Carter's Treasure (26 page)

Molly’s heart sped a bit with the expression on his face. It was a mixture of adoration and fear, mirrored perfectly by the words he whispered to her. “I love you. Be careful tonight, okay?”

“Always. Gotta get back to you in one piece.” She giggled.

“Are you going to be okay here with Mike and Joey?” Carter slid his fingers over her jaw to cradle her neck in one hand.

Her heart skipped a beat for the man who was so lovingly trying to be in two places at once. She was standing by her bike backstage, waiting for her cue from Brody. Carter however, needed to be with his mechanic and his bike.

“I’ll be fine.” She let Joey grab the weight of her bike again so she could turn to wind her arms around Carter’s waist. “We’ll do just like we planned earlier. Mike will wait here with Joey for me to finish, then after, Joey will take my bike up to the rig and load it, and Mike will walk me to our parents. I’ll be okay.”

“I know you’ll be watched over, I still just wish I could be here with you.”

Carter pressed her head to his chest. She could tell by how fast his heart was beating he was anxious.

“You have to relax, Carter. You have to get your head in the game and focus on you. Focus on the race, okay? You won’t do either of us any good if you get hurt.”

“I’m okay, Gorgeous. I promise.”

Carter sighed and looked behind him. “I’ve got to go.” Leaning down, he laid a flutter of a kiss on her lips.

“I love you,” Molly whispered, always hating to let him go, but it was time to get in the game.

“I love you too, Gorgeous.”

Molly watched her man until he disappeared around the corner.

Brody tucked her hair down the back of her sports bra and waited with her goggles as Molly buckled the strap of her helmet. Molly could feel her brother’s turmoil.

“You’re going to be fine, sis…you and Sterling don’t need to be worrying about all the rest of this shit…focus on your ride,” Brody said as Molly situated herself on her dirt bike, the first hint of a smile she’d seen from him in the last week appearing at the edge of his mouth. Maybe there was a slim chance that her brother was finally coming around. She knew Carter had no reason to believe it based on how he’d been treated, but Brody really was a good guy—fun loving and loyal to a fault.

She nodded and looked out across the dirt track, forgetting the audience, forgetting her brother, forgetting even the threats. Molly revved the throttle and set out across the dirt.

Chapter Fourteen

It used to be that driving between races, from track to track to track was monotonous, but now that Molly was traveling with him, Carter was having a blast. It seemed like the weekdays were better for her with them on the open road. No one knew where they were, so they hadn’t had any trouble. When they were on the road, it was as if a huge weight would be lifted off of Carter, and he found the time was spent enjoying Molly rather than worrying about her.

Carter talked to Mike several times a day, and Carter was beginning to think Mike’s theory was unfortunately true. They had two more days until they pulled into the next stadium before they would find out. That was something that terrified the living hell out of him. Until then, they were at a private track, virtually off the radar and Carter was going to enjoy every last second of peace he had with Molly. He could practice during the day, Joey was there to help with his bike if need be and then after, they would sit and relax. Unfortunately, the hours were ticking by quickly, and before any of them would be ready it was going to be time to head to the next stadium. Back to harm’s way.

Carter walked toward the open door of their motorhome on his way to grab a few beers for Brody, Joey, and himself. As he drew closer, he heard the soft singing. Leaning against the door frame, he stood watching Molly wiping down the kitchen counter, apparently lost in her own little world, singing away. She’d been trying to stay strong, pretend that the stress wasn’t getting to her, and he hated that she felt she had to be happy-go-lucky for his sake, but Carter knew. Between the situation with the letters and the way her brother was acting about her new living arrangements, it was weighing on her.

It was obvious to even a bystander that Brody wasn’t pleased with the provisions that James had agreed to. That was just too damned bad. Carter was rather happy with their travel plans. When he had asked Molly to stay with him, James had reluctantly agreed, on one condition, Brody follow.

James had covered his plan nicely, using the excuse of needing to have as many eyes on Molly as possible due to the threats. Inside, Carter knew for James it was a two-fold solution. That was okay. Carter knew he’d be the same way when he and Molly had a little girl someday.

In the meantime, Brody had backed off a little. Carter still felt the hard stares and there were a few digs here and there, but for the most part, it seemed as if Brody was beginning to accept Carter as a more permanent part in Molly’s life.

Carter had just continued to be himself. He was normally pretty easy to get along with, and he just let Brody’s insults slide right off his shoulders. Carter had no reason to act otherwise—he had the girl. Plus, he felt as if he’d begun to earn the trust and respect of her parents.

From behind, Carter watched Molly shuffling around, putting stuff away. Carter liked having her there, liked having her in his space. She fit without any awkwardness or weirdness. He grinned to himself as he stepped up into the motorhome, the beer long forgotten.

Carter laced his arms around her middle. With her hair up in a ponytail, he had easy access to the sensitive spots on her neck. When he placed a feather soft kiss on her skin, she melted against him. The sigh that escaped from her made his head swim.

“Let’s go take a nap,” he whispered by her ear.

“Is that what you’re going to call it?” Her words were breathy and he could see her eyes had closed.

“Ah…my sweet, sweet smart ass.” Carter chuckled against her skin at her retort as he squeezed her closer.

He spun her in his arms and lifted her onto the kitchen counter, placing himself between her knees. As he ran his hands up her bare arms, Carter felt her shiver in anticipation.

“I miss you.” He dropped a kiss on her lips.

“I’ve been right here. You’ve been outside with the guys. How could you miss me when I haven’t been gone?”

Carter could tell she was playing with him, and it was killing her to keep from laughing. He felt the smirk form under his lips, her delicious mouth curving at the corners. “I need you,” Carter murmured.

“Well, now there’s the honest answer.”

He ran his hands around her backside and pulled her closer to him. She sucked in a breath, and he knew she could feel just how badly he needed her. Carter started to work his palms up under the tight t-shirt she had on, his hands traveling up the soft skin of her back. When Molly cupped his jaw in her small hands and laid her lips against his, he lost it and his mouth possessively overtook hers.

Molly whimpered.

“Got sidetracked from the beer, did ya?” Joey snickered.

Carter jumped, but didn’t look up. Grinning to himself, he lowered his forehead to her chest and tried to get a hold of himself. “Nice timing, Joe,” he said with laughter in his voice.

Joey shrugged. “I try. We could see you through the open door. Thought I better come warn you that Brody was getting a little…ah…hot under the collar out there watching you.” His good-natured personality shined through his teasing words.

Looking back up, Carter tugged the crimson-faced girl to closer to him. “Thanks bud. Come on in and grab the beer, I’ll be right there.” Turning back to Molly, he winked. “Come sit with us, Gorgeous. Erin’s back out from her nap.”

“Oh, she took a real nap, did she?”

A mild snort escaped. “You’re cute, little girl.”

“I know.” Molly giggled.

~

Carter’s stomach had turned itself inside out and upside down when they hit the city limit. By the time they drove up to the stadium, it was threatening an all-out revolt. He kept his fear to himself, not wanting to upset the golden-haired angel sitting in the seat beside him, keeping the small talk light and easy while he parked.

He was walking around the motorhome, making sure the automatic stops had lowered properly, when he heard the door open. He immediately looked up.

“Where are you going?”

“I was just coming out to be with you, relax.” Molly smiled as she slipped her arms around his waist.

He tried to keep the stern look on, but her sweet, adoring face won him over. “Well don’t forget you’re—“

“I know,” Molly interrupted him. “I’m absolutely not, under any circumstances, to be alone unsupervised. I’m not even allowed to walk to the motorhome to go the bathroom by myself. Babe, I know. It’s okay, I’ll stay with you, I promise.”

“And?”

“And if you can’t be with me, then I’m to stay with Mike. If he needs to check something out, he’s to leave me with the guys or James and Karen. Carter…honey…I’m not going to do something stupid, I’ll stay with you. I won’t make it harder for anyone on purpose, just trying to be stubborn. I want to stay safe, too.”

There was only a gentle understanding in her eyes. No frustration at having to be babysat, no anger at being told what to do, over and over by numerous people. Only the quiet resolve to do whatever she had to do. He was so proud of her for that. It was humbling to need people like she needed everyone right now and he knew what an independent soul she was.

“Ah, Gorgeous, come here.” He threaded his fingers through the belt loops on her jeans and drew her nearer. “I love you.” Carter tipped her chin up and brushed her lips with his. “I’m done out here, lets walk up to the pits and give your cell phone a break, what do ya say? Just let me lock up.”

He placed the key in the lock, but turned to her. “Hey, by the way, they are going to go ahead and post security here and up by both of our bike trailers. I just need to let them know we’re here now.”

“How am I supposed to have sex with you tonight knowing that cops are outside listening?”

Carter shook his head and laughed out loud at the girl with her hands on her hips and a completely straight face. He could tell she was not kidding, but it was how fast the question came out of her mouth that shocked him. He just never knew what she was going to say and she always kept him guessing. She had shown him her true colors very quickly into their relationship. She had a quick wit, smart mouth, and sass to her that he adored. He knew she’d keep him on his toes and he was going to love every minute of it.

“Well, Gorgeous, I guess you’ll have to not be so rough with me and keep the screaming to a minimum.”

Her eyes went wide. “Me?” She huffed at him. “Are you serious? Me…ha.”

“Ah, Mol, I love you,” Carter chuckled and reached down to grab her butt as they walked.

“See. You can’t keep your hands off me.”

“Nope…never.” He winked, and she finally broke and laughed out loud.

Molly spent a few minutes passing out hellos and hugs to George, Jesse, Eli, and her parents before she was able to finally sit down by Carter in the pits outside their bike rig. Word had spread like wildfire regarding her situation, even though they’d tried to keep it under wraps as best they could. It was a small, tight-knit community when it came to those that were injured or needed help. A few others had joined in their circle. A couple she’d met, others she hadn’t. Although she was skittish about having several new people around her, Carter and Mike had her wedged between them tightly, so she felt safe.

“How did the week go, D?” Eli asked.

“Let’s see. George called three times, James and Karen called…“ She glanced in their direction. “I lost track of how many times you two called.”

She patted Mike’s arm. “This sweet one called multiple times a day. And Eli, that doesn’t even include you or Jess. Add that to the five hundred and forty-eight texts I got, and well, there you go. But I do appreciate everyone checking on me.”

“You’re exaggerating.” Jesse raised an eyebrow with that lopsided, cowboy grin of his.

“Oh, well, maybe a little, but still. Let’s just say, I was well thought of.” Molly wrinkled her nose.

Molly heard Carter turn and tell Jesse under his breath how impressed he was that Dylan’s fling had lasted longer than six hours. She dared a glance in Dylan’s direction and saw the girl he was walking with. Molly remembered meeting her the first weekend she had performed. She mentally rolled her eyes at Dylan. He’d been trying to come on to her that first night, and then had picked up the track bunny Saturday night in the pits, loser. That’s exactly why she steered clear of men like that.

Normally Molly didn’t pay much attention to people. She was fairly leery of fans, and anyone else for that matter, and tended not to maintain eye contact for very long when she was signing autographs. Needless to say, she never paid much attention to their looks, but this girl? It was going to be hard to forget this girl, even if she tried. Never mind the bad boob job that was making her already tight t-shirt strain or the heavily pierced ears and face—it was the hair. Molly would never forget it. She almost accidentally let the chuckle bubble out, but Karen would have her ass if she did. But damn. A bad bleach job was one thing, but she had added neon green and bright purple streaks to it. No, she was a memorable one, all right.