Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
Izzy
The sharp tang of dirt and motor oil lingers in the air, but it’s the familiar scent of him, Xavier, which threatens to overwhelm me. His body is solid behind mine, arms wrapped around my waist like he owns me. Like I belong here.
I should pull away, but I don’t. Instead, I drag in a deep breath, hoping to steady the pounding in my chest. My gaze locks onto the track, watching Dad navigate the turns with flawless precision, dirt spraying behind his tires as he inches closer to another win.
My deal with Xavier sits heavily on my mind. Two weeks. Two weeks of pretending this isn’t a mistake. Of letting him in enough to prove he can handle me, but not enough to get hurt.
I don’t know what I was thinking when I said that. Maybe I wasn’t thinking at all. Maybe I’m tired. Tired of pretending I don’t notice the way he looks at me, the way my body reacts when he gets too close.
My fingers twitch at my sides as I resist the urge to lean into him. To let my guard down, even for a second.
Dad takes the lead and the win, and the crowd erupts. My pulse jumps with excitement, a grin stretching across my lips as I turn my head to glance at Xavier over my shoulder. “He did it again! Are you coming?"
Xavier’s hand is warm in mine as I pull him toward the winner’s circle, ignoring the way it sends an electric jolt up my arm. This is excitement. That’s all.
Dad sweeps me into a hug, spinning me around like he used to when I was little. His laughter vibrates in my chest, and I can’t help but giggle. For a moment, everything is simple. Easy.
“X, come on!” I call, motioning him over.
He steps in beside me, but his touch is anything but innocent.
His palm rests way too low, fingers brushing my ass in a slow, deliberate squeeze.
My breath catches, and I know he feels my body shiver.
The smug bastard. I shoot him a look, but he stands there, relaxed, hand resting on my waist like it belongs there. Like I belong to him.
The camera flashes, capturing this moment in time.
I need space. Slipping out of his grip, I busy myself congratulating my dad, making sure my voice is steady. X and my dad exchange words, but I’m too distracted to listen until I see the way dad yanks Xavier in, his voice low and serious. “If you hurt her, I will kill you. Understand?”
A lump forms in my throat. I turn away before I can process why it makes my stomach twist in knots. Xavier doesn’t plan on hurting me, but that doesn’t mean he won’t.
As dad heads off to load up the trailer, I glance at Xavier, still lingering beside me. My pulse races at the heat in his gaze, at the way his blue eyes stay locked onto mine. Don’t do it, Izzy. Don’t give him an inch.
I bite my lip. “What are you up to tonight?” My voice is too sweet, too casual.
His lips curve into a knowing smirk. “Loading up and heading home. Busy couple of weeks ahead.” He throws an arm around my shoulders, pulling me in as we walk.
Damn it. The moment is ruined the second I spot her. Lisa. Xavier’s latest mistake. She struts toward us like she owns the place, completely ignoring me as she places a manicured hand on his arm, her nails trailing up his skin. “Wanna come party with me?”
I go rigid under Xavier’s arm. The audacity. The sheer disrespect. Xavier tenses beside me, pulling me closer. “No thanks. I’m with Izzy.”
It doesn’t stop her. “Oh, c’mon, Xavier. You know you’ll have fun with me.” Lisa’s voice is syrupy sweet, her fake lashes fluttering. “This stiff virgin can’t show you a good time like I can.”
I freeze. My stomach drops. I shove against Xavier’s chest, trying to put space between us, but he doesn’t let go. My skin burns, and my cheeks flush, but I refuse to let her see how deep the words cut.
Tired of always letting the bitch win, I straighten, turning to Lisa with a slow, lethal smile.
“Oh, I’m sure you give plenty of people a good time,” I say, my voice dripping with venom.
“Speaking of, I saw you coming out of the woods with Joe earlier. What was that? Number five this month?” Lisa’s expression darkens, and I know I’ve got her right where I want her.
I tilt my head, tapping my chin. “Tell me, Lisa, does the ER have a room for you and your crabs? I seriously want to know.”
The gathered crowd erupts into laughter.
Lisa’s expression darkens, her hands curling into fists at her sides.
She shifts her weight, and I see it the moment before she snaps.
The way her lips part, her nostrils flare, her entire body coils like a snake ready to strike.
I’m ready for it. I brace myself, and Lisa does not disappoint.
She lunges at me, screaming. “You bitch!”
Xavier steps in front of me, his broad frame shielding me from her attack. “Watch it, Lisa,” he warns, his voice dangerously low.
I don’t need his protection. I step around him, toe to toe with Lisa. “I might be a bitch,” I say, my voice sharp, cutting, “but at least I don’t open my legs for any guy willing to give me five minutes of attention. Even the married ones.”
Lisa’s face twists in rage. My hands tremble. My heart pounds. Don’t do it, Izzy.
She sneers, lips parting to spit another insult, but before she can, my fist flies before I can stop it. The crack of my knuckles against her nose is deafening. Lisa screams, falling to the ground, clutching her bloody face.
Silence. Then, applause. Drivers, crew members, and even some fans standing around cheer like I won the damn race.
Horror floods through me. I can’t breathe.
The weight of a hundred stares presses against my skin, but it’s Xavier’s eyes that undo me.
He’s looking at me like I handed him the damn world. Like I’m something to be worshiped.
I can’t be that girl. My breath stutters. I need to get out of here. Away from the cheers, the eyes, the thrill of it all still thrumming in my veins. My knuckles sting, my pulse pounds in my skull, and my stomach twists with something too tangled to name.
“I’m sorry, X.” My voice barely holds steady. I turn, bolting for my trailer. I don’t stop running until the noise fades, until I can lock the door behind me and press my forehead to the cool metal wall.
The adrenaline wears off in waves, leaving my limbs heavy as I load up my car. My hands won’t stop shaking. What the hell did I do? A familiar warmth presses against my back, strong arms wrapping around me. I stiffen but don’t pull away.
“Hey, sexy,” Xavier purrs in my ear. “Don’t worry about what happened. I took care of it. She won’t be bothering you again.”
I close my eyes, my heart hammering. What are we doing?
I turn in Xavier’s arms, and our bodies collide chest to chest, breath to breath.
Too close. He smells like sweat, leather, and something darker.
Something dangerous. His hand lifts, fingers skimming my jaw, tracing a path to a loose strand of hair.
He tucks it behind my ear, slow and deliberate, like he’s memorizing the way it feels against his skin.
“What if this doesn’t work out?” My voice is barely above a whisper, my pulse thudding against his fingertips.
His hand pushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers grazing my cheek.
His fingers slide down, resting at the hollow of my throat.
I know he can feel my pulse, wild and erratic beneath his touch.
“You won’t lose me, Izzy.” Xavier’s voice is low and rough around the edges. “I don’t care how hard you try to run. I’ll be right here, catching you. I’ve waited a long time to feel you against me. To feel your curves under my hands.” His thumb brushes my hip, sending a shiver down my spine.
I swallow hard. He’s too much. Too cocky. Too charming. Too Xavier.
And yet, I don’t pull away. Don’t stop him. My body betrays me, drawn like a moth to an open flame. He smirks because he knows he’s winning. Knows I’m burning for him.
And the worst part? I think I want to burn.