Page 29 of Not So Fast
He didn’t make a habit of taking numbers, or giving out his own. It would be a nightmare if it ever fell into the wrong hands. But it didn’t feel right to simply say goodbye to Mia and let her walk away. There was something between them. What, he didn’t know. But in a sport that could be isolating, it felt foolish to throw away a genuine connection.
“Sure. I’ll take your number.”
“Hand me your phone. I’ll put it in.”
He did as she requested and watched as she tapped away at the screen. Her lush brown hair fell down around her face. Light glinted off it. He was sure it was silky soft, and he foundhis hands twitching at the prospect of touching it. That was only fair, right? After all, she’d touched his…
“Here you go.” She handed over the phone. “Can I give you a hug? For today? I feel like you deserve one. Especially since you didn’t have the chance to celebrate with your team.”
Her sweetness took his breath away. He hadn’t bargained on getting a hug from her, but he wasn’t about to turn it down.
“Sure. I’d love it.”
He held his arms wide and she stepped up to him, the top of her head reaching only the center of his chest. He stooped to wrap himself around her as she put her arms around him. She was warm and soft and he let his head drop forward ever so slightly, inhaling her sweet smell. He might not ever see her again, but she’d made such an impression on him. She’d managed to completely turn around his thinking about her.
He loosened his grip a bit, but didn’t let her go. Something in his arms wouldn’t allow it. Blood coursed through his body, heat circling in his hips. He was struck with an image of picking up Mia and putting her down on one of the equipment cases out back. Kissing her. Having her wrap her legs around him. Tight. Her fingers in his hair. His hands up the back of her top…
The next thing he knew, she popped up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. As she lowered to her normal height, his arms pulled her closer, and she smiled at him, their faces mere inches from each other.
“Why do you have to be so tall and handsome?”
“Why do you have to smell so good?”
“I asked you first.”
He wanted to be clever, but he couldn’t keep up with her. His mind went blank. He dropped his head and kissed her.Right there. Without thinking about it at all. She instantly bowed into him. He pulled her tighter. She slanted her head. He could’ve sworn she sighed. His dick stood up and took notice. And for the first time in a long time, he was attracted to someone in a way that felt so right. Too little felt like that these days…
Mia pushed away and stumbled back. “I should go,” she blurted, breathless.
What the fuck had he done?
“Oh, God. Mia. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have.” He instinctively reached for her, then stopped and ran his hands through his hair, wishing he could go back in time one minute and erase his stupid, stupid mistake. Still, her lips looked amazing from the kiss. So plump and red and raw…
“No. It’s okay.” She only glanced at him for a second, then averted her eyes.
She thought he was a creep. He was sure of it.
“I’m sorry. I mean it. I should’ve asked first.” Again, he wanted to reach for her, but he had to force his arms to stay at his sides. Why couldn’t he do anything right?
“Xander, it’s okay. I’m not going to tell anybody. But yeah, I really need to go.” And off she went, half running.
And he was left wondering what in the hell was wrong with him.
Seven
Describe yourself in three words.
Dammit. I have been waiting for this prompt because I had the perfect answer—shy disco ball. That’s me. The wallflower who secretly wants to sparkle. I’m no disco ball today. Today, I am confused, dehydrated and exhausted, which are not anywhere near as interesting or clever. Also, this flight has not been like a trip to the spa.
The running dialogue in Mia’s head for the entirety of her flight back home: oh, my God oh, my God oh, my God oh, my God. Not the optimal spa soundtrack. A spa suggested relaxation, when in reality she was wound so tight after that kiss she might snap in two.
What the fuck, Mia? One of the hottest men on the planet kisses you and you reject him?For someone who people generally regarded as smart, she’d been remarkably stupid.
That being said, she was not shocked by the manner in whichher reflexes had taken over. That had always been her reaction to romantic intimacy. She needed to tiptoe her way into those waters, taking time to check in with herself and the other person.Are you okay? Is this okay?It meant she’d had very few relationships. Most men she’d met didn’t have that kind of patience.
She’d always suspected love wasn’t for her, largely because one was expected tofallinto it. Mia despised the imagery. First, there was very little one could do once falling. Once you started, momentum took over. Physics. That hardly seemed fair. Plus, the notion of falling suggested you’d tripped first or at the very least lost your balance, and that made it sound like an accident.
Mia wanted to float into love, like on an inner tube down a cool, clear river on a warm summer day, advancing inches at a time, dangling her feet in the gentle water without a worry on her mind. The thought of being thrust into anything, well, it had never worked for her. Her brain got in the way and she contorted every situation into something it wasn’t. She ruminated over every word and stolen glance until it was all ground into the dirt and became a muddy mess. Who was she kidding? She was not built for kissing a Formula One driver, especially one as sexy as Xander Bishop.
