Chapter 17
When they pulled up to the green metal gate of the scrapyard’s rear entrance, Marcus hit a button on his rearview mirror, and it lifted.
Then they drove into Flynn’s version of a wonderland. Cars were everywhere. It didn’t matter that they were smashed up. All Flynn could see were possibilities and parts.
“This is so fucking cool.”
“I have literally never brought a woman here to impress her.”
“Then you were with the wrong girls. This is awesome.” She scanned the cars as he drove down a paved strip that ran between two rows. “Can I wander around tomorrow?”
He chuckled. “Whatever you want, Stiglette. I got forty-eight hours off work, and they’re all yours.”
She swung her head to look at him. “Really? What do you want to do?”
“It’s your birthday. You tell me.”
“Well, cake for sure. I haven’t had a birthday cake in …” She trailed off, trying to remember the last time. “It’s been a minute. I always forget about my birthday, but this one is important.”
“You … forget about your birthday?”
“Well, yeah. It’s just a day. No big deal. But this one … this one is pure freedom.”
“Cake it is. That’s easy. Ma’ll make one for you.”
Flynn’s mouth dropped open at the thought of her first-ever homemade birthday cake. “She doesn’t have to do that. It’s way too much trouble. I’ve never had one anyway. So, it’s fine. Store-bought works for me. Even a cupcake works.”
He slammed on the brakes, and Flynn jerked forward against her seat belt.
“You’ve never had a homemade birthday cake?” He stared at her like she’d said she’d come from the moon.
“No. Is that weird?”
“It’s gonna fucking change. That’s for damn sure.”
Warm fuzzies filled Flynn from the inside out. It was a new feeling, mostly from just today, and she loved it.
“I have a feeling a lot of things are going to change, being around you.”
“Damn right they are. Has anyone ever … taken care of you?” Marcus asked.
“I mean, I had a series of nannies. I wasn’t neglected or anything.”
He shook his head. “Not like that. By someone who wasn’t getting paid.”
Flynn shrugged. “Not really. When you say it like that … it sounds kinda fucked up, doesn’t it? I turned out fine though.”
“No arguing that. But something about you just makes me want to.”
“Want to what?”
“Take care of you.”
Flynn melted into the seat. “I really like that idea.”
“Stick around. I think you’re going to like a lot of what I want for you.”
She felt like she was living in a totally different universe from two days ago. He really seemed like he actually cared about her. It was intoxicating to Flynn. Like the headiest drug in existence.
She felt like she was on top of the world, and it had only been a day.
Oh my God. Am I in love with him? The thought hit her like a freight train.
Before, she’d just labeled it as obsession since it was totally one-sided. But now …
Is that what this is? Is this what love feels like?
If so, Flynn totally got why people were all about it and made crazy decisions because of it.
Like being willing to drop her street racing career like it was nothing. She hadn’t lied. That decision had been easy. A chance with Marcus versus a race? Not even a question. She’d pick him all day long.
The Porsche rolled forward again, and her attention fixed on the little white house next to a big white metal building.
“Oh my God, is that your house?”
“Yeah, it ain’t much, but—”
“But you have a house. I’ve never had a house. I’ve only ever lived in apartments in the city.”
Flynn stared at the cute little pitched roof with its white trim in awe. Marcus hit another button on the rearview mirror, and the overhead door on the big white metal building lifted.
“Oh my God.” Her breath caught, and her eyes went wide. “Look at all the room. You have so much parking. Are those your cars? Is that your dad’s Chevelle? I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
Marcus was quiet beside her, and Flynn tore her gaze away from the inside of the building to find out why he’d quit answering her questions. What she saw on his face made her pause.
“Are you okay?”
He looked confused.
“Are you being fucking serious right now?”
She nodded excitedly. “That’s a 1963 split-window Stingray. Of course I’m being fucking serious right now. This is amazing.”
He put the Porsche into park and leaned across the car toward her. She turned toward him automatically, and his lips took hers in a kiss that sent every thought about cars flying from her mind.
Marcus owned her with his kiss, and she clung to him. His tongue slid between her lips, and she parried with her own. He moaned and fumbled for her seat belt, unbuckling her, and pulled her across the center console into his lap.
Flynn straddled him, her dress sliding up to her hips so she could get closer to him. She thought her entire body would go up in flames when he cupped her ass and pulled her against the ridge in his pants.
It was her turn to moan.
“Fuck, we gotta stop,” he said against her lips.
“This is not what Porsches were made for,” she moaned back as she pressed down against him.
He laughed, tangled his hands in her hair, and pulled her head back ever so gently. “Where the fuck did you come from?”
“Mount Sinai Hospital.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know.”
“God, you’re fucking cute.”
“Whatever you say, Marcus.”
“Fuck. Me.” He kissed her again, and this time, she was pretty sure she could almost get all the way there without even getting naked with him. “Flynn, we have to stop,” he whispered.
“But—”
“Baby, I know. I don’t want to either, but we have to.”
The sound of Marcus Quinterro calling her baby unleashed a surge of moisture between her legs.
“I think we’re in agreement. You can just knock me up already.”
“Say that again, and I will,” he growled against her lips.
“Then just—”
He jerked his head back against the seat so hard that it bounced. “Fuck. Our first time is not going to be in my fucking car. I’m not sixteen anymore.”
“And you have a perfectly good house, presumably with a bed, only feet away. I mean … I can walk.”
He pressed his forehead to hers as his chest rose and fell against hers. “Not on the first date. Not with you.”
“That’s such a silly rule. Besides, the cigar club was definitely a second date. It’s, like, after midnight already in some time zones.”
His chest bounced with laughter. “What am I gonna do with you?”
“Um … are we going with my first choice?”
“Don’t say it, Flynn. I am a man on the edge.”
She pulled back and stared into his seemingly bottomless dark brown eyes. “Then why don’t you fall with me, Marcus?”
“Inside. Now.”
“You have to park this first.”
“Fuck the car.”
“What am I going to do with you?” She scrambled off his lap, but not before he squeezed her ass with both hands.
“Fine. But only because I know you love it.”
“I’ll race you for pinks any day.”
“That ain’t the pink I’m interested in, sweetheart.”
Flynn grinned. “God, you’re sexy. Park. Inside. Now.”