by Jenny Siegel
“You were always good enough for me. It just took me a while to notice it.” His fingers intertwine with mine, and he brings them up to his lips.
“When I used to come to the quarter mile, it was only ever the cars and the racing that I was interested in. Boys didn’t look at me in the same way as they did the other girls. And that was fine. But then you happened. That night you smiled at me did something to me. For the first time, I was interested in something other than cars and racing. I wanted you to smile at me like that all the time. But I didn’t think you were interested, so I went out of my way to irritate you. I was convinced that you were a player.”
“But I wasn’t.” His eyes widen, a protest of his innocence.
“I know that now, but you scared me more than anyone. I didn’t understand the way I felt when I was with you, but I do now. You are dangerous to my heart, Max Morgan, but only because I love you.”
His jaw drops because I have never been this candid with him. But there is no point in hiding how much I love him. He deserves to know, especially as I’ve agreed to marry him. Now that I’ve put it all out there, he is speechless.
“There’s a race tomorrow night.” I cast him a sidelong look and watch as he shakes his head.
“My racing days are over.” He smiles as my mouth pops open with shock.
“But why?”
“Seeing you race against Zach Anderson and knowing that something could happen to you. Well… it’s not the life I want. I know what it did to you and your family; hell, your dad nearly lost his business because of it. I don’t need it in my life, but I do need you.”
“But…” I can’t keep up.
“I want a life with you, Storm, a life together. Now that you’ve agreed to marry me, well… I don’t need to race.”
“You’d give it up?”
He nods, his expression deadly serious. “I love you.” He cups my face in his hands and draws me close.
As I look deep into the dark eyes of the man who stole my heart on the quarter mile, I say, “And I love you, Max Morgan.”
Quarter Mile Hearts Playlist
Pray to God – Calvin Harris
Gravity – DJ Fresh (feat. Ella Eyre)
Wish You Were Mine – Philip George
Stay – Thirty Seconds to Mars
Hold My Hand – Jess Glynne
Headlights – Robin Schulz
Can’t Stop Playing (Makes Me High) – DR KUCHO!
Ready – Kodaline
Risk It All – The Vamps
Don’t Look Down – Martin Garrix
Together – Ella Eyre
Should I Stay Or Should I Go – The Clash
About the Author
Jenny Siegel writes new adult romance. When she's not writing (or entertaining two little terrors) Jenny is glued to her Kindle, or plotting (also known as daydreaming) about hot tattooed heroes that will sweep a girl off her feet.
You can connect with her at:
www.facebook.com/authorjennysiegel
or email her at:
[email protected]
Acknowledgements
I’ve met so many wonderful people since publishing A Good Girl and whilst writing Quarter Mile Hearts.
The first person I have to thank, as always, is L.A.Cotton for constantly pushing me, motivating me and encouraging me. Love our late night plotting sessions and I am so looking forward to her first annual visit to Edinburgh.
Secondly, a big thank you to Jennifer Pyers Holter, the title of P.A. doesn’t do her justice, she is so much more. From taking care of my Facebook stuff, because I’m hopeless, to cover releases, blog tours and release day parties, she does it all. Her ‘to do’ lists are invaluable as is her friendship. She does such a good job of organizing me so that all I have to do is write. I also need to thank her husband, Joe, for answering my ‘technical’ questions.
Thank you to all the blogs that signed up for the cover reveal and that have reviewed Quarter Mile Hearts. I never knew so many existed, you all do a fantastic job
A big thank you to my beta readers and to Barbara and Missy for your enthusiasm.
Robin Harper at Wicked by Designs for her amazing cover, I’m always excited to get emails from you and seeing what you’ve created. And Jenny Carslund Sim for her amazing editing skills, it is a joy to work with both of you.
And lastly a huge thank you to all the people that bought my books and liked my Facebook page. I love getting messages from readers or bloggers telling me how much you’ve loved it. They really make my day.
Before Quarter Mile Hearts there was Max’s story – Coming early 2016
Holy fuck she’s here. I spot her the minute I climb out of the Subaru. Under the pretence of listening to Ryder, I rest my arms on the roof of the car and watch her over his shoulder. But I’m not listening to anything he’s telling me about the other racers and his voice fades into the background until it’s just his lips moving but no sound is coming out. As usual she’s with the same guy from the other day, who I’ve found out is her cousin, Aaron. A small blond girl is flirting shamelessly with him and he’s clearly into her too because keeps looking down her top at every opportunity.
For some reason I didn’t expect her to be here but then why not? Her head is under the hood of a Mustang as she checks out the engine. Wiping her hand over her ass, I move round the car to get a clearer view, unable to take my eyes off her. Then she straightens, reaching to the side for a tool and our eyes lock.
Time stands still and I can’t look away. Fuck, she’s gorgeous, and she doesn’t even know it. I’m betting none of the yahoos here realise or even appreciate how gorgeous she is. Long dark hair, tumbling down her back. A white tank top hugs the curve of her breast and the concave of her waist. Images flood my brain for my hand delving into her long hair as I hold her to me and kiss her senseless.
My lips curve into a smile and I hope that smile conveys that, I like her? I want her? How beautiful she is, shit I don’t know. The corners of her mouth finally tip upwards into a small shy smile. But then Aaron shouts on her and the instant she turns to him the spell is broken. Aaron says something to her that I can’t hear but I keep watching until my attention is distracted when a girl presses her body into my side and reluctantly I look down.
“Good luck for your race,” She purrs, fuck knows who she is but I smile anyway, my mind still on someone else. But when I look up her head is bent over the engine of someone’s car.
Dammit.
I move away from the blonde and weave through the crowd to where Leigh is now rooting around in the trunk of the Mustang muttering something about a toolbox.
Taking a deep breath I come out with it. “Do I get a kiss good luck?”
She turns round, a scowl on her face. “Not fucking likely.”
Instead of discouraging me, her answer is more of a challenge and I step closer. “Just one little good luck kiss.”
“Isn’t there someone else who can do that?” She stands her ground and I move even closer until I am inches away from her. Green eyes look me over, as though noticing any number of little things.
“I’m sure there is, but I want one from you.” It is hard to breathe properly under her intense scrutiny and all I want to do it kiss her.
“Yeah well, it ain’t happening.” But she sounds breathless and I don’t believe her. Feeling bold, I reach out to cradle her head in my hand and draw it upwards. I lower mine but pause before our lips make contact. This is her last chance to say ‘no’ and to my amazement she doesn’t. Before she can come to her senses my lips press against her soft full lips.
At first she is hesitant and I take control. My fingers bury themselves in her long dark hair and my tongue sweeps across the seam of her lips. With a soft moan they part. I can taste her fruity lip gloss on my tongue and her smell surrounds me as I inhale deeply. My dick twitches as my tongue brushes against her and her small fingers grip my shoulders, bringing her body nearer.
Never one for butt
erflies but shit, I definitely feel a soaring sensation in my stomach.
Holy shit.
When we pull apart, I rush out a breath and stare down at her, confused as hell as to what just happened. That was some kiss, surely she felt it too? Glazed eyes flicker as I brush a strand of hair off her face.
“You have beautiful eyes,” I murmur as my thumb brushes over her bottom lip. “The way the sparkle.” What the fuck? My mouth runs away with me but it’s true, they are beautiful.
“What are you driving?” She asks, I wasn’t expecting that questions and I laugh, it has certainly cleared away the tension.
“Subaru Impreza WRX. What do you drive?” I challenge, and pray it is something decent. I’ve only ever seen her in that truck.
“’69 Charger. Can’t beat American Muscle.” She smiles and I can’t help but laugh, there is something about the way she says it that turns me on.
“I’ll remember that. You race?”
Her expression falls into a frown and she shakes her head dismissively. “Good luck,” she whispers and takes a step away from me. But I stop her, I really don’t want her to leave.
“If I win will you come for a ride with me?”
Her voice is so quiet. “I don’t think so.” But I see a flicker of indecision in those green eyes.
And I do something I have never done before. “Please.” Her forehead creases with uncertainty as she thinks about it and I reach out to run my finger up her forearm. Electricity course from her arm, up my finger and works its way through my body.
“Okay, if you win.” I can’t help the cocky smile that spreads over my face, even though she shrugs like she’s not bothered.
“Don’t worry. I’ll win.” My spirits soar and I lean in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek before I jog back to the Subaru.