He goes about halfway in the lot before letting up on the gas. He moves the clutch into neutral, letting the car idle.
“Well? How was that?” he asks.
“It was okay.”
“Okay? Just okay? Didn't you feel the torque? Couldn't you feel it all the way to your bones?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“You think you can do better?” he asks, arching a single brow high. “Here, switch spots with me. I don't think you can appreciate it until you're wielding the power yourself.”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Really, come on, just give it a try.”
I purse my lips thinking about. “Okay, I'll try it.”
Brand gets out of the seat and walks to my door. I hop in the driver's seat and buckle myself in. He smirks as he shuts the door, letting his hands rest on his lap.
“Aren't you going to put your seat belt on?”
“I'm good. I trust you.”
“I'd feel better if you put it on, just in case.”
“Fine, if it'll make you feel better.” Brand reaches back and pulls the belt across his chest. “It's not like we're going to hit anything out here.”
“I know, but shit happens.”
“You know how to use the clut—”
Throwing it into first, I let up on the clutch and slam the gas. Brand's head jerks back and he grabs the handle on the door. I drive us straight, shifting to second and then third. Yanking the wheel, the car skids across the pavement, spinning completely around. I down shift, yanking the wheel again and hitting the gas to spin us in the opposite direction.
Brand has a look of complete shock on his face. His knuckles are white and he's grabbing the handle with both hands now as his body gets thrown against the door. I can't stop myself from smiling.
I let the car drift a little, then straighten the wheel, and slow us to a stop. My eyes turn to Brand and he's staring at me.
“What?” I ask with a smirk.
“That is the hottest thing I've ever seen.” He's sweating lightly. There's a thin sheen across his forehead and right at the edge of his hairline. “Where did you learn to do that?”
“John Woods.”
“Get the hell out of here? That old bastard taught you to do that?”
“He sure did.” I point at my seat. “You want it back?”
“I'm not sure I do now. I don't know if I deserve to sit in that seat anymore after that. You just put me to shame.” Brand chuckles as his eyes flicker around my face.
He licks his lips, stretching flat palms down the tops of his legs and adjusting in the seat. His eyes finally come to settle on mine. There's something about the way he's looking at me that sets me on fire.
My breathing kicks harder, and my heart is beating fast. I can hear the blood rushing through my body. It whooshes through my ears like flowing water.
Everything after this moment, after my surging blood silenced the rest of the world, happens so fast. We both throw ourselves forward into a kiss. Brand's hands cup the sides of my face, and my arms curl around his neck.
Our lips crash together. I can taste the saltiness of his skin, and the faint flavor of coffee. His lips are hot as fire. The tips of his fingers rake across the back of my neck and up into my hair.
His tongue slips inside my mouth, licking across my tongue. He sucks my bottom lip into his mouth and drags the sharp edges of his teeth across it until my lip breaks free. We're staring at each other again, both of us breathing heavy.
“We should probably get back,” he says.
“Probably,” I answer, breathy and labored.
We don't break eye contact. Brand licks his lips again, letting one hand slip down over my shoulder. He moves slowly, carefully, watching me and searching for any resistance. His fingertips flutter down and around, across my collarbone and then down between my breasts.
My skin bristles and my stomach clenches as he tickles his way down over my belly. They hit the edge of my shorts, tracing the seam back and forth. His other hand is still in my hair, massaging my scalp.
He moves lower, until he's curling his fingers under the edge of my shorts. I grab his hand, and squeeze.
“Brand. . .” My mind whirls and twirls as the tip of his finger brushes my panties.
“Do you want me to stop?” he asks.
I bite my bottom lip and shake my head no. I'm a virgin. I've had boyfriends over the years, I can't claim absolute purity, but I've never been this wet before. This man is doing things to me no boy in the past ever has.
I answer his question by spreading my legs wider. Brand grins, manipulating my head and leaning it toward the window as his he pinches the lace trim of my panties and pulls them out of the way.