Page 64 of Speeding Hearts

Despite myself, a heat jolted in my jeans.

“Careful,” Will said, emerging from the plastic behind us and fully ruining the moment. “That railing’s still under repair.”

Stella turned, her eyes catching mine first. “No, it isn’t. Nice try, though.” She gave me a gorgeous toothy grin.

Stella was learning a lot about renovations at the moment, given we were living through one at home too. This spring, I’d swapped houses with my mom. She’d taken over the apartment downtown that I’d never properly moved into, and I’d taken over her house. She’d insisted on moving, and was thrilled to be right in the heart of Oak Bend, where she could meet with her book club at the library and host her own scrapbooking workshops at the community center. Retirement was a no-brainer once I paid her for the house.I’dinsisted on that.

In addition to consulting on the work at the Speedway, I was overseeing the contractors at the house too. My latest hire at the garage was looking after things temporarily for the six months both projects were underway, but I still popped in to check on shop, too. So did Dad. Neither of us could stay away from an engine for long.

“The railing’s safe,” I said.

Still, I wanted to take her into my arms, to pull her close to me and hold her there forever. But if I did that now, I’d want to do more, and Will was right behind me.

I needed to gently suggest he disappear.

Stella looked over at her brother and rolled her eyes. “You should be careful in that designer suit. Isn’t it a little dirty up here for you?”

Will looked down at his dress pants. “This is my casual wear,” he said, defensively. I hadn’t noticed, but his outfit did look a bit high-end for the kind of work I’d roped him into.

“He wanted to see how the renos were going,” I said. “Like another Archer I know, he seems to have trouble understanding the word no.”

“You know me,” Will said.

I gave him the slightest of nods, hoping he’d get the thanks—and get the hint, too. Finally, he cleared his throat. “Well, we’re all done up here, anyway.”

He gave me a meaningful look. The fireworks were all set up.

“Well, good,” said Stella. “I came to tell you Remy was looking for you.”

Remy was the younger of Will’s two teenage daughters.

“She spilled soda all over her dress,” Stella continued. “She says you’re the only one who knows how to get it out.”

Will turned slightly pink. “Guess I’d better run, then.” He kissed Stella on the cheek and gave me a final nod before disappearing down the stairs.

The moment he was out of sight, I pounced, sweeping Stella into my arms. She squealed, surprised, but I felt her body go soft against me. “Miss me?” I asked.

“Always.”

This was how it was with Stella. We could be as sappy as we wanted, and somehow it was never corny. It was just us.

As I held her against me, the heat in my jeans came back in force. I waited until I heard the automatic lock on the stairwell door click downstairs, letting me know Will was truly gone before I leaned in and kissed her.

I took her mouth against mine more deeply than a greeting warranted. She was soft and sweet against me, her tongue doing naughty things against my lips.

I was fully hard in seconds. I didn’t think this would ever change.

“How’d the meeting go?” I asked against her lips.

She drew her hand against the back of my head, trailing her finger down my neck. “Do you really want to know right now?”

“Of course.” I hiked her skirt up over her hips, running my hands along the smooth lengths of her bare thighs.

“They’re in,” she flicked her tongue against my teeth. “Full sponsorship for the year.”

I groaned. “Is that right?”

“You really want to talk about race sponsorship?” she asked, her lips brushing against my ear.

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