Page 36 of Keeping My Girl

CHAPTER21

Nicholas

ILEAD SELINA outside and to the enormous garage that houses all of our vehicles. “Take your pick,” I tell her.

Selina’s brows furrow as she glances up at me. “What…what do you mean?”

“Which one would you like to drive today?”

“Drive?” she says, her eyes widening. “Nico, I don’t know how —.”

“I know. I’d like to teach you,” I explain to her quickly. I know it was on her list of things she wants to do, and I’d love to help her achieve all of them…especially the last one. Having Constantine Carbone dead and gone forever where he can never hurt another living soul sounds just fine to me.

“That one,” I hear her say, and I follow the direction that she’s pointing.

It’s a silver BMW M5. “Definitely a safe option,” I tell her, rubbing my chin with my finger and thumb.

“Which one do you like to drive?” she asks.

“This one,” I tell her, bringing her over to my dark blue McLaren 720S. “But since it’s your first time, maybe we should take the BMW just to be safe.” Honestly, if Selina would have an accident in my car, I wouldn’t freak out. That’s what insurance is for. It would hurt my soul for a quick instant, but I would get over it. As long as Selina’s safe and not hurt, that’s all that really matters.

She walks over to the BMW. “Maybe you should drive us someplace first,” she suggests.

“I know just the place,” I tell her. Then, I make a phone call to one of the bodyguards and tell him to get a team ready to follow us. Selina seems to visibly relax when she realizes we’re going to have guards with us. “Can’t be too careful,” I explain, and she nods in agreement.

* * *

I drive us out to an abandoned airport. There are roads leading in and out, stop signs, and parking places that she can practice in; the whole nine yards.

The guards stay at the entrance, waiting for us, while I park in the middle of the huge parking lot. The pavement is cracked and overgrown in places, but it will be perfect for teaching Selina how to drive.

We switch seats, and I can feel the nervousness coming off of her in waves as she grips the steering wheel.

“Gas is on the right. Brake is on the left.” I position her hands so that they are at a more comfortable angle. “There.”

“There are so many…things,” she says, her eyes darting over the dashboard, and I can hear the uncertainty in her voice.

“Don’t worry about all the things,” I tell her, trying hard to suppress a smile but failing miserably. “Just focus on the road ahead of you and steering. You only have to worry about the gas and the brake today. We’ll have you listening to some good tunes and checking out the other gadgets soon enough, but I want you to concentrate today on just the driving aspect.”

She releases a nervous laugh. “Okay. I think I’m ready.”

“Good. Now, put your foot on the brake, and put the car in drive down here,” I instruct her, helping her locate the gearshift. “Great. Now, gently release the brake and put your foot on the gas —.”

Selina mashes her foot on the gas, sending us careening forward. A scream releases from her lips before I holler, “Brake, brake, brake!”

She switches her foot over to the brake and tamps it down, causing the car to come to a squealing stop and us to rock hard against our seatbelts.

“Shit!” she cries out.

I’m afraid to look over at her, scared that I messed this whole thing up by not easing her into it more gently. But I’m shocked when I hear laughter coming from her side of the car. Peering over at her, I look at her face, which is lit up like the sun, grinning and laughing. She looks like she’s having the time of her life. She looks…fucking happy.

“That was exhilarating!” she exclaims suddenly as a fit of giggles escape her.

I can’t help but join in her laughter. Fuck, her laugh is like a siren’s call. So cute and genuine. My girl likes danger. I can tell already. And I’m totally okay with that. As long as I can keep her safe, she can have all the danger she wants.

“Okay, Evel Knievel, let’s try that again. But slower this time,” I warn.

She gives me a serious nod and bites her lower lip as she concentrates, driving me insane. My cock instantly hardens at the sight.

---