Page 14 of Endurance

I winced as I listened to her recap the traumatic events of the past year. She’d barely taken a breath as she listed everything in chronological order up until this moment. I wasn’t sure what Milo sent her, but there had to be a bunch of HIPAA law violations somewhere in there. As for possible lawsuits, I couldn’t care less about those—I deserved them and would forever be plagued with guilt over accidentally hurting an innocent child.

But while Kallie’s summary was correct, I was still right about one thing. The file she read didn’t even scratch the surface. Never once did she acknowledge what I’d truly lost in the crash that happened one year and three months ago. There were some things I’d never get back—the feel of the engine revving, the wind as it whipped around the car, the roaring of the tires, the adrenaline rush that always came when I got behind the wheel.

Or the euphoria felt during the victory lap after a big win.

“You think you know everything, but you know nothing about me or what I had to give up,” I said through gritted teeth. “Milo’s intentions were good, but I think it’s time for you to leave. I had a late night, and a bottle of ibuprofen is calling my name.”

Her stiff posture softened, and to my surprise, she reached across the table to cover my hand with hers. Her bright green eyes appeared concentrated as she stared back at me, and a strange sort of energy passed between us.

“I told you I was going to list the things I knew, and then you had to fill in the blanks. I’m not insensitive to how you might be feeling. You were in the prime of your life, only to have it all ripped away. I won’t pretend to understand what that feels like, but I can try if you’ll let me. The sooner I figure out who you are, the better I can do my job.” She stopped, seeming to come to some sort of realization, then cocked her head to the side contemplatively. “Sloan, I’m a big believer in fate. The destiny of every single person on the planet is written in the stars. There’s a reason I was sent across the country to help you. Maybe you can consider this a new beginning.”

I stared back at her, soaking in her words. She wore a curious expression, and I had to wonder if her comment about fate was actually about her—not me. But it was her earnestness about a predetermined destiny that made me pause. As ludicrous as the idea was, she made me believe it. Something flashed in her deep pools of green. I wasn’t given a chance to figure out what it was before she stiffened and pulled her hand away from mine.

“Kallie, I want to help you out here, but I don’t even know where to begin. There are just some things that can’t be explained on a piece of paper. Racing was everything. I don’t know who I am without it,” I admitted with total sincerity. “I’m not sure how a fancy PR firm is going to help me get past that.”

She pursed her lips as she considered me with inquisitive eyes.

“It won’t, but it will help your less-than-savory reputation. Milo lined up a volunteer opportunity for you with Corporate Cares, a company that handles the fostering of young boys. He hopes to reverse the media spin that you somehow hate children. It’s a good start, but I have a few other ideas up my sleeve as well. If you’re willing to give this a go, let’s start tomorrow at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. A man by the name of Colton Donavan will be there tomorrow with a few of the boys from Corporate Cares. Meet me at ten o’clock.”

“I’m familiar with the track, and I know Colton. He’s a friend of mine.”

Her expression brightened, and I could almost see the wheels spinning in her head.

“Good. That should make things easier. I’ve put together an informal photoshoot and plan to invite the media.”

“No,” I stated firmly and adamantly shook my head. “No media. They spent years worshipping the ground I walked on, then turned on me in a hot minute after the accident. I haven’t seen today’s newspapers, but I’m sure it’s even worse now. I don’t trust them. They’ll be looking for me to screw up.”

“Well, then, Mr. Atwood, I guess you shouldn’t screw anything up.”

Kallie stood and swung her crocheted purse over her shoulder, signaling she was about to leave. When she turned and began walking toward the front door, I quickly followed her, overcome with a strong desire to ask her to stay. For what, I didn’t know. It was odd considering that just fifteen minutes earlier I’d wanted to throw her out.

When we reached the door, she opened it, stopped just outside the threshold, then turned to face me. I stared down at her and our gazes locked. And there it was again—gravity, just like I’d felt when I saw her on the beach. She pulled me in, and I thought I might drown in the green sea of her eyes. I’d just met this woman, but there was something about her I couldn’t quite place. She was familiar yet so unfamiliar at the same time. She was a stranger, yet I felt like we knew each other intimately, as if we were two infinitely magnetic souls.

I took a deep breath, attempting to get ahold of myself, but it didn’t help. Her vanilla patchouli scent filled the air, and it was practically making me high—on her.

“Kallie, why did you agree to come all the way here?”

“It was a job assignment. I had no choice.”

For some reason, her response pissed me off. Perhaps it was my ego, but I wanted her to be here for me and not just another job assignment. My feelings were ludicrous. From the way she spoke, she most likely never even heard of me until my agent hired her—yet that might be the most appealing thing about her. She didn’t seem affected by my fame. She didn’t have stars in her eyes or look at me as a meal ticket. There was no fangirling or gold-digging to worry about. I was a stranger to her in a way that I wasn’t to so many other women.

I reached out and wrapped my fingers around her slender arm. Electricity seemed to sizzle under my palm, shocking me so much, I nearly pulled away. Yet, somehow, I held my grip firm as I stared down at her pink heart-shaped lips. My only thought was keeping her here—I didn’t want her to disappear like she had yesterday. I wanted to make this rainbow mirage become a reality.

Without giving it further thought, I leaned in and planted my mouth on hers.

5

Kallie

Istiffened in protest as my mind grappled with this unexpected development.

Is this happening? Is he really kissing me right now?

I anchored my hands on his biceps, intending to push him away and end this madness—he was a stranger in almost every sense of the word. However, the heat I still felt from seeing him shirtless clouded my judgment, and my brain seemed to disconnect from my body. I was confused and didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want this…yet I did at the same time.

Without meaning to, I found myself kissing him back. My hands shifted from his shoulders to curl around his neck. My acceptance of his kiss encouraged him to press deeper into my mouth. Tasting. Claiming. His masculine scent of spice and earth sent my body reeling. I met every stroke of his tongue as he wrapped his arm around my waist, crushing my torso against his.

His fingers caressed the nape of my neck, gliding over the slope of my collarbone. I was drowning in sensation. I could hardly breathe as a wave of dizziness made my head swim. I knew it was wrong, but his possessive, animal touch made me feel powerfully female and profoundly desired. I felt it from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, and every molecule was consumed in molten heat. This was what I’d not even known I’d needed, and it felt so damn good. I finally knew what had been missing between Dean and me—it was chemistry and unbridled passion.

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