His hand moved down her back to cup her ass. Jonica sighed, allowing her body to collapse into his. The feeling charging through her moved from the tips of her toes, vibrated off her spine before sparking her heart into over-drive. She clung to him praying she was doing the right thing. She caressed his back before reaching up to tangle her fingers in his hair. She used his hair to lift his head so she could taste from his lips again just as the coffeemaker dinged.
“You know we do have…forty five minutes to get there...can we please go back to the bedroom?” he moaned.
Jonica shook her head and stepped back to grab a travel mug. “Where are we going anyway?”
“The track,” he replied.
She handed him the first travel mug before pouring some for herself. “So we should go now. I don’t like being there too late in the day because of the heat. Go shower.”
“Yeah, and I have a meeting with my business partner a little later on too so the sooner we get there the better.” Derrick kissed the back of her neck. His lips were warm from the coffee. “But promise we can meet up either later tonight or sometime this week?”
“Sometime this week?”
“I didn’t want to push you to get together so soon after last night—”
Jonica smiled and patted his shoulder before walking around him to grab her keys. He exited the kitchen and she stood by the counter. She didn’t realize how long she’d been standing there, but she was only torn from her thoughts when Derrick said her name.
She looked up to see he’d poked his head back into the room. Jonica offered him a smile just before sipping from her cup. “Lead the way and I’ll follow you in my car.”
Something flashed in his eyes she couldn’t quite put her finger on. It looked like disappointment, but then again it could be just some uncertainty. Shaking it off, Jonica kissed him and walked toward the front door. She had to be strong or she’d quickly become addicted to Derrick Bridger.
On the drive over to the track, she thought about what was going to happen next. She couldn’t focus on that at the moment. She had to focus on qualifiers, the big race if she qualified and the media circus her life would become right after they found out he was her sponsor and they were dating. Derrick told her not to worry about it, but how could she not worry? There was so much on her shoulders. Should she qualify for Shinobi she would be carrying the title of the first female rider to ever get into the Shinobi Grand Prix. But all of a sudden things were out of control and she hadn’t even seen it coming.
She parked beside Derrick’s sports car and got out of her car. She found a smile from somewhere and plastered it on her face when Derrick came to greet her, take her hand, and lead her into the building. She allowed him to lead her past the lounge area she usually avoided like the plague; that was where all the male racers spent their down time. They hurried through the lobby and down a few steps to enter a large garage area where three women and Andrew were waiting. Jonica looked over at Derrick quizzically, but he was smiling.
“Andrew, would you do the honors?” Derrick asked.
“I’d love to...well, Jonny, this is your crew.” Andrew shrugged, motioning to the women. “They are some of the best in the world.”
“You mean—” Jonica was speechless. “My own team?”
“Yes, say something,” Derrick spoke in her ears.
“Ah—” Jonica stepped forward. “Hi—I’m Jonica Samuels, but you can call me Jon. I’ll be your racer!”
The women laughed and Jonica felt at ease. “I’d love to know about you ladies, but I have to say this. In all seriousness, we’re going to catch hell from the guys. I need people who will ignore them and let our actions speak louder than any words can.”
One of the women raised her hand and Jonica pointed to her.
“My name’s Ashlee Ambrose and trust me, honey, when I say we are all here to support you in this. Wouldn’t you love to see the looks on their faces when we win?”
The others nodded in agreement.
“Well then...one thing at a time...first we need to qualify. My cycle has been inspected and signed on so I could use the track—that means no modifications can be done, only repairs.”
“Well, guys, I have to get going,” Derrick interrupted.
Jonica turned to hug him tightly and walked him from the room to where his car was parked. She stood staring up into his face with the brightest smile she ever had. “Do you know how happy you’ve made me today?”
He kissed her forehead. “I could guess. It may sound corny, Jonny, but when you smile at me I feel—feel—light. You go back and do your thing. I’ll call you.”
Jonica nodded, reached to her tip toes and kissed him before stepping back for him to climb into the car. She stood there, with her arms wrapped around her body long after he honked at her and she waved back. Long after she watched the silver car disappear in the distance, she pulled herself together and entered the building again. She looked around at her small crew and nodded with a deep inhalation.
“I’m Andrea,” the African American woman, peering pensively at the cycle, spoke up. “I’m here to make sure your fuel is where it should be.”
“Bella Sova, engine...” the third woman greeted.
“Well, ladies.” Jonica giggled. “Let’s do a few runs and see what needs to be fixed before qualifying.”
They walked the motorcycle out to the track, with others looking at them. While the team worked over the cycle, Jonica slid her helmet over her head and bent over to zip up her boots. She then worked her fingers into the gloves. According to Shinobi rules, every part of her body had to be covered in order to race their tracks or in any of their events. Shrugging, Jonica turned her attention to the track itself. Before a run she always liked staring at the track, envisioning the turns, each bump, where the walls were. Andrew once joked Jonica was intimately familiar with each track she raced. That wouldn’t be far from the truth.
“Hey, Jon!” Ashlee called. “We’re ready for you.”
Jonica tore her attention from the track and walked to her parked bike. Tossing her leg over it, she revved the ignition and took one last look at her team. She pulled away from them slowly and entered the track from the side. Stopping over the starting line, she took a deep breath, cradled herself against the bike so she was comfortable before starting forward. To be safe, she increased her power the further she got away from the line until she was really flying. She relaxed her grip; keeping rigid would hurt her more than help her. At each corner, she used her legs to move her body so she was suspended comfortably from the cycle. With her body moving freely it kept the cycle on two wheels.
“It’s dragging,” she called through the headpiece.
“All right, easy on the speed, then come in,” Ashlee replied after a crackle. “I’ll take a look.”
Chapter Eight
Heading to the Maverick offices, Derrick had to field phone call after phone call about everything under the sun. He was beginning to wonder why they didn’t just call the offices and let Bell help them. Frowning, he changed the settings on his phone so every call that came in was directed to the office instead of to him. He had too much on his mind to be answering questions that he paid someone else to handle. He was thinking about Jonica and if what he was doing with her was real. He didn’t feel in the mood for another fling—neither was she, but he wasn’t sure she knew the extent of his feelings for her.
He hadn’t told her.
Sighing, Derrick pulled into his parking space, between Jason and Bella’s cars and hurried inside. He stopped to grab a bottle of water from the vending machine in the lobby when his eyes caught the digital clock. He was late—very late. Grabbing the water, he darted for the elevator. He walked by Bella’s desk with a wave and when he entered the conference room, Jason was already there, staring pensively at his laptop.
“You’re late.” Jason Merriman looked up.
Derrick moaned and flopped into the seat across from his best friend. He was e
xhausted perhaps because of the love-making session he had the night before. It was unlike anything he had ever done with a woman. That in itself should have told him something—he allowed his control to be completely taken and used her body the way she pleaded.
He dropped his folder on the desk and smiled, answering Jason. “I know and I’m sorry. I was making sure the rider I’m sponsoring was settled in—can I ask you something?”
“I don’t like where this conversation is going.” Jason laughed.
“Me neither—this racer I’m sponsoring, her name is Jonica Samuels.”
“I’ve heard about her.” Jason nodded. “I thought she gave up because no one would sponsor her?”
“Well I saw her race and think people are idiots. The woman is amazing on that thing. But anyway, that’s not what I wanted to talk to you about—I’m seeing her.”
One of Jason’s brows shot upward. “What do you mean seeing her?”
“Sleeping together—”
“Never known you to be one to mix business with pleasure, Rick. What’s going on?”
Derrick rubbed his eyes. “She just so—I want her, Jay. I mean this part has nothing to do with her racing. I just love to see her smile. She calls me out on my shit. She speaks her mind—she called me the other night asking me to tuck her in.”
Jason smirked. “Over the phone or did she invite you over?”
“Over the phone...I swear it was the first time I’d ever done something like that, but it was hot—and last night, we went to dinner, but let’s just say the food is still at her house this morning.”
Jason looked thoughtful for the moment. “Derrick, you know better than me, these days a relationship takes work. If you think this woman is worth—”
“She is.”
“I understand you feel that now. But you know me. I’ll tell you what I think and not what you particularly want to hear. What I’m saying is, if you think this woman is worth it then go for it. I mean how long has it been since you were in a relationship? Just remember with Maverick at the height of success it is, you nor I can’t afford some torrid affair plastered all over the tabloids.”
Derrick agreed completely, “You’re right. But you know what she looks like—last night I did something I’ve never done before. I gave her my control; I let her body tell my body just what to do, when to do it and how. I’m still spent from it.”
Jason chuckled with a playful wiggle of his brow. “Then you should definitely see where it takes you. Just try not to fall too fast.”
“I think you’re way late on that bit of advice.” Derrick smiled sleepily.
“And watch out for the media.”
“That’s what she’s worried about too. That’s why the news of me sponsoring her is being kept on the hush hush until she makes the race.”
“And you’re sure she’ll make it in?”
Derrick chuckled. “I know she will. She hasn’t waited this long to fail, has she? Even if she doesn’t win the big race, I guess she’ll just be happy to qualify.”
Jason nodded. “Just be careful, eh?”
“Yeah.”
Derrick pulled out the script he had been obsessing over for the past few days. “I want you to take a look at this and tell me it’s not a work of genius.”
“From the unsolicited?”
Derrick nodded. “I rarely find anything good in them, but this is amazing. I marked it up some for re-writes for the author, but I don’t see it being a problem.”
* * * *
Somehow, Derrick managed to get through his day and by the time he made it home, he slumped into the plush leather seat in his den. He stared at the phone for a good hour before picking it up and dialing, then waited. At his first attempt he got her voicemail, but didn’t leave a message. He called her twice more and after his calls went unanswered he began to worry. He tried telling himself, perhaps she was busy, or sleeping, but even after he made dinner and sat staring at the food the thought didn’t ease his mind. He pushed the plate away and turned to stare at the phone attached to the kitchen’s wall. He didn’t give in and called her again—he climbed the stairs and fell on his back on the bed. He knew that was all the rest he would get that night; He could feel a sleepless night coming.
* * * *
The week slipped by and after leaving her a couple messages, Derrick shrugged and gave up. He could only do so much to show his interest, after that he was all worked out. He could have gone over to see her, but he didn’t want her to think he couldn’t take a hint. The last thing he wanted was for her to call the cops saying he was stalking her. He would treat her like an employee and after the contract was over he would release her and let her go back to whatever it was she was doing before he decided to stick his nose and cock into her life.
Feeling disgusted with himself, Derrick spent the weekend cooped up in his house, monitoring his calls. If it was an employee he ignored it—as a matter of fact the only calls he picked up were those from Jason. When he spoke to his best friend, he put on his best nothing is wrong voice. Thankfully it worked and Jason didn’t ask any questions. The ringing phone tore through his mind and he glanced at the caller I.D. He ignored it and let the machine pick it up.
Mr. Bridger, this is Anton Simms calling. I just wanted to let you know that we received the contracts you sent back to us. As per our agreement your privacy is assured. We will keep the news under wraps until you are ready to advertise it. It is a pleasure doing business with you.
Beep!
Derrick rolled over and closed his eyes. It was time he got some sleep.
* * * *
Jonica listened to Derrick’s messages and deleted them. Her mind got in the way and she found herself terrified to even speak with him again. The night they made love it hadn’t occurred to her until after he was gone and she had a chance to think. She was screaming, begging, swearing—she was acting like a slut and that scared her. In the moment it was the hottest thing she’d ever done, but once she was silent and alone, her mind wandered. What did he think of her, of the way she acted when he shoved into her so roughly and she didn’t even freak at him? Tears toppled down her cheeks and she deleted the second message. Though she couldn’t blame him, it hurt even more when he stopped calling. Anything she was to have from him for the race, he would send one of his employees to her or give it to Andrew.
She spent the week screening her calls, working and practicing. She tried desperately to get as much sleep as she could and as the second week and a half phased by, she doubted she would be ready for the qualifying.
Chapter Nine
The sun was going down by the time qualifying even began. The heat was too much in the mid-day. The audience filed into the stadium, but while her team fussed over her and her bike, she was busy trying to find a quiet place to sit until it was time for her run. Once she found a spot that gave her a great view of the track she looked around, squinting, shielding her eyes from the sun trying to find Derrick in the throng of people coming in and out of the field. She didn’t see him and wondered why she thought he would even be there. She acted as if he had stolen her first born and he didn’t deserve it. Her heart broke, but she turned to the view of the track and steadied her gaze on it.
Focus, Jon. This is the big break you’ve wanted. You can deal with your stupidity with Derrick later.
Rolling her shoulders, she tilted her head from one side to the other and stared ahead, taking in every turn of the track until the first cycle took to the starting line. Cycle after cycle qualified, a few got knocked out of the competition, and soon it was her turn. The crowd went silent, a few men cackled at her and her team of women, but she didn’t care. She gave the crowd one final look, but no one there caught her attention. She slipped the helmet onto her head, tossed her leg over the cycle, and while she sat on it, she hauled on her gloves.
“All right, Jon. This is it.” The earpiece crackled and Andrew’s voice came over it. “You can do this. Just ignore everyone else and focus
on this team.”
“Easy for you to say—have you seen Derrick?” she asked.
“I’m sorry, babe—he sent over the check for Shinobi just now, but he didn’t come.”
Jonica nodded sadly. “Thanks, Drew...”
“You’re up...God speed.”
Jonica didn’t reply. She rolled her bike forward and looked up watching the flags. Seeing the one she wanted, the cycle sped forward and gradually her speed built. Faster and faster she went until she began seeing her first corner. Easing off the brake a little, she hung her body from the cycle’s seat. Her body moved so slightly if a person wasn’t a practiced viewer of the sport they would never notice her move. With the glide of her body, the motorcycle dipped perfectly and smoothly navigated the corner. Coming out of it, she added more throttle while straightening, preparing for the next. The stadium was silent except for the loud rumble of her machine and suddenly she felt more alone than she could ever imagine. Adrenaline cursed through her and she had to force herself to relax her grip against the bars.
She zoomed over the finish line with the checker flag waving from the platform.
“Andrew!” she called, slowing down, applying her brake gradually to stop. “Talk to me!”
Her heart hammered almost painfully inside her chest as she waited to hear her numbers. The crowd was on their feet and cheering now and Jonica wasn’t sure if they were cheering because she qualified or because she failed. Chances are they were too happy that their favorite riders made it and she was going home. She hung her head briefly and shook her head before looking where her cycle was going at a crawl now. She ripped the Velcro at her neck open and inhaled deeply.
“Jon!” Andrew called. “You did it!”
“What?” Jonica screamed. “What?”
“You qualified in first! You’re starting in the first slot! You made it! You sent Daxon home!”
“Woohoo!” Jonica cheered, stopping the motorcycle and letting one leg down to the ground. She lifted her helmet from her head, bowed her head and for the first time in a very long time, Jonica Evian Samuels prayed.
Fast Girls Are True (Panty Droppers) Page 5
