Falling Free ( Falling Fast #3)

by Tina Wainscott

  “No worries. I’ve long gotten over that.” No way was he letting her turn this into his shit. He wasn’t the one who needed to unload. In fact, he wasn’t even a guy who liked to be unloaded upon. But something about Grace, about her pain, yanked and tugged on some long-buried ribbon inside him. He should let it go, drift away as he’d done plenty of times. He couldn’t.

  Dave Matthews crooned about his American baby. Grace turned up the volume and settled back in her seat. With her dark hair and her brown, almond-shaped eyes, he wondered if she had Native American origins. Her light, creamy complexion made him think she also had an English or, like him, an Irish heritage.

  When Death Cab for Cutie’s “I Will Possess Your Heart” came on, it hit Tanner hard—he wanted to possess her heart. He just didn’t know what he’d do with it once he did.

  Chapter 5

  They ended up trying a Mustang SVT Cobra first, painted a rich copper color. A four-valve V8 engine producing 390 horsepower and 390 foot-pounds of torque, according to Tanner, whatever that meant. Grace was determined not to enjoy it, on principle. Then she decided it was a stupid principle, and, besides, it was hard not to enjoy doing anything with Tanner.

  After Tanner had asked all kinds of questions about the car’s engine and performance, the salesman gave her the key, stuck the magnetic plate on the back, and let them go for a test drive alone. So far, all she’d done was start the car and get a feel for how everything worked. It was new and modern compared with the T-bird.

  Tanner leaned over and fiddled with the stereo. “You need the right music to set the tone. What kind of tune-age do you like?”

  “Whatever’s current.”

  “Pop music,” he murmured, and she wondered if that was a judgment.

  “I know you prefer rock and roll—Bush, Led Zeppelin—but that’s not really my thing.”

  He looked surprised, then gave her that snarky grin. “That’s right, you were stalking my driver’s profile.”

  “Don’t let it go to your head. I just wanted to know what I was dealing with.”

  That made his grin even deeper, showcasing those cute grooves. “So, you were planning on dealing with me, eh?”

  “On the car sale!”

  “Hmm.” He stopped at a station that was definitely not pop. “Rock and roll is deep. You can feel it here.” He tapped his chest with a flat hand. “This is Fuel’s ‘Hemorrhage.’ ” His hand curled into a fist. “I used to jam to this song while practicing. Listen.”

  He closed his eyes and sank into the words he sang along to, which made it difficult for Grace to focus on anything else. Okay, focus anyway. The singer was asking for someone not to fall away, saying that love lay bleeding in his hands. Sounded painful.

  Tanner took her hand and pressed it against his chest, covering it with his other hand as he belted out the words. A part of her whispered, See how young he is, just losing himself in a song without a care in the world.

  Another part crooned, But isn’t that so friggin’ sexy and life-affirming? And you know what? You do that, just not in front of anyone.

  Then the echo of something he’d said earlier: You know what I want you to do, Grace? I want you to fall free. To let yourself go out of control.

  No, no, she couldn’t.

  But she could enjoy watching Tanner do it. She was almost bummed when the song ended. He released her hand and sat up, as though he hadn’t just gone all Freddy Mercury on her. “See, deep.” He kept tuning the stereo and stopped at the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling.” “Work for you?”

  “Perfect. No one’s singing about something bleeding in their hands, for instance.”

  He gave her a dramatic roll of his eyes. “If you like that happy fluff.”

  “I do, thank you very much. It’s fun, and makes me smile.”

  As casual and lighthearted as Tanner seemed, she wondered what lay beneath the surface if his taste in music ran so dark and deep.

  “Ready to fly?” he asked. “Give it some gas.”

  She pressed the pedal, and the car roared like a caged tiger.

  “Feels good, doesn’t it?” he asked in a sultry voice as he leaned close to look at the gauges. “The rumble of power beneath you. The feel of the steering wheel in your hands.” He took her right hand and wrapped her fingers over the gear shift. “Go on, then. Drive it, babe. It’s a manual. Can’t get more in control than that.”

  Both words, drive and babe, filled her with a tingly heat. Not to mention him leaning so close that their arms touched, and his hair tickled her cheek. He smelled good, clean, with a hint of citrusy cologne.

  Drive.

  Oh, yeah, she wanted to drive, all right.

  Ahem. She shifted into Drive and pulled out of the lot. The salesman had given them a route for the test drive, so she turned right and followed the highway until she reached the turnoff he recommended.

  Where she could, as he said, “Open ’er up.”

  Tanner’s blue eyes had lit up at that. Such a boy!

  Once she’d turned onto the side road, Tanner said, “Let her fly.”

  And she did.

  He let out a whoop as the car shot forward. The thrill zoomed through her as her body pressed against the seat. Scenery flew by. Crash scenarios flew into her head, too. But she understood why Pax and Raleigh loved racing. Drifting she didn’t quite get, but driving fast was a rush.

  She slowed as they approached a traffic light. “Wow!”

  “She’s not a thousand horsepower, but she’ll do for street driving. Not that you’re looking for a sports car, but if you were—”

  “I’m still sticking with what’s practical for my life.” Which includes not getting involved with a young, sexy hotshot, she said with her eyes. “But yes, it’s fun to drive.” She made a U-turn at the light and rode the gas, passing cars and changing lanes just for fun.

  The salesman made a beeline over as soon as they returned, that I want to pressure you but I won’t smile on his face. “How’d you like it?” It annoyed her that he addressed Tanner, the person who was not driving, something he’d done from the beginning.

  Tanner crooked his thumb at her. “Don’t you think you should ask the person who’s going to be writing the check?”

  She wanted to laugh, and the man sputtered as he backpedaled. “Of course, of course! I meant both of you. How did both of you like it?”

  “It’s gorgeous, fun, and fast, and I’d probably crash,” she said, not entirely referring to the car. She dared to look at Tanner across the hood, trying to keep her expression bland. “It’s too young for me, in any case.”

  Tanner didn’t keep his expression bland, however, a wicked glint in his eyes. “You are every bit as young, fun, and gorgeous as this car. It’s you, babe. Admit it: the car made you hot. You want it.”

  When they held each other’s gaze for a moment, the salesman took a step back. “Uh, maybe I should let you two…discuss it alone. I’ll just take the keys.”

  “I was thinking of taking it for a spin,” Tanner said, twirling his finger in circles while giving her a mischievous You’re in on the secret look.

  Images of him sending them in crazy spins tightened her chest.

  “No!” Grace cleared her throat and said in a softer voice, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Maybe we can bring the salesman. Wouldn’t that be fun, honey?”

  She narrowed her eyes at the naughty boy. “No, it would not, dear.” We will not be playing a game of scare-the-hell-out-of-the-salesman.

  The salesman gave them a nervous smile. “Your wife probably has the right idea.”

  The word startled her. “Oh, we’re not—”

  “Going to do anything crazy,” Tanner finished, going around the car and wrapping his arms around her from behind. “She’s pregnant with triplets. Barley, Mohawk, and Cantaloupe. We picked non-gender-specific names because we want to be surprised.”

  She tried hard not to snort in laughter as she patted
his cheek. “Which is why this car just isn’t practical. Or sane.”

  He leaned close, enough that she thought he was going to kiss her neck. “A little insanity is a good thing.”

  They were playing, right? Having some fun on the salesman. Except that her heart skidded around inside her chest like a drift car. Her throat dried up like water on a hot sidewalk. And she wanted him to lean closer and kiss her. Which really was insane.

  She stepped back and glanced over at the salesman, who was…gone. And burst out laughing. “We chased him off.”

  “Served him right. I wasn’t going to drift the prospective car, by the way. I wanted to. I actually did that back when I was twenty. The sales weenie was treating me like some snot-nosed kid, so I taught him to show some respect. After he changed his pants.”

  She punched his arm. “I never know what to believe with you.”

  His grin faded as he held her gaze. “I never lie about the important stuff.” Something soft passed over his expression, but he licked his lips and glanced away instead of voicing it. “Let’s roll.”

  They rolled down the road, and he directed her into one of those super car lots. She wandered over to the sensible cars, and he headed to a monster truck with blue flames that was jacked up high on huge tires. Since she watched him the whole time, he turned to find her attention on him. He pointed at it and then to her with a deep nod.

  “No way.”

  “That’s what you said about the Mustang, but admit it. You liked it.”

  “All right, it was fun. That thing is not going to be fun. It’s going to be like driving a dump truck.” She walked around the other side, wondering how the hell one even climbed up to the dang thing.

  “It’s all for the experience. Remember, no goal. Not all the time. And I bet we’ll still end up with the right car for you by day’s end.” He paused, giving her a meaningful look. “Which may not be what you thought you wanted.”

  “Hi there,” a nicely dressed woman chirped, making a beeline for Tanner.

  Grace nearly laughed at how visibly the mating instinct kicked in. The woman smoothed her hair, licked her lips, and straightened her shoulders, which accentuated her voluptuous breasts.

  When she reached him, she thrust out her hand. “I’m Andrea. What can I show you?”

  “You can show us the black truck, please.”

  Grace had to bite her lip now at the way all that female shizz wilted at the sight of her coming around the front of the truck. Andrea rallied, though, giving her a pleasant smile. “I’d love to. We’ll need to make a copy of your driver’s licenses, and then I’ll get the keys.”

  A few minutes later, they approached the truck. Tanner jumped up on the running board and opened the driver’s door, then held out his hand toward her. “Milady.”

  “You’re really going to make me drive this beast?”

  “You made the deal.”

  She blew out a breath and took his hand. He pulled her up with enough force to bring her right up close. “A deal with the Devil, if you ask me,” she murmured as she climbed into the front seat. She adjusted the seat and looked over at the sea of cars. “I feel like I’m up in a tuna tower. This thing is ridiculous.”

  He closed himself in on the passenger side. “Maybe, but sexy in an ‘I’ll stomp your ass into the ground if’n you get in my way’ way.” He tuned the station to pop music.

  She wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “Beyoncé just doesn’t fit this thing. I think we should do country.”

  “An apt observation. Country it is.” He found a good ol’ twangy song and gave her a questioning look.

  “Perfect.” She started the engine, which sounded like a DC-7, and carefully pulled out of the spot. Then into traffic. “I feel very imposing. Look how the cars are scattering. Heh heh heh.”

  “I bet you’re imposing even without the truck.”

  “Sometimes.” As deflated as she felt about her career, his words gave her a boost. She’d gone toe to toe with some of the most pigheaded men in Chambliss, including the current sheriff. She hadn’t let them intimidate her.

  “Now, there’s a smile.”

  “Thanks for reminding me. I just had a case go rotten, and, honestly, it’s thrown me.”

  “Is that what makes this the shittiest time in your life?” At her glance over, he added, “That’s what you said.”

  “Did I? Do you remember everything I say?”

  “Yep.”

  Lord knew she’d gone through other terrible ordeals. “Well, maybe not the shittiest. You’ve made it a little better.”

  “I’m glad. You want to talk about it?”

  “Nope. I want to concentrate on driving this behemoth.” She made a U-turn, but this time took up the entire two lanes of traffic, forcing the oncoming cars to slow down. “Ha, all you little people can just wait. I’m bigger than you, and I will eat you for lunch.”

  “The lure of power,” Tanner intoned in a low, gravelly voice that sounded like a movie trailer. “Addictive. Corruptive.”

  “Sounds like someone I know,” she murmured.

  He splayed his hand across his chest, looking so innocent that she laughed. Okay, snorted. Embarrassing.

  “Me?” he asked. “I am offended by your insinuation. I have nothing but the purest intentions.”

  “I have a feeling you haven’t had pure intentions for a long time, so you can just drop that sweet-little-boy look.”

  “Little boy?” He rubbed his fingers down his beard. “That’s why I grew this. People thought I was sixteen when I was well into my twenties.”

  She brushed her fingers down her chin when she really wanted to stroke his beard. “Did you act like you were sixteen?” she teased.

  “Once in a while, I suppose. Sometimes you gotta act like a kid. How long has it been since you really let loose, Grace?”

  “It feels like forever. But when I did, I didn’t do it in the healthiest ways.”

  “Did it entail Jose Cuervo shots?”

  She decided to be honest. “Yes, and thinking that if a guy wanted to make love with me maybe he’d want to love me as well.” And other mistakes she didn’t want to confess. “Being too trusting, too reckless.”

  He reached out and brushed a lock of hair from her temple. “Sometimes we take affection where we can get it. You were too young to recognize the lies you told yourself. And I know that was a long time ago, because you weren’t falling into my bed. In fact, you were as far from trusting and reckless as I’ve ever seen.”

  “Let’s just say I learned my lesson.”

  “Do I remind you of those guys of olden days?”

  “God, no. You’re as different as you can be.”

  He smiled and settled back in the seat. “I’m just going to sit with that for a bit.”

  Thing was, with those guys she’d ignored the obvious: they wanted sex and nothing more. And while there was definitely sexual attraction with Tanner, he was hanging with her even though she’d ditched him…and made it clear that she wasn’t looking for transient sex.

  She’d thought him a master seducer, and maybe he was. An incredibly patient one. She couldn’t trust her judgment anymore, and she was damned vulnerable right now.

  “Uh-oh,” he said, pulling her from her thoughts. He searched the crack of the seat and beneath it. “We lost the smile again.”

  She gave his arm a slug. “What are you, the smile police?”

  “I just want you to be happy, Grace. For right now, anyway.”

  She bit her lower lip. “I am. Thanks.”

  They returned to the car lot, and she handed the keys back to Andrea. “Interesting, empowering, but not for me.”

  The blonde laughed softly. “I was a little surprised that you were test-driving it, actually. Not one woman has. But, as classy as you look, I had a feeling you could handle it.”

  Tanner looped his arm over Grace’s shoulders from behind. “Tenacious, ballsy, this one. But inside”—he pressed a finger to her c
ollarbone—“soft as a marshmallow and just as sweet.”

  Andrea tilted her head with an Awww expression. Another person who thought she and Tanner were a couple! Yet a part of her liked it. Hell, loved it.

  “Was there anything else you liked on our lot?” Andrea asked.

  Besides this man whose body is snugged up behind me? “I don’t know.” Grace shot Tanner a look. “Dear?”

  He walked over to Andrea and whispered something, and she giggled.

  “Let me get the key.” She sprinted off in her pumps.

  Grace turned to Tanner. “Now what are you getting me into?”

  “You’ll see.”

  “Tenacious and ballsy? Really?”

  He lifted one shoulder. “Not my words. Pax actually used them when he was warning me not to break your heart.”

  “And the marshmallow part?”

  “That was all me.”

  “How do you figure I’m soft and sweet?”

  He leaned close, his nose brushing hers. “I see it deep in your eyes. Right…there.”

  She blinked, which was ridiculous, because he couldn’t see any such thing in her eyes.

  A horn honked twice, and one of those baby cars that didn’t look like a car rolled toward them. The blonde stepped out. “Next!”

  Grace looked at Tanner. “Really? Every time I see one of these on the road, I chuckle. Maybe it’s mean, but I can’t help it. They look like an enclosed grocery cart!”

  Tanner opened the door for her. “Your grocery cart awaits, milady.”

  “This is so the opposite of the last vehicle.” Grace ducked in, surprised to find that it didn’t feel like squeezing into a tin can. He closed the door, then got in on the other side. “Okay, it feels bigger on the inside than it looks.”

  “One of those you can’t judge a player—I mean a book—by its cover things?”

  She arched an eyebrow at him. “Freudian slip, methinks.”

  “Only if the slip fits the man.”

  He grinned and pinched her cheek. “There’s my ballsy, tenacious girl.”

  Damn, why did he keep making her feel as though she were his? She gripped the wheel. “So, what does this run on? Hamsters?”