by Shady Grace
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High-Speed Hunger
Copyright © 2014 by Shady Grace
ISBN: 978-1-61333-713-4
Cover art by Mina Carter
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.
Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
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Also By Shady Grace
Writing as B.L. Bonita
Pulse
High-Speed Hunger
By
Shady Grace
Chapter One
The racetrack buzzed with the roar of engines. Dust clouded the humid air as wheels spun out, and rear ends fishtailed on the dirt track. Drivers pushed their Sprint cars to the limit, fighting each other for the lead in a wild race toward the finish line.
Eileen Lavoie shielded her eyes from the blaring afternoon sun and watched Bobby Donaldson overtake the lead car. Having earned top spot on several occasions, Ragin’ Cajun’s lead driver was considered the best Sprint racer in the state of Louisiana.
Reckless behind the wheel was an understatement for him, but his carefree style—or maybe lack of brains—made him a beast on the track. Coming in second or third wasn’t good enough, and even though his moves were considered dangerous, Bobby was on top of the game.
A flash of yellow from the pit below caught her attention. The crew moved in tandem, putting away the equipment. Her gaze halted on the new guy. The view from above was delicious. God, the man had a body any hot-blooded woman would kill to touch. Broad and tall with supple, dark skin, and an ass that screamed for a firm grip—
She jumped when loudspeaker static from the commentator announced the last lap. Bobby flew past the checkered flag, and the crowd went berserk.
Sprint cars raced around the last turn and punched it down the straightaway. Several cars bumped each other trying to force the other off the track. She knew the spectators would love a crash, but today’s race was a breeze compared to the World Bandit Cup. If the crowd wanted smoke and flames, the championship would be the race to see.
Bobby blew past the finish line with the second place car kissing his ass-end.
Why couldn’t she focus on him and not the beautiful specimen of man fit to be eaten in those yellow coveralls down below? The manager should be focused on the track and the spectators rather than lusting for the new guy.
Tyrone Ellis.
Even his name sounded sexy.
According to her father, Ty had grown up on a racetrack in Jamaica but hadn’t driven for a few years. Despite the confident way he carried himself around the shop and his easy camaraderie with the team, she knew deep down Ty was just a quiet man who kept to himself. Hard to imagine a competitive spirit in the guy. But his easy smile made her body heat in all the right places, especially when he spoke in that rich and smooth accent. Every time words came out of his luscious mouth, a tingle sluiced through every nerve ending, like his words caressed her.
Eileen blew out a shaky breath and turned back to the racetrack. Bobby sped onto center field and did a round of doughnuts, kicking up dirt and punching the air out the car window with a mighty fist. Always the show-off for the crowd. She glanced at the stands, amused yet a little put off by the girls lifting their tops and jiggling their tits for him.
“Well, we done good! Didn’t we, LeeLee?” Her father leaned against the railing and watched the field.
“Always, Pop.”
Jonnie Lavoie—retired and legendary Sprint car driver—smiled through his thick, white moustache and set his big arm over her shoulder. Excited over another win for the team, Eileen gave his weathered hand a pat. For a long time it was just the two of them running the team, and being here with him at a moment like this was more than any dream come true. But taking care of him had added more years to her life than she wanted to admit. Pop’s drinking had progressed since becoming a widower five years ago. She had spent too many nights taking care of him, driving him to and from the hospital, or picking him up smashed from the bar. The last time she had a full night’s sleep seemed so long ago.
Pop pushed back, holding her at arm’s length. His wise eyes crinkled at the corners while he stared at her. “You need a vacation, baby girl.”
“Why, do I look tired?”
“You work too hard. You need to pamper yourself for a change.”
She cupped her father’s face, forcing him to listen to her. “When I need time off, I’ll tell you. Okay?”
He nodded despite the concerned expression on his weathered face. “You’re just as stubborn as your mother was.” He shook his head and murmured something under his breath about stubborn young women and urged her toward the stairs. “On another note, Ty came to me the other day, asking for a shot at driving. What do you think?”
They headed down the steps from their balcony over the field. She didn’t know what to think about him driving. Usually, a member of the team had to work with the crew for six months before driving a car. But when they rounded the corner at the bottom of the stairs, coming face-to-face with the man in question, her mind went blank.
Eileen stared up at Ty, lost in his dark gaze, until Pop patted her hand, snapping her back to reality. “I’ve already made arrangements for him to drive next weekend on a test run, and you’re gonna watch him.”
“What?” She whirled around and gaped at her father. “Why me?”
Her father chuckled. “Because one of these days this team’ll be yours. You know a good driver when you see one. My money’s on you, girl.”
What was the point in arguing, when the amused, dark Adonis they were referring to stood so close? Embarrassment made her cheeks burn.
Tyrone winked, making the situation even worse, and then shook Pop’s hand. “Hey, boss.”
“Good day, young man. I’m anxious to see what you can do behind the wheel. Don’t disappoint me now.”
“I’d never dream of it,” he answered, still staring at Eileen.
That damn Jamaican accent made her body react as if charged with an electrical current.
Those enticing lips should be illegal, too.
She lifted her chin and crossed her arms over her chest. Best to keep her guard up with a man like him. She could envision herself saying yes to a
nything he asked just to hear that soul-stirring voice. “Think you’re ready to prove yourself?”
“You bet, girl.” His mouth tipped up at one corner, his gaze revealing a boldness that stirred a fire within.
Despite the urge to smile, she stood her ground. “It’s Eileen, not ‘girl’.”
The man had a way about him that annoyed her yet weakened her knees at the same time. Nobody knew she had a soft spot for men who took control, not even Bobby. That was her own secret she’d never, ever, let out.
“There you are! I thought you’d be in the stands cheering me on, LeeLee.” Bobby’s loud voice boomed over the crowd. Ragin’ Cajun’s lead driver sauntered toward them in such a way that his arrogance alone would win him a trophy. A few women called out, screaming how much they loved him. Eileen tried to ignore the jealousy rising within when he smiled and winked back. Sometimes she wondered if the attention from the groupies was all that mattered to him, and not the excitement found on the track.
Needing a distraction and some attention of her own, she launched herself at Bobby. “I was. Always, honey.”
He threw an arm over her shoulders and grinned. “That was quite the race, wasn’t it? I had them all beat. Easy as rhubarb pie.”
She giggled and ruffled his sweaty red hair. “The helmet got the best of you, though. Your flat hair makes you look like a rumpled cartoon character.”
He chuckled and then eyed Tyrone with what appeared to be more than competition. “The best can’t always be handsome.”
“I see that,” Ty replied, not at all fazed by Bobby’s obvious dislike of him.
Bobby stood taller and scowled at him. “You got somethin’ to say, buddy?”
Eileen glanced between the two men, sensing a fight may break out between them. “Settle down. I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it. Right?”
When she glanced up, Ty’s crooked smile made her stomach flutter. “Of course.”
“Good.” Turning back to Bobby, she tried to forget about the way Ty quickened her pulse. “Pop decided we’re gonna test Ty behind the wheel this weekend.”
Bobby squared his shoulders and frowned. “That’s bullshit. I’m all you need around here. This new kid’s got nothing on me.”
“Come on, boy,” Pop interrupted, sensing more trouble. “I got some new equipment for you to check out.” Grabbing Bobby’s elbow, he yanked him in the other direction. The glare Bobby fixed on Ty could’ve lit him on fire.
Eileen stared after them with a mixture of emotions. Even though she disliked testing out the new guy, the idea of someone else behind the wheel intrigued her. Her father would never allow him to drive if he didn’t sense something great in him.
Bobby needed to watch his attitude, too. Ty’s sheer size alone, compared to him, would put him in the hospital should they ever fight. Before they rounded the back of the hauling truck, Pop peered over his shoulder and winked.
“Your boyfriend doesn’t like me.” Ty shoved his hands in the pockets of his coveralls. She couldn’t help raking her gaze over the lower half of his body. When she glanced back up, his knowing expression made her blush.
“That’s just the way he is.” She forced a smile. “He’s a damn good driver, though.”
“A smart woman like you shouldn’t be on the arm of a man like him.”
She snorted, but he didn’t laugh. “He’s not that bad.”
When she realized he was staring at her lips again, it made her more nervous with each passing breath. “Yeah, well, men like that tend to care about what they want—not what you want, and you’ll never be more than a gorgeous trophy on his arm.”
Eileen let her jaw drop. He was right. But calling her gorgeous?
“And that’s a shame,” Ty added, his voice thick and sensual. “Maybe I’m too old-fashioned, but if you were my girl, you’d never have to wonder what I cherish most. And I’m a damn good driver.”
How does a woman respond to that? If what Ty said was true, then he was unlike any man she had ever met. He doesn’t even know me. “Uh…okay. Well, then. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” Not knowing what else to add to their odd conversation, she nodded, shifting her gaze to the crowd now departing the stands. She needed to focus on something—anything—other than the tall and tempting human dessert standing in front of her.
“Have a good night, Mr. Ellis.”
When she smiled at him, he winked. “You, too, girl.”
She walked away, flustered beyond compare. Against her better judgment, she glanced back.
Ty stood in the same spot, still watching her.
Chapter Two
Late Thursday evening, Ty wandered downstairs from his apartment above the shop to find his favorite CD, and when he heard a familiar tune, he paused in the stairwell. One of the mechanics must be working late, he thought, and entered the shop while humming to the song.
Several Sprint cars were up on hoists, and others were parked in neat rows along one of the walls. The team had over a dozen cars, each one of them souped-up to the nuts.
When he realized nobody was in the shop, he headed over to the stereo. Maybe somebody had forgotten to shut the music off when the garage closed.
Just as he was about to flip open the CD compartment, a movement on the other side of the shop caught his attention. Thinking Mak—the lead mechanic—must be tinkering around out of sight, he wandered over to say hello.
One of the work trucks had been parked by the far wall, and once he neared the back bumper, he caught a glimpse of red hair through the rear window. Unable to discern who the person could be, he rounded the back of the truck and regretted the decision.
A woman he sort of recognized was bent over a counter, her skirt pushed up high. Bobby took her from behind. Ty froze to the spot, his eyes wide, unable to tear his gaze away from the two of them. At first, he thought it might be Eileen, but she didn’t have red hair. Though he was glad not to see her in that situation, at the same time he was pissed Bobby would cheat on her…and right in their family-owned shop.
This must be the worst possible situation he could land himself in.
The girl’s hair bounced with every hard thrust. Sweat glistened on her bare back as she arched over the counter, exposing her pale breasts. Ty swallowed the lump in his throat when Bobby buried a fist in the girl’s hair and pumped harder.
They had no idea he stood there—turned on by the torrid vision they created, yet disgusted by their lack of regard for Eileen—while they grinded against the dirty tool counter.
After a heart-thudding moment, Ty retreated. Now wasn’t the time to start trouble with the team’s lead driver, no matter how much he wanted to pummel the jerk into the ground. But in his haste to get away, he bumped a forgotten wrench sitting on the back bumper of the truck. The clang of metal on cement shot like a firecracker through the garage. He swore under his breath, let his shoulders drop, and turned around to face them.
Bobby yanked away from the girl, his eyes wide while rushing to fix his clothes. “What the fuck are you doing down here?” The girl righted herself and made a quick exit through the side door, leaving him to deal with the consequences alone.
“I live here,” Ty said through clenched teeth, wanting to tune the fucker up.
Bobby took a step closer, but halted. “You’re not going to say anything, are you?”
He shook his head, amazed how the prick could be so casual over what just happened. “What you do isn’t my business.” And he walked away, leaving the CD in the stereo.
Beating the shit out of the team’s lead driver would raise questions he didn’t want to answer.
***
A few days had passed since Ty had caught Bobby cheating on Eileen, and he wasn’t looking forward to seeing the prick any time soon. But as luck would have it, he was putting away some tools when Bobby strutted into the shop. The idiot’s snappy, annoying whistle shrieked through the wide-open space. He wished he’d blasted the radio to drown out the moron’s presen
ce.
“So…” Bobby said. “How do you like working for Ragin’ Cajun’s team? They have car racing back in banana land?”
Ty gripped the wrench in hand, every muscle drawn like stretched elastic. Out of respect for Eileen and Jonnie, he decided not to act on impulse and drive the tool through Bobby’s skull. Instead, he turned with a wry smile and eyed the prick like he was no better than trash.
“Some of the best drivers are from Jamaica. But I wouldn’t expect someone with a third grade education to know that.”
Bobby’s eyes narrowed, and he let out a chuckle, acting like the statement didn’t faze him. Ty knew better. “Well, now, you’re a smartass, ain’t ya?”
“Better a smartass than a dumbass.” He turned back to the task at hand. He wouldn’t let a little immaturity get in the way of his job, but if the asshole started something, he would enjoy finishing it.
“You best watch your back, boy. I’m number one around here, and ain’t nobody gonna get in my way. You say one thing to my girl about what you seen, and I’ll make your life a living hell. Got it?”
Ty didn’t bother to face him, though the word “boy” spread through his veins like lava. “Does it turn you on to stand so close to my ass? Cause I’ll only tell you once. I don’t swing that way.”
Bobby blew out a few curses and stalked off. Just for the hell of it, Ty added, “Say hello to your little girlfriend for me. You know the one.”
The side door slammed when Bobby exited in a blaze. Ty shook his head and returned to work.
How could Eileen date the guy? For a smart woman who ran a racing business, she could do better. Bobby was the epitome of a moron who thought of nothing else but his own needs. And to know the man wasn’t faithful, tested every one of his nerves.
A woman like Eileen deserved a good man, and Bobby just didn’t cut it…not by a long shot. The guy shouldn’t be trusted, but what Ty thought didn’t matter. Even if he did confess what he’d seen to her, or even her father, they might think he was trying to blackmail Bobby in order to take his job. Earning their trust mattered most, and he had all the patience in the world when it came to Eileen.
