by Megan Faust
“I’ll take that as a personal compliment and not an insult directed.”
He forced a wry smile. “If only you’d met some of the women I dated who claimed to know something about racing.” He sighed. “You should have come and talked to me after the race."
"Sorry, my brothers were in a rush. I guess you drive a lot of races here in New York."
"I'm from Chicago and do most of my racing there but yeah, I race here a lot, too. I've gotten quite the reputation as a star, and a good-timing bad boy, so that's why I wanted to lie low last night. I didn't want to be swarmed by groupies."
"I'm not a groupie."
"I can see that. If I didn't know better, and I might not, I'd guess you were mad about something. Unless you have that bitchy resting face thing."
She stared at him, incredulous. "Do you even believe in that?"
"No. But I know a lot of girls who do. I never rule anything out."
"Well, rule that out."
"I guess that means you're upset then."
She nodded. "Oh, Trey, I don't know how to tell you this. I shouldn't be here."
His shoulders sagged. "You are brushing me off."
“NO! Gods no. Trey, I didn't think love at first date was possible but I don't think I'll ever find another guy as sweetly romantic as you. And you're a race car driver to boot, you don't understand just how important that is. It's just…."
"What? Chloe, if we're going to try to build a relationship then we have to trust each other."
“Like you trusted me enough to tell me your name sometime between kissing me and fucking me?”
The pain was plainly written across his face and it tore at her heart.
"I’m sorry, Trey. You’ve explained that and I do understand. I’m just confused and overwhelmed.”
“But you do want to be here?”
“Yeah, Trey, I do. We’ve got something, I don’t know how or why or even what exactly it is, but it feels good and it feels right and I want to find out more about it, and about you.”
“So trust me. I swear, whatever is bothering you, I’ll listen, without judging. I owe you at least that much.”
She took a deep breath and made a snap decision. “My last name is Bye. My eldest brother is Brant Bye. #75. I….he drove beside you in the trials today."
"Shit.” He ran his fingers through his hair in a motion that Chloe was finding familiar, reassuring, and adorable. “Your brother is Brant Bye. You know, that dude seriously hates me for some reason. And I’ve only met the guy once, and that was in the dining room this evening."
"Yeah, well he thinks he's got a pretty good reason.” Chloe muttered and took another deep breath. “He thinks you were behind his accident that first day."
"What? How could he think that?"
"You've got more than just a reputation as a star, Trey. You're the bad boy of racing. One-night stands with groupies, illegal street racing, wild parties…."
"What does that have to do with sabotage? And most of that is just rumour, I'll have you know."
"You haven't noticed that something always keeps the next up and coming racer off the track so you can win? Trey, there have been more bankruptcies and accidents right before one of your races than any other racer in many years, and always someone who could be a direct threat to your career."
Trey sat down hard on the bed. "Like your brother."
"Yes, like my brother. And if his placing first in the heat trials is any indication, he's at serious risk—if you're the one behind all this."
"What do you think?"
"What am I supposed to think!?” She paced to the door and he almost leapt up to stop her from leaving but she did a sharp one-eighty pivot on the ball of her foot and paced back. “I don't know what to think about any of this. I’ve known you for all of a day and I’m supposed to trust you over my brother? But it’s not my brother, really, it’s just rumour and hearsay. Just because Brant believes it doesn’t mean I have to. But there’s the fact that all those other racers really did run into problems and…"
"Chloe, forget rumour, forget your brother, do you think I did it?"
The question hung in the air for a long time and Chloe just stood staring at him feeling helpless and confused. Finally Trey got up and walked right up to Chloe. He didn’t touch her but the closeness of him was enough to melt her resolve and she began to tremble. “Tell me you didn’t do it, and I’ll believe you. I don’t know why, Trey, but I trust you.”
He laid a hand on her cheek, guiding her face upwards so he could look her in the eye. “Chloe, I have never tampered with another driver’s car. I did not touch your brother’s car.”
She nodded and swallowed hard. “All right, then it wasn’t you.”
He wrapped his arms around her and she sighed, relaxing instantly. “I guess this all explains why you had to slip away last night.”
“Yeah. My brother was pretty upset that I went AWOL yesterday. He was scared something had happened to me.”
“That sounds almost decent, nothing at all like the Brant I met tonight.”
“No, Seth was the one waiting up for me because Brant…” She swallowed hard.
“What about Brant?”
“Brant can be a real jerk, but I don’t like to talk bad about anybody so let’s just not talk about him at all.” She looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes and prayed that he’d buy her cover and drop the subject.
He smiled, suddenly all soft and romantic. “Not a problem. Do they know where you are tonight? Or will they be looking for you again?”
“I told them I was going to see a friend. I’m a big girl, that’s all they need to know.”
“Then I have you all to myself?” He ran his hands lightly down her sides.
“Yes, but only for a few hours.”
He started kissing her cheek and jaw but she squirmed away. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong, but it is my turn tonight.”
He cocked his head, looking adorable with the puzzled look on his face topped with slightly fluffy hair.
“I’m going to get to know every inch of you tonight, as soon as I’m finished in the bathroom. So go relax and I’ll be right there.”
Chapter Seven
Alone in the bathroom she splashed water on her face and stared hard at her reflection in the mirror. Very softly she said, “Get your act together, girl. Maybe he wasn’t behind the crash, but he’ll still get you kicked out of the race if he finds out the truth.” Taking a few deep breaths she fluffed her hair, fixed her skirt, and went back out into his room.
She wanted to be in control, she wanted to show him a cool, confident woman, but when she came out of the bathroom and found him without his shirt her heart leapt into her throat and all she could do was stare.
Breathe, she told herself. You’re in charge here, act like it.
“That’s not fair,” she said. He turned to face her and the chiseled abs and chest were even hotter than the muscled back. “You got to undress me last night.”
“Do you want me to put it back on?” he teased, his eyes twinkling.
“No need, I’ll just have to make do.”
His eye brows shot up. “Make do? Is that what you think of me?” The smile teased the corner of his lips.
“No, that’s what I think of your shirt. Now move it, Mr. Hot Shot Race Car Driver, into bed and no touching.”
He made a grab for her and caught her waist, making her yelp. “I don’t know if I can keep my hands off your perfect body. You look stunning in that dress, by the way.” He tried to wrap her in his arms tight against his chest but she pushed away.
“Flattery will get you nowhere. Into bed and if you touch before I tell you it’s okay I’ll find something to tie you to the bed with.”
“Ooh, I didn’t think you were into that sort of thing,” he teased. “Do you have a whip in your purse too?”
“I’m sure you’d love that. I thought the bad boy image was all rumour.”
“I said mostly rumour.” He settled on the bed. “Boyd paid my bail when I got picked up for street racing at eighteen and stuck me in a stock car.”
“Sounds dangerous,” she said, crawling into bed after him.
“The bookies and gangs and rival drivers were a lot scarier than the actual driving. I mean street racing isn’t that different from oval track—you just have more obstacles and fewer rules. Out on the street you actually had to be careful that a rival driver didn’t mess up your car.”
“I wouldn’t mention that to my brother or he’ll never believe you didn’t sabotage him.”
“You know, your brother Brant sounds like a real piece of work.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” she muttered. Then she kissed him once to shut him up and again because it felt good. “Lay back so I can explore.”
I can’t argue with that.” His smile was lazy and just a touch cocky and she kissed him because she loved that grin so much already.
He settled back against the plain wooden head board as she kissed his stubble roughened cheek and chin and rubbed her nose against it, enjoying the sensation on her soft skin. She kissed the side of his neck and the hollow of his throat beneath his Adam’s apple then along the ridge of his collar bone. She nipped at his shoulder and straddled him, tracing her fingers down the muscle lines of his chest.
He loved the way her fingers felt soft and rough at the same time as they wandered across his skin, and the line of black along the edges of her nails that meant she was often roped into helping with her brother’s car. But Brant Bye was the last thing Trey wanted to be thinking about so he returned his full attention to the brunette angel on his lap.
She flicked her tongue over his nipple, her feelings in a jumble. Curiosity wanted to explore his body, passion and desire were demanding she rush in and simply enjoy the carnal pleasures he offered, and intimacy wanted to slow down and make something romantic and meaningful out of the whole beautiful, wondrous experience. Doubt, however, had been silenced the second she had seen him without his shirt. Whatever else was going on in her life could wait, she could question and analyze and poke holes later. For now being in his bed, in his arms, was all she needed.
To buy herself a moment she shrugged out of her top, tossing it to the floor and helping him out of his jeans.
He groaned. “You’re killing me. Why can’t I touch? I want to feel your skin.”
She shook her head and shot him a wicked grin. She cupped her breasts in her hands and tossed her head back as she touched and caressed herself.
“Stop, please. Oh, god Chloe, that’s so fucking hot.” He reached out to touch her but she caught his hand and brought it to her mouth. He watched as she took the tip of his finger in her mouth, sucked lightly, and drew it out with agonizing slowness. She repeated the motion on his other three fingers before turning to his thumb. This time she took his whole thumb in her mouth, swirling her tongue around it before drawing it slowly out of her mouth.
“And that’s for teasing me yesterday,” she said.
“You win,” he said, breathing hard. “Anything you want, I swear it.”
“I like the sound of that.” She raked her finger nails lightly down his chest leaving faint pink lines. Her fingers closed around his cock and his eyes fluttered shut. He leaned his head back in surrender to whatever pleasure she chose to give him.
Taking advantage of his closed eyes she slipped from his lap and struggled out of her skirt and panties while her one hand massaged his cock. There was no sexy way out of a skirt once you were straddling a guy and she was relieved he hadn’t seen her hook her panties on the heel of her shoe in her rush to get the one off without removing the other. Her bra was much easier and when she straddled him again she was naked except for a pair of navy high heels.
He felt her bare ass settle on his lap and his eyes snapped open, taking in smooth tanned skin with no lace to interrupt the curves. He shuddered. “God, you’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“I could say the same about you.” She smiled and ran her free hand flat palmed over his chest.
She raised herself up and their eyes locked. Staring into each other’s eyes a subtle, unspoken challenge arose and she lowered herself slowly onto him and watched desire play across his feature turning a softly handsome face into something primitive and purely sexual. She couldn’t decide which was more attractive. She kissed him hard and took him all the way inside.
She broke off the kiss too soon for his liking and quickly made it up to him. She stretched, tangling her hands in her hair, and arching her back. She rode him with reckless abandon, her body an exotic and erotic show and as much as he wanted to touch her, steady her, encourage her, he kept his hands by his side and let her pleasure them both.
When he couldn’t stand it any longer he whispered, “Please. Please, Chloe let me touch you. Please, you’re torturing me.”
She opened her eyes and he expected to see mischief in them. Instead there was pure, nameless emotion, raw, unfiltered, and all he could do was stare into the depths of her eyes until he came to the earth shattering realization that she loved him. More than her brothers, more than rumours, more than secrets, more than suspicions, she loved him. And he knew in that instant that he loved her just as much. No racing rivalry, no sabotage, and no over-protective brothers would keep him away from Chloe. Anything she asked he would do, without question, and he knew, somehow, that if he asked, really asked, for anything she would give it without hesitation.
As emotions and promises passed unspoken between them she whispered, “Touch me.”
They moved slowly at first, every touch of his hands or rocking of her hips softened by the intensity of what they had shared. With her hands braced against his chest and his hands caressing her breasts and thighs she rode him, unable to look away from his face.
Emotional intensity soon became physical intensity and she bowed her head as passion and pleasure built inside her. With every thrust and every caress she felt herself drawing closer and closer to her sweet release.
As beautiful as she was and as much as he loved her he couldn’t keep the mischievous thoughts from his mind. With a wicked smile he placed his hands on her breasts, subtly bracing him, and then he bucked his hips, driving himself deep inside her and throwing her off balance.
She squeaked and her eyes snapped open. She glared at him and he just smirked back at her. “Yes?”
“I was getting close and you threw me off.”
Honest to the point of being blunt. He loved it. “I’m sorry. By all means, continue.”
It didn’t take long for Chloe to rekindle the heat in the pit of her stomach and she moaned in eager anticipation, her hands going to her throat as her chin tipped up and…
She fell forward, her hands dropping to his chest, a ragged gasp escaping her throat. Glaring was an understatement and the wide-eyed innocent look on his face when she knew that he knew full well what he’d done only aggravated her further.
“Is something wrong?” he asked, a little too sweetly.
She growled, grabbed a pillow, and slammed it down on his face. He knocked it away, spluttering in surprise. “You know exactly what’s wrong!”
“Let me help.” Without waiting for an answer he flipped her over, her yelp of surprise making his body burn with feral desire, and started pumping in and out of her, his self-control frayed to the point of snapping completely.
She started to protest, she even started to push away, but then she muttered, “Oh god, yes,” and surrendered to him. Her climax, which she had been denied twice already, built quickly and before he could even think of pausing to draw her pleasure out even longer she hit the peak and tumbled down. The intensity of her release made her back arch and she grabbed fistfuls of sheet, twisting them as she withed beneath him. His every thrust strengthened her climax, keeping her in that place of intensity until she couldn’t breathe and she struggled to escape him.
He bent over
her, trapping, and said, “Not yet. I’m not done yet.”
When she finally managed to draw in a ragged breath she whimpered, “Enough, please.”
He wouldn’t stop. She felt too good, she was just too gorgeous, all mussed and desperate, and he was too far gone to even care. Her back arched as another wave rolled over her and still he continued. Finally, when she started slowing down and her breathing was coming in desperate ragged gasps instead of not at all, he reached his climax and collapsed on the bed beside her.
“Evil,” she muttered, still panting.
“You looked like you enjoyed yourself,” he muttered back.
“Did you ever hear of too much of a good thing?”
“Shush. You loved every minute of it.”
She could tell he was already drifting off to sleep. “I can’t stay the night,” she whispered.
“I know. I love you anyway.”
“Do you really?”
“What?”
“Love me?”
“Of course. Foolish woman.”
She smiled at him, watching him drift off into sleep, and then dressed and returned to her own room.
Chapter Eight
Seth, Chloe, and Rueben went down to the garage the next morning, no one saying a word about the extra-large coffee Chloe was toting along with her, or the sun glasses she was wearing to hide the bags under her eyes.
Who knew having a steady relationship would be so exhausting? she thought as she took another sip of the piping hot, caffeinated beverage.
Seth was doing a visual inspection of the car, looking for signs that someone else had been in there tampering with it. Finally he said, “Well, it looks okay, but I won’t know for sure until I get under the hood. I’ll give her a tune up while I’m under there, and then we’ll be ready for those practice laps Brant demanded.”
Rueben was about to answer when his cellphone rang and he wandered off across the shop to answer it. Chloe shook her head, grateful she wasn’t Brant’s business manager. She’d never be able to deal with all the big shot sponsors or the super-strict racing officials, or idiotic airline staff who always seemed to answer the phone when they were in a rush. She looked back at Seth who was still rooting through his tool box.
