CEO Of My Heart 177 177

Henry looked around at the cars in the lot and pressed a b.u.t.ton on the side of the room.  The intercom blared and Henry quickly relayed his wishes into the corner of the room. A tube with the keys appeared in a slot in front of him and Ellie looked at him curiously as he brought her into his arms.  He lead her over to a chocolate colored car and whispered into her ear as he set the keys into her hands, "Because of the sweater that you're wearing your hair looks this color. It's almost as nice as the color you're eyes are today."

The sunlight glinted off the hood of the car into Ellie's eyes so she leaned back and her back was flush against Henry's chest.  She looked up into his eyes and felt her chest begin to constrict in a strange rush. His arm reached around and lifted her chin up so he could stare directly into her eyes.  There was a strange flip flop of her stomach as she felt a warm sweep up her spine. It was so odd to her to feel this strange conflict of emotions, she had never been more in tune with a man or reacted so strongly to even his simple gestures.

It made his head hurt as he wanted to ask her what she was doing to him.  His reactions to her kept happening so automatically. Was she casting a spell on him?  This was the woman he had chosen to protect, his good friend, not a woman he would have handled carelessly in his bachelor days, although in truth he did not want to be married to her.  He cleared his throat and moved back uncomfortable. These emotions were folly. "You know we should get on the track before the facility closes. We still have a long drive back to the city and I have to make sure that I'm not behind on my business obligations."

Henry activated the hydraulic lift and the car that he had chosen was lowered to the garage below them.  Henry had Ellie step onto the lift so they were all lowered at the same time. She clutched his weight a little more heavily as she was surprised by the action.  He did react, but not as he had before. Henry had antic.i.p.ated the move so he schooled his expression to one of blissful neutrality.

As he unlocked the car door, Henry tipped the keys in her direction.  He looked at the course ahead of them and the medical station glowing with it's red cross behind them.  "This is a safe controlled s.p.a.ce. Would you like to take her for a spin?"

Ellie was stunned.  She was so stunned that she dropped her crutch and held on to the side of car for support.  Quickly Henry moved around to her side of the car and handed her the dropped cane. Ellie bit her lip.  "Wow. I was probably a little to excited by all the historic racing vehicles. I've never seen so many in such pristine condition. I would love to drive if you're okay with me getting some wear on your tires.  I can see how they are all fitted with racing tires. I can get some real wear out of these, but I won't bust them because it's not a compet.i.tion."

Henry laughed and tapped the tires with his foot.  He pointed to the rack of tires opposite. "If you do flat these tires or get them too worn.  We have plenty to spare. But if you are about to lose control. I would like to be able to get back into control quickly.  You have to promise me to slow down when I have to switch seats with you."