Page 39 of Touch Me Not: Anniversary Edition

“How long has it sat idle?” Lily asked. She was already checking the interior for flaws.

“Nearly four years.” Ted moved closer to the car.

“How often did you start it?” she asked.

“I started it up a few days ago before I put it up for sale to make sure it still ran.”

Lily gaped at him, and Nikoli chuckled. Ted, here, was not a car buff. “Well, that explains why it’s almost out of gas,” she grouched. “It might make it to the station.”

Shaking his head at her disgusted tone, Nikoli turned his attention back to Ted, who was standing much too close to Lily, even if she was safely in the car. There was something about the guy, something off, that rubbed Nikoli the wrong way, and he definitely didn’t like the way he stared at Lily. If she was paying attention, she’d be freaking out. For once, Nikoli was glad her car lusting made her oblivious.

“If you’ll get the title, I’ve got the check.” He pulled out his wallet and fished out the certified cashier’s check.

Ted turned and disappeared back into the house. Nikoli waited impatiently while watching Lily. She was going over everything, finding imperfections and clucking like a mother hen. The fact that she could lust over a car and not him still blew his mind. It was sexy as hell.

“Is there enough gas in that thing to make it to the station?” Nikoli asked to get his mind off things that would drive him insane on the four-hour trip back to school.

“I think so, but barely,” she said. “The passenger seat’s leather is ripped in two places. There’s a crack in the dash, and there’s a tiny dent back by the back fender.”

“Are you okay driving it back?” he asked. “You said it’s been a while since you’ve driven anything like it…”

“Does that mean I can drive your car?”

“Hell, no!”

“Then, yes, I’m good driving this one back.” She looked up at him and winked. “Just try to catch me.”

His eyes widened at the challenge, but before he could say anything else, Ted was back with the title and a bill of sale. Nikoli made sure the title was signed then handed over the check.

“Good doing business with you.” Ted nodded and went back inside the house.

Nikoli turned his attention back to Lily. He crouched in front of the driver’s window. “Are you sure about this? I can always bring Luther back to…”

“I’m fine, Nikoli,” she told him. “I’m more comfortable behind the wheel of a car than I am anywhere else. I’m not going to crash her. I promise.”

“Okay, follow me to the station. Let’s hope there’s enough gas in there to make it. I’d hate to leave it on the side of the road even long enough to go get gas.”

Lily nodded and obediently followed him to the station. Once the tank was full, she grinned. The boy had no idea how well she could drive. Her dad may have died, but she loved cars and had spent her teenage years learning all sorts of tricks. This baby had all the bells and whistles she could ever want. Not only was she in the driver’s seat of one of the most awesome cars ever created, she’d managed to actually touch Nikoli. That still made her smile from ear to ear. It wasn’t major to most people, but it was to her.

Nikoli came out of the store and handed her a cold bottle of water. “You ready?”

“Are you?” She grinned up at him.

“Oh,Milaya, I’m always ready.” His fingers reached out and traced her cheek. She barely flinched. She was getting used to the feel of his hands on her. She looked at him, shocked and surprised. Why wasn’t she freaking out? It made no sense to her.

He smiled. “I’m going to win.”

“You keep thinking that,” she said, pulling away from him and starting the car. “See you back on campus!”

With that, Lily pulled out, leaving Nikoli running for his own car. She laughed and went from forty to eighty to a hundred. The wind whipped through her hair, and the feel of the car beneath her reminded her how much she loved driving. She’d missed it. There was so much freedom and power in letting a car run flat out. Nikoli was catching up, and Lily smiled an evil smile. The man had no chance. She was in a fully modded racing car. His ’Cuda was amazing, but he would never catch the Mach 1.

Pressing her foot down on the acceleration pedal, she picked up speed and left Nikoli Kincaid in her rear-view mirror.

Chapter Twelve

Nikoli cursed six ways to Sunday as he ran up the stairs to Lily’s dorm. He had never in his life been outdriven by a girl, and it rankled. Granted, he knew the Mach 1 was faster than the ’Cuda, but still, she shouldn’t have been able to smoke him the way she had. Her driving skills were better than he gave her credit for. He’d lost sight of her fifteen minutes after they’d pulled out of the gas station. Fifteen minutes! The woman could drive. He’d give her that, grudgingly, but she could damn well drive.

Ignoring all the stares, he strode down her hallway and banged on the door. No answer. What the devil was she doing? His car was outside, so she had to be here. He knocked on the door again, and still nothing.

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