Reckless Curves: Bad Boy Autos (Drive Me Wild Book 1)

by Bronwen Evans

  Stella waggled her eyebrows. “Keep him happy in bed and he won’t want to cheat.”

  “You know that’s not true.” But her suggestive remark made Kendra laugh. “I can’t believe you just said that. Yuck. You’re encouraging me to get hitched to Tom after all the nasty things you said about him.” Her smile died. “Besides, there is more to a relationship than sex. I want a partner, not just a bedmate.”

  “I’m not saying to jump right into it.” Stella crossed her legs. “Just keep your mind open to the possibility that things could work between you. Try dating him, where is the harm in that?”

  Kendra pondered Stella’s statement as she looked her over. Stella’s blonde hair was swept back on the sides and her fringe of bangs brushed her perfectly shaped dark blonde eyebrows. It was simple and stylish. Her outfit of satiny red blouse, knee-length gray skirt, and black high heels was smart and sexy.

  Looking down at her black jeans, pink tank top, and black sandals, Kendra remembered the days when she’d dressed like Stella. That had been when she’d had the money to buy nice clothes and go to upscale hairdressers and spas. Now, all her money went to pay for bills, groceries, and whatever Connor needed. There wasn’t room in her budget for expensive clothes. She still had some nice outfits from a few years ago, but she didn’t have much occasion to wear them.

  Her old clothes were not what she needed, except perhaps her sexy La Perla lingerie. Tom hadn’t been able to resist her in the silky lace. But she wanted more than a man lusting after her. Could she make a man like Tom fall in love with her?

  “How did your piano lessons go today?” Stella asked, changing the subject.

  Grateful for the change of topic, Kendra started telling her about how funny little Amy Phillips had been. As she talked, Kendra tried to throw off her negative thoughts and be grateful for what she had.

  It worked as long as Stella was there, but it wasn’t long before she left, and loneliness settled over Kendra. Conner was in bed, and none of her other friends would brave her neighborhood at night. Sighing, Kendra poured more wine and settled on the couch with her laptop.

  Logging onto Facebook, she saw that she had a new friend request and clicked on the notification icon. Her heart flipped over when she saw that it was from Tom. Why would he do that? Marcus would see that they’d become friends and wonder why. She hovered the pointer over the approve button, but couldn’t bring herself to hit it. Instead, she clicked on the button to bring up a message box.

  She mulled over what to say and then typed, “I can’t believe you sent me a friend request. Are you crazy?” and sent the message.

  It wasn’t long before Tom sent a reply. I’ve been called that. Are you going to accept it?

  Kendra pursed her lips in annoyance. No! Marcus will see that we became friends.

  Tom: Just set our relationship to private. No one will know. Besides, you know Marcus hardly gets on here.

  Kendra typed, “Not true. He keeps in touch with his racing buddies. Besides, I won’t take the chance. Someone else from the garage might see it and comment on it.

  Nothing came back for several moments, and she could almost feel his irritation coming through the Internet.

  Tom: What’s your number?

  Kendra: You don’t have it?

  Tom: Why would I have it? Marcus would never give it to me.

  He had a point. A couple, actually. Why would he need her number when he’d cut her out of his life? Plus, Marcus would want to know why Tom wanted it. Marcus would explode once he knew the truth, which she would not let happen until she’d made some decisions, and when she and Tom were sure about their future.

  But how long would Tom keep their secret? He’d said that he wanted to marry her so they could give Connor a good life. Kendra knew he meant well, but getting married just for a child was a stupid idea. She had to make him see that, before the identity of Connor’s father became public. They needed to be on the same page before that happened.

  Kendra typed in her phone number and a few moments later, her phone rang. Getting a grip on her emotions, she answered it. “That was fast.”

  “I don’t waste time. Want me to come over?”

  Her hand tightened around the cellphone. “What for?”

  “To talk.”

  “We’re talking now.”

  His rough-timbered chuckle in her ear made goosebumps break out along her arms. “I’d rather talk in person.”

  Panic wormed its way into her blood. “No. Uh, not tonight. Connor wakes up sometimes and I don’t want him to see you here. I have never had a man over.” Damn, she hadn’t meant to reveal that bit of news. Quickly she added, “I usually go to my dates house.”

  His voice deepened. “Then when?”

  Kendra rubbed her forehead. Knowing how dogged Tom was when he was on a mission, she knew that she couldn’t hold him off for long. She had to make him see reason and do it fast. Better to start right away.

  “Tomorrow night. Come over around seven. I’ll arrange for Connor to stay at Stella’s.”

  “Okay,” Tom said. “How’s Connor?”

  Kendra smiled, glad that he was interested. “He was one tired little man. My friend, Colleen Wilkins, watched him for me today since I had that piano lesson this morning and then I had to lay down some studio tracks this afternoon.”

  “I’m pleased to see you followed your passion and you are singing.”

  "Always.” She could picture his smile.

  “So, Colleen kept him busy, huh?”

  Kendra closed her laptop and sat it on the coffee table. “Her four kids kept him very busy. She has twins who are only a little older than him.”

  “Four? Wow.”

  His amazed tone made her laugh. “Yeah. Her husband makes good money so they can afford them. Plus, she loves being a stay-home mom.”

  “And what about you? If you could be a stay-home mom, would you?”

  “No. I love what I do, and I will build a career in the music business. I can be a good mother and still pursue my dreams,” Kendra said. She loved writing songs and was surprised at how many she’d sold.

  “How’s that working out for you?”

  Anger burned in her chest. “Don’t you judge me, Tom! I’m doing the best I can. Connor is fed, clean, and has everything he needs. I make damn sure of that.”

  “Easy, Tiger. I know that you’re a good mom. Marcus has said so frequently. It just can’t be easy.”

  Despite her irritation, his use of the nickname he’d given her made Kendra smile a little. Tiger. She hated to admit she purred only for him. “I didn’t do it by myself. I had Stella, and Marcus has stuck by me through it all.”

  His sigh came through the phone. “Don’t you think I would’ve liked to have been included? I would’ve liked to have been there for Connor’s birth and to help pick out a name. Everything, Kendra! You stole all of that from me.”

  “Well, if you’d only answered one damn voicemail or read one fricking email, you could’ve!” Kendra stood up, too mad to stay still. “You know what? This conversation is over. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

  Her hand trembled as she hit the end button and she tossed the phone onto the couch. She stomped over to the open living room window and raised the screen. Then she grabbed the bottle of wine and stepped out onto the fire escape.

  She spent a lot of time out here once Connor was asleep at night, so she’d put a chair cushion and a small tropical plant on the landing. It was her little oasis and sparked her creativity. Song ideas often came to her out there as she looked at the sky and let her mind drift.

  However, right then, no lyrics or melodies entered her mind. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against the brick building and enjoyed the night breeze. It helped cool her simmering temper.

  Part of the reason she’d gotten so upset was because Tom was right. She shouldn’t have just assumed that he was a bastard. It was a safety mechanism. She could tell herself that she had tried to contact him and
it was his choice not to be involved in their lives, without having to face his real reaction. Not having to face his rejection… All she’d had to do was tell Marcus and everyone would have known. Would she ever forgive herself for not doing that?

  But it would have ruined their friendship and perhaps destroyed her brother’s dream of winning formula one. And he’d won. It was to be his only win, as soon after he crashed his car and his career ended.

  Only now she would have to tell Marcus anyway, and this time it could end the friendship and ruin their business. Would her brother blame Tom for leaving her alone all this time? It would be bad, she just knew it, and so would Tom.

  She hoped they acted like adults regarding this situation, and she showed Marcus that they were not at each other’s throats, that Marcus would understand too.

  But knowing her brother she doubted it.

  Chapter Seven

  “Give that back!”

  Tank, Zip’s large Amstaff, had stolen his socket wrench, which Tom had just been about to use. Tom struggled against the huge dog’s grip in vain. The brindle beast growled playfully and shook his head back and forth.

  “Tank, drop!” Tom said.

  His authoritative tone got through to the dog and Tank released the tool. He grumbled and then barked at Tom in disapproval. The booming sound blocked out the whine of air compressors and idling engines.

  “Bad dog,” Tom said, laughing. “You can’t have my tools. You have plenty of toys. Play with them. Go get your chewy.”

  Tanks ears pricked forward at the word “chewy”. He gave another woof and trotted off. Tom grinned as he wiped dog slobber off the socket wrench and leaned over the engine of the Maserati he was working on. A loud clanging reverberated throughout the garage, announcing the ringing of the pit area phone.

  He set the wrench down, strode to the bench, and picked up the wall phone. “Catherine, can you take a message? I’m busy here.”

  “It’s for you,” and Catherine hung up.

  “Tom Lorde, speaking.” Silence met his greeting.

  “Hello? Anyone there?”

  “Hi, Tom. Is Marcus there? Please tell me he’s there.”

  Tom’s aggravation from the previous evening warred with concern over Kendra’s slightly panicked tone. “He’s not here, Kendra. He hasn’t come in yet this morning. What’s going on?”

  “It’s all right. I’ll figure something out.”

  Tom’s hand tightened on the phone. “Wait! Kendra, what’s wrong?”

  Connor started crying in the background.

  Kendra’s voice wavered a little. “I have a flat and I can’t get Marcus on his cellphone. I’ve been out here for almost half an hour now. Connor is hungry and I have no more animal crackers or juice to give him. It’s hot and—”

  Concern overrode Tom’s anger. “Why don’t you change the tire?”

  “I can’t get the nuts undone. They’re screwed on too tight.”

  “What?” Tom ran a hand over his face in frustration. Why hadn’t Marcus loosened them? “Never mind. Where are you? I’ll come get you guys.”

  “It’s okay. I’ll eventually get a hold of him,” Kendra replied.

  “Goddamn it, Kendra!” Tom forced himself to lower his voice. “Tell me where you are and I’ll be right there.”

  Connor let loose with a squall and he heard Kendra sigh. “Okay. We’re out on Route 12, about three miles past the Dream Cinema.”

  Tom was familiar with the old-fashioned drive-in movie theater. “What are you doing all the way out there?”

  “I went to pick up a new keyboard that I’ve been making small payments on. The studio paid me yesterday, so I could pay it off,” she said.

  “Oh, I see.” Tom grabbed his keys from the hook on the wall by the counter. “I’ll be there in fifteen. Hang tight.”

  “Thanks, Tom.”

  “No problem. See ya soon.”

  Tom hung up. “Sully! Where are you?”

  “Back here, boss!”

  Tom followed his voice to the far side of the workshop to Sully’s bay. At six-foot-four and weighing over two hundred pounds, Jake Sullivan towered over a lot of guys. Long, lean muscles, chiseled facial features, and ice-blue eyes gave him an air of danger.

  He wore his long, silver hair in a ponytail and his square jaw was constantly shadowed with salt-and-pepper stubble. Sully was only in his early forties, but he’d gone prematurely gray when he’d been around thirty.

  “Whatcha need?” he asked Tom.

  “I have to go out. Don’t touch the Maserati till I get back, okay?”

  As third in command, Sully knew the business backwards and kept close tabs on what their other seven mechanics were working on. He was also the resident classics expert and catered to clients who wanted to restore their auto treasures from the past.

  “Yeah, sure.” Sully lowered the hood on a cream-and-black 1936 Ford F1 pickup truck. “Everything okay? You look kinda’ worried.”

  “Kendra’s stuck out on Rt. 12 with a flat tire, so I’m going to get her. She tried Marcus’ cellphone, but he’s not picking up.”

  Sully grunted. “Not surprised. He never remembers to charge the damn thing. I’ll ream his ass out about it again.”

  Tom smiled. He and Marcus might be the bosses, but Sully didn’t hesitate to call them on stuff. “You do that. I’ll be back soon.”

  “Right. Tell Kendra I said hi and that I’m mad at her because she hasn’t come to play pool lately,” Sully said.

  Sully’s house was often a gathering spot for their crowd, and he had two pool tables set up in his huge finished basement. Tom thought it odd that he had never seen Kendra there. Had she not come if she knew he would be present? If so, what did that mean?

  Sully stood looking at him strangely, so Tom nodded. “I will.”

  He jogged out to his Mustang, settled behind the wheel, and cranked the engine to life. As he turned the air conditioning on, he thought about how hot Kendra and Connor must be in the 90-plus degree weather. He threw the car into gear and pealed out of the parking lot, racing down the road to get to them as fast as possible.

  Nearing the place where Kendra should be, several inky, meandering ribbons crisscrossed the asphalt. Looking ahead, he saw Kendra’s blue van sitting at the end of the skid marks on the shoulder of the road. The tire must have blown. Relief flooded him because she’d been able to keep control of the van so it didn’t flip or go off the road into the ditch. Marcus had taught her how to drive.

  He pulled up behind them and cut the engine. Hopping out, he jogged over to the van and saw that Kendra had both front windows and the side door open to allow air to circulate. She emerged from the vehicle just as he reached the rear wheel.

  “Thank God you’re here,” she said.

  “Why isn’t the van running, for the air-conditioning I mean?”

  “Oh, that’s been broken for a while. So can you hurry, it’s hot as Hades out here!”

  Her words didn’t register with Tom because her appearance transfixed him. Even with sweaty, wilted hair she was gorgeous. Her white jean shorts showed off her toned thighs and calves to perfection. She filled out the ruby red tank top she wore like a model in a music video. Tom had traveled all over the world, but he knew that he’d never find another woman as beautiful as Kendra.

  She waved her hand in his face. “The flat is on the other side,” she said. “Rear tire.”

  Tom mentally shook himself. He’d been gawking at her like a horny teenager. “Hi. You guys okay? How’s the little man?”

  He was glad when Kendra didn’t seem to notice his preoccupation with her.

  “Yeah. We’re all right. He’s just really hot and hungry.”

  Tom looked inside the van at his son, who was almost asleep. “Take Connor to my car and sit in the air-con while I get this.” Connor’s black hair was as sweaty as Kendra’s and his face was flushed.

  He helped Kendra pick up Connor and his things as he slept, placing him in the c
ool, air-conditioned mustang, which Tom had left running. Though instead of joining their son, she followed him back to her car. Changing a tire was easy, but not when legs that he longed to have wrapped around him were in his line of sight.

  “We’ll get you out of here in just a few. I can’t believe that Marcus didn’t loosen the nuts for you,” he said as he walked to the back of the van and opened the hatch. “I tell everyone to get them loosened so that this situation doesn’t happen.”

  Kendra followed him. “I asked him to, but he must have been busy.”

  Tom stopped lifting the floor panel to stare at her. “You’re kidding. He always fusses over you.”

  She lifted a shoulder. “True. He still thinks of me as a sick girl sometimes.”

  “That’s bullshit. You’ve been healthy for a long time with no signs of relapse. Marcus told me that several times,” Tom said. “He’s an ass.”

  Kendra snorted. “Tell me something I don’t know. Big brothers are a pain.”

  Tom pulled up the floor panel and saw that Kendra had a donut instead of a proper spare tire. Still, it would do the trick for now. Unfastening the donut, he lifted it out and leaned it against the back bumper. The space underneath the donut was empty.

  “Where’s the jack?” he asked.

  “Isn’t it there?” Kendra came to his side and looked down into the wheel-well. “What the hell?”

  “I don’t believe this. What the hell is wrong with him?” Tom started putting the donut back in place. “He doesn’t loosen the nuts, doesn’t make sure you have a jack and spare tire. I’m going to kill him.”

  Once he’d secured the donut in place, Tom replaced the floor panel and shut the hatch. Walking around to the passenger side, he saw that the jack wouldn’t have done them any good.

  “Your rim is bent all to hell. We will have to tow this to the garage,” he said.