Traction (The Driven World)

“What are you doing here?” Haelee questions, her gaze flicking between her mom and me.

“This young man came to me and asked me to help. He knew you were angry, and sad, and your emotions were all over the place,” Caroline explains. “I wanted him to know that even though I was hurt by his mother coming here when I wasn’t home and verbally attacking you, I could see it wasn’t his doing. And he needed to talk to you.”

“And I have to explain what happened after you sent me away,” I add as I step deeper into the room before settling on the couch. My girl looks gorgeous in her mussed-up state. She always looks beautiful, but right now, just freshly showered with her hair pinned messily on top of her head, I can’t help but see the natural beauty who’s most definitely stolen my heart.

Caroline pushes to her feet. “I’ll leave you to it.” I watch her leave, and once I’m alone with Haelee, I want so badly to go to her, but I know I need to talk first. Because if I were near her right now, I’d kiss her until she couldn’t think straight.

“My mother is a nightmare, and I didn’t want you to meet her—ever. But she took it upon herself to make herself heard.”

“I was hurt by her words. When I thought about it, when I really sat down and went over everything she said, I knew I couldn’t let you lose the company.”

“My mother will never speak to you again. Ever. I made sure of that. Walking away from my dad’s company doesn’t hurt me as much as losing you,” I state earnestly. “You’ve done something to me, Haelee Pearson. You’ve stolen my heart and mind.”

Her lips curl into a small, shy smile. “Are you trying to tell me you like me or something?” she quips.

I can’t be away from her for another second. Falling to my knees, I grab her hands and pull them to my lips, pressing soft kisses on her knuckles. My eyes lock on hers.

“Or something,” I tell her. “I’m so sorry for what my mother said to you. Her hate clearly knows no bounds. I’ve never been a son to her because she’s always treated me like a stranger. I don’t think she’s capable of love. Or affection.”

“I’m sorry you grew up with someone like that.” The glassy cocoa orbs that regard me shimmer, and I reach up to cup her face, pulling her in for a kiss. It’s gentle, sweet, but the moment a soft whimper falls from her lips, I steal into her mouth, swiping my tongue along hers.

The more I deepen the kiss, the more I know I’m falling. The bad-boy racer has a girlfriend, and he’s most certainly just found his match. When I finally pull away from Haelee, I can’t help but smile.

I’m happy. The woman in front of me is everything I didn’t realize I needed in my life. She is the epitome of perfect, of my perfect.

When I walked out of here, I knew I needed to sort my mother out. To show her that she’s no longer anything to me. She hasn’t been for a long time, but now, I’m done. I’ve allowed her to rule over my life, to make me feel like I was nothing to her since I was old enough to know what her cold demeanor meant.

She did it to Dad, and she did it to me, but I will never allow her to hurt Haelee like that ever again. “I’m so sorry for everything. My mother has always been a cold bitch. I grew up knowing what she was, and maybe that’s why I never took a girl home. I thought that if I wasn’t in a relationship, she couldn’t destroy it.”

“I’m strong, but … I guess I wasn’t strong enough to hear what she had to say, or even know what she thought of me.” The sadness in Haelee’s eyes is a clear indication that she’s a gentle soul. If my mother came at me, I would’ve fought back, but that’s what makes me want Haelee so much. Her softness, her affectionate nature. Everything about her is built with love, and that’s because her parents showed her that.

“I took the time away from you to confront her. I’ve given her an ultimatum. She has already left California, and she won’t be back. The two most important parts of my life are safe.”

“Oh?” Haelee arches a brow at me in question, and I can’t help but grin at her sassiness.

“Yeah, the company,” I inform her before kissing her quickly. “And you.”

“Cheesy,” she teases, but her cheeks darken with a blush. “Well, I know how you saved me, but how did you save the company?”

“I had my lawyer draft the contracts. Because I’m the only heir, I hold all the shares, which I’ve decided to keep. My father made sure my mom couldn’t get her hands on the company. She didn’t know about the binding contract set up in my name that basically says she has no claim to any of my father’s assets.”