Page 85 of Speed Crush

She slows a little. “You really said that?”

“I didn’t promise anything,” I say. “Just floated it.”

Her smile grows. “And what did he say?”

I laugh. “He said something weird. ‘These Cedar Falls ladies are sure impressive.’”

She barks a laugh. “Hmm...I didn’t think he’d been in Cedar Falls often and long enough to make that kind of comment.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Maybe he’s just really impressed by you.”

“Nah, twenty bucks says there’s probably something else going on." She winks. "But it’s cute you think that.”

I chuckle, tugging her closer. “So, you’re not freaked out?”

She tilts her head toward me, curiosity flickering. “You mean... about me shadowing Raf?”

I nod. “Yeah. That. Dante seemed pretty open to the idea.”

June takes a breath that turns into a slow smile. “I mean... it felt really good to actually help today. And if Raf’s willing to teach, the chance to learn from someone like him? That would be unreal. But—my students need me. That part of my life matters too. So it’s not that simple.”

I glance over at her, something tugging deep in my chest. “I think it would be a pretty wonderful plan—if you ended up by my side for real, doing something you love.”

She lets out a soft laugh, brushing her arm against mine. “It’s a nice idea. I don’t know what it all looks like yet… and you, Noah Verelli, love to plan ten steps ahead. So, let’s not count our carbon fiber chickens before they hatch, okay?”

She pauses, then adds softly, “But it’s a really nice dream—if I could be with you in that capacity.”

And I swear, nothing’s ever felt more right than that.

June casts another look my way, mischief already teasing the corners of her mouth. “Hey, how about a piggyback to the hotel, Mr. F1 Sexy Back?”

I laugh, then crouch with zero hesitation. “Climb on, Kennedy. I’m yours.”

She climbs on, arms looping around my neck as I hook my hands under her thighs.

She chuckles into my ear as I hoist her higher.

“For the record,” I murmur as I start walking, “you’ll be getting more than a piggyback for the next two days.”

She lets out a breathy snicker, then playfully nips at my ear. “Is that a threat or a promise?”

“Both,” I growl. “I plan on spoiling you, kissing you breathless, and making sure you remember exactly how good it feels to be mine—in every damn way.”

She shifts slightly, thighs tightening around my hips, then grinds—slow, deliberate—against my back. I swear I feel her heat through the denim. My pulse spikes. Instantly.

“You’re playing dirty,” I mutter.

Her laugh is wicked and inviting, and all I can think about is how fast I can get her out of those jeans—and into my sheets.

Chapter 15

What Comes Next

Noah

Hotwaterhammersovermy shoulders, but my pulse is already spiking—like I’m strapped into the cockpit, five red lights blinking overhead. Not anxious. Primed. Heart pounding. Muscles braced. Ready for lights out.Because she’s coming over tonight.To my place for the first time—technically Lily’s Sugar Mills Loft, but mine for the past four weeks.And because I bought her something that terrifies me—and electrifies me even more.

Two weeks ago, I blurted out that I’d fallen in love with her.

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