Full Throttle

by LaShawn Vasser

  Her body tightened around his tongue. Colby’s soft cries of pleasure spurred Liam on. He pulled out only to thrust deeply into her again.

  Colby loved how he was making love to her with his mouth, but she was so ready for his cock. She pleaded with him. “God, I’m going to die if you don’t make love to me.”

  His only goal was to please her, and Colby was building toward an orgasm. He could feel her body contracting. She was close, so he picked up his rhythm and used a finger to rub her tight, little bud.

  Seconds later, Colby exploded. The fireworks behind her eyelids were like a Fourth of July display.

  Her breath was short and choppy. “Now, I think you’re ready.” Liam rose and climbed on top of Colby. She opened wide, welcoming him into her body. She reached for him—thick, long, and hard. Colby took the head of his cock and rubbed it against her still soaking wet vaginal lips.

  Liam covered her hand with his. He lined himself up with her opening and drove deep inside of her. For a moment, Liam didn’t move. He just relished the feeling of becoming one. Being inside her without a condom felt amazing.

  Their lips connected for another soul-stirring kiss. This time Colby could taste her cum on his tongue.

  He whispered into her mouth, “I love you, Colby.” It was the first time that Liam had ever uttered those words.

  “I love you, too.”

  The heat of her body and the way she tightened around him almost threw Liam off course. His body wanted to go fast. But Liam wanted Colby to know that what was happening between them wasn’t just physical. He was not only going to worship her body but make love to her—for his very first time. Liam planned to take it slow even if it killed him.

  Leisurely, he pulled out only to surge forward, setting the same rhythm with her body and her mouth.

  Colby had already had one orgasm and was building toward another. Liam was taking her with the perfect blend of power and passion.

  She hugged him to her as he slid in and out. Colby’s heart was so full that she thought it might burst. Is this what it feels like to make love? She was beginning to think maybe she hadn’t ever experienced it.

  Colby felt that familiar tingle at the base of her spine. “Pleeaassse.” She wrapped her legs around his hips.

  Liam could sense she needed more.

  He thrust hard into her, lifting their bodies from off the bed.

  “Yess! Yes.” Colby screamed out over and over. The slick sounds their bodies made as they came together made their lovemaking even more erotic.

  Liam felt his orgasm building, but he was praying he could hold out until she came. The sweat from their bodies began to drip over them.

  Colby tried her best to hold on. Her body exploded, and her muscles spasmed and clenched. “Liam . . . I . . . oh . . . my . . . god . . . I’m cumming!”

  Her words spurred him on. Liam didn’t think he could go harder or deeper, but he did. The way her body tightened around him was too much. He couldn’t hold on any longer. One final stroke and Liam splashed his thick, hot cum inside her body.

  Now that he’d said the They were both breathing hard. It took a minute to catch their breath. As Liam came down from the feeling of euphoria, he placed little kisses all over her face, Colby soaked it up.

  Liam rolled off her body and pulled her close–nestling Colby into the crook of his arm. Never in her life had a man made her feel so cherished.

  Just before he drifted off to sleep, he whispered, “I love you.”

  Exhausted, Colby whispered, “I love you, more.”

  *****

  The past couple of days went by fast. Colby felt good in her new car, and on the track, her Lockwood team were in perfect sync. All of their hard work seemed to be paying off and had led to this moment–race day.

  They stood in front of the door, wrapped in each other’s arms. “Are you nervous?” Liam asked. Other than when Colby had been practicing, she and Liam had been inseparable.

  Colby nodded in the affirmative. “I’ve hoped, dreamed, and planned for this moment my entire life.” She felt a twinge of guilt because she knew what Liam expected. Colby just couldn’t just let Lorene off Scott free. She still intended to right some wrongs. “There is a huge part of me that still can’t believe it’s happening.”

  Liam leaned in and planted a kiss close to her ear before speaking softly. “I’m betting on you and our future.” He hoped Colby would finally be free of the past.

  She felt a tinge of guilt. From the age of fifteen, Colby’s plans had been firm. Nothing would change them.

  “You inspire me. I have no doubt that you’re about to take the world by storm.”

  Colby melted. Liam was showing his full support, and she was humbled. Maybe she could let things go? As soon as the thought entered her mind, Colby batted it down. No. She couldn’t change course. Could she? Colby honestly didn’t know. She whispered, “Thank you for that.”

  The way her warm eyes were looking at Liam, he would enjoy nothing more than to take Colby back to bed and make love to her for the rest of the day. Too bad duty called. She had a date with destiny, and he had to check on Brian then make sure his own plans were in place. “My pleasure. Next time I see you, it’ll be at the finish line.” Again, he kissed her long and hard. “Good luck, baby.” Colby still felt the heat of his kiss long after he walked out of the door.

  Colby was just about to jump in the shower when there was a knock on her door. “What did Liam forget?” she mumbled to herself as she walked over to answer it. Colby opened the door.

  “Surprise!” Lila, in all of her fabulousness, breezed inside.

  “Oh, my God!” Colby beamed. She was genuinely happy to see her. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

  Lila placed her hands on her hips. “I know damn well you didn’t think I was going to miss race day.” She turned in a semi-circle and whistled. “Gonzo said Liam hooked you up. Girl, this room is like a small luxury apartment.”

  Colby smiled sheepishly. “It is nice.”

  She glanced around Colby at the rumpled bedsheets. “Hmm . . . I passed Liam in the hallway.” Lila lifted a perfectly sculpted brow. “Do I smell sex in the air?” She laughed as she faked sniffed. “Did he help you rumple those sheets?”

  “Maybe.” Colby giggled like a schoolgirl.

  “Never thought I’d see the day that Colby James would allow herself to have it all—the career of your dreams and love. I am so happy for you. It gives me hope.”

  “Your day will come.” Colby didn’t want Lila to feel one second of sadness, not when she was on cloud nine. “Again, I’m so happy you’re here! I know you consider racing, guy stuff, and it was never really your thing.”

  Lila’s arms dropped to her sides as she walked farther into Colby’s room. “It still isn’t. If it weren’t for you and Uncle Cyrus, I would be someplace on the other side of the world. However, today is where I need to be to support my family. I tried to convince Mom to come, but you know,” Lila shrugged, “she couldn’t make it.”

  “It would have been nice to see Aunt Faye, but I understand.”

  “Anyway, I know what you’ve sacrificed. I know what it took for you to get here. I hope you know that you deserve this, so please enjoy every second of it.”

  “I just want to make Rodney proud.”

  “You think he’s not? If you never stepped foot on that racecourse, he would still be proud of you! Rodney adored you and only ever wanted you to be the best you could be. No more. No less.”

  “He deserved so much more than what happened to him,” Colby said.

  “Yep. He did.” Lila placed her hand flat above Colby’s heart. “You carry him in here. Where you go, he goes. He’s here. We’ll never forget what happened. It was horrible. But, today, just you being here is a giant fuck you to everyone who tried to prevent it. And, maybe, just maybe, you can put the past in the past.”

  Lila was more observant than Colby gave her credit. She pulled Lila into her arms and hugged her
tight. “Thank you for that.”

  “I hope you know that I’ve always admired you, but today, I’m in awe.” She extended her arms and placed her hands on Colby’s shoulders and stared into her eyes. “I am so goddamned proud. When you get in that car today, just know that every James will be with you, including Rodney.”

  “Thanks, Lila,” Colby said quietly. “I truly believe that. I woke up this morning, and I felt him.”

  “Yeah. I feel Rodney’s presence too. Oh . . .” Lila reached in her giant Prada purse and grabbed a small and beautifully gift-wrapped box. “This is for you.”

  “What is it?” Colby looked bewildered.

  “Open it and see.”

  Colby tore the paper off, and inside was a black band with Rodney James—The Magician—#12 embroidered around it.

  “The entire team will be wearing them today. It’s my gift to Lockwood Racing.”

  Colby wiped away a tear that slid down her face. She whispered, “Thank you. I love it.” They both stood for a moment lost in their own thoughts until Lila snapped out of it first. She clapped her hands together. “Okay, chop-chop, Chica! Let’s get you together.” She wiped tears from her own eyes. “Go hop in the shower and wash Mr. Liam off, and then I’ll do your makeup. I can’t have my cousin on that winner’s podium looking all crazy after you win! Now, go!”

  Colby saluted Lila then took off for the bathroom. An hour later, she was dressed and raring to go. Lila had convinced her to sit still long enough to braid five large cornrows into Colby’s hair and apply a little makeup. Lila was putting on the finishing touches when Colby began to squirm. “Almost done.” Lila was just about to apply some gloss when Colby reared her head back and away from the lipbrush.

  “Aht . . . Aht!” she admonished. “No, thank you to that.”

  “C’mon, Colby. Just a little?” Lila pleaded.

  “Nope. I’m good.” Colby picked up the hand mirror from off the side table to check out her reflection. “I can’t believe I even let you talk me into wearing this much makeup in the first place.”

  “You are about to be splashed all over the cover of a gazillion magazines and blogs. I cannot have you out there looking like you don’t have family and friends who love you. I knew you wouldn’t have a hair and makeup team, so you better be grateful I’m here. Anyway, I know you like more of a natural look, so I didn’t overdo it.”

  “You didn’t.” Colby continued to study herself in the hand mirror. “I get it. But lip gloss? Really? I’m a race car driver, not a fashion cover model.” Colby stood. “These people need to take me seriously.”

  “And ashy lips is the way to convince them, huh?”

  Colby smirked. “My lips aren’t ashy.”

  “Not now, but they will be.” Lila searched her makeup bag until she found what she was looking for. “At least take the lip balm.” She placed it in Colby’s uninjured palm. “I can’t imagine how you’re going to look after the race.”

  “I’m going to look like a winner.” Colby smiled cheekily and placed the balm in one of the pockets of her suit. “Now, hand me my aviators, and let’s do this.”

  Lila did as she was asked and smiled broadly. “Cocky little bastard, aren’t you?”

  Colby placed the mirrored sunglasses on her face. “Not cocky. Just confident. It’s been a long time coming, but I’m dancing with destiny today.”

  Chapter 28

  Colby walked out of her hotel room and was immediately surrounded by Markos and his security team and Brandy Coles, the PR specialist Brian hired.

  Lila could tell that Colby was irritated by the intrusion. She was an athlete and needed her time to get into her zone. Brandy either didn’t notice or didn’t care. She talked a mile a minute as they walked down the long corridor that led to the private underground garage.

  “The media is out in full force. They will be shouting all kinds of questions at you. Don’t answer any of them. I’ve already informed the press that you won’t be speaking to them until after the race.”

  Colby nodded.

  Their car was waiting as they exited the building. Markos opened the door, and Colby climbed inside, followed by Lila and Brandy.

  Colby didn’t mean to be rude, but the second she got in the car, she put her earbuds on and rested her head against the headrest, closing her eyes while blasting her favorite tunes. She let her mind go blank.

  It was race day. Nothing else mattered.

  “Wait. I still have more instructions,” Brandy said.

  “Nope. You’re done,” Lila countered. Brandy didn’t like it, but Lila didn’t care.

  The ride over to the track was going to be a short one.

  As the Atlanta Speedway came into view, Brandy attempted to tap Colby on the shoulder, but Lila caught her arm midair. “Just tell me what Colby needs to know.”

  Brandy was thrown off balance, but the fierceness in Lila’s eyes let her know that Colby was off-limits. Begrudgingly, she told Lila the final details.

  As they pulled through the gates meant for drivers and personnel, Lila’s eyes grew wide. There were cameras everywhere, and they began to surround the car. Lila turned to Brandy. “Is all of this for Colby?”

  She nodded proudly. “Yep. Your cousin is a big deal.”

  It was as if Colby were a rock star. In a sense, she was. Lila couldn’t let Colby get caught off guard like this. She tapped her shoulder.

  Colby’s brows knitted together in frustration as she took out an earbud. “What’s up?”

  “We’re here, and there are a lot of people out there waiting to see you.” Lila pointed.

  Colby glanced in the direction of Lila’s fingers and out the window. There were indeed a ton of people. Colby sighed. She wasn’t nervous or moved by all the hoopla. It was more of a nuisance than anything. Colby was singularly focused. She had a job to do.

  When the car stopped, Markos turned to her. “We’ll clear a space for you, Ms. James.” After a few moments, her door opened. Calmly, Colby stepped out of the car. There were signs everywhere. There were quite a few #BlackLivesMatter, but one, in particular, moved her. It said Colby James is Black Girl Magic. That brought a smile to her face.

  Reporters shouted questions. Colby mostly ignored them until one made her stop dead in her tracks.

  “Ms. James, what do you say to people who feel you didn’t earn your place in this race? That your relationship with Liam Lockwood is how it was secured?”

  Brandy attempted to push Colby along. “Just keep moving. Don’t say anything.”

  Colby didn’t budge. Instead, slowly, she turned around. No. She would not just keep moving. Colby wasn’t sure if today could be a day of total freedom, but she planned, at least, to let go of the fear of it being discovered that she was dating Liam.

  Colby inhaled deeply. The crowd quieted down as if they understood her speaking embargo was about to end. Colby looked pointedly at the reporter who asked the question. “What would I say to that question? I would tell them that never in the history of this country has a black person ever been given anything. We’ve had to earn our seat at the table through blood, sweat, and tears. I’m not an exception. Black Excellence is not just a hashtag, it’s the price of admission, and in some cases, it’s still not enough.” Colby paused for emphasis. “But today, it is.” She glanced over the top of her mirrored shades and made eye contact with a beautiful brown girl who looked to be in her teens. She was the one holding the Black Girl Magic poster. Colby smiled wide. “I like your sign.” In herd-like fashion, cameras flashed brightly at the young girl. Colby waved them off. “See you all on the winner’s podium.”

  Full of purpose and pride, Colby began walking toward the garage.

  It was as if Brandy finally understood the magnitude of the moment. She was more than impressed with Colby’s response and immediately stopped trying to coach her on what to say. Colby had a voice all her own, and apparently, she planned to use it.

  Once inside, Lila couldn’t help but laugh. “
Daaamn, girl. I see you.”

  “I saw him and that sexist ass question too. I bet they didn’t ask any other driver how they earned their spot in this race.”

  More people surrounded them as they entered the building. This time, they were Atlanta Speedway handlers. They began to direct Lila and Brandy toward the Lockwood VIP room. Before they separated, Lila had a few parting words. She grew serious. “Be careful out there.” Her throat felt thick. Lila was sure they were both thinking the same thing. “Just so you know, regardless of the outcome, you’re already a winner.”

  Colby removed her glasses. Her head tilted slightly before she spoke with the determination of a warrior. “That’s a speech for losers. That’s not happening today.”

  She winked and strutted away with such fierceness that Lila went to her seat, believing that Colby James just might be on the verge of greatness.

  *****

  The first person Colby saw when she entered the garage was Liam. Their eyes connected and held. He didn’t approach. He seemed to understand that this moment was bigger than them. Still, he did that half-smile thing that let her know he had her back and her front.

  Colby’s attention was drawn away from him, only when her father and the rest of Team Lockwood approached.

  “You ready?” he asked.

  “You made certain of that.”

  His eyes misted. Cyrus was of two minds. Colby was his baby girl, and he wanted to protect her at all costs. Quite naturally, memories of the day they lost Rodney were strong. This race was going to be brutal, and it would kill him if he lost Colby the same way as he’d lost his son. Cyrus had to remind himself that Colby was gifted, and he had to have faith in her skill. She was a great driver.

  Gonzo pulled her car around and slid out the window. Before he turned it over, he wouldn’t wish Colby luck. She didn’t need that. His words were clear. “This one is for Rodney.”

  Colby returned his words with a slow nod, and they bumped fists.