Speed of My Heart (8 page)

The next morning the steady pinging of rain on the metal roof of our house excited me more than I'd ever admit. Rain meant my grandmother wouldn't be working in the garden, and I wouldn't feel obligated to help. Inside, I was secretly doing a happy dance.

As soon as I scarfed down a bowl of cereal, I climbed in the shower, washing and conditioning my hair quickly before finishing up and heading into my room to dress. Deciding to forgo the hair dryer for obvious reasons, I brushed my hair out and slicked it into a bun. Pulling on my usual dance attire of footless tights, black shorts and leotard, I hurried downstairs with my bag over my shoulder. Both of my grandparents were sitting in the living room; my grandpa in the recliner watching tv, and my grandma with her glasses perched on her nose, reading a book. Rain meant that everyone around here caught a break.

I stuck my head in the door to the living room on my way out.

"I'm heading to the studio, and then I might meet Sadie for lunch," I told them, hoping I wouldn't get a lecture from my grandma on the dangers of driving in the rain.

My grandmother looked up from her book. "Alright, but give us a call when you're heading home so we'll know to keep an eye out for you."

I smiled, relieved there was going to be no lecture this time. "Of course, Grandma."

I could see the worry behind her eyes and knew that even with the restraining order against Marcus, she would still stress every time I walked out the door.

"I'll be fine," I called back, as I closed the door behind me and headed to my car.

*  *  *

Thirty minutes later I was in my happy place, dancing to a romantic solo from the ballet,
Giselle.
Even though I knew I wouldn't be using ballet as much as other forms of dance during the tryouts, it was the category closest to my heart, and I always started and ended my dance workouts with it. Ballet was something I did for myself, and would always do, as long as I was able.

I was almost ready to finish up for the day, when I felt the slow sliver of apprehension that came from being watched. My eyes darted around the studio and stopped, relieved, when they fell on Miranda standing in the doorway, her face thoughtful. As usual, as soon as she realized I saw her, she quickly pasted on a bright smile. She was always so careful not to ever seem anything but happy. It had to be tiring.

"Wow, Mara, that was beautiful. Are you sure you'd rather be on some university dance team than tryout for a
real
dance company?"

I bit back the sharp retort that was trying to press its way out from behind my lips and reminded myself that Miranda and I just had a difference in opinion when it came to dance. "Yes, I'm sure," I replied, my voice surprisingly calm. "I don't want the kind of career that's totally dependant on the perfection of my body. I dance because I love it. I'm afraid that dancing professionally would kill that."

Miranda studied me for a second before shrugging. "Suit yourself. Have a good practice." She turned on her heels, disappearing down the long corridor.

I shook my head, releasing a deep, tense breath. I knew Miranda didn‘t mean anything by her comments, and she could be great to be around most of the time. I just needed to learn not to be so sensitive when it came to some of the things she said.

I gathered my stuff and strolled out of the building, deep in thought. Cole was supposed to call later about getting together and I couldn't help but wonder where things were leading with us. I wasn’t nearly as torn as I should be when it came to where I wanted them to go.

I was so deep in my thoughts that I almost didn't notice the fact that my car was tilted at an odd angle. My eyes widened in shock when I saw that my driver's side tires were completely flat. I knelt down, inspecting the front tire. I figured I must have driven over something in the road on my way to the studio; maybe causing a slow leak.

I gasped when I saw a long slit running down the length of the now floppy tire. I looked over at the rear tire only to see the same thing.

For a moment, I just sat there crouched down by my front tire in astonishment. Who would do something like this?

As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I instantly thought of Marcus. Would he be stupid enough to come within twenty yards of me with a restraining order in place? I really didn't think even he was that crazy. Or was this some random prank?

Sighing deeply, I pulled out my cell phone and started to dial my grandparents before hesitating, and then ending the call. There was no way I could let them know about this. They'd immediately think it was Marcus and forbid me to go anywhere alone again. And I really didn't think it was him. I knew Marcus better than I cared to, and his personality was much more direct. Slashing tires and watching from afar wasn't really his style. He was more of an in-your-face type of guy.

After a few seconds hesitation, I dialed Cole's number. He answered on the second ring.

"Uh, Cole?" I said shyly.

"Yes?"

"Do you know how to change a tire?" I was pretty sure he did considering his profession, but I thought it was worth asking anyway.

Cole laughed. "Um, yes." He paused a beat. "Where are you? Is your tire flat?"

"I'm at the dance studio and unfortunately it isn't just one tire, it's two. And they've been slashed, so I don't think there'll be any patching them up."

Cole's voice was no longer playful. "Mara, are you alone?"

"Well, yes, but I'm right here in the studio parking lot."

"Go inside and wait for me," he ordered. "I'll be there in a few."

My eyes widened. Uh, okay. I wouldn't dare argue with him when he used
that
tone of voice. I didn’t know many people who would.

Slipping my phone back into my pocketbook, I went inside and had barely gotten comfortable in the parent waiting area when Cole strode through the door, causing my stomach to do a complete flip.

Good God, the guy was sexy as hell. Wearing low slung rugged khakis and a well worn t-shirt, he was enough to drive any girl wild with lust.

I hopped up from my chair. "Jeez, that was fast," I said in surprise.

He gave me a sexy half grin. "I'm kinda known for that.

I shook my head at him in mock disappointment. "There is such a thing as a speed limit for us regular people. You should try it sometime."

Cole just gave me a wry smile and led the way out the door. He had parked his jeep a couple of spots from my car, and we stopped on the way to check out the damage. Cole let out a low whistle.

"Whoever did this meant business. We'll have to get you two completely new tires. There's no fixing these." He looked over at where I was chewing my fingernail, a sure sign I was stressed. "But don't worry. I'll go pick up a couple of tires and have them changed for you in no time flat."

I looked at him apologetically. "Are you sure you don't mind? I‘m sure you have better things to do."

Cole winked at me. "I don't mind at all. But if you really feel bad, I can think of a way you can repay me."

Oh, I just bet he could. I was coming up with all kinds of creative ways myself. But for propriety's sake, I narrowed my eyes at him. "What?"

"You can help me cook dinner at my house tonight," he offered graciously. "Then you can help me watch the movie I picked up. I'll consider your debt paid."

"Deal." I smiled at him and found myself leaning in to lay a kiss at the corner of his mouth. "Thank you."

He pulled me toward him, wrapping his arms around me, his voice husky. "I think we can do better than that."

He pulled me in for a
real
kiss, one that made me forget completely about our surroundings and the fact we were in a parking lot. At that moment, if someone had asked me my name, I’d probably be hard pressed to remember even that. 

My chest was rising and falling heavily by the time we drew ourselves apart, both of us seemingly not wanting to.

"Do you have any idea of just how damn hot you look right this minute?" He was really making me consider pulling him back to me.

I opened my mouth to reply, but stopped short when my gaze fell on a shadowed form making its way quickly around the side of the building. Cole turned to follow my gaze, and then looked at me questioningly.

“I thought I saw someone standing over by the studio watching us, but they’re gone now,” I said, still staring at the now empty side of the building. I glanced at the hair salon that was located next to the studio. “Probably just someone from one of the other businesses. Surely the person that slashed my tires wouldn’t be stupid enough to stick around.”

Cole’s eyes roamed the area before he turned back to me and put his hand on the small of my back, guiding me to his jeep. "Yeah, I don’t see anyone, but at least we gave whoever it was something worth staring at."

After taking care of the tire ordeal, I called Sadie to cancel our lunch date. She, of course, immediately thought Marcus was responsible for the prank, but I was able to reason her away from that line of thought. However, she did make me promise to call Sam and at least let him know about the incident. Which I did, after begging him relentlessly not to tell my grandparents. There was no need to worry them when the situation had already been handled. Sam agreed that he didn't think slashing tires was really Marcus' style. Marcus was more of a brute force kinda guy. Personally, I was inclined to think the incident was completely random.

Once I got home, I exchanged my dance clothes for a chevron mini-dress and sandals. I let my hair down and added a few curls to my already wavy hair. After adding minimal gold jewelry and offering my grandparents a quick goodbye, I was out the door again. I had an hour before I was meeting Cole at his house, so I decided to stop by and see Sadie. She had texted me earlier that she was bored. Her parents were
never
home. They both worked in Jamestown and stayed late at their jobs. Sadie often joked that she had to make an appointment if she wanted to see either of them. Sometimes, even though I loved my grandparents to death, I wished that I had the sort of freedom to come and go as heedlessly as Sadie did.

I entered the McAllister's huge lakeside home through the side entrance and found Sadie eating cheese puffs and drinking a glass of red juice at the kitchen table. I grimaced as she popped the overly processed puff of cheese into her mouth and washed it down with the red sugar water.

"Yuck, Sadie," I grimaced. "You might as well go drink some high fructose corn syrup. I don't know how you stay so skinny."

Sadie licked the cheese dust from her fingers. "Good genetics I guess. Besides, my mother
really
needs to go to the grocery store. I went, but you see what I came home with."

I stopped by the refrigerator, hoping to find something decent to drink. I ignored all the sodas and the pitcher of red juice, and reached for a bottled water.

"So," Sadie said. "Jack and I decided to throw the party at the lake spot next weekend. You game?"

I shrugged a shoulder, taking a seat across the table from her. "Sure," I agreed, because I knew Sadie would beg me until I did. "Who have you invited?"

"Everyone. Well, the usual." She made a face. "Excluding Marcus, of course. But Jack said Cole is going, so that should be enough incentive for you."

I nodded. "I'm seeing him tonight," I confided, wiggling my eyebrows at her suggestively. "At his house."

Sadie's eyes widened. "Oooh, at
his
house. So it's
that
kinda date, huh?"

I laughed, shaking my head at her in mock disbelief. "We'll see."

"Well, I expect to have details in the morning," she informed me haughtily.

"I wouldn't dream that you'd skip your morning cranky call," I responded lightly.

She made a face at me. "I'm not cranky, just not a morning person."

I sighed in mock exasperation. "Well, then couldn't you at least make it an afternoon call, when you're not so ornery?"

Her answer was cut off by the ringing of my cell phone. Miranda's name flashed across the screen. I scrunched my face up in surprise. "What does she want?" I wondered out loud. Miranda
never
called. We had exchanged numbers a couple of years ago when we were on the same dance team, but had never used them.

"Hello?" I answered reluctantly.

"Hey, Mara." Miranda's voice was overly cheerful and made me grind my teeth a little. I immediately felt guilty for feeling that way about someone who was always so nice. "I need to ask you a big favor."

"Okay?"

"I was wondering if you could teach the 8:30 jazz class next Wednesday night? I've had something important come up."

"Uh, okay. I guess so. Just leave me some notes on what they're working on."

"Thanks so much, Mara."

I ended the call and looked at Sadie in annoyance. I usually wouldn't mind doing a favor for someone, but the timing was really bad and I was terrible at telling people no.

"Oh well," I sighed. "I guess now I'm stuck teaching a dance class on the last week Cole will be in Kentucky. That kinda sucks."

"You know, you're both going to be in North Carolina soon. Maybe you two can get together some?"

"Maybe," I mused. "I don't want to jump to any conclusions or anything. But, if nothing else, I could see us hanging out as friends. I'd really like to see him race."

"Oh yeah, we'll definitely need to go to one of Cole's races. Jack says there's nothing like it."

"I don't know about that, but if Cole loves it, then I want to see what all the hype’s about. Maybe watching won't be as bad as being a passenger."

Sadie rolled her eyes. "Only you, Mara, would complain about
Cole Davenport
taking you for a ride in a race car. There are girls who would kill to be you right now."

"Sadie, seriously, I'm lucky I came out of the experience alive. Trust me. It was terrifying."

Sadie cocked an eyebrow up. "I guess I'll just have to take your word on it," she said ruefully. But then she brightened considerably. "However, I do think you need to find out if he’s as good at
everthing
as he is on the race track." Sadie was grinning from ear to ear. She really was insatiable.

I grinned back at her. "Now
that‘s
a plan I can agree with." But then again, maybe I was just as bad.

*  *  *

I pulled up to the rustic cabin Cole was staying at just as the sun was setting, streaking the sky with a myriad of oranges and pinks. It was so quiet and secluded, that it was easy for me to see why Cole had chosen this spot as his getaway destination. It had to be a nice change of pace from the racing world. There was literally
nothing
except thick forests and a barely traveled single lane road for miles around. As dusk was settling in, I could hear crickets chirping and see the small blinks of light from fireflies. Cole was certainly getting a heaping dose of privacy out here. And except for the occasional diehard racing nut, he had remained fairly anonymous since arriving in Russell Springs. Most people who lived here had done so for ages and knew that he was a Davenport relative. That was enough for the people of Russell Springs to treat him like family.

I gave myself a quick once over in the mirror of my sun visor, and then closed the sunroof before sliding out. I walked up the wooden steps of the large front porch and knocked softly on the door. My stomach felt like it had just as many fireflies inside it, as were flying around outside. This was the first time Cole and I hadn't been around a bunch of other people on a date. It was just him and I, and no distractions. And though I was excited, I was also extremely nervous. I
really
liked Cole and I wanted things to go well.
Really
well.

He opened the door wearing a perfectly fitting pair of jeans and a t-shirt with the name of a popular beer company on the front. He looked delicious. His shirt was just snug enough to tell he had a killer rock hard stomach underneath. And the way his biceps were cut, made it obvious he worked out. If it wasn't for his cast, I would swear I was looking at a magazine ad.

When he saw me practically drooling over his torso, he must have thought I was reading his t-shirt, because he shrugged and said, "My sponsor."

I nodded and grinned at him, deciding to be honest. "Yeah, I figured. But I wasn't looking at that. I was actually admiring the way that shirt fits... on you."

Cole raised an eyebrow and I saw a flash of heat in his eyes. "I plan on exploring that thought fully. But first, come in where I can return the favor. It's only fair." A delightful tingle ran through me as I stepped inside and his eyes slowly worked there way up my body, coming to a stop when they met mine. Cole's were a stormy gray, heated and giving me a small glimpse of what his thoughts held. I was a little stunned at the effect just the way he was looking at me had. It was becoming pretty obvious that he wanted me just as much as I craved him. He took a step towards me and stopped abruptly. Running a hand through his hair, he let out a breath. “We probably better go eat. If I touch you right now, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop.”

I bit back a smile and followed Cole into the kitchen. He pointed to the small table already brimming with food. "And I was teasing you earlier. I actually already cooked dinner. But you do still have to help me watch the movie. You know, the debt and all," he reminded me.

I paused, stunned at the elaborate spread of food. "Uh, wow. You cooked this?" I asked doubtfully.

"What? You didn't think I had it in me?"

I shook my head, still sort of shocked at his unexpected talent in the kitchen. "I had no idea you had chef-like qualities. Not to sound like a broken record, but do you have to be this damn amazing at everything you do?" I teased him.

Cole held my eyes with his, a sly grin crossing his face. "I'll let you be the judge of that." I blushed furiously and glanced away to keep from combusting into a ball of flames.

He went to the fridge and looked back at me. "What do you want to drink?"

I cocked my head to the side, deciding. "Water will be fine."

He grabbed a beer for himself and poured me a glass of water, bringing both to the table.

"I'm going to say it again. I really can't believe you cooked all this." I gestured to the table. He had made a killer seafood alfredo, antipasto kabobs, and a colorful salad.

"Hang around me enough and you'll find out I'm full of surprises." He winked before taking a bite of creamy noodles.

"I just bet you are,” I returned, spearing a plump buttery shrimp and almost moaning aloud at the deliciousness of it. "Okay, you have
totally
impressed me. This shrimp might be the best thing I've ever tasted."

"I'll tell you a secret; my mother actually went to culinary school, and even though she ended up staying home with my brother and I, she used her cooking skills all the time. She taught us everything she knows."

I chewed thoughtfully, excited to get to dig into his life a bit. "You have a brother? Does he race too?"

Cole shook his head before taking a swig of his beer. "No. He just graduated from law school. He's a couple years older than me. He has no interest in racing, but he does come watch whenever he can."

"I would love to see you race. Maybe I'll make a road trip once I move and watch one." I concentrated on my salad, a little nervous that he would think I was being too presumptuous.

"I'd be disappointed if you didn't. Let me know when you want to come, and I'll make sure you have the best seats."

"And if you're not busy after... maybe we could hang out," I ventured. "You know, as friends." I added that last part, as a way out, if he wanted it.

I looked up, and found he had stopped eating and was watching me with a hunger I didn't think had anything to do with food. "I hope you want to be more than just friends. Because I want a hell of a lot more than that." His voice was intense and his face was earnest.

My eyes widened. Things had just gotten
real.
Here I was, trying not to presume things, and he was laying it all out. I was relieved, because I definitely wanted to be more than friends now, and that wouldn't change when he left. I kind of figured once he went back to Charlotte, that's what he'd want to be —friends. I had assumed he wouldn’t be into the long distance relationship thing. The city of Charlotte was something like six hours from where I'd be attending college.

The fireflies from before kicked up in my stomach again. His gaze was intent on me, and I was practically burning from the heat of it. I swallowed. "That's what I want too," I said, my voice way more nervous than I would have liked. "I just didn't want to be, you know,
that
girl that's already planning the wedding and kids on the first date."