My Escape

Chapter 35: Echo Park Grand Prix

Sunday, March 27 – Circuit of the Americas

Chase makes his way up into the team hauler, with Danielle following suit inside as he slips the door closed behind them. If anybody had been following, they would've guessed they were off to do something.

Actually, who could blame Danielle right now, though?

She found herself licking her lips more often than she probably wanted to be as she continued to take in the man before her each day, more and more. His arm muscles were toned perfectly, his ass was just the right perfect round shape – especially in those shorts he was wearing earlier that day, and those legs – it showed he never missed leg day as he had legs for days. Combined with the cuteness of hose eyes, and a great jaw, she could only wander just how well he tasted.

Though instead of ripping the firesuit off him as she sometimes envisioned doing, she instead reached into the team fridge and grabbed a cold bottle of water and handed it over.

"Are you okay?" She questions as he slips off the top of the firesuit, sweat dripping down his body. It only made those tongue licks become more apparent. They'd both be needing a cold shower soon, and for different reasons.

"Yeah," he answers as he unscrews the lid, taking a couple big mouthfuls as he let out a sigh. He then twirls his neck, followed by a twirl of the shoulders. It was the first real demanding race of the season, and it showed in feeling it throughout his body.

"You can tell me if something is bothering you..." Danielle then reaches over, slowly massaging his shoulders, to which he easily accepts as he tilts his head forward slightly. He had learned after Tulsa just how well she could find those spots that needed extra tenderness, and he wasn't about to ignore that right now.

"I should be taking care of you. I just went around a track multiple times behind the wheel of a racecar today." She chuckles, knowing that was the stereotypical thing – and even she believed it was so easy and nothing to it for a long time. That was until she got more interested in the sport, and understood the physical toll it had on drivers. "You're the one that worked hard all day taking care of peo-"

"We didn't have a lot of visitors, and we both know that there's more to this racing thing than what meets the eyes." She then runs her fingers a little deeper, to which she could tell was finding the right spot as she did a couple months ago.

"A little stiff, a little more wore out than I thought I'd be..." A small yawn escapes his lips as she works her way down his back slightly.

"Well this nurse is prescribing you a nice hot bath when you get home, followed by a good massage, and a good night's rest." He couldn't help but smirk with the thought. It was probably the perfect recipe to make him feel better, but also would allow him more time to be close to her as he wanted to be.

"Yes ma'am." He kept his answer short, despite his mind wondering if it could turn into more, knowing the more her hands took care of him, the more his feelings grew. "You have to allow me to take care of you, too."

"I am fine, Chase." She then pauses, not allowing herself to say the next sentence – at first. However, there was something special about him that she knew it was okay to say it. "I am okay as long as I have you by my side."

"That goes both ways." He then turns so they're facing each other, eyes locked together, feelings fluttering without words. He then leans in, brightly brushing his lips on hers. He feels her breath hitch slightly at first, though she accepts, their lips connecting lightly, feelings shared, before they pull apart from each other.

"We said we were going to take this slow..." He nods his head, remembering the conversations and words they shared. However, it seemed the feelings expressed in their eyes said much more, and he knew his feelings for her certainly went deeper than she thought. "We're already sharing kisses together after just a first da-"

"It's because we both care about each other, and want to be there for each other." He then takes her hands with his own, taking a deep breath. He just hoped this didn't come out the wrong way. "I love you, Danielle. I know that you love me. We're both afraid because of our pasts, but damn, we love each other so much. That's why we're both being patient, one step at a time, as each is ready. If the kiss scares you, then that will be the last kiss until you're ready. However if you want another kiss, then I am game. We're going to work together to make this work."

"Do you promise?" He nods his head as she looks down at her hands, taking a careful deep breath of her own, trying to chase all of the doubts and feelings she had away. "I can't take being hurt again, Chase. I'm so scared of being hurt again. I don't want to feel that pain again. That's why I'm afraid – but I trust you, because you understand and you're being patient." She then leans in, allowing her lips to brush against his lightly once again. "That's why I am telling you now that I am open to another date – not tonight, though, as I need to take care of you."

"Okay..." He slowly lets go of her hands, taking a couple calming breathes of his own as he looks over her. He cared about her. He wanted to be there for her. He wanted to help her. He wanted to do whatever he could to make her feel great. Her lips tasted wonderful against his. However, a look into her eyes and he was brought back to his last couple of times with Annabelle. Was he truly ready to move forward? Could he truly moving forward, or would her ghost haunt his thoughts?