Page 55 of Head Over Wheels

Her brow furrowed – not delicately, because nothing about Lori was delicate and I loved that about her. Her gaze snagged on the blue sign at the side of the road setting out the national speed limits with a big ‘B’ on top. As we cruised past, she kept looking, craning her neck.

‘You had a hankering for real Belgian chocolate and waffles?’ she asked, turning to me.

‘Hmm?’

‘You’re going to eat somewhere across the border?’ she clarified.

‘I grabbed a sandwich from the bus and we’ll eat later. We always eat Mamie’s beef stew when I’m home after a race. You’ll love it.’

It was so hard to keep a straight face as her eyes grew bright with alarm. She sent a panicked glance at my mum and grandma in the front.

‘It’ll be dark by the time we get to the farm, but I’ll show you in the morning,honey,’ I added darkly.

She swallowed. ‘It’s just a shame you were so reluctant to introduce me to your family before now,babe,’ she countered. ‘They’re lovely, as I knew they would be.’

I felt Mamie’s indignation, even though she didn’t turn around and my mum’s surprise was reflected in the slight kick of the car as her foot faltered on the accelerator.

‘I didn’t think you’d take the time from your busy schedule just for us.’ I winced inwardly.

‘Are you kidding?’ she responded, warming up to the pretence. ‘I’ve been dying to see this place.’

She sounded convincing and I was enough of a dork that my heart went ahead and leaped.

‘Don’t get your hopes up,’ I mumbled. After a few minutes of driving in silence as the tension in the car hovered, I leaned across the seat, my lips near her ear, and whispered, ‘Youdon’t have to come. I can explain everything and take you back – or call your dad.’

I lingered, hoping Mamie’s sharp ears wouldn’t pick up our conversation and that they’d think I was just nuzzling my girlfriend – not that that was something I had ever done in front of my family. As the hairs stood up on the back of my neck, all I could think about was nuzzling. She smelled amazing: heady and vital.

‘No,’ she said simply, drawing in an unsteady breath.

‘No?’ I repeated groggily. I had to stop thinking about putting my lips on her skin.

‘I’m not going to call Dad,’ she clarified. I managed to lift my head and meet her gaze questioningly at her firm tone. ‘Look out, Seb,’ she continued, lifting a hand to my face. ‘You’re bringing your girlfriend home to the farm.’

Chapter 22

Seb

‘Seriously, let me make up the guest room for you,’ I said under my breath, rushing in front of Lori to stop her in the hallway. She’d already blown my remaining synapses by eating stew at the kitchen table with a fixed smile while the two women who’d brought me up watched with thinly veiled doubt. Seeing her in my childhood bedroom would finish me off and I’d already died once today on the cobbles.

‘Your family isn’t offended if we share a room, are they?’ she asked. ‘I thought when Mamie winked—’

‘They’re not offended,’ I interrupted her. ‘But…’ I pulled at my hair with a sigh.

‘Is there something wrong with your room?’

Other than the fact that I would always think of her in it, once she stepped over the threshold? ‘No! I mean the bed’s pretty small. I don’t want you to be uncomf—’

‘Stop arguing,’ she said, cutting me off. ‘Have you forgotten that wehaveslept together before?’

‘I’m not going to forget that for the rest of mylife,’ I grumbled. ‘But what about the bad lu—’

‘Getting my head in the game is my problem, Seb. I’m out of the next race anyway.’ She gestured to her sling. ‘Might as well have some fun.’

My skin tingled and my body dragged itself sluggishly to life again at that suggestion.

Then she dropped her chin, eyeballed me and said, ‘I’m pretty sure you’re just going to fall asleep anyway.’

My thoughts swam, not sure what she wanted from me and willing to give it to her, whatever it was. Grasping her face in both of my hands, I drew her close and said, ‘Do you want to? Have sex again? Is that why…’

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