I grunt, trying to match her pace and drawing as much pleasure out of both our orgasms as I can.
She sags, her head falling forward as I melt into the bed a bit more. “Shit, Lil Bit. If that’s your idea of punishment, get used to being thrown over my shoulder.”
There’s no answer as she turns around and lies down by my side, her head on my chest and my arm wrapped around her shoulder. “Oh, there’s more.” Her innocent tone should be a warning, but I’m too fuzzy to catch it until it’s too late. She teases at the line between my pecs, wandering over to my nipple, before pinching and twisting.
“Ow, fuck!” I shout, cringing away.
She laughs as I rub at my nipple, soothing it. I can’t help but want more of that sassy, pleased-with-herself grin. “Still worth it,” I tell her with a shrug.
She shakes her head, eyes rolling. “Come here and let me make it better.” She acts like she’s going to kiss it.
“Why do I feel like this is a trick?” I tease.
It is a trick, but I don’t mind in the least because when we finally collapse after round two, both covered in hickeys and exhausted from using each other’s body, it’s comfortable and natural.
“You and Mama Louise looked like that was an important conversation tonight.” Not a question, not pressing me for details, but I want to share them all with her.
“She told me she’s holding the farm for me, ready to sell it back whenever I’m ready.” My fingers trace patterns on Erica’s skin, connecting the freckles even though I can’t see them in the dim light of the reading lamp on the nightstand.
“Are you ready?”
So much in three little words. She’s asking about a lot more than the farm, and that she will be vulnerable with me this way now speaks to how far we’ve come.
“I’m ready for a lot . . . with you, with the Bennetts, and eventually, with the farm. But I like how things are now. Never thought I’d say that, but I feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be and with whom I’m supposed to be.”
She snuggles in closer, not saying a word, but I feel the smile as her cheek moves against my chest.
“Even if she is a wrench-wielding badass who can take my head off.”
She swats at my chest, laughing. “Asshole.”
I pull her back to my side, both of us settling to go to sleep. “Love you, Lil Bit.”
“Love you too, Cowboy.” She’s quiet for one heartbeat before popping off again, “You’re gonna make pancakes in the morning, right?”
Epilogue
Erica
I should not be nervous. There’s no reason to be, none at all. I’ve raced Foxy a million times before. Okay, not a million, but hundreds of times for sure.
And each of those times, I sat behind the wheel calm, cool, and collected. Ready to race down the track and let those numbers flash, every time hoping for a new personal record.
Today is no different. Except it is.
Everyone is here. Mom and Dad, Emily and Dan, all the Tannens, all the Bennetts, and all the track guys. Hell, even Todd’s back, though he’s not racing. The doctor says he still has a few months of physical therapy and maybe even another skin graft before he can drive. But his Challenger is ready when he is, with a properly installed and verified nitrous system, thank you very much.
The crowd is why today feels different. Especially Dad. I know he’s proud of me. He’s told me flat-out that he is, but there’s something inside me that wants to show him just how good I am. Like he won’t really believe it until he sees it himself.
I do my burnout and pull up to the staging line. It’s me versus Clint, which is going to be a tough race because I’ve already installed his custom carburetor. But I can still win. I have to—for Dad.
The tree lights up, and I’m gone in less time than it takes to blink. Foxy roars down the track, vibrating beneath me with power. When I cross the finish, I’m in front of Clint.
“You taking it easy on me?” I yell through our open windows over the deafening engines as we take our helmets off.
He smiles easily, teeth flashing through his beard, which is ponytailed up to fit in his helmet. “Nah, just got me today. I’ll getcha next time.” He’s being way too good-natured about losing, which is answer enough.
“Don’t take it easy on me because Dad’s here. We want to earn those bragging rights.” I pat Foxy’s dashboard.
He nods respectfully. “You earned every one of them, Rix. But I’ll let bracket two know to give it all they’ve got.”
I nod back, satisfied that we’re gonna have a good day of racing.