Slip Up (Taking Chances Book 3)

by TC Matson

  “Welcome to 2019, where I plan on making you a dinner while you watch.”

  I laugh. “So when’s your next race?”

  “Tomorrow,” he states.

  “Then go get some rest because you look exhausted and call me tomorrow.”

  He flashes a smile and it’s like it squeezes my heart. “Good night, Amelia.”

  THIRTEEN

  It’s been two weeks since I’ve gotten to see Amelia, to touch her, and as crazy as it is, I fucking miss her. I’ve enjoyed our nightly talks, our morning texts, and learning each other. One thing is for sure. I know exactly why in my drunken mind I married her. She’s my perfect. This strong-minded, beautiful woman is innocent, funny and smart. Yeah. I didn’t make a mistake.

  I’ve craved the feel of her under my palms and her lips against mine. It’s all I could think about on the plane ride here. She has no clue I’m sitting on her front porch a day early. I wanted to surprise her.

  She pulls into her driveway and hops out. Her hair is down, a slight breeze blowing it behind her. She’s beaming, grinning from ear to ear and it does magical things in my chest. I fight the urge to rush to her, scoop her into my arms and kiss the hell out of her.

  The questions swirl around her baby blues and I spread my arms to the side flashing a boyish grin. “Surprise.”

  She’s unsure what to do but she’s just as excited to see me. Reaching out, I tug her against me and crash a kiss to the lips I’ve been dying to taste again. As I slip my tongue across hers, she wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me closer. I don’t give a damn that we’re in front of her house making out like two love-struck teenagers. She’s what I’ve craved.

  “It’s safe to say I’ve missed the hell out of you,” I admit, resting my forehead on hers.

  Her gaze gleams. “Me too.”

  I press another kiss to her. “Are you up for some fun?”

  As much as I’d love to explore her mouth more, I had to pull some big strings and I’m on a time crunch.

  She tilts her head slightly, surprise crossing her face. “Sure?”

  Clutching her hand, I lead us to the rental SUV and help her in. As I hop into the driver’s side and start the engine, I glance to her. “First, are you hungry?”

  She shakes her head. “Not really. I ate lunch on the way home.”

  I offer a smile and then pull into the road with a forty-five-minute ride ahead of us.

  “How’d you get away from Norman?” she asks looking over to me from the passenger seat.

  “Told him I was leaving and I’d be back for qualifying on Wednesday.”

  “And you can do that? Just tell him you’re leaving?”

  “He can’t fire me. Only the owner can and honestly, Buddy is too great of a guy and would understand. Norman works for Buddy and me. Not the other way around.”

  As I pull into the parking lot in front of Kart Rate, Amelia’s eyes bulge and she snaps her head to me. “What is this?”

  The fear splattered across her face causes me to chuckle. “Some fun. Leave your purse in here.” I wink, hopping out and meeting her by the front. With her hand in mine, I walk us inside, instantly being greeted by a tall man with a bright blue Kart Rate shirt on.

  “Mr. Palmer. Good to see you. We’ve got everything set up for you.”

  “Great,” I nod.

  “For insurance purposes, you must watch a three-minute safety video before I’m allowed to let you on the track,” he says looking a bit embarrassed.

  “I understand.”

  He guides us into a small room with wooden benches in front of a large projector and then steps out.

  “Please tell me I’m here to watch you,” Amelia whispers.

  I smirk. “Sure.”

  “I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve never done this. Is it like a car? Are there speed limits? What if—” I quiet her rambling with a kiss.

  “It’ll be fun. Pay attention to the video,” I murmur, staring into her wide eyes.

  Without another word, she does. As she watches the video, I can’t pull my gaze from her. She’s beautiful with a round face, a small nose pointy at the end, plump lips and smooth skin. I don’t know how I got so lucky…

  After the video I paid zero attention to ends, we’re suited up and fitted for helmets. But not without another little protest from my nervous wife.

  “If this place is safe, why is it so empty?” she sasses.

  “I rented it out for just us. Makes it easier for you to face your fears when you don’t have an audience,” I tell her and then tug her helmet down.

  Chris, Kart Rate dude, points to a row of racing carts. “Your choice of kart. They’re all the same. No governor or speed limiter on this set. We also have a double seater parked in the back. I’ll be in the time box if you need anything.”

  I twist around to Amelia, loving how adorable she looks in the black helmet with the visor up and her cheeks smooshed. She’s trying to be mad, but the excitement is there.

  “Ready to have fun?”

  She rocks back on her heel. “Race driver versus someone who doesn’t speed. How fair will this be?”

  I chuckle. “You’re going to have a blast. Now which one do you want?” I tip my chin to the karts.

  “I guess the first one.”

  “There are two first ones, sweetheart. Seventy-four or fifty?” I read the numbers off.

  “Fifty, I guess.”

  I help her into the kart, pulling the straps of the harness tight and double checking them before cranking it and giving her a wink.

  After securing myself in mine, I glance to her. She looks nervous as hell with eyes the size of baseballs, but I know she’s going to have a blast getting out of her comfort zone and into mine.

  “You ready?”

  She shakes her head and it makes me laugh. “Just like a car. Gas is on the right. Hit it and let’s go.”

  And boy does she hit it. Her kart lurches forward out of the shoot going all but four miles an hour while she lets out a scream. My cheeks hurt from grinning.

  I swerve beside her. “You’re a speed demon,” I yell out. Her hands grip the steering wheel at ten and two, her back ramrod straight and her body tense. “Loosen up, sweetheart. Give it more gas and get the feel of it.”

  She speeds up to about fifteen miles per hour before braking into turtle speed around the first left-hand turn and then into the quick right. I goose it, lunging my kart forward. She shakes her head and I nod with another lurch.

  Slowly, she gives it more gas and we’re back up to a breakneck speed of a whopping fifteen. I brake, sliding in behind her and give her a small push. She squeals but doesn’t hit the brake, which allows me to get us up to twenty-five before I come around her again.

  Her eyes are lit up, a bright glimmer in them as she laughs and fights the steering wheel on the bumpy track. Although she becomes braver, keeping the speed of the kart up round the curves, she screams as she does it. Each time, I can’t help but laugh.

  After a few more laps, she pulls into the shoot and unbuckles. “Oh my god. That was awesome,” she gushes, climbing out.

  “Just think how awesome it would be if you opened it up.” I grasp her hand, tugging her toward the two-seater. “Ride with me.”

  “What? No!” she cackles.

  “This one doesn’t go as fast as the others.” That could possibly be a lie. “Come on.” I drop my helmet to hers, looking her in the eyes. “Trust me.”

  “Okay.”

  Her word feels better than a victory.

  I get her secured in her seat and then drop in the driver’s side and do the same.

  “Didn’t you start out racing in go-karts?” she asks and my chest swells at her remembering.

  “Yeah.”

  Her head drops back on the seat. “Oh shit.”

  “Hold on, sweetheart.”

  I ease onto the track and then drop the hammer. Her scream is mixed with laughter and as we slide around the first curve and into
the next. Then it hits a higher octave. One hand has a death grip on the handle beside her seat while the other is squeezing the one in front of her.

  “You good?” I ask when we hit the straightaway.

  Her helmet bounces as she nods. “Do that again.”

  My smile splits ear to ear and I do, running the track wide open for several laps, fueled by her laughter and the exhilaration in her squeal. We slip and bounce around the curves and although she’s having a blast, she hasn’t let go of the handles.

  I park the kart back where they had it and unstrap myself to help her out.

  “My legs are shaking,” her words tumble around a giggle.

  “Adrenaline,” I explain as I unsnap my helmet.

  She throws herself against me, wrapping her arms around my neck, which causes our helmets to clank together. “That was so much fun. More fun than I could’ve imagined. Oh my god, I can’t believe I did it.” Her prattle is muffled by the helmet.

  I push my helmet on top of my head and unsnap hers. She yanks it off her head and wraps against me again, kissing me.

  “And to think you doubted me,” I chuckle against her lips. “We have another twenty minutes if you want to try it alone.”

  “Oh no.” She shakes her head, still blessing me with her gorgeous smile. “The only way I’m going that fast is if you’re driving.”

  “Fifty-five is less than what you do on the interstate,” I inform her.

  Her mouth gapes. “That’s it? Fifty-five? It felt like we were doing a hundred.”

  The way she’s radiating swells my chest. Not to mention, if she’s this stoked over go-karts, I’m definitely going to find a way and the time to get her in my truck at least for a lap.

  FOURTEEN

  Amelia’s secretly an adrenaline junkie. Since the track she’s been exuberant, talking a million miles an hour, and she hasn’t stopped blessing me with her beautiful smile as she recounts every turn and bounce of the track. It’s sexy as fuck, a turn-on waking up my dick.

  She has an extra pep in her step as I walk her to the door, hating that the night is over.

  “You can come in for a little bit.” Her tone has lost the delirium of her adrenaline rush and has slipped into something else. Something I like—hopeful.

  The moment the door shuts, I pull her against me and sink my fingers into her hair. “I liked today.”

  “Me too,” she breathes.

  I lower my lips to hers and instantly she’s liquid in my hand, her body melting against mine. She slips her hand under my shirt and wraps her fingers around my ribs. I tighten her to my body and breathe in her little moan as she presses against my hard-on.

  Fire burns in me. Desperate to feel her again, I deepen the kiss, and something ignites in her—intense and feral. Her hands run over my skin, and our kiss becomes fervent. She rips her mouth from mine when I slide my hand under her shirt and roll her nipples between my fingers while pressing heavy kisses to her neck.

  She backs us down the hallway while I tug her shirt over her head and get rid of her bra. Her breasts spill out and I capture them, caressing as I lead her backward on the bed with a kiss. I trail to her nipples, and instantly she arches her back and digs her fingers into my hair. Her baby blues are hooded and ablaze as she watches me slide her pants, along with her panties, down her legs. Quickly, I yank my shirt off and strip my pants before grabbing a condom from my wallet.

  I drop kisses as I make my way up her body, trailing my hands over her skin. She bites her lip and then draws a long sigh as I dip my fingers between her wet folds.

  I’m all for foreplay, but I want what I want, and I’ve been craving this for far too long. If I play too much, I’ll lose my load. I rip open the condom and sheathe my throbbing cock.

  The moment I sink into her, I’m reminded of what heaven feels like.

  “This…” I moan, dragging my dick out and sliding back in. “I’ve missed this. You feel so damn good.”

  Reaching under her and lifting her ass slightly to get a better angle, I rock into her. She whimpers and her pussy throbs. I’m engrossed by her, all of her—her breathy pants, the way her body feels against mine and wrapped around me, the sexy little lip bite.

  “Declan…” The way my name falls from her lips…no one could ever replace the obsession I have for it.

  Resting back on my heels, I grip under her knees and pull her down my dick. I watch her, breasts bouncing with each thrust. A flush creeps over her face, and her eyes flutter shut, heat glistening her skin. Her mouth falls open just as her body starts to tremble.

  Her nails dig into the tops of my thighs as she shatters before me, blessing me with the sexiest fucking cries. I delve harder, pushing in deeply as my climax thunders through me.

  I pull out and drop to her side as we catch our breath before I slide off the bed to discard the condom. After washing up, I reemerge from the bathroom to find her sitting on the bed in my shirt, her legs under the covers.

  Smiling, I lean and kiss her. “Are you going to steal my shirt?”

  Her lips quirk up. “Yeah.”

  “It looks better on you anyway.”

  Doubt apprehends her expression, uncertainty storming in her gaze. “Um…Do you…” Her cheeks turn red and it’s cute as hell. She shakes her head, breathing a laugh and closing her eyes. “I don’t want you to leave.”

  I arch a brow, biting back my smirk.

  “If you don’t have a hotel or whatever,” she stammers, unable to look at me. “You could stay here. You know. If you want to.”

  I lift her chin toward me. “Do you want me to stay?”

  She takes a huge breath. “Yes.”

  Lifting the covers, I slide under them and prop my head up on my hand. “Then I’m right here.”

  She scoots down and I shove an arm under her, pulling her to my chest. “Don’t ever be afraid to ask or say anything. I don’t know your pace, but I’m trying my best to stay with it and not shove forward too fast. If it were up to me, you’d be on my bus figuring all this out together daily.”

  Her body tenses under my palms before she snuggles into me, resting her hand on my chest. “Although entirely backward, I’m really glad it happened.”

  I kiss her forehead. “Me too.” So much more than she realizes.

  * * *

  Voices—hushed whispers between two females—pull me from some damn good sleep. The bed beside me is cold and empty, opposite last night when Amelia stayed in my arms. I slide into my jeans, unable to make out what’s being said, but whatever it is, it sounds heated.

  “It’s your chance.” I recognize Kirsten’s voice. “He’s here. He deserves to know, so tell him. If you don’t, I will,” she vows.

  Shit. She wants this annulled. I thought we were doing good.

  “I’ll tell him. I just…I need a minute to figure out how.”

  Might as well rip the Band-Aid off and get this over with.

  I step into the living room. “Tell me what?”

  They both jump, Amelia with a little yelp as she whips around to me with wide eyes and a panicked expression.

  “Nothing,” she squeaks. Kirsten shoves her in the back.

  “If you want this annulled, tell me. Don’t drag it on. Don’t drag me on,” I bristle.

  Tears well up and slide down her cheeks. And it hurts to see it. I clutch her hand, willing my frustration to stay at bay as I wipe away a tear with my thumb. “If you don’t want this, tell me.” My tone is softer although inside I’m vibrating with worry and fear this is it. She’s breaking up with me.

  “I’m pregnant,” she whispers, her words barely audible.

  The blow causes my body to tense and my lungs burn as the rush of air exits them with force.

  “What happened in Vegas came home,” Kirsten adds.

  Amelia rolls her eyes to the ceiling before closing them, tears streaking her face.

  Pissed, I drop her hands. “How long have you known? Why didn’t you tell me? Why wouldn’t you tell
me?”

  She hangs her head. “I was scared.”

  “She’s scared you’ll think she trapped you. That Norman asshole seems to think that’s what she tried to do when you two married,” Kirsten informs me.

  I scoff. “I was there too, Amelia. Everything that happened that night was just as much my choice as it was yours.”

  I take a cleansing breath, forcing the anger away, and then grasp her hand. “At least we did one thing in order,” I say light-heartedly. Given her parent’s background, a baby out of wedlock might send them over the edge.

  She breathes a small laugh, but the smile on her lips fades quickly.

  “How far along are you?” I squeeze her hand.

  She shakes her head. “I haven’t gone to the doctor yet. I was waiting until after my finals to go.”

  “Why so late?”

  She blinks up to me, a sad smile lining her lips. “Because right now, that load of stress isn’t sitting in the forefront and on my shoulders so I can focus on school.”

  Not knowing the finality of it, I get it. “Okay. We’ll wait until then, but not a moment after. Deal?”

  She swallows and I fold her into my arms. She buries her head into my chest.

  “I’m going to go,” Kirsten says. “Call me if you need anything.”

  Amelia doesn’t let me go and neither do I as Kirsten slips out the front door.

  “Quit stressing. It’s not healthy for you or the baby,” I say, kissing the side of her head.

  “How are you not worried?”

  “I’m more worried that you’re here because of the baby and not because you truly want to be,” I admit.

  She gives her head a shake. “My decision to be with you, to give us a try, came before I found out.”

  I tighten my hug. “Then quit worrying.” I pull back to look her in the eyes. “We’ll make it work.”

  She tiptoes and presses a kiss to my mouth.

  I smile. “Come take a shower with me.”

  We step under the spray of water and I grab her soap, squirting the lavender scent into my hands and then rubbing her shoulders and arms before massaging her back. She moans at the pressure and it stirs my dick.