Read Online Speed of My Heart by Erika Trevathan - Free Book Online Page B

concentrated on clicking all the straps into place and was more than a little mesmerized. They were the color of chocolate with hints of amber and so deep and clear that I could stare at them for days.
    When Cole finished the business of buckling me into the death trap, he looked over, catching my eyes already on his. Our faces were just inches apart now; so close I could feel his warm breath on my mouth. And the part about getting lost in those eyes of his, I was pretty sure I was being sucked right into their depths at that very moment. I couldn't look away, couldn't breathe, couldn't even think straight. The only thing on my mind was how close his lips were to mine, how just the slightest move from either of us would cause them to brush. And then Cole closed those few inches and my eyes drifted closed as our lips touched. At first, soft and gentle, and then becoming more urgent and demanding; he had almost complete control of the kiss. Strapped into the seat so tightly, I wasn't able to lean into him or even pull back had I wanted to... which I didn't. And I found that strangely thrilling. Though, I was pretty sure had it been anyone else but him, I wouldn't have felt the same way. There was something about Cole that made me feel safe, even when I was vulnerable.
    As our kiss deepened and I felt the warmth pooling in my belly, I found myself quickly becoming frustrated with the restraints, wanting desperately to be in his arms and not strapped securely to my seat. Cole pulled back slightly, breaking the seal of our lips and leaving me out of breath. I couldn't even help the slight whimper of frustration that him pulling away caused.
    The corners of his mouth turned up at that and his eyes were on mine again, swirling with a wealth of thoughts and emotions that I would have killed to know. He sat back and looked down, tugging on the straps of my harness one last time before leaning back out of the car.
    I let out a huge breath that I hadn't even realized I'd been holding, trying my best to get a grip before Cole climbed in on the driver's side. Luckily, I had a few moments to compose myself while he spoke with one of the mechanics that worked at the track. By the time he was strapped in, I had a reign on my emotions and was feeling my breathing pick up for a completely different reason. Just the mere thought that I would be flying around the track within minutes, had me on the fast track to a full out panic attack. I did my best to remain calm as I pulled on my helmet. But when the engine of the car roared to life, vibrating beneath us, it was all I could do not to struggle my way out of the complicated seatbelt and throw myself out of the nearest window.
     
    Cole looked over at me with concern. He was yelling but I couldn’t really hear him over the engine. Mostly, I read his lips.
     "Are you okay?" he asked. He really did look worried. I could just imagine what he was seeing on my face: pure terror if it was reflecting anything I was feeling on the inside.
    I forcefully swallowed down my denial and instead nodded.
    His eyes remained on me for a few more seconds, and I imagined he was trying to decide whether I was being truthful. I looked away and focused my attention on the track in front of me, attempting to ignore how fast the other cars were going.
    And then, I honestly can't tell you anything else about my first ride in a racecar, because my eyes were squeezed so tightly shut that I couldn't see a thing. My mind was consumed with the prayer I was reciting over and over in my head. God, please don't let me die. God, please don't let my die. I can tell you it was so fast that my stomach felt like it literally dropped from my body, and my breath was lodged somewhere in my throat the whole time.
    After what seemed like an eternity, the car finally slowed and coasted to a stop. My body was so tense, I was literally sore. I slowly opened my eyes and looked over at Cole, who was grinning at me from ear to ear, totally