Magnetic Shift (15 page)

Colton looked uncomfortable. “I know.”

“Why don’t you take Lexi along with you? She might enjoy it.”

Colton glanced at me then back at Dean. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Dean tapped him on the arm. “Oh, come on.”

I shook my head. “No, that’s okay. I’d just be in the way.”

Dean grinned wide. “Nonsense. It’s a party, after all.”

“A party?” Confused, I glanced at Colton, who was now averting his eyes as he slipped his hands in his pockets.

“Yeah, Gwen’s birthday party. You remember Gwen, right?” Dean added.

Gwen’s birthday? He was actually going to that thing? Of course, how could anyone say no to Bimbo Barbie
Gwen
? I stepped back slightly. “Oh, I’m not sure she’d be very happy to see me there.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s a fan of the team and you, my dear—” he flicked the beak of my cap “—are part of the team.”

I groaned internally.

“It’s settled, then. Colt, show our girl here a good time. Maybe take a detour down the Vegas strip to see the lights on your way back.” He winked. “Just don’t be too late. You have practice early tomorrow.”

Dean walked away, leaving me and Colton outside the motor coach.

I turned to face him, touching his arm to get his attention. “You don’t have to take me. I understand.”

“You don’t get it.” He kicked a pebble hidden in the grass at his feet. “I want to take you, it’s just—”

“Don’t worry about it.” I reached for the door.

“No.” Colton’s head tipped up, revealing the sparkles in his eyes. “I want you to come.”

chapter thirteen

I stepped out of my room and into the kitchen wearing the aquamarine cocktail dress I kept in my luggage in case an occasion ever called for such fancy attire. The double-layered hem puffed the skirt out from the sash that was cinched way too tight at my waist to breathe, but gave me an amazing hourglass shape. The built-in bra and the one-shoulder strap design left my right shoulder bare and a tad more naked than I was used to. The little make-up I wore felt unnatural and heavy on my lids, and the long earrings dangling from my ears were annoying the crap out of me. Bottom line, I felt ridiculous, overdressed, and stuffed like a sausage.

Colton emerged from his room at the far end, his suit jacket draped over his arm, adjusting his green silk tie. In that instant, my mission to find my shoes and any thoughts of my uncomfortable attire melted away.

Hot damn.

His black dress shirt, tucked into the waistband of his black dress pants, showed off his wide upper body. His hair, usually
flattened by his ball cap or tousled by his helmet, was carefully groomed and hung down each side of his temples to his cheeks, making his mismatched eyes more noticeable and just totally gorgeous. Now I really couldn’t breathe.

He looked up and froze, his hand still gripping the knot of his green silk tie. His lips parted as his gaze drifted over me. I gulped. My cheeks radiated with heat. “What?”

His eyes lingered a second longer, and then he looked away, pursing his lips. “Nothing. You ready?”

“I guess, yeah. I just need to find my shoes.”

Realigning my focus, I struggled to get a grasp on my surroundings, as though I’d just gotten off a theme park ride. Not that I remembered what that felt like, since I hadn’t gone to a theme park since Mama took me to Disney World when I was six, but I imagined this came pretty close. I looked in the small closet near the door, and then returned to my room, half shutting the door to peek behind it, still unsure where I’d put those damn heels I dreaded having to walk in.

I located them near the tip-out wardrobe, snagged them by their flimsy straps, and sat on the edge of the bed to fasten them. I got one done, but couldn’t seem to contort my arms in the awkward angle needed to buckle the other. The tiny buckle kept slipping through my fingers, and I couldn’t get the little hook in the loop of the strap. Why couldn’t they make these things out of metal or stainless steel? It would make my life that much easier. The buckle slipped again and pinched my finger.

“Shit.”

A light knock at the door jumped my pulse. “You need help in there?”

I brought my finger to my mouth to ease the sting. “I’m fine.
It’s just these friggin’ shoes, sandals, whatever.”

Colton inched the door open, spotted me, and moved closer. “Here, let me help.”

I let out a frustrated breath, catching the tail end of it in the back of my throat as he knelt down on one knee in front of me. His hand reached down, cradled my foot and ankle, and lifted it to rest on his knee. His warm hands made my heart race. I watched as he maneuvered the buckle with ease and precision, and wondered what else those hands could handle, but I quickly shooed the thought away as awareness of my cursed senses heightened. My eyes pinched closed, and I forced myself to suppress the tingling magnetic vibration pulsating in my temples, just like I’d practiced at the shop. Only, the more I fought against them, the stronger they got.

“There,” he said, bringing my foot down off his knee. I opened my eyes and blinked as he extended his hand to help me up. I met his gaze and instantly, my mind calmed and the pulses slowed. Not sure why, but I wasn’t going to complain.

I accepted the gesture. He pulled me up and paused, his hand in mine. His eyes trailed from my toes up to my face. He cleared his throat and released me. “You clean up nice.”

I smiled. “So do you.” Oh boy, did he ever. This was bad. This was not the staying clear of Colton I had in mind, but I couldn’t help it. He was just too … Aaargh!

“We better get going, if we don’t want to be late.”

I nodded, afraid to open my mouth and say something stupid like “you’re hot,” or “let’s just stay here together, in my room.”
Snap, Lex, get your mind out of the gutter
.

He raised an eyebrow, as if trying to read my thoughts. All I could do was swallow against the dryness in my throat and
try not to flutter my lashes like the wings of a hummingbird in flight.

“Come on,” he finally said, heading toward the door. I followed as close as I could, considering I wasn’t used to walking around with spikes sticking out of my heels.

In the parking lot, Colton pulled out a set of keys and pointed the remote lock at a gorgeous yellow Camaro SS with black racing stripes like the one I once saw in a movie.

“That’s the rental?”

“Yeah, what do you think?”

“Wow … I mean, just wow.”

Colton opened my door like a gentleman, then came around and slipped into the driver’s seat. He turned the key in the ignition, and the sound of the motor’s deep, throaty roar sank me back against the leather seat.

At the salvage yard, I never appreciated the sound of an engine coming to life or the rumble of an idling one. Most of the cars that came through my shop were old and sick, or just plain garbage begging to be taken out of their misery. Since joining Dean and his team, though, I’d learned to appreciate the goosebumps and the internal rush flowing through my veins at the fierce sound.

We rode in silence most of the way there. My nerves grew stiff the closer we got to our destination. Gwen was
not
going to be happy to see me. That was a fact. I toyed with the idea of staying in the car, but something told me Colton probably wouldn’t go for it. I didn’t want to screw up his night—or his sponsorship, for that matter. The girl was Daddy’s little spoiled brat, and Daddy was Colton’s ticket to acquiring Guardian’s sponsorship for the full season.

We pulled up in front of a large, iron-gated fence that seemed to hug the road for a quarter mile in both directions. Guards stood on each side as cars pulled in. Colton lowered his window when it came our turn. “Hi, I’m—”

“Colton Tayler. I know who you are,” the husky guard said. “Go on in. Miss Gwen is expecting you.”

“Thanks.”

“Oh, and good luck on Sunday.” The man leaned closer, winked, and flashed a toothless grin. “We’re all big fans.”

“I appreciate it … thank you.” Colton raised his window and continued forward down the long tree-lined driveway, giving me a quick sideways glance. I chuckled. I wasn’t sure if I could ever get used to people recognizing me all the time like that, but Colton seemed to embrace it as part of who he was and wanted to be. I admired him for that.

Within seconds, the tall trees opened up to a clearing, revealing a large, four-story red brick house with huge white circular columns framing the entrance. Manicured lawns and lavish flowerbeds stretched out around the property and tall, strategically placed palm trees added to the rich feel of the home. I was so way out of my element, it wasn’t funny.

We climbed out of the car in front of the oversized front door, and Colton handed the valet his keys. No joke. They had a valet servicing an eighteen-year-old’s birthday party. Unreal.

The doorman ushered us inside, and all eyes turned on us. Loud whispers rippled through the crowd over the booming music coming from the DJ’s booth on a stage-like platform overlooking the ballroom-style dance floor.

Word of Colton’s arrival must have spread like a tabloid scoop, because Gwen came out of nowhere through the crowd
and threw herself into his arms. “I’m so glad you came! I was starting to think you wouldn’t show.”

“I promised I’d come, didn’t I?”

Girls around the room, most of whom I’m sure Gwen didn’t even know personally, stared at the two of them with envy.

Hell, I did it too.

Gwen was perfect for Colton, as much as I hated to admit it. She was gorgeous, petite, and loved being in the public eye. They looked good together, which made me want to puke, but I knew I could never fill those shoes. Hell, I could barely walk in mine, and hers were two inches taller.

She let go of Colton and did a double take when her eyes landed on me. Her ear-to-ear grin faded. “What is she doing here?” She wasn’t skilled at hiding her snarky attitude. “She wasn’t invited.”

“Come on, Gwen, the team thought it would be nice for Lexi to go out and have a good time. And what better place to do that than at one of Gwen Langdon’s legendary parties?”

She smiled at his compliment. “Fine, she can stay. But remember, you’re mine tonight.”

Colton threw an apologetic look my way. “You know I can’t stay long. I’ve got an early practice in the morning.”

She flipped her hair back over her shoulder. “I know that, silly. I have your race schedule programmed on my phone.”

Yeah. That wasn’t creepy at all.

“Gwen,” Mr. Langdon called her from the doorway to another room.

Gwen looked back, annoyed. “Make yourself at home. There’s hors d’oeuvres over there.” She pointed at the far end of the room along the wall. “I’ll meet you back there in a snap.”
With another flip of her hair, she took off.

Colton gestured for me to lead us toward the food. As we made our way through the crowd, he pressed his hand to the small of my back, sending chills up my spine. I glanced back. Colton’s lips curled to one side.

The long table at the far wall offered an array of finger foods at the foot of a large ice sculpture in the center. I grimaced at the carved features of Gwen’s perky nose and high cheekbones. Seriously? Overboard, much? That had to be the tackiest thing I’d ever seen. I wrinkled my nose at it, and caught Colton doing the same.

After taking a few nibbled bites of the goods, the music faded, and a slow song started. A sea of bodies scattered off the dance floor, leaving only couples wrapped in each other’s arms, swaying in circles to the music.

Colton set his plate down on the edge of the table and extended his hand toward me.

“Oh, no, thanks. I’ve never danced with anyone before. I don’t want to break your toes before your big race.”

“Oh, come on,” he said, taking my hand. “It’s easy, I promise.” He led me to an unoccupied spot on the dance floor next to a couple that was sucking face more than dancing, and pulled me close. I made it a point to keep track of my cursed senses. Being this close to Colton brought on some never-before-experienced emotions, and I didn’t trust my iron levels to stay in check.

Colton wrapped my hands around his neck and let his fall to my waist, tugging me even closer. I swallowed hard as he lowered his lips to my ear. His hair brushed against my temple. “Relax and just follow my lead.”

Relax. Yeah, right.

He leaned his head to the side, pressing it against mine, and moved in slow circular steps to the flow of the music. “That’s it,” he said. “You’re a pro already.” A girly giggle escaped from my lips. A giggle—really? I don’t giggle. Never like that, anyway. My distracted thoughts threw off my momentum and I clipped the tip of his shoe with my heel.

“Shit.” I pulled back. “I can’t do this. I’m going to hurt you.”

He drew me back to him. “No, you’re not. You’re doing great.” His hands slid from my waist around to the small of my back, bringing me close. His eyes sparkled under the shimmering lights above us. My heart grew weightless and I lost myself in the moment. I leaned into his embrace, letting my head rest against his chest. He dipped his head lower into the slope of my neck. His breath warmed my bare shoulder. I couldn’t remember ever feeling this nervous, happy, and content.

The song ended and another started. Colton’s hands remained fixed, not allowing me to step away, which was fine by me. I was where I wanted to be.

A long-nailed finger poked me in the ribs.

“Thanks for keeping him warm for me, but scat.” Gwen waved her bony fingers in front of my face. “I got this.”

I stepped out of Colton’s arms, which were trying to keep me from leaving. “I’m sorry.” I turned to walk away.

“Wait!” Colton cried.

“No. It’s okay. You’re here for her. It’s her birthday. Dance with her.” I went back to the food table and watched as Gwen’s fingers crawled up his biceps and grazed the back of his neck while she gazed up at him. One of his hands wrapped around her waist while the other stayed in his pants pocket. The impersonal gesture surprised me. I wished I could get a glimpse
of his face, but his hair hid mostly everything. She was talking to him, though I couldn’t hear what she was saying.