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She nods, tucking her head into my shoulder. I comb my fingers through her hair, captivated by the soft strands against my rough skin.
“I’m sorry I freaked out that day,” she says, her eyebrows furrowing. “I guess I just…” Locklyn sighs heavily as I continue to hold her and caress her curvy body in calming strokes. “My parents weren’t exactly the warm and fuzzy type, you know?”
I nod my head, encouraging her to continue.
“They had kids so they could be the perfect all-American family and rise through the social ranks of New York City’s elite. That whole socialite culture is so toxic, and everyone is constantly backstabbing each other to get ahead or to get juicy gossip or to just be petty for no reason. I’m so sorry, Hendrix. I shouldn’t have judged you or assumed you were just like the people I grew up with.”
“You don’t have to apologize for anything, Locklyn. I’m sorry you grew up like that,” I whisper. Locklyn shrugs.
“It’s nothing compared to what you went through.”
“Hey,” I say softly, tipping her chin up so we’re eye to eye. “Your pain and trauma is valid, baby girl. But just because we have different scars, doesn’t mean we can’t heal together, yeah?”
My precious girl nods her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Thank you,” she whispers. “You’re incredible.”
I shake my head no, brushing my nose against hers. “You are, sweetheart. I can’t believe you’re mine.” Locklyn smiles, a blush staining her features.
I get us settled back down underneath the covers, thanking every god I can think of that we somehow found each other.
TEN
Locklyn
Hendrixand I have been together for a blissful two weeks, though it feels like we’ve already known each other forever.
We’ve been pretty much inseparable since our amazing night together, where we shared not only our bodies but our very souls. Elodie and Malia have been teasing me that I’m going to move out just as quickly as their last roommate. I don’t tell them that I secretly hope that’s the case.
It’s crazy, I realize, but I’m so in love with Hendrix it’s ridiculous. Despite our rocky start, he’s never made me feel bad or held it over me. He sincerely seems thankful every minute of every day that I’m with him. It’s intoxicating, being the sole focus of his attention. I love it.
“I’m going to grab a snack before the next race starts,” Malia tells Elodie and me before heading to one of the concession booths.
We’re back at the Stud Farm for more Friday night races. I never thought I’d be into the whole race car thing, but watching Hendrix in action is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. He looks so powerful and in control when he’s behind the wheel. I love the way his muscles tense and flex when he grips the throttle or switches gears.
My favorite part though is when he wins. Hendrix jumps out of his car, immediately searching the crowd for me. I’m always right there, already running toward him. I love the possessive look he gets when he sees me across the track. It makes me shamefully wet, which is something Hendrix loves to help clean up.
“Thinking about your man again?” Elodie asks.
She’s smiling, but there’s something off about it. She’s still not over her weird slump with Thorne and refuses to talk to either Malia or me about it. Still, I try one more time.
“Always,” I say with a grin. “What about you, though? Anyone catch your eye?”
Her eyes immediately dart toward where Thorne is standing next to his car. I don’t think she’s even aware of it, which makes this whole thing even more intriguing.
“Nope. I’m not dating anyone right now. Or possibly ever,” she adds, mumbling the last part.
I want to question her further, but I already know I’m not going to get anywhere. Besides, Hendrix’s race is about to start.
Just like every time I watch him race, my heart stutters as the engines roar to life, adrenaline spiking my veins when the flag is dropped. Hendrix pulls out in front, drifting effortlessly around the first turn before gunning it on the straightaway.
There’s no doubt he’s extremely talented, and I know he would crush it if he ever went pro. I’m selfishly glad he doesn’t want that lifestyle, though. I don’t know what I would do if he got into one of those horrible pile-ups you sometimes see in the news. I shiver just thinking about it.
No, I very much like the idea of settling down with a safer profession so he can be there for our family. There I go again, getting way ahead of myself. I accused Hendrix of a jump start after we first met, so I don’t want to go and do the same thing by bringing up kids.
My heart speeds up as Hendrix rounds the next corner, flying by the fence where I’m standing and cheering. He’s a blur, and yet I somehow know he saw me. He’s always seen me.
The crowd goes wild when my man crosses the finish line, and I wait until the second car pulls to a stop before hopping the fence.
Hendrix gets out of his car, but before he can look for me, a couple of guys rush forward, crowding his space.
