Ignite

by Kelly Elliott

  Daddy widened his eyes and said, “Copy that.”

  I stood so I could see Emmit and the rest of the cars coming down pit road. “Is everything okay? Why is he so quiet?” I asked my father.

  “He’s in the zone. When he gets like this, I tend to just leave him alone. He’s worked himself up from twentieth to fourth, so whatever he’s doing I’m letting him do.”

  I couldn’t help but wonder what was going through Emmit’s mind as he raced so hard. The only thing I did know was my leg bounced up and down nervously while I watched as the cars came in. Malcolm was in the pit box behind Emmit. He came to a screeching stop and his pit crew went to work with lightning speed.

  “Five, four, three, two, one,” the spotter called as Emmit stopped.

  Emmit quickly began talking to his crew. “Let’s go guys! Get me out before the twenty-three. We’ve got this!”

  After making an adjustment to Emmit’s car, four new tires and gas, Daddy called out, “Go! Go! Go!”

  Making a fist pump, I called out, “Yes!” when Emmit beat Malcolm out. Turning to Daddy, I smiled as he gave me a wink.

  Daddy leaned over and whispered, “You’re on TV baby, don’t act too excited.”

  I quickly sat back down and nodded. “Sorry.”

  Two reporters had already asked me if I was Emmit Lewis’ new girlfriend. Smiling, I just kept walking. I knew how this game was from when Emmit first moved up to NASCAR.

  “Have you told him yet?” Daddy asked me.

  Shaking my head, I said, “No.”

  “Don’t you think you should?”

  My heart dropped as I looked back out onto the track. What if that’s why Emmit was so quiet? He was thinking how we were going to make this work.

  I was about to say something when Emmit came over the radio. They were still under caution as the track crew cleaned up where a car hit the wall.

  “Is my girl still sitting there with you, Waldo?” Emmit asked.

  Daddy laughed and shook his head. “Yes.”

  “Let me talk to her.”

  My mouth dropped open as I shook my head. Daddy started laughing and motioned for me to talk. “Dad, people can hear whatever he says to me.”

  “Hold on, I’m trying to talk her into it.”

  “Ten-four,” Emmit said like it was no big deal that everyone and their mother would hear our conversation.

  I held up my hands as I gave my father a stern look. “Ease the poor kid’s mind, Adaline.”

  Holy shit this was not going to turn out well.

  With a deep breath in, I pushed it out and hit the button. “Hey.”

  “Hey, baby.”

  I tried to keep my voice calm as I smiled. I’d never want Emmit to know how I was scared to death every time he climbed into that car.

  “Wanted to hear your voice, Addie.”

  I instantly saw a camera pointing up to the box as I looked away and talked back to him. “I forgot to tell you something, Emmit.”

  Emmit chuckled and said, “Better tell me before we go green.”

  Breathe, Adaline. “As of this morning, I’m officially working full time for Elliot Racing.”

  “What?” Emmit asked as I looked at my father. Nodding his head for me to keep talking, I said, “Yep. Seems Elliot Racing wants a full time nurse on staff to travel with y’all.”

  “Please tell me you’re not kidding.”

  I couldn’t help but notice there was another camera pointed up at me as I let out a giggle. “You’re stuck with me, Emmit.”

  Emmit yelled, “Yes! Baby, you just made my day.”

  I shook my head and laughed. “Okay, get back to racing. I love you.”

  “Green flag out,” the spotter said as I exhaled a deep breath and sat back. Daddy bumped my arm and chuckled. “You’re going to be the talk of the town, baby girl.”

  I rolled my eyes as I moaned. My phone went off next to me. Pulling it up, I saw it was Kristin Adams, Doug Adam’s wife. I’d met her last week after the race and then again this morning. We had coffee and exchanged phone numbers.

  Kristin: You’re on the news!

  Me: Oh shit.

  Kristin: That was the cutest damn thing I’ve ever heard! HA! What publicity!

  My cheeks burned as I looked around.

  “How’s the car feeling?” Daddy asked Emmit as I focused back in on the race.

  “Okay,” was all Emmit said as his spotter came over the radio again as Emmit was pacing lap traffic.

  “All clear.”

  Emmit quickly made a move after turn four and moved into second place.

  “Ten laps to go,” Daddy said as he spun his ring on his finger. It was a habit he had done since I could remember. He only did it when he was nervous. His voice always stayed smooth and unmoving for Emmit though. Even when Emmit was cursing him out, Daddy always stayed calm.

  “How far ahead?” Emmit asked his spotter.

  “One,” he replied.

  “Let’s fucking do this,” Emmit said as I held my breath while Emmit attempted to pass Malcolm.

  Malcolm came down from the top in an attempt to block Emmit.

  “Bumper, door, bumper, clear, go go go!”

  I jumped up and watched as Emmit passed Malcolm and took second.

  “Come on, Emmit!” I yelled out.

  “You miss it?” Daddy asked as I nodded my head.

  “I’ve missed him.”

  The spotter came over the radio. “White flag, this is it. One to go.”

  Daddy shook his head. “If you’re going to do it, do it now, Emmit.”

  My heart was pounding within my chest as I watched Emmit race to the finish line with number seven. Dropping down on turn four, Emmit and Doug were side by side.

  “Emmit, go!” I screamed out as they approached the checkered flag.

  Emmit did something and shot out in front just enough to take the win. Jumping, I turned and launched myself into my father’s arms as the entire pit crew celebrated.

  Daddy laughed and pulled my ear up to his mouth. “Two in a row.”

  Climbing down from the tower, I headed to victory lane with my father. The crowd went wild as Emmit did his normal thing after he won. Spinouts and driving with the checkered flag.

  Standing back with my father, I waited for Emmit to pull in. Climbing out of the car, he stood up and began shaking water all over everyone as he yelled out in victory. My heart felt as if it would explode I was so proud. Even at home over the last few years, I would scream and yell at my TV when Emmit won.

  The news was right there and ready to interview Emmit. Mr. Elliot walked up next to me and said, “He wants to see you first.”

  Snapping my head and looking at him, I stumbled on my words. “W-what?”

  With a wink, Mr. Elliot said, “He radioed in he wanted to talk to you first.”

  “But . . . but . . . he can’t.”

  Emmit jumped down and pulled in a few members of his pit crew and hugged them, while Tim Mathew, with one of the major news networks, held a microphone out and began talking to Emmit. Looking around, his eyes caught mine and the smile that spread across his face would be one I would never forget.

  “Excuse me one second, Tim. I’ve got someone I need to kiss first.”

  Everyone turned and looked at me as Mr. Elliot and I came to a stop. Emmit reached out for me and pulled me to him as he placed his hand on the back of my neck and pulled my lips to his. Right before kissing me he whispered, “I wanted to kiss you.”

  Pressing his lips to mine, everyone erupted in cheers as I laced my arms around Emmit’s neck. “Don’t go anywhere,” Emmit said as he turned and started his interview like he hadn’t just kissed me in front of millions of people, or never mind the fact that he made them wait for him to kiss me.

  Before I knew what was happening, I was standing next to Emmit with his arm around me as we held our fingers up for the number one and pictures were taken. My mind was spinning, and I didn’t know if I was excited or s
cared to death. The rush of Emmit winning was always a high for me, just like it was for Emmit. I hadn’t realized how much I missed being a part of this with him.

  Once all the pictures were taken, Emmit did a few more interviews and then met with a few fans. He only let go of my hand when he had to. During the last interview, I glanced around and saw Stephanie. I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination or not, but it looked as if she was shooting me daggers. A smile quickly spread across her face before she turned and walked away.

  Hank’s words replayed in my mind.

  “Watch your back, Adaline. Not everyone is who they seem.”

  A feeling of panic passed through my chest as I made a mental note to ask Hank about Stephanie. The last thing I wanted to do was let jealousy rear its ugly head in the wrong places. Or at all for that matter.

  Emmit’s interview finished and he turned to me with the most breathtaking smile on his face. His dimple had always been my undoing and now it was out in full force. Taking me into his arms he said, “Now you’re all mine.”

  Kissing me fast and quick on the lips, he took my hand and led me back to his bus as my heartbeat felt like a hummingbird’s wings. This day had been a whirlwind, but I had a feeling tonight was going to be even more exciting.

  THIS DAY COULDN’T HAVE BEEN any better if I had planned it. I won the race, I got Adaline back, and she would be with me one-hundred percent of the time.

  Best. Fucking. Day. Ever.

  The second I got Adaline into my bus, I picked her up and kissed her. Her hands went straight to my hair where she laced her fingers through it as she moaned while tugging hard.

  “Addie, I want you so much.”

  Squeezing her legs around me, Adaline gave me the sexiest smile and said, “I don’t want slow and sweet, Emmit.”

  My eyes about rolled into the back of my head as I started walking her toward the bedroom.

  “Emmit?”

  I stopped dead in my tracks as I turned and saw Stephanie walking into the bus. What in the fuck? She never just walks in.

  “You don’t know how to fucking knock?” I said as Adaline motioned for me to let her go.

  “Emmit,” Adaline said as she looked at me, shocked that I would speak like that to Stephanie.

  Stephanie stood there stunned. I’d never talked to her so harsh before, and I felt like a dick. Shaking my head, I walked over to her. “Sorry, Steph, I’m just tired and I want to spend some time with Addie.”

  Stephanie quickly glanced over to Adaline and then back to me. “I knocked but there was no answer. I’m sorry. It’s just you have a fan who would really like to meet you.”

  My mouth dropped open as I stared at Stephanie. Once my last interview was done, she knew I was done for the day. I didn’t mind signing things on the way back to my bus, but once I was in I was done.

  I pulled my head back and let out a gruff laugh. “You walked into my bus to tell me that? You know after I step into this bus, I’m done.”

  Stephanie nodded. “Sorry, I just thought I could catch you. I didn’t realize you had a . . . guest with you.”

  My head turned to look at Adaline who now wore a stunned look on her face as well. Shit. The last thing I wanted was for her to think this was a normal thing for Stephanie just to make her damn self at home as she walked uninvited onto my bus. I took Stephanie by the arm and led her over to the door. “One thing we need to get straight right now is Adaline is far from a guest. She’s my girlfriend and is now a permanent fixture. Always assume she’s going to be here.”

  Nodding her head, Stephanie gave me a weak smile. “Understood. Is there anything you need me to do?”

  “No, I think I’ve got it all covered, Steph. Have a safe trip back home.”

  Stephanie lifted her hand and gave Adaline a wave and said, “See you back in North Carolina.”

  I shut the door and locked it as I turned to Adaline. She was smiling so big and bright, it practically lit up the whole bus.

  Four knocks at the door and I let out a sigh. “Hank,” I sighed as Adaline busted out laughing.

  Opening the door, I smiled and said, “Hey, Hank.”

  “Hey. Back to North Carolina we go.”

  Hank immediately went to the front and started getting ready to pull out. Shaking my head, I walked up to Adaline and placed my hands on the sides of her face. Adaline giggled and said, “We either wait the three hour drive or I can be quiet. Can you be quiet?”

  My knees about buckled as I picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. Shutting the door, I threw her onto the bed where she let out a laugh.

  “Was that a challenge?” I asked as I stripped out of my driving suit.

  Adaline placed her finger in her mouth and bit down gently. “Indeed, it was, Mr. Lewis.”

  I reached over her and hit the intercom and smiled. “Hank, Addie and I are going to be . . . tied up back here for a bit.”

  I’d never brought anyone back to my motor home, so Hank had never had to worry about privacy. If I wasn’t sleeping, I was sitting up front with Hank or Steve, my other driver.

  “Ten-four,” Hank said as I narrowed my eyes and crawled onto the bed, hovering just above Adaline.

  “Take off your clothes, Addie. We’re going to go shower.” Pushing off the bed I stared into Adaline’s beautiful blue eyes.

  Adaline lit up as she glanced over toward the bathroom and then back to me. “Together?”

  Slowly nodding, I pushed my underwear off and stood before her naked. Adaline’s eyes moved over my body with lust dancing in them.

  Standing up, Adaline pulled her shirt over her head and dropped it to the floor. My eyes fell to the white lace bra as I licked my lips. I lifted my hand and lightly traced the lace as Adaline’s body trembled.

  “You calm the storm inside of me, Addie. When I’m with you I feel so at peace, like nothing else in this world matters. You’re everything to me.”

  Adaline’s eyes filled with tears as she pressed her lips together and pushed her shorts and panties down. Reaching behind her back, she unclasped her bra and let it fall to the ground.

  “Emmit, I don’t even have the words to tell you how much you mean to me. It’s not only my body that craves you, but my heart as well. You’re the light that I’ve always walked to. You’re all I want. You’re all I’ll ever want.”

  Adaline placed her hands on my chest as she lightly placed kisses on my body. Taking a hold of her arms, I pulled her back and looked into her eyes. “I love you.”

  Her face lit up as she leaned up and kissed my lips. “I love you.”

  Reaching down, I lifted her up and carried her into the bathroom. The marble counter was long with two sinks sitting on each end. Setting her down, she gasped when she touched the cold slab.

  Her cheeks turned to the most beautiful shade of pink I’d ever seen as she giggled. My hand went to the back of her neck where I took a handful of hair and pulled back gently, exposing her neck to me. Leaning closer to her, I ran my tongue along her neck as Adaline let out a sigh and grabbed onto my arms.

  “Emmit,” she whispered as I took my other hand and wrapped it around her waist.

  “I want to make love to you without a condom, Addie. I need to feel us together as one, so I know I’m not dreaming and you’re really mine again.”

  Adaline’s eyes closed as she smiled and said, “It’s always been you, Emmit.”

  Tears welled up in my eyes as I searched Adaline’s face. Opening her eyes, she smiled and placed her hand on the side of my face. “I want all of you. No barriers.”

  My lips pressed to hers as I kissed her frantically while our hands explored each other. I pulled my mouth back and asked, “Babies?”

  Adaline grinned against my lips, “Birth control pill.”

  I pushed her legs open and pulled her to me. Positioning myself at her opening, our eyes locked. As I slowly pushed into her warm body, my eyes about rolled to the back of my head while Adaline’s body trembled.

  �
��I’m yours, Emmit. Forever.”

  Placing my hand back behind Adaline’s neck, I pulled her lips to mine as I slowly made love to her.

  I LIFTED MY HAND AND softly ran my finger against my kiss-swollen lips as Lola slept on the sofa with her head in my lap. Glancing up, I smiled as I watched Emmit talk to Hank as he sat in the captain’s seat.

  He looked so happy right now. Every time I watched his interviews on TV when we were apart I could see the sadness in his eyes. Looking away as I pressed my trembling lips together, I tried not to think about how I was the cause of all that sadness.

  I shook the negative thoughts from my head. My hand moved lazily over Lola’s fur. None of that mattered any more. Emmit and I were together again and I’d never felt so whole. I had no idea how this life was going to work; all I knew was that I wanted it more than anything. Even if Mr. Elliot had not offered me to join the team, I knew deep in my heart that I wanted to be with Emmit.

  Spinning in the chair, Emmit flashed me a smile so big I couldn’t help but smile back. “We’re almost home.”

  Home.

  This was truly it. I was getting the second chance I had prayed for so many nights. I was about to start a whole new chapter in my life with Emmit and I was both nervous and excited.

  Lola lifted her head and let out a little bark, almost as if she knew what Emmit had said. Emmit glanced down at her as he let out a chuckle. “She loves you already, Addie.” As I looked back at Lola, I couldn’t help but fantasize what our life might be like in the future. A dog, one or two kids. Grinning at the idea, I chewed on my lip.

  Emmit squatted down and placed his hand on the side of my face. “What are you thinking about, pumpkin?”

  The last thing I wanted to do was scare Emmit by talking about the future and babies. But I also knew I would never hide my feelings from him again. “Our future.”

  Emmit’s dimple came out in full force as he smiled. “What do you see¸ Addie?”

  I swallowed hard as I looked at Lola and took in a small breath through my nose before blowing it out quickly. Bringing my eyes back to Emmit’s, I was taken back with the love in them. “Us. With Lola.”

  With a tilt of his head slightly to the right, Emmit narrowed his left eye at me while he caused my heart to beat rapidly from that smile of his. “What else?” Emmit asked as he pushed a piece of my hair behind my ear.