Page 29 of Romancing the Rumrunner
“Come on.”
She cautiously slid in, her eyes darting everywhere. Tony chuckled again, enjoying having the edge on her, for once. It would be fun to teach her something. Something she was afraid of.
“Put the key in here,” he said, tapping the ignition. “Give it a turn.”
She did as instructed, sucking in a quiet breath when the huge convertible roared to life. She gripped the steering wheel, waiting for her next instructions. If it hadn’t been for the white knuckles strangling the wheel, Tony would never have guessed she was nervous. Her face was calm and collected. He couldn’t help wonder what other emotions she kept buried beneath her surface. Probably as many as he did himself.
Pushing away those thoughts, he leaned over and covered her hand with his own. She glanced at him in surprise, but he kept his hand on hers until she loosened her hold a bit.
“There you go. Just relax. There’s no one around,” he said, gesturing to the empty lot they were in. “And as long as you stay clear of that post over there, there’s nothing you can hit.”
Jessie nodded and let out a long breath, turning to him with a little smile. The expression transformed her face. Excitement shone from her eyes, and though she still gripped the wheel too tightly, she didn’t seem as terrified as before.
“Now. You see that pedal on the left?”
When she nodded, he continued. “You need to push that down whenever you change gears. Like this.”
He took her hand and laid it on the gear stick between them, keeping his hand over hers. “Push down the pedal and keep it down until I say. Now, push the stick up,” he said, guiding her hand, “and you’re in first gear. Now you slowly release the left pedal while compressing the right pedal. That’s your gas.”
Jessie flicked a nervous glance at him but did as he directed. The car lurched forward and she shrieked, letting go of the wheel to clamp her hands over her eyes.
“Jessie!” Tony laughed and grabbed the wheel. “Give it gas. And open your eyes!” He grabbed her hand and put it back on the wheel.
Jessie quickly glanced at him, her blue eyes huge in her pale face, but he thought he caught a little twinkle of excitement as she gave the car a bit more gas and tried to ease it forward. The car lurched several times while Tony tried to direct her on how to give it just enough gas to keep it going without completely flooring the pedal.
Just when she’d get the gas figured out it would be time to shift the car and they’d have to start all over again. The poor automobile died more than once. But after a few minutes, during which Tony’s lunch threatened to make a reappearance, Jessie got the hang of it and started to circle the lot—slowly.
She let out a deep breath and turned to Tony with a smile. “I’m doing it!”
He chuckled. “Yes, you are. And very well, too. Ease your grip just a bit,” he said, covering her white-knuckled hand with his own.
Her eyes flicked to his but she kept her attention on the lot in front of her. Which meant Tony had the opportunity to keep his attention on her. The excitement had kept the becoming blush to her cheeks and the small smile that graced her lips softened her whole appearance. She always seemed…tired, burdened. But now, with the steering wheel in her hands and the wind gently ruffling her hair, she seemed carefree. Happy.
Tony smiled and leaned his elbow against his door, angling his body so he could more easily watch her. The warmth spreading through him at the sight of her happiness surprised him. He wasn’t supposed to be making her happy. He was supposed to be pumping her for information about her alleged boyfriend’s illegal activities. But he found he rather liked the feeling that came with every smile she turned his way. He’d give a great deal to see that smile on her face more often.
“What?” Jessie asked, the laugh in her voice softening the question. “Am I doing it wrong?”
Tony shook his head. “You are doing beautifully.”
Jessie glanced at him, for once at a loss for words. She bit her lip and tightened her grip on the steering wheel. After that she kept her attention firmly fixed in front of her.
“Tony?”
Tony was having such a great time staring at her he didn’t realize that she was in trouble until her panic raised her voice to a screech.
“Tony! What do I do?”
He finally snapped out of it and looked around, fear gripping his own gut when he saw what had scared her.
“Turn the wheel!” he yelled, jerking the wheel hard to the right, swerving the car out of the path of an oncoming milk delivery truck. The horn of the other vehicle blared as it also swerved. They avoided hitting each other but that’s where their luck ran out. When Tony had jerked the wheel, he’d aimed them right at the post at the far side of the lot and neither of them noticed they were barreling toward it until it was too late.
Jessie screamed and slammed on the brakes, throwing them both forward. The car skidded, its front end crashing into the pole. Jessie and Tony were tossed back against the seats, ending up in a jumble together.
Tony propped himself up, his heart pounding. He turned to Jessie, helping her to sit upright.
“Are you all right?”
He lightly ran his hands over her arms and torso, making sure she wasn’t hurt, then traveled up to her face. He couldn’t keep a chuckle from breaking out once he’d calmed down enough to get a good look at her.
