Rough Around the Edges, page 6
If you want to find me, call Blake. He’ll know what to tell you.
All the best,
Madison.
*****
Shayne stayed in the crowd, trying to blend in without being noticed. He had gotten a few curious stares when he stepped into the stands, but he ignored them and sat in the first empty space he could find. This plan had to work, and if it didn’t, he wasn’t sure what he would do.
Blake had given him the information he was looking for. But he wasn’t happy about it and, like her father, threatened Shayne. They did give him their praise, though. That was a start.
He heard the names of the racers being announced, Madison’s mentioned second, as well as their current stats. Shayne smiles and shakes his head. The ribbons and trophies proved she was good, but he was interested in seeing her in action.
When the gate drops, the horses take off at a full sprint. He spots Madison instantly, her hair pulled tight. But there was no denying it was her and his chest aches. Shayne should have never left Westerfield. Wherever she was, he wanted to be. He wanted to know everything about her and fix every broken piece.
When the loudspeaker announces her as the winner, he hops over the railing in the stands, casually walking toward her. She was shaking hands with men dressed in designer suits. That was confusing in this setting, but what did he know? She hadn’t noticed him, yet, but he knew in a minute, in one more turn, she would.
The moment her eyes land on his, she runs toward him and jumps into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist.
“Hey, princess,” he whispers in her ear.
She pulls back, tears glistening in her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to find you.”
She stares him down, obviously trying to decipher the meaning behind his words. When doubt is replaced with something else, Shayne pulls her lips to his and only comes up for air.
“I love you, Madison. I thought I could walk away, but I can’t. When I went to your apartment and found out you’d left, I went insane. I threw myself into the business, but I couldn’t get you out of my head. Your mom gave me your letter, and Blake told me where to go.”
Madison kisses his lips lightly, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I love you, Shayne Maxwell. I never thought this would happen. I thought you were gone for good. And, I owe all this to you.”
“I’m not taking the credit for this. That was all you, princess. Your decisions. Your determination. Your hard work.”
Her megawatt smile almost knocks him on his ass.
“Let’s go home, city boy. Or can I call you that anymore?” She looks down at his attire. “Westerfield is rubbing off on you.”
He leans in closer to her ear to whisper out of earshot of everyone else. “I’d like you to rub off on me.”
That’s all it takes. One sentence. A few words. Madison pulls him along toward the trailers he hadn’t noticed when he had pulled in. She goes to the furthest one in the lot and pulls him inside.
This woman was his and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He had claimed her in the beginning, from the moment he had laid eyes on her. He just hadn’t figured it out then.
Now, he wouldn’t ever let her go.
THE END
About the Author
K.R. Reese writes contemporary romances with HEAs, suspense and thrills. She’s the author of the small-town Wilson Creek series and the rockstar Chaos series, with many more projects in the works. She was born and raised in Ohio, where she still resides with her husband and their children. When she isn’t reading or writing, you can find her spending time with her family, taking photos, or listening to music.
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K.R. Reese, Rough Around the Edges
