Undeniable Rush

by S. C. Stephens

  I gave him a sweet, but professional smile. “Well, I appreciate it, thank you.”

  Dex glanced at our fingers again, and I felt Hayden’s hand grip mine tighter. Knowing he was a few seconds away from smacking the longing look off Dex’s face, I said, “See you Monday. Call if there’s any problems.”

  That was when Hayden finally did interject. “What she meant was, don’t call if there are any problems. Fix them yourselves.”

  “Hayden,” I said, glancing up at him.

  He shrugged and smiled, and I rolled my eyes. “Call me if there are any problems,” I repeated, while Hayden subtly shook his head, telling them no again. I let it go so we could walk away and get out of there.

  Twenty minutes later, Hayden and I were following the coastline north. The ride along the water was beautiful and relaxing, even with Hayden and I playfully jockeying for position, passing each other over and over again until we finally reached our destination. The B&B Hayden had found was tucked away in an adorable, picture-perfect coastal town. Our room overlooked a marina, filled to the brim with sailboats and small yachts. The tranquil water was the same peaceful shade of blue as the sky, and I felt all my tension melt away as I stared out over the softly rippling waves.

  “What do you think?” Hayden asked. Coming up behind me, he wrapped his arms around my waist.

  “I think…it’s absolutely perfect.” I twisted in his arms to face him. “Just what we needed.”

  He grinned, then nodded over to a corner of the room. “Did you notice the jacuzzi?”

  My grin matched his as I nodded. “Yeah. That’s the sole reason you booked this room, isn’t it?”

  A playful smile on his face, he shrugged. “Maybe.” Stepping away from me, he said, “I’m going to fill it up. You start stripping.”

  Feeling like I was going to be spending most of this weekend naked, I laughed as I moved over to the bed. Sitting down, I started undoing my boots while Hayden messed with the water. “Should we get some wine?” I asked. That would be the perfect way to start my mini-vacation.

  “Taken care of.” Hayden pointed over to the nightstand, where a bottle was resting in a bucket of ice.

  “Perfect.” Kicking off my boots, I slipped off my jacket.

  Leaving the water running, Hayden walked over to me and extended a hand. I took it, and he helped me to my feet. Pulling me in for a hug, he gave me a soft kiss. “I love you. So much.”

  “I love you too,” I murmured under his lips.

  He helped me undress, then I helped him. Once we were bare, he grabbed the bottle of wine, I grabbed a couple of glasses, and we made our way to the tub. I carefully stepped inside, then sank into the water with a relieved groan. Hayden raised an eyebrow as he did the same. “I should be the one making that noise come out of you,” he said, a smirk on his face.

  “You booked the room, so in a way…you did,” I answered, a satisfied grin on my face.

  Shaking his head, he said, “Later on, you’ll be making that noise because of me, and only me.”

  Even while I let out a soft laugh, my body tingled with awareness. I was already looking forward to it. But for right now, I was just going to enjoy doing nothing except relaxing and drinking. Taking a sip of wine, I told Hayden, “Thank you for this. My dad thinks it’s a horrible time to get away, but… I think I needed it.”

  “I know you needed it. And you’re welcome,” he answered with a smile.

  Hayden turned on the tub’s jets. I giggled as the soft air exploded against my back, then relaxed into the massage. Hayden watched me for a moment, his expression thoughtful. “What?” I finally asked him.

  He looked down before responding. “After the race at Barber, I overheard what Dex said to you…and what you said back to him.” I scrunched my brows, trying to remember the conversation, but I couldn’t. Hayden continued, “Dex commented that you’re different when you race, lighter, less stressed. And he’s right…you glow when you ride. Everything about you changes…you’re free.”

  I sighed, then looked down at the water bubbling around us. “Yeah… I wish that was all I had to worry about. I wish the business stuff was…” I sighed, not able to finish my wish.

  Hayden grabbed my hand under the water, concern on his face. “What if it could be?”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  He pressed his lips together, like he was trying to think of just the right way to tell me his idea. “Just…your dad ran the company for years. Why don’t you let him…handle all the stuff you don’t want to touch?”

  Wishing I could, I shook my head. “Because he’s a control freak, and he can’t run the business without running me as well. Besides, he ran it into the ground, remember?”

  Hayden nodded, but he still had a strange look on his face, like he thought I should reconsider my thought on the matter. It was a pretty remarkable change of heart, considering how Hayden felt about my father. But that was how strongly he wanted me to love my job again—love every part of it again.

  I forced it from my mind for the rest of the weekend, and just enjoyed the free time with Hayden. It was bliss. Pure, perfect bliss. I never wanted it to end, but of course, it had to, and eventually it was Sunday morning, and we were packing up to head home. I didn’t feel sad about it though. We were getting Hayden’s stuff today, officially moving in together. It made leaving our love nest a little easier, knowing we were taking a huge step forward in the process.

  “I’m going to miss this place,” Hayden said, zipping up his bag. His eyes flashed to the tub and the bed, the two places where we’d spent the most time.

  “Me too,” I told him. “We’ll just have to make sure we come back.”

  “Maybe for our honeymoon?” he suggested, eyes fixed on his bag.

  My heart thudded in my chest as I stared at him. He was asking me to marry him…well, he was probing the marriage waters anyway, seeing how I felt about it. Sucking my lip into my mouth, I bit down, hard. I wanted to say yes, toss my arms around his neck, and ask him to take me to the courthouse today. But, honestly, we weren’t there yet. But we would be one day.

  Smiling, I told him, “No.”

  His eyes snapped to mine. Smile widening, I explained. “We’re going somewhere tropical for our honeymoon.”

  His expression relaxed as he realized I wasn’t saying no to marrying him. I was most definitely saying yes. “I can do tropical.”

  “Well, first things first. Let’s get you moved in to my place.”

  I’d never seen such joy in his eyes as he nodded. Grabbing his bag, he slung it over his shoulder, then held out his hand for me. I was just about to grab it when my cell phone started ringing. Hayden pursed his lips, silently telling me to ignore it. “It could be important,” I told him.

  “They’ve managed all weekend without you. I hate to admit when I’m wrong, but Dex is actually pretty good help.” Telling me that made him look sick to his stomach.

  With a laugh, I dug my phone from my bag. “See, I told you he…” My voice trailed off as I saw who it was—Richard. I wanted to ignore it, I really did, but instead, I connected the call. “Hello, Richard.”

  “Mackenzie, hello. I hope I’m not bothering you.”

  My eyes flashed to the rumpled sheets. If only he’d called earlier, then I would have legitimately been able to avoid the call. “No, not at all. How can I help you?”

  “Yes, well… Burger Barn has come to me with a…request for the next race.”

  My chest instantly filled with ice. “What kind of a request?”

  “Well, first off, they’re very impressed with you, and love their partnership with Cox Racing. But…what they’d really love to see, is you being Cox Racing’s top rider. Apparently, whenever you place in the top three, sales are through the roof. After doing the ad for Ashley’s, you’re very…recognizable.”

  I furrowed my brows, confused. “Okay…well, tell them that’s my goal at every race. First is always where I want to land, but it’s
a very competitive sport with some extremely talented racers. I can’t guarantee them a win.” Hayden looked at me with a questioning expression. I wanted to tell him something, but I wasn’t sure what was going on yet.

  “Ah, yes,” Richard said. “They understand that. But they also understand that Cox Racing is a team, and maybe your team could…help make that happen.”

  My heart surged and my body tensed, like a coiled spring. “Help make that happen? What is that supposed to mean?”

  “It means,” he slowly said, “that as a team, your employees should know and understand that sometimes the best way they can help is…by not being the best. Their main focus should be on helping you succeed.”

  My jaw dropped, and heat flamed my cheeks. “I hope I’m misunderstanding you, because it sounds to me like you’re asking my riders to purposely let me pass them.” Hayden mouthed the word ‘what?’ but I lifted a finger, asking him to wait.

  “Is that such a horrible request?” Richard said. “You are the owner. Shouldn’t they automatically let you beat them?”

  I could hardly believe what I was hearing. “Absolutely not. That’s not how this works, and you can tell Burger Barn to go—” My mouth clamped shut, cutting off my vulgar response. “You can politely tell them that I will never ask my riders to concede their position to me. The race plays out as it plays out, and I hope they can understand and accept that.”

  “I see. Well, I have to warn you, they’ll be very disappointed to hear you say that.”

  “I don’t care. I’m not playing that game.”

  “Understood. Enjoy the rest of your day, Mackenzie. I’m sorry to have wasted your time.”

  The phone disconnected before I had a chance to respond, and my heart was racing when I looked up at Hayden’s confused face. “What happened, Kenzie?”

  Shaking my head, I told him, “I’m not sure…but I think I just lost us our biggest sponsor. I fell onto the bed, feeling utterly defeated. So much for my stress-relieving mini-vacation.

  ***

  CHAPTER 17

  With heavy hearts, we set up at Monterey. We’d received word from Burger Barn a few days ago—they were out at the end of the year. The rejection was a surprisingly emotional blow. My head told me it was just business; my heart screamed in pain. But what they’d wanted me to do…it wasn’t the way I operated. Me, or my team. We were better when we pushed each other to succeed when we competed. And we were all itching for a win now.

  “We’re going out tonight, right? Because everyone on this team looks like they could use a good time. Even John and your dad.”

  Smiling over at Nikki, I nodded. “Definitely.” And then, just because I was so relieved to have her here, I hugged her.

  She laughed as she hugged me back. “I leave Cox Racing for a couple of events, and everybody emotionally falls apart. I know you guys love me, but sheesh…get a grip on yourselves.”

  Laughing, I swiped under my eyes. Damn. She might have a point. I looked around the garage, seeing if we were ready to head out. Everything seemed to be in its place, and everyone seemed…dour. Yes, we were ready for a good time. “Myles,” I called out. “Did you find a place for us to go?”

  He raised his hands, giving me a Come on, it’s me look. “Yep, just one question…how do you feel about bugs?”

  I instantly crinkled my nose. “If they’re on the menu, absolutely not.”

  Myles grinned. “They’re not.” He wouldn’t elaborate beyond that, though, which wasn’t a good sign. But I was too happy to see him excited and relaxed to really care. He was like his old self again.

  Dad and John decided to go to the hotel, but the rest of us headed out with Myles. When we got to the bar, and I saw what he meant about bugs, I started belly-laughing. “Cockroach racing, Myles? Seriously?”

  Nikki clapped her hands as she jumped up and down. “Oh my God, you can bet on them!” Huge smile on her face, she grabbed Myles’s hand and started pulling him to that corner of the bar. “Let’s go bet on the green one.” Myles grinned ear-to-ear as he followed her.

  Hayden smiled down at me. “Want to place a bet?”

  “On bugs? No, I think I’d rather drink…maybe dance.”

  I wriggled my eyebrows at him, and he grinned in response. “That sounds like a great plan.”

  Eli and Ralph joined Nikki and Myles, while Kevin and Dex joined Hayden and me. As our group laughed and sipped on drinks, I could see the tension in my team dissolving. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, not worrying about things they shouldn’t be worrying about anyway. It was my job to worry, not theirs.

  Eventually, the gamblers of the group returned to us, and our expanded group made our way to the dancefloor. As Hayden and I danced close together, I saw Dex, laughing with Kevin. Dex’s eyes instantly flicked to me, like he could feel me watching him. Not wanting to give him the wrong idea, I quickly shifted my gaze to Nikki and Myles.

  They were slow dancing to the fast beat, just like Hayden and me, and Nikki seemed lost in the moment as she threaded her fingers through Myles’s hair. I knew, just by looking at them, that they were going to wind up in bed again. And if Nikki stuck to her usual pattern, she’d go back to ignoring Myles in the morning…and he’d be a wreck on the track tomorrow. I needed to get them to stop this cycle, or both of them were going to implode from the strain.

  Leaning up, I said in Hayden’s ear, “I’ll be right back.”

  I started to pull away from him, but he kept his arms around me. Glancing at Nikki and Myles, he said, “What are you going to do?”

  “Something I should have done a while ago.”

  He grinned, then took my hand, and we walked over to them together. Nikki saw us coming, and instantly took a step back from Myles. Too late, Nik. I already saw. And it’s time you did too.

  Myles looked confused and disappointed by Nikki’s retreat. Then he spotted Hayden and me. “Hey guys…are you leaving or something?”

  Shaking my head, I crossed my arms over my chest. “No, I’m not leaving until you two stop this.”

  Nikki’s lips pressed into a firm line. She was mad. Myles just seemed even more confused. “Stop what? We’re not…doing anything.” I could hear the sadness in his voice, perfectly evident even through the noise and music.

  My eyes turned to meet Nikki’s. “Yes, you were. You were falling in love and torturing yourselves by not acting on it.”

  Myles said nothing. Nikki did. “Stop it, Kenzie. That’s not what’s going on here, and you know it. We’re just friends.” Her words were laced with anger, but her eyes…they were brimming with terror.

  I put a hand on Nikki’s arm, trying to quell her temper and fear. “Nik, I saw the look in your eyes…that wasn’t friendship. You were five seconds from hopping into his bed again…because you love him.”

  “You’re ridiculous,” she said, shaking her head. She started to leave, but Myles grabbed her hand. Hayden shifted his weight, like he now felt really weird about being here. I sympathized, but Nikki needed a firm hand right now. No more walking away.

  “Nik? Is that true? Were you gonna sleep with me again? And ditch me again?” Myles asked, his expression turning angry.

  “Of course not, Myles. I wasn’t going to sleep with you. We’re friends, we don’t do that.” Her eyes were shimmering now, confusion clear on her face.

  Something flashed in Myles’s eyes. Determination and resolve. He was done with this. “Right,” he murmured, then he grabbed her neck, and yanked her mouth to his. She resisted him for all of three seconds, then she melted. Then it was like someone had poured pheromones over the two of them, and as they voraciously made out, I started to worry that they were going to have sex—right here.

  Hayden quietly laughed as he watched them cave into their long pent-up passion. My cheeks felt on fire as I took in the searching hands and probing tongues. I tried shoving them apart, but it was like trying to tear apart giant magnets—they just didn’t want to separate. When they finally
did, they were both panting, fire in their eyes.

  Holding them apart, my gaze shifted from one to the other. “Myles, are you in love with Nikki?”

  His response was instant. “Yes. She’s everything to me.”

  I turned to Nikki, her eyes met mine, and they instantly turned pleading. Sorry, Nik. You’re not getting out of this. “Nikki…are you in love with Myles?”

  She clamped her lips shut, and they started quivering as her eyes watered. “No lies, Nik,” I said with a sigh. “No half-truths. No avoiding it. Just tell him what’s in your heart. Because…in case you’re unaware of this…it’s written all over your face.”

  Her gaze shifted to Hayden, and he nodded at her, a half-smile on his face. “Sometimes it’s easier if you close your eyes,” he said with a wink.

  Nikki rolled her eyes, but then she did what he suggested. Closing her lids, she faced Myles. “Yes,” she whispered. “I’m in love with Myles.”

  My heart surged in my chest, but it was nothing compared to the look on Myles’s face. He leaned in to kiss her again, but I held him back with a hand to his chest. To Nikki, I said, “As more than a friend, right? You love him as more than a friend?” She’d escaped that way once… I wasn’t letting her do it again.

  She peeked an eye open to glare at me, then tightly closed it again. “Yes, I love him as more than a friend. A lot more…” Her eyes slowly opened as she faced him. “I love you so much…and that terrifies me.”

  Myles’s smile grew as he stared at her with wet eyes. “It terrifies me too. But not as much as you telling me we can only be friends. I don’t want to be just your friend anymore. I want to love you, I want to raise our daughter with you, I want to grow old with you. And I really want to make love to you…like all the time.”

  Nikki laughed, then wiped some stray tears off her cheeks. “But what if it doesn’t work out? What if we don’t work out?”