Owned: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World)

by Angela Nicole

  It doesn’t take long before my body reacts. The heat coming from him is strong enough for me to sense it. My face and chest feel as if I’m on fire. If this is what a damn hot flash feels like—no thank you.

  Get a grip, KJ. You cannot lust after Declan O’Donohue.

  “A little of this and some of that. I spent last night at the hotel bar making some new friends.”

  Getty arches her eyebrow at me while Zander smirks.

  “What’s his name?” they both say at the same time.

  I wave my hand dismissively. “No one worth talking about. What about you two? What’s new?”

  “Just working on some things up north in Washington before the season starts. Hanging out with my parents before heading to St. Petersburg for the race.”

  I nod, remembering the new place he bought for Getty.

  “I’m so excited the season starts pretty much in my hometown this year. Franco and Kyle are coming to visit me soon so we can hang out before things get too crazy. Do you know when you’ll be in Florida?” I ask as I grab a plate and dip into the many appetizers circling the table. It’s what we do when we’re together. We munch on all sorts of things, never ordering a full meal.

  Zander looks at Getty. “We were planning on being there a few days before the mandatory meetings so we can have some beach time.”

  “I hope we can get together when you come to town. I’d love to take you to a really great beach bar I hang out at in the off-season.”

  “Sounds good to us,” Getty smiles as her eyes meet Zanders.

  Ugh! Suddenly I feel like the third wheel. The love emanating from these two is evident. Part of me is jealous they have each other—someone to do things with. I have Andi and her son, Jacob, and while I love them to pieces, my best friend doesn’t fill that ache in my chest.

  My thoughts go to the man sitting behind me. What would it be like to be with a man like Declan? Really be with him. The night we almost went to the point of no return, he was funny and charming. He made me comfortable in a setting that I was anything but.

  Declan

  A flurry of activity behind me interrupts my quiet lunch. Whispers from the next table alert me to who’s being seated behind me.

  Zander Donavan.

  He’s a damn good driver, taking after his father. I’ve met Colton a time or two while traveling with my brother. Their team will be formidable this season, but with the addition of Kyle Myers, my money is on O’Donohue Racing.

  I return to my Kobe burger as the crowd quiets down, which only lasts a few minutes. Instantly, the vibe in the room changes. At least it does for me. I can sense her before I see her. KJ is here.

  Maybe she doesn’t recognize me. Or maybe she doesn’t remember me. The latter would crush me, so I’ll go with the former. After all, it’s not as if I’m in my business suit. Today is a casual day, so jeans, cowboy boots, and my favorite baseball hat perhaps make me a little less conspicuous.

  One thing is for sure—I damn well noticed her. I’m shocked at how much my body is buzzing with her mere inches from me. It’s the same reaction I had to her in Atlanta.

  Get a grip. I tell myself as I take a sip of my beer.

  I have to strain to hear what she’s saying because the various conversations are overtaking the room. She says something about hanging out with Zander before the race in St. Petersburg. While it’s not uncommon for opposing team members to be friends, Zander is KJ’s only real competition. Their styles of driving are similar—driving like their asses are on fire. Both can be a little reckless, although Zander seems to have backed off a little. I’m not sure if having a woman in his life made him do it.

  On the other hand, KJ drove last year as well as she has in the past. She took chances yet still didn’t earn the championship. That’s a topic for discussion tomorrow.

  My thoughts are interrupted by a text message from Cynthia, the hotel’s concierge. I finish my burger, slug down my beer, and pay the bill. I also pay for Zander’s table.

  Eager to see whether KJ is ignoring me or doesn’t recognize me, I stop at her table, and it becomes apparent which is the case.

  “Mr. O’Donohue, I thought that was you when I walked in.”

  “Ms. Lennon, I’m looking forward to our first meeting tomorrow. And Zander, enjoy your downtime now because after KJ wins in St. Pete, she’ll be too busy with the press to hang out.”

  I see her throat bob up and down, and my nefarious thoughts overtake my otherwise sensible self. I know I need to get out of here quickly, but I wanted to have a little fun first.

  KJ

  I’m running ten minutes early for my meeting with Declan. It wasn’t because I was speeding. It’s because I’m nervous as hell. The man turns me into a blubbering fool. That fact makes me madder than I should be.

  My mouth dropped open when he stopped at the table like he did. He may be sexy as hell, but that smirk told me he knew what he was doing. It’s a good thing Zander has a sense of humor because I was uncomfortable as hell. Zander, on the other hand, laughed off his taunting.

  As I pull into the hotel’s valet parking where I’m meeting Declan and the sponsors, my stomach tightens as I recall how much faith he has in me already. But Zander is a much better driver than I am.

  The valet takes the keys to my rental as the doorman allows me to pass into the grand foyer. I’m met by a large chandelier in the most opulent room I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen a lot.

  I watch as a gorgeous young woman approaches me from behind the concierge desk. Her lips in a tight smile as if I’m something the dog dragged in.

  “Ms. Lennon?”

  “KJ, yes.”

  “All right, KJ. Mr. O’Donohue is waiting in our conference room right down this hall. Follow me, please,” she says as her eyes roll over me.

  “Sure,” I respond as she turns away.

  Huh. I glance down at my denim skirt and platform sandals. They match my black, off the shoulder, bohemian top. Of course, she looks stuffy in her business suit, but I think I look cute. Miss Concierge can kiss my butt.

  I toss my long blond braid over my shoulder as I set out to find my new boss. Miss Concierge sways her hips as she leads the way.

  With every step of my long legs, I get shakier in anticipation of seeing Declan again. When we reach the large glass conference room doors, I stop. Even his profile is damn sexy. Noting his hands gripping a folder, my immediate thoughts go to our time together in Atlanta. My heart races as I remember just how strong his hands were as he explored my body for that brief time in the pool house.

  He doesn’t notice me as he rummages through paperwork, looking lost in thought.

  Before I’m ready, Miss Concierge knocks before opening the door. I inhale a sharp breath as Declan looks up, and his eyes meet mine. We hold the moment until he breaks first.

  “Mr. O’Donohue, Ms. Lennon is here for you,” she announces.

  “Thank you, Cynthia. That will be all.”

  Huh. She never offered me her name. But I’m sure it didn’t take much prying for Mr. O’Donohue to get it out of Cynthia. From the way she’s looking at him, I’d say they already know each other.

  With an almost silent sigh, Miss Concierge, aka Cynthia, leaves.

  Oh yeah, she’s got it bad for my new boss. I get it, girl. I so get it.

  Feeling like a young girl waiting to go to the principal’s office, I think about running. But when my new boss stands to greet me, my feet stay firmly in place. If I thought he looked delicious yesterday when he was dressed casually, it’s nothing compared to Declan O’Donohue in a suit.

  Of course, the dark gray suit is tailored to fit his mass of muscles. He unbuttons his jacket and shrugs it off. If that wasn’t enough, he unbuttons the cuffs of his pale blue shirt and rolls the sleeves up. I’m staring at his forearms. Who knew forearms could turn me on?

  Declan clears his throat after he catches me staring. Get a grip, Kathy Jo. He’s your boss.

  “KJ, please sit.
We have lots to discuss this morning before your sponsorship meeting.”

  I mentally wipe the drool from my chin. “Yes, sir. Will one of those items be why you didn’t tell me who you were the night you had your tongue and hands on me?”

  Declan

  I’m officially an asshole. Cynthia didn’t take it very well when I informed her our little flings are over. And by the look she’s giving me this morning, she’s still pissed I shot her down last night. She’s always been the one to keep me entertained while in LA, but things need to be different right now. My role in O’Donohue Racing has changed. I’m now the face of it instead of the silent partner who just paid the bills.

  Maybe if I’m honest with myself, if I had slept with Cynthia last night, it wouldn’t have been her face I saw. And that fact has me a little off-kilter this morning.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see the woman who wants to sleep with me escorting the one I want in my bed. Cynthia does a mediocre job of remaining professional. She’s a bit aloof as she speaks with KJ. Can she sense my attraction to my employee?

  I clear my throat as they enter after thanking Cynthia and asking KJ to take a seat. My body reacts when she addresses me as sir.

  “No need to call me sir, KJ. I think after our time in Atlanta, you can call me Declan. And if you’d like to discuss what happened, we can do that. I’ll admit it was a dick move not to tell you. I knew if I did, I’d never find out just what you tasted like.”

  What the hell? Jesus, I’m a lawsuit waiting to happen.

  KJ blushes at my reference to our time in the pool house. “Okay, I guess now I know. And yes, I was pissed when Patrick introduced you, but you know what? I can remain professional if you can.” She smirks as she moves to the other end of the table. I watch her long tanned legs as she crosses them to the side of her chair.

  I loosen my tie because it’s suddenly warm in here. I can feel my body heat, and I don’t think it’s because of the room temperature. I’m not surprised she puts some distance between us. I don’t like it, but it’s probably for the best. I’m finding her hippie style along with her braided hair a fucking turn on.

  “Of course. I guess we should get started then. So, you’re the first of the team members I am meeting with. I want you to know that I will conduct each meeting in much the same way.”

  Fidgeting with her file, I glance her way. Get it together. I’m the boss here.

  “I’d like to discuss last year’s stats and what we can do to improve on them. I know you ended the season in sixth place. Why was that?” I ask as I toss my glasses onto the pile of papers in front of me.

  “Excuse me? What do you mean, why was that? It’s because five other drivers had more points than I did.”

  “I’m very aware of the other five drivers, KJ. But three of them are none of my concern. You are my concern: you and your teammates. So again, the question is, why did you come in sixth place? I’ve been watching your races. You should be in the top three. If I can help facilitate that, I will.”

  KJ looks as pissed as a horse swatting its tail at an annoying fly. Good. That’s what I want. If it takes me getting under her skin to have her drive to her ability, then it’s worth it.

  “Do you know anything about me?” She practically growls the words. It’s sexy as hell. There’s the passion I want to see.

  “I know you were a champion by the time you were eleven. You came in second when you raced Indy Light. You’ve got passion behind the wheel but seem to have lost it a bit at the end of the season last year. My brother may have done things with kid gloves, but I’m not Patrick. I intend to be more hands-on than I have been.”

  She murmurs something about me, and then I hear the words “hands-on.” My mind immediately goes to thoughts of my hands and KJ. I shift in my chair, and it’s as if she notices because her mouth quirks up in a half-smile.

  “You should know, Declan, I drive my hardest in every race. I put everything I have into the season and block everything else out. So, if you think being hands-on with me will make me win first place in the standings, then do your best!” she snarks back with a challenging tone.

  I clear my throat. “Do you think your friendship with Zander is appropriate? I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation last night. You do realize that once the season starts, he will be your competitor and not your friend, right?”

  KJ leans forward in her chair, arms now resting on the table. “Zander will always be my friend on and off the track, but if I’m given the opportunity to beat him in a race and win the championship, then nothing will hold me back. Not even my friendship with him.”

  “Good to know. Because you’re a better driver than he is, I expect this season to be different. I expect you to be in at least the top three if not the number one spot.”

  “What about my teammates? Are you going to ask them why they weren’t in the number one position last year? Or is it just because you had your lips on mine last year?”

  “Okay, let’s get this out of the way. I fully intend to put pressure on all three of you to be the champion this year. It has nothing to do with what happened in Atlanta. It has everything to do with me being your boss and expecting the best from my employees.”

  “Good. I’m sure none of us will disappoint you, Declan. I can speak for all three of us when I say we give it everything we have when we are on the track.”

  KJ

  Wow! What an asshole. A sexy asshole, but still. I’m finding Declan is nothing like his brother. Patrick was supportive and let us do our thing. If he felt we weren’t living up to what he thought, he’d give a positive pep talk. He wasn’t a jerk about it. Maybe Declan and Patrick are half-brothers or something, because just wow.

  “Have you been training in the off-season?”

  “Do I look like I’ve let myself go?” I retort.

  Declan shifts in his chair. Ah! I’ve made him uncomfortable. Good. He should be as uncomfortable as I am when we are in the same room.

  Picking up a file, he ignores my question. “Let’s move on, shall we? You have sponsorship meetings later today. When do you fly back to Tampa? I assume you are heading back there.”

  Weird question, but okay. “I’m flying home on the red-eye tonight. I have a training session tomorrow afternoon.”

  Declan throws his head back and laughs. “I thought I could brush over that training comment from earlier. Look, KJ, I’m going to treat you the same way as everyone else. I will ask Franco and Kyle the same questions and give them the same talk as we had today. But I know the three of you are different. Franco is all about himself. He wants to win just to piss everyone off. He loves the media attention. Kyle wants to win but is happy being the wallflower. If he could avoid all attention, he would.”

  “So then what about me? Do you know what I like and what I don’t?”

  Oh, he knows what I like all right because he paid a lot of attention to that little spot on my neck.

  Declan puts his hands together and rests them under his chin. Then what he says next punches me right in the gut.

  “I knew your father, KJ. Alexander was a wonderful man. A great driver. I watched him over the years with you, albeit from afar. But I know he rode your ass about winning. Not in a bad way. He helped give you the confidence you needed to win. It seems though, since his passing, you haven’t given it your all. I don’t want you to do that anymore. So, if I have to stay on you as your father did, then I will.”

  “You aren’t my father. No one will ever replace him,” I whisper just loud enough for Declan to hear me.

  Suddenly, he pushes the heavy wooden chair back from the conference table and heads my way. I’m stuck in my seat when all I want to do is run.

  Never taking his eyes from mine, he makes his way to me. Declan moves to the corner of the table where he lays his hands mere inches from mine. Leaning down so our eyes meet, he glances at my lips and then back to my eyes. I clench my thighs in response to his closeness. He’s a powerful man.
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br />   “Let’s get one thing straight, KJ. I don’t want to be your father. I’m your boss. And that’s something we both need to remember. Now, if you’d like, you can fly back with me tonight on my plane. I live in Miami, so a quick stop in Tampa isn’t out of the way.”

  Flying home on his private plane? The two of us? With me trying to fill the awkward silence, so the weirdness goes away?

  “I don’t want to inconvenience you. I already have my ticket, so I should probably just use that.” It’s a lame excuse because the ticket I purchased is refundable.

  “You sure? We can spend the time relaxing, getting to know one another on a professional level.”

  Gah! Why does he make it sound so easy? Easy would be for us not to have made out in Atlanta. Easy would be for Patrick to own the team still. Easy would be for me to strip him out of that damn suit and climb him as I’ve wanted to.

  “KJ?” He smirks as if he knows my deviant thoughts.

  I guess I just need to put Atlanta behind me and move forward. Perhaps spending some time with him, just getting to know how he wants to run the team, is what I need.

  Blowing out a breath, I nod. “Okay. I’ll fly home with you.”

  Declan

  What the hell am I doing? This whole situation is ripe for a sexual harassment lawsuit. So why can’t I stop myself? It’s the natural pull to KJ. And it’s going to get me into trouble.

  I check my watch. My plane is leaving in thirty minutes. So, where the hell is she? Maybe she’s changed her mind. It wouldn’t surprise me, and shit, I wouldn’t blame her.