I held the door open for her as I lifted my hand and gave Stephanie a quick wave good-bye. “Thanks, see ya next week.”
Shutting the door, I gave Adaline a wink. “Shower time. Don’t start without me.”
Adaline giggled and said, “I wouldn’t think of it.”
I pulled up and stopped in the Marriott hotel. I put the truck I had borrowed from the track into park as Adaline and I sat there for a few moments in silence while we both just stared ahead. “Thank you for dinner, Addie. I can’t tell you when I had a home cooked meal last.”
Tilting her head, she gave me the sweetest smile. “I really enjoyed myself. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”
“I’m a little tired.”
Adaline laughed and opened the door as she jumped out and turned back to face me. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Anytime,” I said with a grin.
Adaline pursed her lips together. I could tell she wanted to say something. I knew Adaline Morgan well enough to know when she had something on her mind. “I’ll see you around soon.”
My heart dropped at the idea of seeing her again. “How soon?” I asked with a questioning look.
Adaline chewed on her lip as she let out a giggle. “Sooner than you think, Mr. Lewis.”
Adaline took a few steps backward, shut the door and turned on her heels as she made her way into the lobby of the hotel.
I let out the breath I was holding in as my head dropped against the headrest. “God how I still love that girl.”
After making my way back to the track, I met up with Lance, one of the security guys from the track. Lance dropped me back off at my bus as I thanked him for letting me borrow his truck. I quickly made my way into the bus. Hank was going to be pissed. We should have pulled out a couple of hours ago.
Stepping up inside the bus, Hank shook his head. “Are we ready now?”
With a slap on the side of his arm, I laughed. “I’m headed to bed, dude. Carry on.”
Hank headed to the front of the bus as he mumbled, “Bastard.”
The motion of the bus quickly relaxed me as I lay in bed. Every move Adaline made tonight, every smile, giggle, brush of skin against mine, replayed in my mind.
I closed my eyes as I started to drift off to sleep when my phone went off next to me. Picking it up, her name on my screen caused goose bumps to pop up all over my body. It had been a long time since I’d seen her name flash across my screen.
Addie: I’ve missed you.
I grinned from ear to ear.
Me: Thought you lost your phone pumpkin?
It was mere seconds and Adaline texted back.
Addie: It was sitting on my bed. ☹
I shook my head as I chuckled. Some things never changed. Adaline lost her phone more than anyone I knew.
Me: I’m glad you found it. And I’ve missed you too, Addie.
Addie: I regret something.
Sitting up, I reached over and turned on my light as I positioned myself to sit up in bed. Leaning against the leather headboard, I typed my reply.
Me: What do you regret?
My heart was racing. Did she regret spending time with me tonight? Shit. The palms of my hands began to sweat as I closed my eyes and prayed like hell she didn’t regret our evening together. My phone buzzed and I counted to ten before reading her reply.
Addie: That I didn’t ask you to kiss me.
My eyes widened as I jumped up on my bed and started yelling out as I pumped my fist. “Yes! Fucking yes! Son-of-a-bitch I should have kissed her! Fuck!” I couldn’t believe how childish I was behaving, jumping on my bed.
Addie: You’re quiet.
I dropped back onto my bed and kissed my phone. If anyone ever saw what I just did, I’d be shunned on the circuit.
Me: Sorry. I was so excited I was jumping on my bed.
Addie: Seriously? You were jumping on your bed?
Me: I’d never lie to you, Addie.
Addie: Emmit . . .
That one-word response killed me. I wanted more than anything to be standing back in front of her again. This time I would pull her toward me and give her what she wanted.
Me: I can tell Hank to turn around. He’ll be pissed. But I would do it.
Addie: LOL. No! I guess I’ll have to wait until the next time I see you again for that kiss.
I inhaled a deep breath and then slowly blew it out as I tried to keep my betraying dick from thinking too hard about Adaline’s words.
Me: Tell me when I’ll see you again.
I sat there and stared at my phone like a pansy ass. A minute went by, and I was beginning to feel like I wanted to pull my hair out of my head.
Addie: Sorry, Daddy called. Soon.
Fucking hell. Why is she torturing me?
Me: Soon as in a week? Two weeks? Three?
Her reply was almost instant. As if she knew what I was going to ask.
Addie: Night, Emmit. Sleep well.
I couldn’t help but smile. That little brat, she was going to leave me hanging.
Me: Okay, I’ll play along. Night, Addie. Sweet dreams.
Setting my phone down, I got back under the covers grinning like a damn fool. If God was giving me a second chance with Adaline Morgan, I was not going to mess it up. I’d do anything to prove to her how much I loved her.
Anything.
AS I SAT ON THE tan leather seat, I glanced out the window and took in a deep breath.
Holy shit. I can’t believe I’m flying on a private jet. Is this my life?
“Miss Morgan, would you like a glass of champaign before we take off?”
“No thank you. I will however take a beer if you have one?”
Giving me a perfect smile, she said, “Bud Light okay with you?”
“Perfect,” I said.
Less than two minutes later, the flight attendant returned with a bottle of Bud Light and a chilled glass. Taking the bottle, I said, “I’m a simple girl. I’ll go with the bottle.”
She let out a chuckle and said, “We’ll be taking off in about ten minutes.”
My knee bounced as I glanced around the private plane that was owned by Jack Elliot. There were three drivers on the Elliot Racing Team and from what I could tell, this plane was at their disposal any time they wanted it.
I closed my eyes and dropped my head back against the seat as I rubbed my sweaty hands over my jeans.
“Are you are a nervous flier?”
The flight attendant had a soothing voice. I was half tempted to ask her to tell me a story while we flew from Austin to Tennessee. Opening my eyes, I gave a somewhat pouty face. “Yes. I’ve always been afraid to fly and being in this small plane is not helping any.”
Reaching her hand out, the flight attendant sat across from me. “My name is Tara.”