by Dani René
My gaze locks on the road, and I make a promise not to look at her again because if I do, I’m pulling this goddamned car over and making sure she knows just how equal I think she is. I grew up with a father who taught me that women are meant to be respected, cared for as if they were precious. Over the years, I veered away from those beliefs when I saw what my mother was like. I never understood how he loved her even while she treated him like trash.
When I first met Haelee, when she beat me on that lap around the track, I was shocked. Seeing Haelee in that driver’s seat had me at a loss, not only because she kicked my ass, but because my previous competitors were guys. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t belong. She does. More than some of the other racers I’ve come across.
“There are so many people who grow up with certain expectations and beliefs which are ingrained in them. My father was one of those people. He loved everyone. He treated everyone as if they were equal, which is one of the values I’d become jaded about over the years. Even though he grew up in a time when women didn’t have jobs, and they most definitely didn’t have any hobbies outside of cleaning the house or cooking dinner. Even looking after the children was done by the nanny.”
“But you have to realize, since then, times have changed.”
“I don’t disagree,” I tell her, admitting defeat because I realize since that moment when I saw red, when I acted like a complete moron, I never apologized to her. “And I was wrong. I’d just never lost before, especially to a female. Never watched a woman speed by me, and I couldn’t catch up to her. Yes, I was a condescending asshole, and I own it.”
A small smile splits those perfectly pouty lips, and I notice the white of her teeth peeking through. She looks like danger and speed, all wrapped up in a pretty package. I’ve spent my years focused on cars, on racing, but the personal part of my life has been stuck in a constant state of traction. I haven’t moved forward in any way because the fear of losing someone I care about is so strong it scares the life out of me.
“That’s all I wanted,” she tells me.
“What?” This time, I’m confused at her words.
As I quickly glance at her a few times, she finally tells me, “You admitting you were wrong.” As much as I want to kiss her, I also want to make her happy. It’s a strange feeling when someone else’s happiness comes before yours.
“I’m a man who will openly admit his mistakes,” I tell her as we weave through bends that offer majestic views of the ocean. I’ve come here so many times over the years because it’s outside the city, far from the hustle and bustle, and it allowed me time to think about things.
I may have made mistakes in the past, but I always tried to be a good person. Yes, I’ve broken hearts, more than I care to count, but all in all, I’ve never hurt someone so badly they haven’t moved on. Curtis can attest to that because most of my exes have ended up in his bed.
“I’m not experienced,” Haelee blurts out suddenly, causing me to still all movement. “I’ve always been so focused on school, on not turning into my birth mother, that I never had a boyfriend. And at times, I feel like I don’t belong in this adult world.” The inflection in her voice makes my chest tighten. I want to reach for her, but I wait until she looks at me, or until she continues her admission. “I’ve always been different. Growing up without my birth parents, knowing what my mother was, was hard. But also, I’m not exactly like the gorgeous girls that are usually around races. But my father was adamant. He wanted me to experience life like every other teenager. And I did. For a time.”
“I think you’re too hard on yourself,” I tell her. “You’re innocent, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but you’re also gorgeous.” The raw honesty in my voice has her flicking her face over me. My attention and focus is on the road, but it’s as if I can feel her, as if she’s touching me. Gently, tentatively, and I can’t deny there’s a pull toward her. I feel it right now, and I felt it last night when I took her out of that bar.
“I’m just me,” is her response. It aggravates me because I know how attractive she is, and I’m almost certain that if I left her in that bar, she would’ve been hounded by men all night.
“You’re not ‘just you’, and that’s what makes you so much more alluring.” When we finally reach our destination, I notice Curtis’s Jeep parked in the spot right at the entrance. I asked him if I could come out here and enjoy the day with her. The moment I called him last night, he knew. And when I told him my plans, he was up for it.
He’s been single all his life, never had one serious relationship, just like me. That’s probably why we bonded so much. We had the same outlook on life. Racing was it, and it’s all we could do to not focus on the fact that something was missing.
It was only until I had finally admitted I was attracted to Haelee, not just her body, but those intelligent, yet sassy remarks she comes up with. But I love learning about her. Knowing who she is makes her even more intriguing and has me asking more questions than I ever thought I would.
“Is this … is this a racetrack?” she finally asks when I kill the engine, and we’re sitting in silence. The awe in her tone makes me smile. It’s moments like these that make my chest tighten because I’m showing her something for the first time. Yeah, she’s seen the professionally made tracks, but this is something else.
The barriers are all made of heavy sand. The cars have been modified within an inch of their lives. Think Fast and the Furious on speed. Excuse the pun.
“Yeah, my friend Curtis set this up a few years ago. It’s a place to unwind. Even though I’m now racing for Colton, I come here just to have fun. It’s safe, and the cars are breathtaking.”
The door to the office opens, and Curtis saunters out with a pretty brunette on his arm. I recognize her immediately as one of the pit girls from a race we had a few months ago. She’s been around Curtis on and off since, but I have a feeling my friend has been holding out on me.
Haelee and I exit my car and head over to the other couple. “Hey, man.” I shake Curtis’s hand before turning to the brunette. I can’t remember her name, so I offer a smile. “Hi.”
“Hey, you’re … You’re Kayden Mercer?”
“I am, and this is Haelee Pearson,” I tell them, watching my girl interact with someone I’m almost certain she’s nervous to talk to.
“Hi,” is all she says, but she stands firm, her shoulders squared. And once again, my chest tightens with the reminder that this girl is turning my life on its fucking head. The fact that I even thought of her as my girl is not lost on me.
“So, you’re the beauty from the bar,” Curtis says in an amused tone. “It’s nice to finally meet you. My man here didn’t want to introduce me. You know, he’s quite possessive.”
“Shut up, asshole,” I bite out, annoyed at his taunts. “Can we get inside and put some cars to the test?”
“Yeah, sure. We’re heading out to grab coffee and snacks. Be back in a few. Don’t do anything we wouldn’t do,” he warns with a cocky wink before disappearing into the Mustang waiting for him. Asshole. Sometimes, I wonder how we’re even friends.
“She seems nice,” Haelee remarks. “Your friend is funny.” I turn to her, meeting those pretty, cocoa eyes.
“My friend is an asshole,” I inform her coolly, causing her to laugh. “And yeah, that’s one of our pit girls. I can’t remember her name.” I reach for her hand, praying she doesn’t pull away, but she doesn’t, and I can breathe a sigh of relief. I lead her through the doors, and we make our way straight for the garage.
Inside, there are five cars, and the moment Haelee’s eyes spot them, she’s practically squealing. Most girls would be freaking out over a pair of shoes or an expensive designer dress, but her, she’s in love with cars.
She couldn’t be more perfect for me. But the problem is, I know at some point, I’m going to fuck this up and break her heart. And that’s what scares me the most.
I’m proud of her so far. My chest swells with knowin
g that she’s going to make it in this industry. She has tenacity I never had at her age.
I lean against the wall, my arms crossed over my chest as I watch her inspect each and every car. I have to admit they’re dick-hardening. I’ve always loved cars, but Curtis has gone out of his way to ensure he chose the best five for us today.
He may be an asshole, but I have to thank him for impressing my girl.
13
Haelee
I’m in love.
Every vehicle in this garage is pure bliss. The smooth finishes, the bright colors, even the shiny wheels. Every single inch of them is perfect. I’ve spent my life around things like this, but it never fails to excite me when I find another car I like. And this time is no different.
I can feel his eyes watching me. He’s assessing my reaction, and even though I would usually be shy to speak my mind in front of someone I’m just getting to know, put me in a garage, and I feel like I’m home.
I’d love to see what’s under the hood of each car, but we came here to race, and my blood is already speeding through my veins with anticipation. When I finally tear my gaze away from the cars, I glance up to find Kayden grinning.
He’s so sexy.
And in this moment, just like many others over the past couple of days, I find myself questioning just why he chose me. The insecurities I’ve lived with most of my life rarely come to light when I’m behind the steering wheel because that’s when I know what I’m doing. But with Kayden, I’m clueless.
“You did well,” I tell him.
He slowly pushes off the wall and saunters toward me with the swagger of a confident alpha male. I take in his clothes, which I didn’t really notice earlier when he was talking to Mom. His jeans hug his thick, muscled thighs, and the deep blue T-shirt he’s wearing seems to be bursting at the seams with his broad shoulders and strong arms. His torso tapers as it reaches the waistband of his jeans, and I’m almost certain if I were to lift the material, I’d discover defined obliques.
Kayden stops inches from me, his eyes practically glowing in the shadows. The corner of his mouth perfects itself into a smirk. “Did I impress you, speedy?”
I ponder for a second, and instead of saying yes, I respond, “We’ll have to see. It’s all good and well showing me these beauties, but it depends if you can drive them.” The taunt earns me a harsh swat on my ass, causing me to yelp, “Ouch!”
“That sassy mouth of yours will get you into trouble.” His warning has my stomach fluttering with nervous energy, and I can’t stop myself from squirming at the thought of him doing that again.
“Is that an empty threat or a promise?” Once more, I poke the bear with my question, and Kayden’s sinful grin has my body pulsing in places I haven’t had anyone touch me before.
“Choose a car, we’ll race, and when we’re done, I’m going to make you regret being a naughty little minx.” He gestures to the cars with his chin, his eyes sparkling with mischief and promise, and I’m even more turned on than I was from the spank on my butt.
I turn around, taking in each car. I’ve looked at them, touched them gently, but the one which piques my interest is the bright pink one. There are slashes of silver along the doors which look like lightning, and I can’t deny it’s my favorite.
The Audi R8 has been one of my favorite cars to look at. I’ve never been inside one, but I know I can win with it. My gut tells me to go for it, so I do. “This one.” I’ve never seen it in this color before. I can’t deny, the hot pink is quite alluring.
He arches a brow in question. “You sure you can handle that one, speedy?” I know he’s only asking to taunt me, but still, it irks me in a way that doesn’t bring about anger like it did our first training day. This time, it makes me want to prove him the fuck wrong.
“Get the keys, and you’ll find out.”
Kayden heads to the wall where a pinboard with various keys hang, waiting for someone to use them. He grabs two sets and hands me one. Just feeling the metal in my hands makes me less anxious, and I enjoy the moment.
“Two laps around. Loser buys lunch,” Kayden teases with another playful wink, and I can’t stop my heart from thrumming against my ribs with the excitement of this crush that seems to be reciprocated.
“I can do that,” I assert confidently. “I hope you have a thick wallet because I’m starving.” My flirting earns me a loud chuckle.
“Oh, speedy, it’s not only my wallet that’s thick,” Kayden taunts, causing my cheeks to heat.
“Ugh, you’re insufferable.” I spin on my heel, making my way to my ride for the morning. The moment I slip into the driver’s seat, my nerves ease, and I bask in the smooth leather along with the pine scent of the freshener plugged into the cooling system.
Kayden slips into the sleek, black BMW Z4 that looks like it needs to be up on a pedestal with people admiring it from afar. It’s absolutely breathtaking, and when he turns the key, the engine purrs with a low rumble, which makes my stomach tumble. I can imagine sitting in that beside him, watching him maneuver the vehicle around the track, his fingers gripping the gearstick, his feet working the clutch and the accelerator, and his strong hand holding the steering wheel.
“You ready?” His voice comes across from his open window, slamming me out of the fantasy and desire that took hold.
“Yeah, bring it,” I taunt with a grin as I start my car of choice and pull out onto the tarred track. The smooth rumble of the engine is music to my ears. The clouds pull over, and the sky turns a deep gray. A storm is coming, and we will need to be careful if the track gets wet. I’m thankful Dad showed me how to handle wet roads. A pang of agony hits me right in the chest, and I close my eyes for a short moment, asking him to be with me before I glance over to find Kayden beside me.
He tips his head, and soon enough, we’re pulling away from the starting line. My adrenalin kicks in the moment the needle hits sixty. When it moves past, heading up for one hundred, my heart is racing, and my hands grip the wheel tight.
My legs move, my fingers shifting until I’m in the right gear. We’re flying around the gravel like we were born for it. My desire for Kayden is skyrocketing profoundly. I never expected to be dating a racer because I always thought they were out of my league, but his attention on me has been welcome.
I know I need to be careful, wary because boys like him— No, scrap that. Men like him are heartbreakers. Don’t fall in love. That’s all I have to watch out for. So, as I take the first corner, I glance in the rearview mirror and grin when I see Kayden hot on my ass.
Coming out of the bend, I hit the gas and head for the straight. This is the easy bit because the moment my foot presses down all the way, I’m flying faster than I ever have. As I come up to the next sharp bend, I gear down, slowing to what I deem is respectable to make it, and I do.
A scream of excitement leaves my lips as I pull into another straight, and I’m off like a shot. Kayden isn’t far behind me, and I have a feeling this is his tactic. I’ve only seen a few races online of his, and I notice how he likes to creep up on his opponent. With each turn after that, I keep my glance on the track, but I don’t stop watching my competition. I know I can beat him again, and I know when I do, he’s going to be pissed. And that only makes me want to do it even more.
With the first lap complete, my heart beating wildly like a drum against my ribs, and my hands shaking as we near the middle of the second lap, I wonder if this is something I can ever get used to.
Would I ever be good enough to race professionally? Yes, I’m training with Colton Donavan’s team, but it doesn’t mean I can win my races. I know I’m a good racer, but it’s all just for fun right now.
Kayden’s been doing this for years, and I hope one day I can be a name on the leaderboard. That’s all I ever wanted. I can see the finish line. I can feel the victory in my lungs, taste it on my tongue, but I notice Kayden speeding up. Smiling, I do the one thing I know I probably shouldn’t do, and I wonder if Kayden will spank me again
for doing it. It’s not something I would do in a professional race, but since we’re playing a little game, I do it anyway. I put my foot down all the way and make sure I take over both lanes.
He flashes his lights at me, causing me to giggle. Only when I’m inches from the finish line, do I move over, and we both seem to speed over the black and white stripes at the same time.
By the time we slow to a stop, and I’m out of the car, Kayden’s at my door leaning over me. His eyes glower, but it’s not with anger. Pure, feral desire burns in his eyes.
“Think you’re funny, speedy?” he whispers, low and demanding. His hands land on either side of my head on the top edge of the doorframe.
“I was doing what I needed to do to win,” I tell him easily. A small smile spreads on my lips when he leans in farther. He makes my heartrate kick up a notch, and it’s soon speeding in my chest, just like we were moments ago.
Kayden’s lips brush over my cheek, his warm breath fanning across my ear. “We’ll see about that, and I can’t wait to see what else you’ll do to win,” he murmurs. His words cause goosebumps to skitter over my skin.
I lean up on my tiptoes, so my lips are inches from his. The smoothness of his jaw is evidence he shaved this morning. My body heats at the thought of him being all scruffy with his mouth between my legs.
“I can handle anything you throw at me,” I whisper my challenge, and Kayden’s hands drop from the car and grip my hips tight. His hold is possessive, just like it was last night.
“You’re fuel to my fire, speedy,” he retorts before crashing his mouth on mine. The warmth of his lips consumes me while his tongue invades my mouth, darting along mine as he tastes and licks me.
My hands tangle around his neck, holding onto him. Kayden picks me up easily, pressing me against the window of the car, and I can feel his hardness at my core. My pussy throbs, pulsing with the need to be filled. I don’t know how he would feel inside me, but I want to find out.
