core. Low, steady, and completely unrelenting.

And all I can think isI am riding the world’s largest vibrator. In public. With witnesses.

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