“It’s fine,” I state hoping to ease the tension between them. “Killian can take me, but I will see you tomorrow for that tour, right?”
“Absolutely,” Woodrow answers but his eyes are on Killian almost in a challenge.
“Let’s go,” Killian snaps and stalks off toward the side of the house.
“Later.” I wave at Woodrow and take off after Killian afraid he will leave me here. He seems like the type who would. He is seriously rude.
By the time I catch up to Killian he’s already seated in the driver’s side of his classic Mustang and revving the engine. I quickly climb into the passenger side and go to pull my seatbelt on but it’s stuck.
“Here. I’ll do it,” he practically growls at me, and I can’t help but wonder why he insisted on driving me back if he is annoyed by doing it. Killian leans across me. His face is centimeters from mine, and the woodsy scent of his cologne overpowers me. I suck in a breath as his elbow rubs over my chest. He doesn’t seem to even notice. “It sticks sometimes.” The jerk pauses and smiles at me. Our eyes meet, and I feel dizzy. His cellphone rings, and he pulls away once the belt clicks into place.
“Lo,” he greets. “When? Now. Fuck.” His hand smooths over his hair. He looks at me, and I turn my head out the window and fight a smile. “I’ll be there.” We peel out of the driveway and start in the opposite direction that we would travel to return to campus. “Been a change in plans. I have a pitstop to make then I’ll take you home.”
“Sure okay.” I fall back in the seat as he speeds through the streets like a freaking race car driver. I close my eyes and try not to panic that we are going to crash and burn. I try and remind myself that Hayley trusts him. The ride is quiet and awkward. The stereo is turned down low enough that I can’t make out what’s currently playing. “Where are we going exactly?”
“I’m going to need you to trust me.”
I look over as he grips the steering wheel. Our eyes lock, and once again I feel those damn butterflies fluttering low in my belly. Everything about Killian screams danger, but I softly say, “I trust you.”
He laughs and looks away as the light turns from red to green. “You shouldn’t.”
He really is an ass. I keep quiet and hope he isn’t involving me in something illegal. We hit a two-lane dirt road and when Killian starts to slow the car down, I see taillights up ahead. “Stay in the car,” he instructs, and I nod even though he doesn’t wait for me to do as I am told.
I can see him leaning into the driver’s side window, but I can’t hear what is being said over the sound of his car. He seems to turn his head and motion in my direction. He taps on the top of the red Charger and walks back in my direction. He looks like he stepped straight off a movie as the lead bad boy in his leather jacket and faded dark gray logo tee. He lights up another cigarette and climbs back in the car.
“You know smoking is unattractive,” the words slip out before I can stop myself.
“Good thing I don’t care what you think,” Killian quips, and we go around the red car continuing down the dirt road until we come to a clearing that holds about eight other cars. He tosses his half-smoked cigarette out the window, and I want to ask what we are doing here but refrain. The engine cuts off and he says, “Come on.”
Reluctantly I exit the car and he waits for me at the front. Is this a private party or something? I join him where he stands with another guy who appears way too old to be hanging with college kids. The man has a full beard has a bit of a gut on him that is hanging over his jeans.
“Where you been hiding this one?” The man says as he sizes me up.
I don’t like the way he looks at me and apparently neither does Killian. He drapes a protective arm over my shoulder and pulls me into his side, confusing me, but I like the way his possessive touch feels. “She’s Hayley’s cousin.” The way he says it though makes it sound like I am his responsibility.
The guy holds his palms out and laughs. “That’s too bad. What are you doing here with this one?” He motions to Killian. His grip on me tightens, and I get the impression he’d rather I don’t answer, so I stay quiet.
Two cars start up and line up in the center of the clearing. Their engines are revving loudly, and a busty redhead stands in front of them. She pulls her white belly top off, and all the men standing around whistle at her being left in a black bra and cut off denim shorts. She holds the shirt over her head. “On three,” she announces. I watch curiously as she counts to two and then drops the shirt down to the dirt and the cars speed past her.
It doesn’t escape me that Killian still has an arm around me, but his grip has loosened significantly. “Do you race?” I look up at him, he seems to realize that we are still standing close, and he takes a step away from me.
“Yup. You wanna ride with me or stand here with Rusty?”
“I’ll ride with you.” This Rusty guy gives me the creeps.
He smiles at my answer. “Get in then. We’re next.”
“Okay,” I try to sound confident, but I know my voice sounds weak.
“She know what’s on the line?” That Rusty guy chuckles, and Killian shakes his head.
“What’s he mean?”
“Remember when you said you trust me?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Well…I need you to buckle up and trust me.”