Page 6 of Home Stretch

FOUR

Kade

It takes longerthan usual to get away from the Stud Farm. There’s still a pretty steady stream of cars headed to the racetrack since it’s still early in the night. I don’t mind, though. More time with my girl is never a bad thing. Even if she’s madder than a wet hornet.

I hate that she’s upset with me, but Malia is too damn adorable for her own good. My woman has a fight simmering just beneath the surface, but I can tell she’s trying to rein it in. She’s not doing a very good job. Her arms are crossed over her chest, her shoulders tense and nearly up around her ears, and she’s pouting so hard.

Malia gives me a sideways glare, her cheeks nearly the same shade as her gorgeous, fiery red hair. It only makes her blue eyes pop all the more, even as she narrows them into slits. Damn, she’s fit to be tied. I hope we can clear the air before I drop her off at her apartment, but something tells me I did a lot of damage by accepting that stupid bet.

“I’m sorry,” I say, knowing the words are inadequate.

Malia doesn’t say anything, just raises an eyebrow at me, her jaw set in a challenge. I smile slightly, loving how strong she is. She knows what she’s worth and isn’t going to accept anything else.

“For accepting the bet,” I continue. “I wasn’t thinking about how you might interpret my actions,” I ramble on. “I got caught up wanting to show that idiot what a jackass he is.”

This gets her to smirk, letting down her defenses just enough. I’ve known Malia for a little while now, and I’ve observed that she can jump to conclusions, but she hardly ever stays mad for long. I’m hoping that’s true now, too.

“It worked,” she muses, her grin lighting up her blue eyes with mischief. “He ran out of here with his tail between his legs,” she says with a small laugh.

“It was easy. The guy can’t drive for shit.”

She laughs fully at that, and I smile, relaxing into my seat as I listen to the happy sound.

“I mean, don’t get me wrong,” Malia says sternly, remembering her earlier frustration, “I’m still pissed that I was treated like a piece of property to be traded, but I’m still glad you won. Sterling would have been insufferable if he had. Even more so than he already is.”

I nod, swallowing hard. It’s a personal ethic of mine to never do anything that would make my mama yell at me. I have a feeling that she wouldn’t be too happy with me for accepting that bet, though. Even if I told her it was to win the girl of my dreams.

My stomach churns as I turn onto Malia’s road, and I tighten my hold on the steering wheel as her apartment building comes into view. Fuck, is that what she thinks? That I view her as property? I won’t lie, it hurts to hear her compare me to that dickhead, but I understand. My actions were the same as his tonight, and that thought makes me sick.

I pull into the parking lot, stopping in front of her door. Turning to the only woman who has ever captured my heart, I make sure her blue eyes are focused on mine so she can hear what I’m about to say.

“I’m truly sorry, Malia,” I tell her earnestly. “You’re right. I should have let you handle it. I know you could have handled yourself, but something just… snapped. I couldn’t stand the way he was treating you. What the hell was he thinking? I swear I was just trying to help.”

She nods but doesn’t say anything. I’m scrambling to find the right words and put them together in a way that she understands. Malia reaches for the door handle, and I panic, knowing my window of opportunity is quickly closing. I clear my throat, pushing through the tension wrapped around me like a vice.

“Malia, I don’t think you’re a piece of property. I would never treat any woman with anything less than respect, especially you.”

Her eyes widen, and I realize I just let a little sliver of my obsession peek through. Especially you.

“I know, Kade,” she finally says with a sigh. “You’ve always been good to me. I’m just…” Malia sighs again, her shoulders slumping forward. God, I can feel the weight of the world she carries with her. I wish she’d let me help, but I’ve just broken her trust. “I’m just frustrated with this whole night,” she finishes, breaking eye contact. I hate it. I want all of her attention. I’m greedy for it.

“I’d never bet you,” I say softly, reaching for her hand. She lets me slide my palm against hers and wrap my fingers around her delicate hand. Ocean blue eyes blink up at me, and I swear she’s holding her breath like she’s hanging on my every word. “I’d never bet you because I would never be willing to risk losing you.”

I didn’t mean to say that last part. It just slipped out. Her warmth, closeness, sweet scent… everything about her is drawing me in, melting my defenses, and urging me to claim her once and for all.

Normally, I can bite my tongue. I can hide my attraction to her, but all of that’s changed. I don’t know if it was seeing her out with some other guy, the bet, or just being alone in the car with her, but I can’t hold back my feelings any longer.

I want Malia, and now she knows.

I stare at my girl because that’s what she is, whether she acknowledges it or not. I’ll always be obsessed with her, even if she shuts me down right here and now.

She stares back at me, her blue eyes wide with surprise. Silence stretches between us, and I swallow hard as she finally opens her mouth to speak.

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