Things really started to roll, the team was cohesive and Aidan was working on a vision. Kelley and Chase shined at the Grand Prix Du Canada, Kelley came second to Red Bull adding to the teams growing points tally. Chase didn’t place in Canada but in Germany, he placed third, which was a huge boon and that put Cooper just ten points behind Mercedes, who was in the lead. Every race was vital from this point out. Mario took the Podium in Germany and Kelley took it in Japan. Red Bull took Italy and then we were on to Monaco.
I had waited to go to Monaco my entire life. To realize my father’s dream, our collective family dream. Ina tagged along with Robert and I begged Mom to come. She relented, meeting us there but making herself reservations at an adjoining hotel, saying she didn’t want to get in the way of team business. I was just happy that she had warmed and was willing to travel with us so I didn’t probe. The three of us spent the first night in the casino, dressed to the nines, a mother-daughter splurge she insisted upon, claiming Daddy would want it. We had a fancy dinner and then wandered the casino, mom and Ina were swapping stories and sharing memories. It was good to see them together, it was so good to see mom happy. At 1 am I left them at the Roulette table, a thousand dollars up and four martinis in.
When I arrived back at the room Kelley was waiting; sitting in relative darkness on the balcony with his back to me. I dropped my clutch and slipped off my shoes as a cloud of smoke swirled around his head. Cigar smoke. I could smell it and it brought back vivid memories; memories of my father’s study, of my grandad and of my childhood. I loved it, the smell was intoxicating and I was drawn to it. I watched him for a moment against the backdrop of the twinkling lights of Monte Carlo. His broad shoulders and strong back, the movement of his arm as he raised the cigar again, he was magic.
“Come see the city, Mack.”
“Did you boys have a nice night?” I asked as he pulled me to him, cigar in one hand, and my waist in the other.
“Business,” he said flatly. “Doesn’t matter where you do it, or how fancy you look. Business is still business and it is less than civilized when you are talking million dollar cars.”
He sent a ring of smoke over my shoulder then put the cigar down and used his other hand to bring goosebumps to the surface of my skin. “My night is looking up,” he said with a grin as he raked me over with his eyes, drinking in the gold sheath that slithered like liquid down the length of my body. He slipped his finger beneath the spaghetti strap that barely held the dress aloft and sneered. Mmmm, the sounds emanated from low in his throat. “This is what you wore tonight?” He asked with a slight edge in his voice as his finger slid under the other strap.
“Don’t you like it?”
“I love it,” he said, his liquid eyes fixed on me. “I’ll love it even more when it’s on the floor.” He tilted his head, his tongue slid along his bottom lip and electricity spread across my skin. He moved his fingers over my shoulders and let the straps fall. The dress rolled down my body like a fall of water and I stood, stunned. The warm summer air licked at my bare flesh, the lights of Monte Carlo illuminated my silhouette which I could see reflected back at me from our glass balcony door. Kelley filled his lungs and took a deep breath that came out like the pant of a bull and my inhibitions pooled between my legs, hot and wet.
***
Few things in this world could match the feeling of lying in Kelley’s arms, still sticky and sweaty, feeling his heart pound against my ear, listening to him talk. I ran my fingers across his bare chest listening as he talked about the race, about the circuit and the history.
“I have to do well tomorrow. The circuit is so tight if I don’t qualify we are fucked.” He ran his fingers down my spine and I shook at his gentle touch.
“You will do great,” I sighed.
“It’s going to take a combination of technical excellence, precision driving and balls to win. Are you even listening to me?” He asked with a chuckle, pulling me closer.
“78 laps, old city streets. Hairpin, slow corner,” I murmured, my lips against his belly wanting him to know I was in fact listening but I was far more interested in kissing his warm flesh. His chest shook with laughter and it quickly became my new favorite sound.
“What else does Ms. Love know about the circuit? Enlighten me.” He prompted. I looked up into his warm eyes and felt more settled than I had ever felt, like I was home. How quickly we had become familiar in a way I never knew possible. How quickly I let him strip me down and see all that I had hidden from so many others. I lay, pressed against him, our naked bodies tangled and bare and I had never felt safer in my life. He was my home. I smiled at that thought, that lovely, frightening thought and he caught me.
“What are you smiling about?” He asked pressing his lips to my temple.
“I know when you win tomorrow your name will go in the record books next to some of the greatest drivers in history and you will deserve to be there.” I crawled up his body and threw my leg over him, straddling him. I slid my hands into his and pressed them into the bed at the side of his head. I dipped low, took a hit off his scent and a taste of his neck before I sat up.
“I know you need to concentrate,” I said slowly rolling against him as his eyes grew wide. “I know the track is complicated and tight,” his hips curled and I rode it, back arching as he lifted me slowly from the bed like a wave. He had no intention of letting me finish my little lesson and I had not another word to say.
***
Kelley was on fire for the qualifying laps. He managed to make it through all 3 rounds at the top despite some fierce competition. Everybody came to win, and Mario came to beat Kelley.
In qualifying, it was Mario, Kelley, and Jensen at one another’s necks. They were within a fraction of a second from one another but Kelley took the pole. As they lined up for the race, he was cool as a cucumber, giving me a soft kiss in front of the crew before he climbed into the car and flipped his visor. It was a slow start with a collision in the very first turn but that seemed to clear the air.
Kelley’s driving was smooth and consistent and strong, every lap he pulled out just a hair more. Mario and Jensen were hot on his tail trading positions, one riding in the others slip. The only consolation there was knowing there was no way they would come together and work to take Kelley out. Mario was too stubborn and selfish and Jensen was just focused. He wouldn’t help Mario of it was going to hurt him.
In the 15th lap it started to softly rain, lending a sheen to the road and yet another obstacle to overcome for the drivers. Renault hit the barrier on the 18th lap leaving the track strewn with debris and the yellow flag went up as a warning. The rain didn’t last long, nor did the calm that it brought with it. As the clouds parted it seemed the drivers gained a second wind and the track was again alive with fierce competition.
The secondary driver for Ferrari was slowly gaining ground, coming from out of nowhere, he took out first the secondary Red Bull car then he overtook Williams. He was gaining on Mario and Jensen, and Kelley was losing ground. The track was slick, and there was no room for bravado or error unless the wall was the goal. Until the sun dried the track the race was all technical, no speed. The sun moved high in the sky and the race hit its peak. Kelley and Jensen were neck and neck with Mario right behind them.
“You gotta shake these guys,” Robert said dryly.
“I know what I’m doing,” Kelley replied coolly. He kept his lines tight and made sure Mario stayed on his right, as they went into the final lap Jensen lost a half a second that he couldn’t seem to get back, but Mario had gained. He pushed up on Kelley’s left on the front straight and rubbed his tire. Kelley held him steady but couldn’t shake him off. In a tight turn he managed to push Mario off but in the process lost his lead.
“Fuck!” He yelled into the radio, his hand hitting the steering wheel with a hollow thud.
He had one opportunity to take his lead back. Going into turn 17, there were two tight turns then that front straigh
t. If he couldn’t get in position by the time they were coming out of 19 he wouldn’t make it. He had to get in Mario’s slip, he had to use the DRS. Mario slowed as they approached 17 as did Kelley, they moved around the corner fluidly, as if following choreography. There was a short straight and that’s where Mario made his folly. He thought to mirror Kelley’s strategy and keep him on the right, but Kelley was already coming up on him from the left and as they came through 19 and Mario accelerated, Kelley caught his slip and activated his DRS. He swung out to the left before Mario could drop his gear and was nose to nose with him in a flash. They flew down the front straight, struggling for the extra inch as the finish line grew closer. Mario pulled ahead for a spilt-second before Kelley found the last drop of power in his car and pushed ahead of Mario just as the checkered flag began to wave.
Chapter 31
The Master Plan
The celebration in Monaco was unlike any other of the season. The crew was lit with excitement as this win had so many connotations for so many of us personally. Kelley was beside himself with joy at beating Mario, I had to admit I took a personal pleasure in watching that man come in second. Chase didn’t place, but he didn’t seem to mind. He had been swarmed by the grid girls post-race and showed up to the after-party with three of them on his arm. I don’t think one of them spoke English, but I was rather sure Chase didn’t plan on them doing much talking.
I was proud of Kelley, he ran the best race of his career. He was strong and smart and determined. All the things my Dad had taught him to be, all the things he was; things that Kelley reminded me that I was as well. I thought about that little girl who would sit between them when they watched tape, trying to learn the lingo and maybe say something clever. All she ever wanted was this. I looked around the room surrounded by a team I was so proud of and I was overwhelmed. My mom was here….and happy. Kelley was mine. I had never felt more full in my life, and everything was only going to get better.
“Get out of that head girl!” Garrett called to me over the ever growing music in the club.
“Take this!” He said handing me a shot glass. “Cheers, Mack!” He raised his glass and I met him halfway, nodding with him before throwing it back. It tasted like root beer, but the burn said it was something more sinister. Garrett called for another round and Robert and Kelley joined us at the little table we were hovered around.
Mom and Ina were in a banquette on the opposite side of the room, perched on a stage in a section the club had roped off for the winning team. The room was full of drivers, crew, grid girls and race enthusiasts. The vibe in the club was thrilling, people drinking, dancing and celebrating life; celebrating being in fucking Monaco. The shot warmed me instantly and caused my hips to begin to sway. Kelley fell in behind me, his strong hands resting at the curve of my waist. I leaned back into him and looked up into his beautiful face. His smile nearly knocked me over and I turned swiftly in his arms.
“Take me home,” I whispered, reaching from my tip toes to place my lips against his ear.
“Right,” his face was like stone but his eyes sparkled, “we’re leaving,” he said to nobody in particular.
“We are just getting started!” Garrett called out to no avail as Kelley turned me from the table and was already making a path through the crowd.
“Something came up!” He called over the music.
We spilled out onto the cobblestone street and into the warm summer air. It was humid and sticky and the only thing I wanted more than a dip in the pool was Kelley’s warm body covering mine. We barely made it to the room before he had my dress balled up in his fist, only a pair of lacy panties somewhat covering me and I didn’t give a fuck. He pushed me in as the door closed and I was his willing captor.
“Stand there,” he demanded pointing to the end of the bed. I took my place and waited, panting, warm from the shot, hot from his demands and waiting for more. He took his time moving slowly around the room. He opened the balcony door and a soft breeze pushed its way in and slid across my skin. He loosened his collar and undid the top three buttons of his shirt and that was enough to make me drip. He rolled the cuffs of his sleeves up his molded forearms, all the while his eyes focused intensely on me. He sighed and shook his head moving closer but not close enough.
“Tonight, I am going to own you, Makayla Love. Do you want that?” The wind was knocked from my lungs, my heart raced and my body pulsed.
“Yes,” I breathed, my chest heaving at the very thought.
“Good,” was all he said as he took a seat in the chair just opposite the foot of the bed. He made himself comfortable, one foot slung over his knee, a fresh glass of whiskey in his hand. I didn’t know what he had planned, and I doubted I would make it through as I was ready to spontaneously combust on sight and he had yet to even touch me.
“Take off your panties.” I reached to the waistband, eager. “Slowly,” he added, his eyes intense and sparkling in the dark. I slowed, hooked my thumbs at my hips and swayed as I slid them down over my curves, watching him watch me. I pushed them past my hips and over my pussy, feeling the heat as I passed. Once they were at my thighs I stood and let them fall to my feet. I scooped them up with my toe and flung them into his lap with a grin.
“Good girl,” his silky voice washed over me and I wanted him to touch me so badly I felt a whimper coming on. “Now lay down, baby. Knees hanging over the end of the bed.” I did as he said, my body fully on display for him as I lay there, but he wasn’t done. “Bend those knees, Makayla,” he said quietly, “feet on the edge of the bed.” I lifted my legs and curled my toes around the edge of the bed, my knees naturally falling together.
“Open.” My knees fell open on command, his voice was that good. I heard the rumble in his throat as he shifted in the chair. “Beautiful,” he muttered. “Touch yourself.” Oh my God! I looked up between my legs to see his wicked grin. My mind was screaming out but that didn’t stop my hand from going right to the flame. I cupped myself and I could feel the pulse in my palm. I couldn’t resist no matter how much I may have wanted to…I didn’t really want to.
My hand moved over my heat, first gently stroking at my lips, just calming the flame. Before I knew it I had sunk in had found a rhythm that was now ruling. I could hear him breathing, breaths getting shallow, I heard him shift in the chair as I rolled across my clit and it sent a shockwave radiating slowly outwards. I did it again and couldn’t help but cry out softly, the thought of him watching, the feel of my own fingers. I pressed harder and sped up wanting so badly to sprint up the hill. Tight circles I drew until I couldn’t stop myself, shallow breaths were forced from my lungs, the first wave hit slowly and just as I was falling apart I felt his mouth.
He cuffed my wrists with his long fingers and held my hands at my side. His tongue hit my clit and I bucked against his mouth. I had lost sight of reality as his tongue slid like velvet across my wet flesh. He pushed and pushed until I was higher than I had ever been. His mouth closed over me and he pulled the orgasm from my body. It felt like I was being ripped apart, every ounce of energy, electricity, inertia was between my legs and just when I thought it was going to kill me I fell over the edge and I think I lost my mind.
My head thrashed from side to side, and even though he still held my hands down I had such a tight grip on the comforter my nails were tearing into it. A moment of reprieve came as he took his mouth away but I couldn’t open my eyes to see where he had gone.
In the next moment, I was taken back out to sea. His fingers moved over my skin setting me on fire, his mouth following closely behind putting down the flames with his cool tongue. It was heaven and hell, every sense was overrun and I wanted him to stop but I needed him to keep going.
“My girl,” he whispered against my ear as he slid into me, pushing the breath from my lungs, filling me completely. I wrapped my arms and legs around him and held him like a vice as he rocked into me and time stood still. I looked up at him and saw nothing but love in his ey
es, he was trying to possess me from within but what he didn’t seem to get was that he already did. From the first moment I saw him he owned me. I never wanted anything as much as I wanted Kelley.
He cut into my thoughts with a brutal thrust meant to gain my attention. Our eyes met and he mouthed through gritted teeth, “I fucking love you.” I craned my neck and met his lips. I began to pulse around him and he groaned so deep his chest rattled against mine as he struggled to maintain but my body wouldn’t let him. I kissed him hard, my lips crushed to his as I pulled him deep and swallowed him whole, the grip of my body no match for his will and we tumbled violently over the edge, I felt the fight leave his body. My body was burning from the inside, his full weight crushing me perfectly and I never wanted to move. I didn’t care if I never took another breath as long as I could feel his heart like that, pounding against mine. Our lips tangled and slowed, his tongue looping around mine as we caught our breath and let the tide run its course. Our bodies connected, our hearts pounding for one another.
We stayed there, stuck to one another, our bodies entwined until our breath evened and our hearts slowed. I lifted my head to see him watching me, his hand rolling up and over my shoulder, soft and hypnotic.
“That was….” I don’t know how to finish the thought, but it didn’t matter.
“I know.”
“You’re a pretty good driver” I teased as I kissed his chest. He looked up at me, tipped an eyebrow and flipped me like a hot cake. I was flat on my back his knees under my arms, straddling my belly. He held himself aloft careful not to crush me but still held me down with his weight as he leaned forward and ran his nose along my jaw line, up and around my ear and whispered.
The Curve Page 23
