Page 13 of Rear View

Her jeans fit her legs real good. They looked comfortable but still managed to show off some of what she hid underneath.

Not that she needed to. A douchebag skulked by, stare-skimming her body.

He tugged his hair back in a ponytail as he took his fill, angling to the side like he was trying to catch a look at her ass.

My jaw ticked, rough hands creaking when they clenched into fists.

His attention darted to mine, and he must’ve picked up on the threat in my glare ’cause he fucked all the way off when he disappeared into the crowd.

Stopping, I offered her my hand. She eyed it, gaze softening before she set hers in mine. And, Christ, it felt good. Warm, and silky. Fuckin’ perfect.

I climbed the steps, taking her with me. Alec eyed us and his brows shot up. Yeah, yeah. I was protective as shit over the vehicle. People liked to grab stuff or push buttons. But I wanted Ryah to see what I did. To see her reaction. Get her thoughts.

“What do ya think, darlin’?” I asked.

“She’s a pretty little hot hatch.”

My eyes went wide.

Her expression eased—calmed—before a full-beam smile broke across her lips. The sight of it nearly knocked me on my ass. A man could kill for a girl like that. Ed ucated. Beautiful. Outta my league in every way. Regardless, she was standin’ there with me, so I wasn’t complaining.

Sheila offered a thumbs-up while Alec chomped his burger and gave an impressed nod. “She knows the lingo.”

Ryah blushed and playfully flipped her hair. “She may have looked up some words.”

He laughed.

And why’d you do that, now?

Poppin’ the handle, I swung the door wide. She moved closer, holding tight to me, her body less than a foot from mine. And damn, did she smell good. Like spice and cinnamon. Warm. Rich and smooth, like whiskey on a fall night.

“Wow…” she said, her eyes narrowing on the sparse interior, built for safety, not style. “It looks like it’s missing a few pieces.”

Barking a laugh, I ran a palm over the roof. “Careful, now. My girl’s sensitive.” I tipped my chin up. “Climb in.”

She froze. “What?”

I flicked my wrist toward the driver’s seat. “Go on.”

Her gaze slid to mine as she pulled that pretty lip through her teeth. “What if I break something?”

“Even I can’t break this thing, woman.” I smirked. “Now, get in the damn car.”

Her laugh echoed off my soul when she gave my hand a squeeze, released, then dipped down, settling into the bucket-style seat. And fuck me, if she didn’t look small and hot as hell behind that wheel.

I tapped the side skirt with my boot. “This baby’s been through a lot of changes lately.”

“And war zones?”

I choked on a laugh. “Rally doesn’t do pretty.”

Her eyes flicked over my face before that blush turned a deep-ass shade of red. I loved it. Her strange mix of bold and shy. Open and closed. I couldn’t predict her. She kept me back on my heels. And for a guy who’d seen the stuff I had, she was the right kinda problem to have.

“No rear view?” She glanced around, then over her shoulder. “How do you see behind you?”

“There’s no lookin’ back.” Only forward. Motto of my goddamn life. I crouched beside her and set my forearms on my knees, bunching my shoulders. “You ever driven a stick before?”

Rubbing the back of her neck, she shook her head.

My brows pulled together while I trailed my tongue over the inside of my bottom lip. The day of the accident, she’d been walking, and she’d caught a ride to the Civic Centre. On its face, it didn’t mean shit, but her reaction definitely did. “You ever driven before?”

Her arms dropped to her lap as one of those dainty fingers traced a short line along the bottom of the steering wheel. “No,” she said, her voice small like she was embarrassed.

Nah. Don’t be scared with me, darlin’. I pointed to the clutch and brake. “See those two pedals? Press ’em down with your feet.”

Her legs were too short to reach, so she wiggled her ass forward until she could, then glanced at me, waiting. She looked real good like that, so I let the sight of it burn into my memory.

My chest pressed against her small shoulder as I leaned past her and pulled the e-brake into place, then maneuvered the shifter to neutral. “The car won’t go anywhere now.” I edged back and I tipped my head her way. “Go for it.”

“Go for what?”

“Turn it on.”

She waved her hands in front of her. “No, no, no. I can’t do that.”

“Course, ya can.”

Her gaze narrowed. “You’re just gonna trust me like that?”

Arching a brow, I met those copper eyes and held. “Promise. I’ll take care of ya.”

Her thumb hovered over the control and those eyes pinched like she was about to lob a bomb. “This one?” she asked, her voice high.

“That’s the one.”

She let loose a high-pitched squeak before she pressed it.

The loud rumble-pop of the engine filled the building. She flinched, her eyes going wide before a wicked smile consumed those full lips, and she bounced in place. I laughed.

Her little hands gripped the wheel, gliding over the leather while she took the car in. “It’s kinda like a spaceship with all the buttons and switches. How do you even know what to touch?”

I lifted a shoulder. “Practice. It’s muscle memory after a while.”

“Do you ever crash?”

“I have, yeah.” I reached in and tapped the roll bar. “But that’s what this bad boy’s for.”

She peered at me through her lashes. “Are you ever scared?”

I shook my head. “Can’t be. Driving scared’s a fast way to make mistakes.”

“So, you’re kinda crazy, then.”

My laugh was a deep rumble in my chest. “That a problem?”

She faced forward again, gaze trained out the windshield. “Not yet,” she said so quietly, I had to strain to hear.

Christian strolled to the side of the platform, his eyes creasing when they landed on Ryah. His hands were in his pockets all nonchalant like he didn’t know exactly what the hell he was doing. I inhaled, slow and deep, wanting him to march his ass away.

“You almost ready to go?” he asked her.

Ryah turned his way and gave him a soft smile. “Yeah.”

Bitter jealousy burned my chest. I’d only known the girl for a hot minute, but I wanted that smile. Was greedy for it. Didn’t want anyone else to get it, least of all, preppy boy.

Reaching in, I took her finger and pressed it to the switch again, cutting the engine. “Thanks for swingin’ by.”

Her gaze dropped to that touch and held. “Thanks for inviting us.”

I inclined my head and released her. Anytime, dream girl.

Christian cleared his throat.

Ryah climbed out and I rose, towering over her while I angled to the side and gave her room.

Her body brushed my chest when she breathed, “Bye, Xavier.”

I winked. “Bye, darlin’.”

Ducking her head, she walked away.

My arms crossed over my chest as I leaned a hip against the car. Christian’s mouth was downturned. A man who’d just realized he had competition. At least, I hoped I was. I barely knew her, but she deserved better than a guy who only saw her when someone else was looking.