Damaged Perfection (The Perfection Series Book 1) by Nicki Rae Page B

eyebrows shoot up as I wasn’t expecting her to be ready so fast.
                  “Yes. As I said, I am a hands-on learner.” I nod as I watch her get up. I have to sit on my hands and hold my tongue when her ass is right in my face. All I can think about is smacking it.
    When she is finally up and out of the way, I am able to get up and out of her way. I have to prepare myself as seeing her sitting in that seat and working this machine is going to be hotter than anything I have ever witnessed.
    She sits in the seat and squares herself. I watch her looking at all the levers and throttles. I see the excitement in her eyes and all of a sudden I feel pride. I have taught hundreds of people, men and woman alike, to drive this thing, but never have I wanted someone to succeed as much as I want her to.
    “…is that correct, Fenton?”
    “I’m sorry, what was that?” Her brows shoot up and her smile grows. She wins this time and she knows it.
    “Are you listening this time?”
    “Yes, what was your question?” I shake my head at myself.
    “I only use this switch when it is cold?” she asks, pointing to the diesel switch.
    “Yes, that is correct.” She nods and flips on the ignition switch. I see an exhilarated expression appear on her face and I know exactly how she feels. I get that same feeling every time I start her up. It’s an even better feeling than the high I usually have. She puts her in gear and we start moving, slowly at first. She briefly smiles at me then returns her focus the road in front of us. She gets a little braver and speeds up a bit. We drive at the accelerated pace a little longer before she decides she trusts herself enough to turn. She begins to pull the left lever and before I can tell her she is pulling it too fast, we are damned near one wheeling this bitch. I quickly try to correct the machine and am just barely able to get it straightened out before we are on our side. I get the machine turned off and we both stay still a few seconds.
    “I am so sorry, Fenton,” she says with frightened eyes. She is sitting stock still, facing forward, as though any type of movement will turn this thing again.
    “It’s ok, Piper. You’re a rookie, you will get better.”
    “I almost killed us.” I can hear the fear in her voice.
    “Yes, you did and I don’t appreciate it.” Her head quickly turns to meet my gaze. I laugh and she begins to loosen up.
    “Don’t be an asshole, Fenton. That scared the shit out of me.”
    “Good. That means you won’t do it again.” She closes her eyes and shakes her head.
    “I definitely will not do that again.”
    “Are you read to call it a day?”
    “Yes, I think so.”
    Before I can stop myself, I blurt out what I have been trying to keep in all afternoon.
    “You have any plans this evening? I have some friends coming over to my house for a cookout, you should join us.” I see the trepidation on her face. “Listen, this is just one friend inviting another for a fun evening, don’t fret. Hang on,” I tell her and walk over to my truck. I find a scrap paper and pen and write my number on it. I walk back over to her and hand her my number. I am kind of proud of myself, this usually happens the other way around. Usually with a girl I don’t know, after a night that I don’t remember…
    “I will take the pressure out of this; call or text if you want to join us and I will send you directions.”
    She takes the paper and starts to walk away bur stops suddenly and turns around.
    “How many people will be there and will I know any of them?”
    “You will know me and that is all that matters, right?” I smile at her to help ease her mind
    She shakes her head and smiles back at me. I think I am going to win this one.
    “You really are pretty full of yourself aren’t you?”
    “Wouldn’t you be if you were me?” I deadpan.
    She rolls her eyes at that.
    “Have a good night, Fenton.”
    “Are you going to call me, Piper?” She