by Dani René
“My dad sent you a letter?” The shock in my voice is apparent; every word is filled with confusion.
Colton nods. “He did. A detailed one at that. I had it in my office, and because things have been rather busy, I haven’t had the time to really look into it. He spoke highly of you and your love of racing,” he informs me. “Also, in the letter was a flash drive, which included him filming you doing a few laps at the local track. I like your style.”
Again, my mouth falls open, and I’m sure I look like a fish gulping air, or water, or whatever they do. “I—I don’t know what to say.”
“Tell me you’ll come by tomorrow, midday, to run a few laps with my guys,” Colton says with a grin. “Let me see what you can do, and if I’m happy and the potential is there, I’ll sign you.” He’s someone I’ve looked up to, someone I used to watch racing while sitting with my dad in the stands. The scent of hot dogs and soda seemingly fills my senses when I think about those weekends at the track. And suddenly, my heart aches. “I’d especially like to see how you take on the track in one of my cars, and if you’re up for it, perhaps race one of my guys to see if you can handle the pressure.”
I find my confidence. Squaring my shoulders, I nod. “I can handle it, Mr. Donavan,” I assure him. “I know I can.”
He laughs, holding out his hand again, which this time, I accept easily. “Then, I’ll see you tomorrow. And don’t be late.” He saunters to his car, and I watch as he slips into the driver’s seat before pulling away from the curb with a rumble of the engine.
“Holy shit,” I mumble as the surprise settles in my veins.
“Language, Haelee,” my mother chastises, but she’s grinning almost as wide as I am, and her eyes are filled with unshed emotion. Her arms are crossed in front of her chest, and for a moment, I expect her to be angry or concerned about the dangers of racing. But she isn’t.
I turn toward her, facing her fully before I ask, “You’re okay with this, Mom?” I may be a rebel at times, but I don’t want her to worry. I know she only wants to make sure I’m safe. If it weren’t for her, I’m not sure where I’d be. Granted, I’m an adult and don’t need her permission, but I want her to know I still consider her opinion.
“Yes, buttercup,” she says with a smile. “He would’ve wanted you to try this out. And who knows? You might just make the team.”
“You’d support me if I make it?” I can’t hide the surprise in my voice because I know how difficult it is for her knowing I’m out racing on the streets.
“I’d prefer you to be with a professional team rather than racing on the wrong side of the tracks. Those boys you hang out with are dangerous, and your father would’ve locked you up if he knew.”
Sighing, I nod. “I know, Mom, but it’s who I am. I can’t stop being myself.” When I turned eighteen, my folks gave me the details for my birth mother. I learned she was a Puerto Rican beauty who had overdosed when her dealer got tired of her. She had me when she was sixteen, far too young to have so much responsibility. “I won’t end up like her, I promise.”
Mom smiles, and I can’t help but feel excited about this new opportunity. Studying is good for me. Attending the local college has opened my eyes to what I can do and want to do, but racing has always been my love.
As the school year comes to an end in a few months, I’ll graduate and perhaps have a racing team that will allow me to live my dream. And when I meet with Colton tomorrow, I can tell him I’m a great mechanic too. Butterflies take flight in my stomach as Mom and I go inside the house.
I’m no longer scared of the future. I’m excited at the prospect of a life of fulfilled dreams. I only wish my dad was still here.
2
Kayden
Today is my first session with Colton’s team. Signing with them is a dream come true. I wish my father were here to see me because I know he’d be proud and as ecstatic as I am. Even though I still have the business hanging over my head, the choice to either sell or run it, I’m ready to get into a car and race my aggression out on the track.
Last night, when I looked for the exquisite woman from the hot tub, she was nowhere to be seen. It was as if she were merely an apparition sent to distract me from my love—racing. Thankfully, she wasn’t there when I searched, or I would’ve been late today. Having her on my arm would’ve only resulted in me fucking her senseless all night.
And as pleasurable as that sounds, I wouldn’t have made a good impression at work today, and I need to show Colton I’m dependable, reliable, and I know what the hell I’m doing. By the time I reach the garages, I can hear the engines being tested, and the roar makes my blood warm with enthusiasm.
This has been my passion, my focus, for as long as I can remember. It’s been the only thing I ever saw myself doing after school. Needless to say, I drove my father mad. He was convinced I would never graduate, high school, or college, but I did both.
I made him proud academically so he would allow me to race. He kept his word. I’ve done countless professional races across the country over the years, and I won each and every one of them. The only man I’ve never come up against is my hero—Colton Donavan. And to be honest, I doubt I could ever be as good as he is.
Before I make it into the main section of the garages, my phone rings. The shrill sound a warning of what’s to come, but I answer anyway.
“Mr. Donaldson,” I greet the man who’s looking after my father’s company, the head of the board. The man I need to impress to ensure they don’t run me out of my own legacy.
“Kayden.” He says my name jovially as if we’re best friends. We’re not. “I had a meeting with the board yesterday, and it seems they’re concerned. Not having you onsite doesn’t seem to appease them, and to be honest, it doesn’t ease my worries either.”
“This is my legacy, my company, and if you’re not happy with the way I run it, then you’re welcome to see yourself out,” I bite out as frustration takes hold of me. I asked for time. It’s not been long since my father died, and to step into his shoes would be far too much. Not right now. I don’t even know if I want to do that just yet.
“No, no, of course not. I’m sorry, Kayden. I didn’t mean to upset you, but they’re adamant that they want to move forward. We can’t sit on this. There is money to be made.” He speaks as if they don’t have any money. These men make millions every year.
They want for nothing. They drive the most expensive cars, own the largest homes, and flash their cash at special massage spas where their wives have no clue they’re going.
My stomach roils, but I swallow down the bile that rises, and I say, “Fine. I will get all the paperwork together, and I’ll call a meeting when I’m ready.”
“You’ll step down?” I knew it. The fuckers want to steal what’s mine, but they’re not getting it. I’ll fight tooth and nail for what my father built, even if it’s not my passion.
“Step down?” The words are filled with venom, my tone incredulous at his query. “I’ll run the company, and I’ll replace the board if I have to.” My voice is ice, and I would pay good money to see the look on this asshole’s face. I thought he and Dad were friends. I honestly thought they were close, but it seems money speaks louder than loyalty.
“There’s no need for rash decisions.”
“As I said, it’s my company. I’ll make any decision I want. See you when I have the contracts drawn up.” I hang up before he can say anything more and saunter into the garage, as I hold out my hand to one of the head mechanics. I don’t even know his name, but right now, I need to race.
He knows what I want because a second later, there’s a set of keys in my hand. Without taking too much time, I suit up, grabbing a helmet, and ensuring my zip has hissed its way to my neck. Once my safety gear is on, I head to the car and slip into the driver’s seat.
The engine purrs, rumbling around me like a surround-sound echo. The vibration sets my blood alight, and I can’t help the calmness that washes over me.
I
could never explain what racing does for me. There’s no way to describe just what it makes me feel, but all I know is, I was born to sit in this seat. Pulling out onto the track, I put my foot down, zero to sixty in a couple of seconds. The force of the acceleration knocking me back, causing a laugh to fall from my lips.
I speed down a long straight, enjoying the scenery rushing by. Nothing is in focus as the blur of green and the boards that sit on the sidelines speed by.
As I take my first lap, my mind skitters back to last night. The party, Sadie, and the girl with the beautiful eyes. The one with those curves I could speed around with my tongue. I’d love to taste and taunt her and make her cry out my name over and over again.
One thing I learned is that speed turns me on. After a race, there’s always a willing body to sink into. And for a moment, I wish that tanned beauty were here. I would love to devour every inch of her.
My hands work the gears, my feet hitting the pedals. But my mind is on her. If I knew her name, I could probably find her. But she disappeared before I had the chance to even approach her. She looked like she didn’t belong there. As if she was new to the scene, and that makes me wonder if I’ll ever see her again.
One night with that caramel goddess, and I’ll be in fucking heaven. By the third lap, I see Colton waving me in, and I slow down as I reach the starting line on the track. He steps toward me when I come to a stop, and he leans in to greet me.
“Listen up. I have a task for you,” he says. “There’s a new racer I want to test out. The car over there.” He gestures with his chin to the other driver who’s just pulled up. “I want you to do one lap. Let’s see how you both fare.”
“Sure, I can do that.”
He offers a grin and nods before heading back into the pit. I can’t see anything in the other car, so I have no idea how young this guy is, but I’m going to make him eat my fucking dust. Once the sound goes, I put my foot down and speed away, but my competition is hot on my heels.
I gear up when I need to, taking the turns, but this guy is good because when I take the corner on the inside, he takes it on the out and overtakes me easily. I’ve never lost. That word doesn’t fit into my vocabulary. But right now, it looks like I’m going to come in second.
And that’s not going to fly.
I work the car, but the asshole is taking the corners and bends like a pro, not allowing me to pass. It’s something I learned early on in my racing career—if you can stop your competition from passing you, overtaking you, then you do it. No matter what.
I’ve done it a few times when I needed to, but the more I’m pushed back, the more frustration burns in my veins. After this morning’s phone call, and now it seems Colton is testing me, I can’t stop the irritation from taking hold.
He said this is a new driver, but whoever it is, rides like someone who knows what they’re doing. There are a few mishaps here and there, especially with the last S-bend, but other than that, the race is clean, easy even.
After we come into the pits and the engines die off, leaving us in silence, I’m out of the car, pulling off the helmet and making my way to the new racer who’s slowly getting out of the car.
“What the fuck was that, man?” I ask, and he must know what the fuck I’m talking about because he did cut me off, swerve around so I couldn’t overtake. And it makes me angry, even though I can’t spot him for being wrong.
But the moment the new driver pulls off the helmet, breath is knocked from my lungs. It’s not a man at fucking all. It’s a chick. It’s her. Long, brown curls fall to the middle of her back, and when she turns around, my dick jolts at the sight of her dark eyes and those plump, pouty lips. They were made for one thing only, and that’s sucking me off.
“What the fuck?” I can no longer explain why I’m angry. I can’t deny this initial attraction that’s lured me to her. Last night when I laid my eyes on her, I wanted her, but now that I see her in those racing overalls, I want to rip them off and pound her into submission.
The happiness in her expression falls when she looks at me. “Hi, I’m Haelee,” she greets with a shyness that has my body—head to toe—rigid with need. If I didn’t think she was fuckable yesterday, I most certainly fucking do now.
“A girl?” I bite out, lifting my gaze to Colton, who’s grinning. The asshole set me up. I want to laugh because, in actual effect, it’s funny as hell and something I would do, but right now, I’m in a foul mood.
“She’s good.” He steps up to us, holding out his hand, and I begrudgingly shake it. He knew what he was doing, and he knew the car she’s in has more force than the one I had taken that morning.
If it was done on purpose, I don’t know, but she’s lucky. That’s all it is. I turn to her. “Don’t get too confident. That was a fluke. Girls don’t race. They’re the sexy ones who walk around in skimpy outfits for us to gawk at,” I insult before turning on my heel and leaving the garage.
Colton is hot on my heels. I can feel the amusement emanating from him. “You know, it is the twenty-first century,” he remarks. “I’m thinking of signing her.” His words have me halting my retreat. “I don’t want you to be angry, but I think she’d be a good addition to the team.”
“I’m not angry. I had a call from the board at my father’s company this morning. I took my frustration out on her, which wasn’t fair. But right now, I’m just in need of an escape. I think seeing her there got to me.”
“You like her?” He arches a dark brow at me, and I can’t deny it—she’s hot. Dick-achingly hot. He smiles. “Take the day. I’ll see you tomorrow. But she’ll probably be here, just to taunt you most likely.”
I shake my head slowly. “Girls don’t race.”
“She just proved you wrong,” he challenges, causing me to shake my head, but I offer him a smile. “Listen, let me talk to her, see if she’s willing to join. She might not want to.”
“No, she should. She is good, but I’m not going to be the one to tell her that.” I turn for the door but stop and glance over my shoulder at Colton standing there. “Did you know her car would overtake mine?”
He doesn’t answer for a moment, but grins. Then he tells me, “A racer is only as good as the car, but it’s still the racer who has all the control.” Words of wisdom from a legend and I can’t fight back. Nodding, I turn and head out to my Rover.
Before I can focus on racing again, I need to sort out my father’s company. Once that’s done, I can come back and show Colton what I can do.
3
Haelee
I’m still shaking when Colton takes me into the offices and sits me down opposite his desk. He’s grinning, and I can’t help but wonder what the hell is so funny. The guy he got to race me was an asshole of note, and I hope I never see him again.
But my mind still replays the way his eyes shimmered with frustration. He yelled, and all I did was stand there watching. I couldn’t find the words to stand up for myself, and I inwardly chastise myself for it.
“I like your style,” Colton says before I can apologize, even though I’m not sure what I’m saying sorry for. I wasn’t the one who lost my temper. “You’re a good driver, and I think you may have potential …”
“Thank you, that means a lot coming from you, Mr. Donavan.”
“Call me Colton,” he reminds me. “I have to apologize for Kayden, he’s … having a bad day.”
“A bad day and being a chauvinistic asshole aren’t the same thing,” I retort before realizing what I’ve just said, but Colton laughs out loud.
“No, you’re right.” He leans forward, meeting my gaze head-on. “I want you to train with us. Work on your skills, hone them until I think you’re ready, and then floor the competition with your driving. Also, you’re female. That will only incite more excitement and support because there aren’t that many women who can get in a car they’ve never driven and do what you did.”
My mouth falls open, but I quickly shut it before I open it again. I’m sure I must look like
an imbecile, but I’m in shock.
“I’m taking your silence as a yes.” Colton grins before sliding over a stack of pages, which look like I’m about to sell my soul for the chance to race. But I’ll happily do it because the adrenalin and freedom I felt on that track was nothing short of euphoria.
“I’d love to. It’s a dream come true, and I’m still in shock that I’m even here.” He smiles at me, gentle and kind. My heart is beating wildly at the thought of being able to perhaps pursue this professionally. Nothing short of a wild dream.
“Then take this home, read through it, and also have your lawyer go through it. If there are any concerns, I’ll be happy to talk them out with you both. Your father was right. You have a natural talent, and I think he must’ve noticed your passion early on. I think it’s admirable you’ve found something you can do, and you enjoy doing at such a young age.”
“It’s the one thing he and I had in common. It brought us closer together because when I first got to their home, I felt alone. And in a way, I was. But he made sure I eased into a family I never thought I would have.”
Colton nods slowly. “I get that, more than most. And once you meet my wife, Rylee, she’ll tell you the same. Her work allowed her to meet many youths who didn’t get as lucky as you did, but they’re able to follow their dreams.”
I can’t help but smile. I read about Colton and his wife. Her work is something I’ve admired, and they’re most definitely one of those couples you could set your goals toward.
“So, make sure you’re here tomorrow, same time, and I’ll set you up with someone who can train you up, show you the ropes, and hopefully, get you on track.”
“I can’t thank you enough,” I tell Colton as I push to my feet. My chest is tight with emotion, and my eyes burn when he shakes my hand. With my contract, I head out into the parking lot. The old Beemer my dad left me is waiting, but I notice a black Rover parked in the lot near the entrance. And inside, the asshole from earlier.
