Page 3 of Home Stretch

TWO

Kade

I forcemyself to step back from my dream girl, even though everything in me wants to toss her over my shoulder and march her straight into my bed where I can worship her the way she deserves.

I’ve been obsessed with Malia since the moment I laid eyes on her bright red hair and dazzling smile. However, I’ve been very careful not to show my feelings around Malia or my friends. I want her to feel comfortable around me, so I’ve been keeping my crush on the bright, sweet Malia to myself.

It’s getting harder the more time we spend together, though, and almost impossible when she wraps her arms around me. When she hugged me earlier tonight, I nearly collapsed with desire. As soon as her curvy little body pressed against me, I wanted to blurt out that I loved her or beg her to let me kiss her.

I know if my friends found out about my little crush on Malia, they would encourage me to ask her out, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Malia is from a well-off family. The world is at her fingertips. There’s nothing that I, a country boy from Texas, could offer her.

I saw her when she climbed out of that shiny Porsche 911 with those other guys. Obviously, they’re not from Sequoia and come from money. I love this town, the slower pace of life, and the community here. I don’t know how well I would do in a big city, and I never want to stifle Malia by making her slum it with the likes of me.

Shoving those thoughts way down deep, I lean back against the fence and try to make small talk while her asshole of a date glares at me and starts walking toward us.

“I’m surprised to see you here,” I say, giving her my most charming country-boy grin. Her cheeks flush red, but that’s probably just from being outside. It’s a little chilly out tonight.

“Yeah, my date wanted to come,” she says darkly. I glance back at the short, scrawny dude, narrowing my eyes as his two goons join him.

“Your date brought you to the racetrack?” I ask.

“Yeah, pretty romantic, huh?” she says sarcastically, rolling her bright blue eyes. “He won’t be getting a second date,” she scoffs.

I can’t believe any guy would be dumb enough to waste an opportunity to be alone with Malia.

“What an idiot,” I mumble as the guys finally push through the crowd and reach our side.

My race is coming up soon, but I’m not going to leave Malia alone with these tools. Especially when she doesn’t seem completely comfortable around them.

“Who the hell are you?” the guy, who I assume is Malia’s date asks.

“I’m Kade.”

“Well, hands off my girl,” he spits at me.

“I’m not your girl,” Malia informs him. He ignores her.

“She’s not your girl,” I repeat. The prick glowers at me.

“I brought her here, so yeah, she is.”

Malia opens her mouth to tell him off, I’m sure, but before she can, the announcer crackles over the speaker system.

“The next race is starting in five minutes! We have a new challenger who is ready to face off against Kade tonight! Place your bets now!”

“Looks like we’re racing,” the guy says with a cocky smirk.

This guy is my competition? Oh, hell, yes. I can’t wait to stomp kick his ass in his pretty little sports car.

“Looks like it,” I say calmly.

“Care to make things interesting?” he asks.

“Like he could,” one of his friends scoffs.

“Sure.”

“Since you obviously don’t have money,” he sneers, eyeing my clothes. “Let’s bet for the girl.”

---