Can't Slow Down (Consumed by Love #2)

by Lizzie Hart Stevens

  My cheeks flush and I smile. I was being paranoid after all.

  “How did you get those clothes?”

  “I keep a clean set in my car.” He gives me a sheepish grin. “I’m used to being prepared to not stick around somewhere very long.”

  His reply reminds me of what he said last night before we got into the bath together.

  “That reminds me, what did you mean last night when you said almost losing me was why you were nervous about more than just a one-night stand with me?”

  Coen frowns and sits down on the edge of the bed. He places his head in his hands and sighs. This is a tough subject for him. Maybe it’s too soon. Maybe I should have just let it go for now and hoped he will tell me when he’s ready.

  “I’m sorry, Coen. You don’t have to explain. I’m just happy you’re here and decided to stay.” I scoot down next to him and rest my head on his shoulder while placing my hand on his back for comfort.

  I feel his back muscles tense and his body rise and fall as he exhales a deep sigh and runs his hand through his hair.

  “No, its okay,” he says softly, “you deserve to know. If we are going to do this relationship thing, I want to do it right. No secrets.”

  I nod my head in acknowledgement against his arm and just listen.

  He wraps his arm around me and pulls me into him. He smells so good. Resting his chin on my head, we both stare out the window. I rest my arm on his leg and rub his knee with my thumb to comfort him.

  Coen draws in a slow breath.

  “When I was eight years old . . .” He swallows hard and pauses a moment before continuing. “ . . . My parents dropped me off at my Aunt Sarah’s for a sleepover because they were going to a wedding.” He gets up carefully, so that I don’t fall from leaning on him, walks over to the window and crosses his arms as he looks out. His green eyes are like glass. It’s like he’s not really here right now, but lost far away in his memories.

  “They were all I had, Lex. My entire world. I don’t have any siblings. They were the only people on this earth to love me and they were taken from me in the blink of an eye. I woke up to the phone ringing very early the next morning, followed by Aunt Sarah screaming. They were killed instantly by a drunk driver when they were leaving the wedding reception. I never saw them again.”

  I stand up and wrap my arms around him from behind, resting my head on his back.

  “Coen, I’m so sorry.”

  He shakes his head as if to shake the old memories, hugs me, and starts to get dressed.

  “I guess that’s why I’ve always been afraid to commit to any relationship, Lex,” he says, slipping on his jeans. “In my fucked up mind, there’s a fear that everyone I love is going to get taken from me.”

  Coen cradles my face in his hands and his beautiful green eyes look deep into mine, then he smiles sweetly. I’m falling hard for this man, and fast. I feel like we’ve known each other for years rather than days. This was meant to be.

  “For the first time in my life, Lexi, I want more. I need more. And I don’t care what it takes. I’m going to do everything in my power to protect you. I couldn’t save my parents, but thank God I saved you. I’ll be fucking damned if anyone is going to take you from me now.”

  I wrap my hands around his neck and pull him into a deep kiss. He gives me instant butterflies even with the slightest touch. I don’t ever want this feeling to go away.

  “I want more, too, Coen.”

  He smirks, gives me a kiss on the tip of my nose and squeezes my ass cheek with a growl. “Get dressed before I change my mind.”

  “Change your mind?” I ask confused.

  “Yeah, I’m taking you out for the day to show you how a real man treats a woman. But if you don’t put that sexy ass and tits of yours away soon we’ll end up spending the day in bed.” He wets his lips and pulls his T-shirt over his head.

  “Well, I guess I better put these tits and this ass away then,” I jest. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going so I know how to dress?”

  “Nope. That’s a surprise, sweet cheeks.” He winks. “Wear whatever you’re comfortable in.”

  He gives me a swift pat on my ass cheek before he walks out of the bedroom. I smile to myself. The Chucks are a must. Now to decide what else to wear on this adventure.

  I’M SITTING ON Lexi’s couch, waiting in the living room for her to get ready, when there’s a knock at the door. Before I even have a chance to get up I hear a set of keys jiggle in the lock and Lexi’s best friend, Brea, comes rushing in.

  “Where is she? Is she okay? I went to see her at work and she wasn’t there and Jo told me you called in and said she needed a day off. She also said she was supposed to give Lexi a ride home from work last night but when she left she was gone. She just assumed that you picked her up because she had been talking to you earlier in the evening. Lexi would have at least left a note on Jo’s car. What’s going on, Coen? Tell me now!”

  This girl is like a tornado. Her energy right now reminds me of Six from that old TV show, Blossom.

  I walk over to Brea and place my hands on her shoulders until she finally settles down and makes eye contact with me, so I know that I have her attention.

  “Breathe, would ya? She’s fine.” When her breathing finally starts to calm down I let her go and explain what happened.

  Brea opens her mouth like she’s about to start in with more questions when Lexi walks in.

  Thank God.

  She looks so fucking gorgeous. Her auburn hair is tied up in a ponytail. She has just enough makeup on to highlight her beautiful brown eyes, even though she doesn’t need it. She’s wearing a black tank top, so her tattoo covered arms are showing, and fuck that turns me on. My eyes continue to scan down her perfect curves. She has on a pair of cut-off shorts that hug her ass in all the best places and are just the right length. She’s wearing her Chucks again, too. God, how I love the way she looks in those shoes. I almost forget Brea is in the room until she tackles Lexi in a bear hug and then grabs her by the shoulders and steps back at arm’s-length to look her over.

  “Coen says you’re okay, are you okay? You can’t be okay, that’s fucking messed up, Lexi.”

  I cross my arms and raise my eyebrow at Brea.

  “Calm down there, Turbo. I wouldn’t lie to you. I’m the one that found her and took care of the piece of shit that attacked her. I’ll be fucking damned if I’m going to let anything happen to her.”

  Lexi smiles at me and gives Brea a reassuring look.

  “I’m fine, Brea. I had a small headache earlier. But I’m okay now. Just a little shaken up. That’s all.”

  “Turbo?” Brea looks at me confused.

  I laugh, and Lexi shakes her head at me and grins.

  “Just checkin’ on my girl, stalker boy,” Brea says and she slugs me in the arm playfully. “Here Lex, Jo gave me your phone. She found it in the parking lot at the restaurant. She thought Coen had picked you up and you had accidentally dropped it and figured I would see you before she would. She had no idea anything was wrong.”

  She looks back and forth between Lexi and me and realizes we were about to head out the door.

  “Where are you guys going?”

  “I have no idea,” Lexi says, pursing her lips together and raising an eyebrow as she snaps her eyes toward me. “You’ll have to ask stalker boy over there. I’m supposed to be skipping work to rest, or so he tells me.”

  “You will be resting, sweet cheeks, don’t you worry about that.” I wink.

  “Right . . .” Brea says, drawing out the word as if she doesn’t believe me. “Well, I suppose I’ll get going then, now that I see Lex is taken care of and in safe hands.” She hugs Lex and turns to head out the door.

  “Text me tomorrow, Lex.”

  “I will, Brea.”

  “And Coen,” Brea says before closing the door behind her, “if you break her heart, you’ll have me to deal with. And you don’t want that, mister!”

  “Ha! I
s she always such a handful?” I ask, after Brea leaves.

  Lexi sighs and then giggles. “Yes, but she means well.” She smiles.

  I walk over to her slowly until our lips are almost touching. I want so badly to take her here right now against the living room wall, but I promised her a day out to get her mind off things.

  Her breath hitches as I gently tilt her chin up with the very tip of my finger. I just need one small taste. Without hesitation I suck her delicious bottom lip in between mine and nip it with my teeth. She whimpers and I groan as I slip my tongue into her mouth. Our tongues dance in a perfect rhythm. My libido takes over and I run my hand under her shirt and bra and tease her nipple between my thumb and index finger.

  We’re both getting lost in the moment when I remember why we’re standing here near the door in the first place. This chick could make me forget my own damn name. I keep getting lost in her so easily, and I never want to be found. As much as I want to continue this, I gently pull my hand out of her shirt, break our kiss, and rest my forehead against hers. We’re both panting. She was just as into it as I was.

  “Why did you stop?”

  I place a kiss on the top of her head and grab my keys out of my pocket.

  “Don’t worry, sweet cheeks, I always finish what I start.” I smirk. “But I promised you a day out.”

  Lexi looks at me a bit disappointed, but she seems excited to find out where I’m taking her.

  THE CAR RIDE HAS been quiet until “Country Grammar” by Nelly comes on the radio. Lexi reaches over and cranks the volume and raps right along with him word for word, dancing in her seat like I’m not even in the car. We pull into the parking lot and I park the car just as the song is ending. She looks a little embarrassed when she realizes I’ve been watching her out of the corner of my eye and smiling the whole time.

  “I take it you’re a Nelly fan?” I smile and bite my lip to stifle my laugh. Not because it was funny, but because she’s just so fucking cute.

  She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear and blushes as she shrugs her shoulders.

  “A little, I guess. He was really popular when Brea and I were in high school and we used to listen to a few of his songs on repeat to memorize the words.” Lexi giggles.

  “Well I’m impressed. Here I thought you were all into the ’80s hair bands and heavy metal,” I say, remembering back to when she was belting out Motley Crue while cleaning out her car a couple days ago when I was at Derek’s.

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me yet, stalker boy.” She winks. “I listen to just about anything from Elvis to Nelly to Kenny Chesney. It just depends on my mood.”

  Fuck me, I love it when she gets sassy.

  “You just get cuter by the fucking second, you know that?” I lean over and give her a quick kiss on the side of her head. “We’re here.”

  We get out of the car and I shut Lexi’s door.

  “You brought me to your work?” she asks, looking at me like I’m crazy because I brought her to the track.

  “Yes, but I think you’ll like why.” I grab her hand and our fingers intertwine as we walk up to the gate. Charlie is there switching the bags out of the garbage cans. “Hey, Charlie. You keeping everyone in line?” I joke.

  “You know it, boss,” he assures me with a smile. “Who’s this little lady?”

  “Charlie, this is Lexi. Lexi, meet Charlie, he’s the main man who keeps things spotless around here for me.”

  They shake hands.

  “Nice to meet you, Charlie.”

  “Likewise, Miss Lexi.” Charlie kisses the top of her hand.

  “Easy there, Cassanova,” I tease, “don’t be tryin’ to steal my girl now.”

  They both laugh and we head inside the gates.

  “Catch ya later, Boss!” Charlie shouts, and I wave in acknowledgment.

  “‘Your girl,’ huh?” Lexi asks teasingly.

  “You’re not?” I tease back.

  “Yeah, I suppose I am, since you rescued me and all.” She smiles.

  When we make our way over to the pits there are about thirty different Mustangs lined up, ranging anywhere from a 1968 Fastback to a 2014 Shelby GT500 like Lexi’s. They’re all here for the local annual Mustang Club Car Show. I usually only come in to help oversee things for actual race nights, but when I looked at the schedule and remembered the Mustang show was today, I knew I had to bring Lexi.

  Her brown eyes light up like she’s a kid seeing all her gifts on Christmas morning.

  “Holy shit, Coen! This is bad ass. Are they racing?” She sounds hopeful.

  “No, babe, just a show and shine. But I thought you’d love to come check it out for a few minutes.”

  She throws her arms around me in a quick hug.

  “I’m so glad you brought me,” she exclaims. “I had no idea there was a local club just for Mustang owners. This is great!”

  “I’m glad you’re happy.” I smile. “We have a half-hour private showing until Charlie opens the gates to let the public in, and then I’m having some of you for lunch.” I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively.

  Lexi playfully slaps me on the arm.

  “I thought you said you were going to behave yourself,” she whispers as we walk slowly down the path between the cars, appreciating each one as we pass. The owners really put a lot of time into making sure they are absolutely sparkling clean. You could probably eat off the engines.

  “I’m doing my best to behave, sweet cheeks, but I’m finding it hard to convince my dick to do the same. If my dick had its way, I’d take you right now on the hood of that green 2002 Cobra.” I point, talking just loud enough for Lexi to hear me.

  “Well if all these other guys weren’t here, I’d probably let you,” she taunts jovially.

  We continue walking around the pit area, chatting with a few of the car owners along the way. Lexi is like a little kid in a toy store, pointing out all of the modifications that she’d like to do to her own Mustang someday. Seeing how happy she is in this moment warms my soul.

  She seems to have put the hell she went through last night into the back of her mind, if only for this moment, and I’m so thankful for that.

  “You know what?” She clasps her hand into mine. “I think I want scissor doors on my car now.”

  I chuckle. I just can’t get enough of her excitement right now.

  “Really, sweet cheeks?” I give her a quizzical look. “Scissor doors are kind of a Lamborghini thing.”

  She stops walking and looks up at me with a glare and raises an eyebrow, dropping her hand from mine.

  Pointing off to our left, she says, “Well that Cobra over there has them. I dare you to go tell its owner that.”

  She crosses her arms and shifts her weight to one hip.

  God it turns me on when she gets sassy.

  I shake my head and grin. “Lex, I was kidding. I just wanted to see if I could get a little rise out of you.” I laugh as she playfully slugs me in the arm again.

  Without warning I grab her by the ass and pick her up. She quickly throws her arms around my neck to hang on.

  “Coen! What are you doing? I’m not a child, put me down,” she shouts as I carry her back out to my car. Thank goodness Charlie is nowhere around because I’m not stopping to chat right now. I’ve tried to hold back all morning but fuck if I don’t want Lexi bad right now. She’s made it clear she wants me just as much.

  “Believe me, sweet cheeks, I definitely know you aren’t a child.”

  Once I make it over to where the Hellcat is parked I set Lexi down on her feet and turn her so that she’s facing the car. I slip my hand down the front of her shorts and find that she’s already wet for me, and I growl in her ear.

  “I can’t hold back any longer, Lex.” I circle her clit with my middle finger. “If you want me to stop, you better tell me now because once I get started this is going to be hard and fast.” I suck on her earlobe and trail kisses down her neck and she moans.

  “Fuck, tha
t moan makes me even harder. I need an answer, Lex. Tell me what you want.” I slide my finger into her pussy and her ass rubs hard against my throbbing cock.

  “Fuck me, Coen,” she says, almost breathless. “Hurry before we get caught.”

  That’s all it takes. My cock is straining so hard against my jeans it hurts. I look around quickly to make sure we’re alone. Not that it would stop me right now. I lift Lexi’s shirt and bra up so that her tits press against the cool glass of the window. The perks of my parking spot being under the shade tree in the corner of the lot.

  Her breath hitches in shock at the cold touch against her warm, and now hard, pink nipples.

  I slip my finger out of her wet pussy and stick it in her mouth to suck me clean. She does so without hesitation.

  “Mmm, Lex, you dirty girl. Do you like to taste what I do to you?”

  She moans as she sucks my finger harder to answer my question.

  Damn.

  I unzip her shorts and let them fall to the ground. She spreads her legs and rubs her ass against my cock, begging for me to give her what she wants.

  Fuck!

  I forgot my condoms are in the glove box. I can’t stop now and leave her out in the open like this to run around to the other side of the car to grab one.

  “Lex, are you on the pill?” I ask as I continue kissing her neck and running my hands up her stomach. I stop to grab her breasts and give her nipples a pinch.

  “Oh God, Coen, yes,” she cries out in a shouty whisper, “yes I’m on the pill. Fuck me, now, please!” she begs.

  “Damn it’s hot when you beg,” I growl in her ear. “You better hold on tight, Sweet Cheeks, because I can’t hold back right now.”

  I unzip my jeans and let them fall to my ankles. I don’t give a fuck if anyone walks past right now. I grab Lexi’s waist and bend her so she’s at the exact angle I need her in. I rub the tip of my hard cock teasingly against her pussy.

  “So fucking wet and ready for me.”

  “Mmm.”

  I slowly slide in just the head and lean down to lick Lexi’s neck in one fluid motion from her collarbone to her ear, giving it a little suck and flick of my tongue.