Page 50 of Torqued

“Well, not that I’m an expert, but I happen to think your worth a helluva a lot.”

He presses his lips beneath my ear. “I think you underestimate yourself.”

“I-I need to tell you something,” I swallow hard, praying I stop quivering. “when I said I needed you, I want you to know that I’m not actually needy. I mean, I do need you, but not like that.”

Rush pushes up on his elbow, brushing the hair from my face. “I love that you need me because I can’t live without you. I need you just as much, Spen.”

“So, are you going to tell me what Spen is about?” I run my finger over his brow, loving the glisten in his eyes. He nods, leaning in and pressing his lips to mine.

“Maybe, but I think I might need a little more persuasion.”

I put my hands on his chest and flip him over in fluid motion. As I straddle him, he grips my hips and begins to grind into me. I pry his hands lose, placing them above his head.

My breasts sway across his face, enticing Rush to kiss them as they do. “Hey, now. I’m trying to be persuasive here, calm down.”

“If you’re gonna put ‘em in my face, I’m going to appreciate them with everything I have in me.” He cups them, as his eyes smolder.

I lean in, making him spread his elbows as I do. With a sweep of my lips, his part and give me free rein—my tongue tangles with him in a dance all our own.

The track lights shine through the cracks of the blinds in his room late into the night. Paired with the hum from the motors of the truck series race, it’s as though we’re cocooned in our own little world.

We take the night steady and comfortable, like slow dancing. Rush takes the time to learn even the smallest nuances of my body. I happily found a new appreciation for parts of his.

The night is spent locked away from the world a stone's throw from us: one that holds so much promise, and my greatest fear, pain. Sleep crept upon us, followed by the morning in the same way.

The bed moves to rouse me from my haze of sex and Rush Hatcher. If this is living, I’d stay here until someone drug me away. I open my eyes to find Rush smiling over me.

His eyes are deep blue with hints of gray, like the ocean as a storm brews off the coast. The warmth within them calls to me like a beacon. I just want to lay here and fall into him forever.

He’s my safe harbor, my true north, the only place I’m happy to call home. As he hovers above me, I feel his need to share something. It weighs heavy, but not cumbersome.

“Just say it.” I grasp his biceps, holding on for the impending downpour.

He inclines his head, only to hesitate and gaze deep into my eyes. His lip twitches, quirking up on the side. Rush searches my face, almost waiting to see if I’ll push him or give him room. And then…

“I love you.” The words roll from his lips without effort, taking my breath with them. My heart thunders against my chest, and as I replay his words, my pulse races through me with a great awakening.

His lips part again, and I dare not move. “I don’t care if they call us fools or say there’s no such thing as falling in love this fast. Hell, Spen, I live for the fast lane, and I’m thankful I found you in it. I love you; nothing will ever change that for me. Not now. And forever.”

“I love you, too.” He leans in, pressing his mouth to mine. “I don’t care what people think, the heart knows, and that’s the only thing that counts.”

“I gotta go, there’s something about a pole position I need to take care of. Wanna come?” His face lights up with his boyish grin.

“Why yes, I don’t mind if I do.” And just like that, we’re yanked mercilessly from our bubble in the back of the hauler.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

“Should we call for help? Have you fell in?” Margo giggles as she beats on the door, and Crank joins in.

“Do you need a medic? Have you sprung something? There’s a pole out here if anyone needs it!”

Rush shuts his eyes, shaking his head. “And to think, I picked these people to be my best friends. This… mess beyond the door is all my fault.”

“I’ll hide in the bathroom, and you can pretend they dreamed it all.”

His face lights up. “Oh yeah, we have to do that.”

“Kiss me first.” I lace my fingers behind his head.