stared at him with adoration and love in those eyes. High time to get it back. Things weren't right without Megan in his life.
She looked away. Back to blocking him. He needed a smooth line to gain her attention. “I'm not just here for a job. I'm pretty good at offering moral support if you'd like."
A long sigh escaped her lips and fluttered the hank of hair swooping across her forehead. “Let's focus on now. Janine's checking on the logistics of your release, but regardless, I'm putting Paul in the seventy-four truck. If things are kosher, you'll be in the forty-seven, paired up with Eric Trask next year."
"I'm yours.” A little early to admit the truth, but it felt right. She couldn't say she didn't know. She wore his damned necklace. Somewhere in her heart she still cared. More words lingered on his tongue. I'm sorry. I want to make things right between us. I have your name over my heart and I still love you. Whoa. Way too early for the big L, wasn't it?
"To drive."
The two words sounded so final. Forget the happy butterflies swarming in his belly. The ride meant nothing if there wasn't even the slightest chance of being with her.
"Meg, this is me. Something else is wrong. I won't let it go.” The lust in his veins ran much deeper than a superficial need to fuck her. The love he'd felt as a randy seventeen-year-old hadn't dissipated with time. If anything, it had grown stronger and deeper. She'd understood him and suited his needs perfectly, yet he'd walked away in order to boost his ego.
Stupid.
She swivelled around in her seat, giving him a great view of the back of the chair. “It's nothing."
Tucker stood and strode around her desk. With his back to the window, he knelt in front of her and took her hand in his. “Truth, babe."
"You don't let up, do you?"
"Still tenacious."
Megan sighed and narrowed her eyes for a moment. “Fine. Rick's breathing down my neck to sell Blitz to him. Paul's okay—I really don't know him well enough to make a comment either way. Mat needs the time off for Nic and the baby. Eric's top-notch, and King is...well, King. Life is peachy."
"If it's so peachy, what does that make me?” He cupped her cheek, needing to feel the softness of her skin. The faint scent of her perfume danced around him. His cock hardened behind his zipper. Here she sat pushing him away, while the few thoughts in his mind screamed to keep her close.
"A complication.” Her brows knotted but she didn't pull away from his touch. “And don't call me ‘babe'."
"Complication I can work with.” Tucker stood and tugged her into his arms, wrapping her in a tight embrace. “Before you say anything, tongues can wag all they want. You and I are friends and you're upset. I'd be an asshole to let you sit and cry. And I noticed you didn't mention how you're feeling. We all get bogged down, and God knows this sport chews people up pretty damned fast.” He rubbed his forehead against hers, brushing kisses over her cheeks and nose. “Why don't we get away for a little bit?"
"Friends or not, I can't.” Megan pushed back in his embrace, putting space between them. “I have work to do and a meeting with Janine in an hour."
"She'll understand you need time to relax.” He released the clip keeping her hair contained and raked his fingers through the silky soft strands.
The tiniest moan erupted from her throat. “I don't know how to relax anymore.” She shook her head and squirmed the rest of the way out of his grasp. “Just go. I've decided to hire you. You can check out the garage and work out the details for the Homestead race with Eric. I can't run off whenever I please because I'm stressed."
No more arguing. She played the businesswoman well. Too well. She needed time to unwind and just exist. A plan flashed into his mind—the perfect spot to vent frustration and sling mud. And make love.
Tucker threaded his fingers with hers and insistently led her out of the building. If nothing else, he'd trust