We've been burnin' both ends
Keepin' the lights on
So I've been thinkin' we need
A little time alone
So whatcha say we cancel our plans?
Tonight, I'm only gonna be your man

No sooner had we arrived back home in North Carolina, we hit the ground running. Ryan, being he was the defending Talladega race winner, and going for his third straight, had several interviews, podcasts and media conferences, and I was bombarded with meetings. Leaving town for the last week and a half had been an amazing get away, but we had plenty of work to do once we were home. It wasn't until late Thursday afternoon after arriving in Talladega that we really got a moment to ourselves, as we had arrived here separately.

"What does your day look like tomorrow?" I asked.

"Media center in the morning, Ford Q&A, first practice. Big One On The Blvd at seven. What about you?"

"Media center in the morning, meet and greet with Liberty U, then I'll be updating social media during practice. I'm free after that. What is the Big One On The Blvd?"

He chuckled. "A little like a small version of Mardi Gras in the infield. It's fun. You should come with me."

"Sure. It does sound like fun, but I hope it doesn't run too late because I really need you to myself for a little bit."

"Well, you got me tonight, and I promise I'll make time for you tomorrow night as well. After the race, we are going to celebrate."

I raised my eyebrow at him. "Celebrate what?"

"Oh baby, have you forgotten? Six months ago we met. We spent our first night together after I won this race." He grinned at me. I chuckled to myself. I thought only girls remembered stuff like that. Ryan was indeed special.

*******

As promised, Friday night on the Blvd, although we had a blast, we didn't stay out too late. We still had a busy day Saturday and we really needed to spend a little one on one time together.

Saturday was indeed busy, especially for me because William had won the pole for Sunday, so there was additional media obligations that I had to attend to.

When I finally arrived back at the bus late Saturday afternoon, having fulfilled my PR duties for the day, Ryan was asleep on the couch. Sturgill curled up on his feet and legs, Shelby tucked into a little ball against his chest. My heart melted. He was already swoon worthy, but the sight of him with the pups pushed my swoon meter off the charts.

Smiling, I leaned forward and kissed his forehead. A moment later, I pressed my lips softly to his. I felt his mouth curve into a smile. His arms circled around my neck and he pulled me down to him. Shelby, who was squished between us, began squirming. Laughing, I picked her up and placed her at the end of the couch with Sturgill, who had not stirred. Shelby gave me the stink eye before curling up against Sturgill and resuming her nap.

"Where were we?" Ryan asked in a raspy voice, tugging my hand and pulling me back on top of him. Before I could respond, my phone alerted me with a text.

I glanced at the message. "Will wants to know if we want to have dinner with him and Erin."

"Tell Willy B he has had you all day. You are officially off duty and all mine."

"Ryan said...." I spoke out loud, laughing as I began typing. When I finished, I turned my phone off and set it on the table. "I think we were right about...here." I murmured pressing my lips to his.

It didn't take long for the kiss to become heated and for us to begin moaning into it. I was becoming lightheaded and getting that intoxicated feeling like I always did when he kissed me like this. The way his tongue tangled and twisted against mine and he lightly bit at my bottom lip. His hands had already worked their way underneath my Hendrick Motorsports polo shirt and were now unhooking the back of my bra.

"Hmmm. Maybe we should take this to the bedroom." I murmured through my kiss swollen lips, my head spinning with desire. God he made me feel so wanted and lustful.

By the time we reached the bedroom, my shirt and bra, as well as his shirt had gotten lost somewhere along the way and my jeans were unbuttoned and unzipped. It didn't take long to shed the rest of our clothing and to climb into the bed. His fingers were already teasing my entrance and dancing over my clit. The kissing alone had gotten me more than wet and ready.

He flipped us over until I was on top, ready to give me the lead. I wasted no time lining him up with my entrance and sinking down until he was buried to the hilt, both of us moaning in pleasure when our connection was made.

I slowly rotated my hips, causing him to release a curse under his breath. "Fuck you feel so good." He then raised his hips, hitting that spot deep within me, making my toes curl in pleasure as I threw my head back and released a curse of my own, combined with a deep moan.

Fuck he felt so good, as I ground my hips against him, feeling his pubic bone rub against my clit. I set a tortuously slow pace, relishing in how I could feel every glorious inch of him. I thought I would drag this out, until his thumb began to circle my clit, and I could feel my insides clench around him. His other hand was on my hip, urging me to go faster as he raised his hips beneath me, hitting my g spot over and over. My entire body quivered in ecstasy and the waves of my orgasm washed over me.

Only Ryan could push me to orgasm so quickly.

After coming down, I resumed the slow pace for a few moments before picking up a faster, but not too fast tempo, my hips moving rhythmically. He matched my pace, our bodies moving in perfect sync.

"I fucking love you." He muttered in ragged breath as his arm snaked around me, drawing me down onto him, my breasts flattened against his chest as he placed a scorching kiss on my lips. I didn't know if my body or my soul was more on fire from the kiss, all I knew was I felt like I was in a literal inferno. He licked hungrily into my mouth, tongues twisting together heatedly.

His hips began bucking beneath me, driving deeper. We were both about to go over the edge. What a blissful fall it was when we did. My quivering thighs clenching around him, the feeling of intense warmth flooding through my body. The glorious release gripping him tighter and tighter until the feeling of his hot seed set off a chain of mini spasms throughout my body and he bucked and writhed beneath me. With a final shudder, he stilled, our breaths coming in shallow pants as we were both spent.

It took several moments before I lifted my hips, releasing him. Even as I felt his seed spill out of me, I still didn't move. I didn't care about the mess, I just wanted to cling to him. He must not have cared either, because he let me. His arms wrapped tighter around me, just holding me, letting me hold him. Even after rolling us onto our sides, we still held onto each other. Our breathing finally returned to normal and we locked eyes. The love I saw radiating in his blue eyes made me feel giddy. I had never felt this adored. This treasured. This loved in my life. I was certain I was going to spend the rest of my life with this man.

********

Excitement, anticipation and nerves. That was what I was dealing with today. More excitement than anything though because as Ryan reminded me again, this was an anniversary of sorts for us. Six months ago, we met. Ryan had won here and we celebrated with a hookup. Okay, so there was nothing at all romantic about it, but it sort of turned a corner for us and led to more flirtations and more hot kisses and more wanting. Before anyone accuses me of being that girl though, Ryan had thought about it first and said he we were going to celebrate. I couldn't wait to see what he was up to.

Before taking my place in the 24 box, I stood with Ryan for the invocation and anthem. I wished him luck and kissed him before he got into his car. The anticipation building even more.

The race was eventful, but Ryan, who led a few laps during the first stage was caught up in a big wreck on lap 58. He was able to continue and remained on the lead lap, but his car had a lot of damage. I would have loved to have listened in on his scanner, but I had to focus on William, as he was running well. Somehow, despite all of the damage, Ryan was in the top 10 by the end of the second stage.

I knew I needed to keep my focus on William. He was running so well, but my attention was constantly being drawn to the beat up yellow and white 12 car. Maybe I wasn't as capable of working with one driver while I was in love with another as I thought. I just couldn't help but think they weren't nearly done wrecking yet, and Ryan was still out there.

I was right, several more accidents sent the race into multiple overtime's. Then it happened, second attempt at a green white checker and Bubba threw a massive block and got turned right in front of Ryan. He was clearly not going to finish the race. I breathed a sigh of relief that his window net was down.

The caution came out, I sighed, turning my attention back to William who had avoided the lastest collision and was scored in fourth. I shot off a quick update to social media.

I looked up again at the battered 12 car. Something wasn't right. Although his window net was down, he was still in the car and an official was kneeling on the ground next to the window talking to him. Why was he still in the car? Oh God was he hurt? I switched over to his scanner, but there was nothing but static, he must have unhooked his radio already.

Sam, go on and check on Ryan. I'll cover for you.

The text from Courtney scared me. Did she know something? Was Ryan okay? I quickly excused myself and climbed down the pit box just as Erin was coming to get me.

A sinking feeling hit me right in the pit of my stomach. "Is Ryan okay?" I asked, holding my breath as I waited for her answer.

"From what little information I have he's feeling pretty sick, but he's awake. I figured you would be pretty worried, so I was on my way to get you." She explained.

The crush panels in the car must have gotten knocked out in his first crash, and if so, that meant he was breathing in carbon monoxide for the majority of the race. No wonder he was feeling sick.

"I am worried. I was already heading to the care center. Courtney said she would cover for me."

"He's going to be fine." She squeezed my hand, but I could tell she was worried as well.

I have no idea what was going on with the race, and really didn't care, as Erin and I paced nervously. Soon Courtney joined us. She filled us in on what had happened in the race, William and Chase both picking up top fives, which was why they were not here, they were giving interviews.

Ryan had had crashes before, but nothing like this. The last hit didn't look bad, but the fact that I never actually saw him get out of the car scared me. What if it were something more than just inhaling fumes?

Chase and William joined us outside of the care center as we were still waiting. Finally,
the doctor stepped out, and called to Erin, completely ignoring me. That stung, but I had to remind myself that it was nothing personal. I wasn't family. But then a wave of terror passed over me. I was even more afraid that something was seriously wrong. Otherwise, Ryan would have walked out. Right? Why would they have to consult with a family member if he was alright?

"Stop it Sam. I know you are thinking the worst, but don't let your mind go there." Courtney draped an arm around my shoulder and gave me a hug.

"I can't help it Court. I just have a bad feeling."

Finally, Erin walked out of the care center. "They are transporting him to the hospital." She said.

A wave of terror gripped me. This was not good. My heart sank further into my chest.