“Shit. I should have asked you first. I know how you feel about just anyone copying your drawing, but I just thought…” Xavier trails off.
I pull his face to mine and kiss him, cutting him off. I break the kiss before it gets too heavy for witnesses. “No, I love it.” I honestly tell him.
“You had me worried for a minute.” Xavier responds.
“I was surprised. This is the best present ever. Thank you."
Mark behind the counter interrupts us. “What colors and how quick do you need them?"
I answer first. “I want my flames blue with a black outline and Jones Racing written in gold in the middle. Just like the drawing.”
Xavier answer’s next. “I want mine green with a black outline and Sweeney Racing in gold just like the drawing. How long will it take you?"
“I have a few things I need to wrap up and nothing else pressing after that, so I can have them done by Friday, but the paint will still be fresh. I wouldn’t wear them this weekend or dirt will stick to it and ruin the paint." Mark answers.
“That works, I’ll be back Friday to get them. Thanks man.” Xavier says and shakes his hand.
Chapter 14
Izzy-present
“Izzy.” Xavier says bringing me out of my memory of that day. I never got a chance to wear my helmet and a touch of sadness envelopes me.
I pull my hair back and put my helmet on. It’s still a perfect fit. I climb into Xavier’s car. My hands are shaking from nerves as I start the car. It’s been over five years since I raced on a dirt track and I hope I still have what it takes.
The car fires to life under my hands and I close my eyes, channeling all my focus on the beast I’m in control of. I calm my breathing down and I back up. I shift into first.
His Super Late Model UMP purrs under my feet, the 800+ horsepower and the Chevy big block engine come to life, rumbling under my feet, as I make my way to the track. The sleek narrow fenders and low scoop hood makes the car fly around the track. I reach the entrance and take a deep breath. I start out near turn four and focus on the dirt under my wheels and the machine I am in control of, instead of the scorched wall from my dad’s accident.
I give the car a little gas, making it bark, begging me to go fast. I smoothly shift from first to second. When I reach the straight away between turn four and one, I give it more gas and shift gears smoothly.
The shaking in my hands lessen, the familiar pull of the track hums through my body, as I rev the car up and shift again. I reach turn one and brake lightly. I downshift, turn the wheel hard to the left and give it some gas.
I drift around turn one and two, giving it more gas, shifting faster and harder. I have the car in top speed when I reach the middle of the straight away between turn three and four.
Everything I’ve dealt with since Mia’s call, fades away. The only thing I’m focused on is the dirt under my wheels, the purring of the engine under my feet and the control I need, under my hands.
I brake lightly again, downshift and crank the wheel hard to the left, giving it more gas. The wheels squeal around the turns, dirt flying up from behind me, the engine protesting the strain and I pull out of it smoothly. I continue around the track two more times, bringing the car to top speed and drifting around each of the corners in perfect precision. Freedom and adrenaline at my fingertips, strumming through my body.
After my third lap around, I slow the car down and pull into the middle of the track. I turn the car off and get out. I remove my helmet and Xavier is next to me, a smile lighting up his beautiful face, his dimple I love making an appearance.
I grin back and take a deep breath, willing my beating heart to slow down. “God that felt so good."
I felt free and light for the first time in a long time and I know what I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to race every weekend, with the man I love by my side, cheering me on.
“You did great B! It’s like it never left you." Xavier says. There is a glint in his eyes. “Do you want to race next weekend?" My smile falls from my face.
“I can’t. My car isn’t ready.” I answer. A hint of sadness in my voice. I would do anything to get back onto the track.
I look at Xavier and he has a huge grin on his face. “What are you grinning for?" I ask him, confused.
“I have a surprise for you. I wasn’t sure if you were ready, but watching you just now, you’re ready.”
I drive his car back and load it into his trailer. I’ve asked him several times what’s the shit eating grin for, and he refuses to answer me, pissing me off.
A little while later we are at his garage, three places down the road from my house. I get out of the driver side of his truck, towing his car and he pulls his Dodge Charger up and parks next to me. Xavier gets out and comes up to me. He wraps his arms around my shoulders, kissing my forehead.
“Are you ready?" He asks, with a glint in his blue eyes.
I nod my head even though I’m confused as fuck, as he leads me towards his garage. It’s a white, three bay garage with a brown door to the left of the garage doors. All the doors are closed and locked up tight.
After Xavier unlocks the door with his key, he opens it and walks inside. He flips a light switch next to the door and the fluorescent bulbs come alive. Inside the garage is extremely clean, each tool is shining under the bulbs, hanging up on the walls and the ceiling.
The smell of motor oil and grease invades my nose and I inhale deeply. There is every type of tool a mechanic would need inside here. The concrete floor has no trace of oil or grease, showing that Xavier takes care of everything in here.
He leads me to the back of the garage through another doorway. He flips another switch, revealing a car covered with a white tarp. Xavier watches me as he pulls the tarp away and I gasp in surprise. Tears are in my eyes as I approach the freshly painted car.
“You kept this too?” My voice quivering. Xavier walks up to me and stands behind me as I touch the blue metallic paint, the same color of my helmet.
The sleek race car shines under the lights. It’s a Late Model UMP, just like my dad’s. I was secretly working on this car before I left. I didn’t want the other drivers to know I wanted to move up a class because if they did, they would make it harder for me on the track.
No matter how many wins I had, they would still feel I couldn’t cut it driving this beast. The only ones who believed I could do it was Mia, Xavier, and our families. Every day I would come down here and work on it a little bit at a time.
I was going to reveal to the racing world I could cut it and I was here to stay, until that night I thought Xavier cheated on me. He curls his arms around my waist, bringing me back to the present.
“There is more.” his husky voice rumbles in my ear, causing goose bumps to break out across my skin.
He leads me around to the front of the car and pops the hood. Inside is a brand new sleek Chevy 454 big block motor. The chrome shining under the lights.
“I’ve been working on her since the day you left, having it ready for you if you ever came home. I kept hoping you would come back to me and I felt closer to you every time I took a wrench to her, restoring her for you." He drops the hood and latches it, revealing my art detail on it. I run my fingers over the hood, tears in my eyes.
“Thank you." He leans down and kisses me, his flavor lingering on my lips, his smell invading my nose. A memory of our first kiss invades my mind.
Chapter 15
Izzy-5 years earlier
The sun is shining through the open window of Xavier’s garage and there is a light breeze blowing in. I’m covered in sweat and grease in ripped jeans and a black tank top from dropping the old motor in my Late Model race car and putting in the new one. We’re trying to get it ready for the race in two weeks and Xavier’s garage has the room and tools to do it in.
Xavier’s also covered in grease and sweat. His ripped jeans hug his leg muscles and his black t-shirt makes his arm muscles more defined. Our dads are o
ut at the track right now, going over things for this weekend’s race. Xavier’s mom is out grocery shopping, so it’s just the two of us here.
The radio’s turned up and our song comes on, Keeper of the Stars by Tracy Byrd. As the deep voice of the famous country singer comes across the speakers, filling the garage with his sweet melody, Xavier grabs my hand and starts dancing with me. His deep voice vibrates my ears as he sings the lyrics of our song, holding me close. There’s no space between our bodies as we sway to the music.
His voice trails off as the music plays on. His icy blue eyes meet mine and pulls me in. There’s passion and love radiating from them, as he leans down and closes the space between us. His soft lips met mine, taking my breath away, making my heart skip a beat.
I run my hands through his messy black hair and hold on tight. There is a deep burning sensation in the pit of my stomach as Xavier’s tongue enters my mouth for the first time. I let out a low groan from the back of my throat as my senses take over. I pull him closer to me, his erection straining through his jeans. There is no turning back from this moment, the music fades away as our tongues invade each other’s mouths, battling for dominance. All I can hear, and taste is him.
My stomach squeezes in anticipation and tingles shoot between my legs. Xavier lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. He deepens the kiss as I thrust my center against his hard cock. A slow burn starts in the bottom of my gut, moving its way to my pussy. He places his hands roughly on my ass, his fingers digging in and push’s me down onto him, over and over. Our bodies are in sync with each other, taking and giving, until I can’t breathe. My body explodes as my first orgasm rips through me, sending me into oblivion. Xavier finally breaks down my walls and I give him back everything I have. Panting, I break our kiss, resting my forehead against his.
As we struggle to get our breathing under control, my head is spinning, and my heart is beating hard in my chest. His blue eyes blaze and I’m lost in them. I realize in this moment, I’m done for. I just handed him my heart and hope to god he doesn’t crush it.
Chapter 16
Izzy-present
“Izzy.” Xavier said gently, breaking me from my memories. He turns me so we’re face to face, no space between our bodies. “What are you thinking?" His deep voice asks me.
I lean into him, our lips a breath apart. “Keeper of the Stars,” I whisper.
Xavier smiles against my lips and starts singing our song. His deep voice sings to my soul. We sway to our own beat as his voice invades my ears, making my heart race like the first time he sang this song to me.
When Xavier finishes the first part of the song, he closes the distance and kisses me hard. His tongue glides across my lips and I open them allowing him access. Xavier gently bites my bottom lip, sending desire shooting to my core. Our tongues battle in the heat of passion and his hard cock is pressing against my lower abdomen. He grinds his hips into me as he picks me up and I wrap my legs around his waist.
I let out a whimper in the back of my throat when he sets me down on the hood of my car. Before I know it, our clothes are off, and his hot mouth is sucking on my nipple. His cock is at full mast, seeking my entrance.
Panting in Xavier’s ear, his lips move up my body to caress my neck. I tug on his hair, letting out a moan. Xavier thrusts into me, bare skin against bare skin, my release building up faster than ever before.
As he slams into me over and over, he takes a long finger and caresses my clit. There’s burning sensation in the pit of my stomach and Xavier’s scent fills my nose. He keeps pumping his hard cock into me and I meet him thrust for thrust. Sweat drips from our bodies as we cling to each other.
His body stiffens and he lets out a deep moan. My name rips across his lips as his release explodes inside of me, sending me over the edge. I scream his name in passion as my orgasm rips through my body, starting at my toes and makes its way to my vision, causing black spot to form.
Panting hard, our hips slow down as we come back from our orgasms. He kisses me and rests his sweaty forehead against mine.
“I love you, B. Always have, always will.” Xavier groans against my lips.
I smile breathing hard. “I love you too, Xavier. Always have, always will."
Chapter 17
Xavier
It’s been a week since Austin’s accident. The police have no new leads and it’s frustrating. They still haven’t released his car, so Izzy still hasn’t seen it, which is fine with me.
Austin still hasn’t come out of his coma, but we visit him every day. His leg and ribs are healing, but his mind isn’t ready to wake up yet. I can see the toll it’s taking on her and I want to find a way to help her.
So here I am in my garage while she is out with Mia, spending some time with her. We have been together every day and night since she came home, and this is the first time we’ve been separated. No one has tried to hurt her or threaten her since that phone call, so we felt it was safe for her to go with Mia. I don’t like the emptiness of her not being next to me, but she does need her time with her best friend.
Nolan is here with me as I inspect Izzy’s car over for the hundredth time today. I’m going to bring it to the race track for her to race tonight.
She thinks she’s meeting me there and watching me race, which she is, but she is also racing. I love surprising her and the look on her face when I give her a good one, is worth every moment.
I signed her up last night to make her debut race. The ladies that took the registration were excited to see Izzy back and I asked them to keep it quiet. I didn’t want everyone to know she’s racing before I told her.
I pull my phone out of my jeans pocket and look at the time. It’s three thirty and we need to get these cars loaded. Nolan helps me push her car out of the garage doors and I climb in it. The engine roars to life under my hands then quiets down to a purr. Izzy’s going to love it.
Nolan nods his head at the sound of the 454 Chevy big block motor, a smile lighting up his face. After I pull her car into the trailer, turn it off, and climb out, Nolan is standing next to me admiring her beauty.
“Man, she is going to fly tonight. I can’t wait." His eyes light up, excitement running through his body.
“I know, me either. This car means the world to her and I’m happy I kept on working on it.” Nolan looks at me seriousness in his brown eyes.
“Listen bro, we’re gonna have a little bonding time right now.” He says. I raise my eyebrow at his statement. “I haven’t seen you this happy since you won her over the first time. Let’s keep it under control and remember that you do deserve this, you do deserve her love in return. Don’t do anything to fuck it up or I’m gonna be pissed."
My forehead crinkles in disbelief. “Since when do you fucking care about any love shit? Last time I knew, you said love was for pussies and you will never be caught in that type of ‘fucking pussy shit’."
Nolan lets out a laugh. “Yeah, well watching you two all week has turned me into a pussy." He fake shudders and I punch him in the arm.
“Fucker.” I say laughing.
Nolan rubs his arm while he is laughing, “Fuck. I’ve got to remember not to piss you off. Your right hook fucking hurts."
I flip him off and go to my Super Late Model UMP race car. I bought this car a week after Izzy left. It’s the only thing that kept me sane these last five years. She never did get a chance to watch me race it. At least we get to race together now, she gets to cheer me on from the sidelines and I get to do the same. This night is going to be great, I just know it.
Nolan and I get the cars loaded and we arrive at the race track around four thirty. Izzy and Mia should be here around five and I get to make her dreams come true. I unload my Super Model UMP car and leave her car loaded on the enclosed trailer.
Everyone keeps asking why I have my double trailer, but I keep ignoring their questions. When the time is right and Izzy knows, everyone else will know.
Nolan is off checking up on driver
s for me. He’s being very diligent in her safety and he said he would stay with her tonight while I have to do my qualifying times and my feature. I can breathe a little easier knowing he will be with her.
If I lose my concentration even for a minute, that can spell disaster for me. Even when it’s her time to qualify, I’m not unloading her car until the last minute. The track officials can check it over inside my trailer. I’m not taking any chances on her safety. I’m going to keep it locked up tight until each race.
As I close my trailer, I spot Izzy and Mia walking up the pits. Even after all these years, her beauty still takes my breath away. She has on pair of tight faded blue jeans, hugging her ass and showing off her long legs. Her white tank top is hugging her full breasts, her blonde hair is piled up on top of her head, and she has a pair of aviator sunglasses on, covering those beautiful green eyes.
One of the drivers says something to her and she throws her head back and laughs. The sound travels to my ears, my dick grows hard and I smile like an idiot.
The driver gives her a small hug and a pang of jealousy hits my stomach from another man touching her and my smile fades. I stalk over to them and when I reach Izzy, I curl my arms around her midsection pulling her against me. I kiss her neck and she shivers against my touch. She turns her head and hits me with a smirk, she knows what I’m doing.
I glare at the driver, Richard Turnwold. He’s her dad’s age, but I don’t put anything past any of these guys here.
“Richard,” I say with a nod of my head.
“Xavier,” he replies, nodding back.
She looks back to Richard, a smirk on her face. “Well Richard, it was nice to see you again.” she says pleasantly.
He nods his head, his eyes traveling down her body and back up. My blood is starting to boil at the way he is leering at her and I want to punch him in the throat.
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