Huge Working Hero (Hard Working Hero 3)

My heart pounds hard and fast. Of course, I get it. I can see it and feel it and smell it from where I'm standing. I'm a fucking idiot. I thought I was saving her, but in reality, I'm the one ruining her.

I hook my arm around her waist and pull her in. She bumps against my chest with a small gasp, her eyes looking up at me. Crushing my lips against hers, I kiss her. I kiss the woman who gives me life. I kiss the woman who makes me feel whole. I kiss the woman who belongs in my arms and in my bed at night.

Kelsie's lips are soft and warm. She licks my mouth and slips her tongue inside. Her body is tense, but then I feel her relax. She falls against me, allowing me to hold her so close I can feel her heart beating against my chest.

I walk her backwards and push her against the car. She coos, exhaling a single breath against my lips. Her eyes meet mine. They're so full, so big and bold, but still, I see brokenness.

My fingertips softly move against her hair, pushing it back behind her ear. My lips are hovering over hers, barely touching. I let my eyes sweep back and forth between hers, making sure she's listening.

“I get it, Kelsie, trust me, I fucking get it.” I kiss her harder and more frenzied. My tongue slips between her lips, dancing around hers.

I'm giving myself to her, and I want her to know it, to feel it, to believe it with every ounce of her body. Because I feel it. I feel her all over. She's in my thoughts, in my dreams, and in my heart.

Her arms fly up around my neck and she kisses me with so much passion there's no denying what she feels. Our lips break apart, and we're both breathing heavy. I can't stop looking at her.

The shattered pieces in her eyes are gone, replaced with a small smile as she runs the tips of her fingers down her throat.

Tires crackle against pavement, and as I look to my right, I see the taxi pulling away and back onto the road.

“Well, it looks like my ride just left.”

“I'll give you a ride. Where were you going?” She places her hands on my chest and plays with the collar of my shirt. “I'll take you anywhere, as long as it's not away from me.”

“Your parents need their car, and I know your dad doesn't want to see me.”

“I told him the truth, you know. I told them both the truth. My brother is getting chewed out right now. It doesn't matter to me anymore what they think, all I need is you.”

“You really did that?”

“I did.” She bites her bottom lip and grins. “So, where can I bring you?”

“How about you just bring me back to the hotel. I can rent a car and come pick you up from the show later. I really want to give your dad some time to cool off. Even if he knows the truth, and he knows I'm not the one who crashed his car, I still don't think I'm getting my job back.”

“No, you're definitely fired. Dating his daughter didn't get a better reaction.”

“I figured that.”

She lets her hand move down my chest and curls her fingers in mine. “You ready?” she asks.

“I'm ready.”

“Your chariot awaits.” Kelsie holds out her arm toward the door.

“You want me to drive?” I ask.

“Nope, I'm driving.” She winks and walks around to the front of the car. As she waits for the traffic to pass, I'm struck by just how lucky I am.

She's strong, she's funny, she can drive a fucking car like no tomorrow. She can drive a car better than a few racers I know. It's impressive, to say the least.

The wind ruffles her hair around her face, and the sun is kissing her skin, making her glow. She's so damn beautiful she takes my breath away. I've never felt like this before.

And I never want to stop feeling this way.

Kelsie is everything I could ever ask for in a woman.

I'll never walk away again.

9

Kelsie

“Stop being a pain in the ass and just get in,” I say out loud with a hard grunt as I throw my shoulder against the suitcase.

The suitcase shifts, budging just enough that I think I can finally close the door. I grab the edge of the door, giving it a hard shove with open palms, slamming it shut. The handle finally clicks closed after twenty minutes of struggling.

My car is jammed packed, stuffed from floor to roof and the trunk is loaded. I took everything I can. Every piece of clothing. Every shoe. Right down to the last pillowcase. The dresser in my room is empty, the closet barren except for the dangling hangers.