The Mustang propels forward, flying around the track as the usual Friday night crowd cheers for their few minutes of solid entertainment. Although one thing is for sure, this should be the most exhilarating race they’ve ever seen, especially considering Bri is racing against no one but herself.
I don’t even know how we ended up here, but it is what it is, and the moment she said she was down, I was already throwing her in the driver’s seat. Who am I to deny a goddess a night of dangerously reckless fun?
The Mustang jolts and my stomach clenches, but that doesn’t stop the encouraging smile I give Bri as she stares wide eyed at the track before us. “Oh, God,” she mutters, looking almost sick with her decision to do this. “This was a bad idea.”
“You’re doing fi—WATCH OUT FOR THE PEOPLE!”
Bri screams and hastily corrects herself, shaking her head in terror as she flies past the bystanders who are lucky to get away with their lives still intact. She eases up on the gas while still forging ahead. I have to give it to her, she doesn’t back down from anything, especially when it’s something she’s already started, despite the way it might terrify her.
We make our way around the track, and compared to the speed I usually take these corners, this feels more like a Sunday afternoon stroll. Though I don’t dare mention that to my girl in fear of her gouging my eyes out with a rusty fork.
Dust flies up from beneath the tires and the crowd cheers for Bri, making her feel like royalty, and the further she gets around the track, the easier she seems to respond. She relaxes into the corners, and by the time we’re hitting the last straight, she’s doubling down on the gas and we’re shooting forward, sending us hurtling across the finish line.
“Holy shit,” she breathes, her eyes wide. When she hits the brakes, the Mustang comes to a screeching stop, and people rush in to crowd us. Her head whips toward me, a smug grin stretching across her face. “What was my time?” she questions. “I totally beat your record, didn’t I?”
I stare back at her, my eyes narrowing. “You’re kidding, right?” I ask. “I can’t tell if you’re serious or not.”
“I’m so serious,” she declares with pride. “One more lap at that speed and your tires would have burst into flames. I’m the motherfucking king of this track. I’m sorry to tell you, Tanner, but you just became my bitch. I mean, did you see how you freaked out at that one corner? I didn’t think it was possible for such a tough guy like you to squeal like a little girl.”
Her eyes sparkle with laughter and I can’t help but reach for her, curling my fingers around the back of her neck and pulling her into me until those gorgeous bright blue eyes are staring deep into mine. “You’re bad news, Killer.”
She grins back at me like a fucking she-devil, and the way my chest aches for her is nothing short of crippling. “Whatcha gonna do about it?”
Fuck me. This little brat. What I wouldn’t give to see my perfect handprint against that fine ass.
My lips crush on hers, kissing her deeply as her tongue battles with mine for dominance, but who am I fucking kidding? She’s got me exactly where she wants me. I might be able to feign having the power here, but when it comes to Brielle Ashford, I’m as fucking whipped as humanly possible. She’s got me on my knees, and there’s no place else I’d rather be.
Finally coming up for air, we make our way out of the car and through the crowd. I don’t bother moving the Mustang. It’s well past midnight and the races are finished for the night. Hell, they were finished over two hours ago, but that didn’t stop Bri from wanting to take a crack at it. Let’s be honest, she sucks. Like really fucking sucks at it. Racing simply isn’t for her, not that she’d agree with that, but if she asks again, I’d still be the first fucker offering up my car just to see the way her face lights up with excitement. Who knows, maybe after a little practice, she might even surprise me.
Making our way up the hill to our friends, I can’t help but notice the death glare Bri sends to Jules Macey. I laugh as the girl immediately backs down from whatever bullshit she was planning.
We reach our friends in no time and Bri jumps straight into her recap of her practice lap. “Did you see me?” she says, wide-eyed, the excitement on her face lighting up the faces of everyone around her. “I was on fire. I swear, I knocked all of Logan’s and Tanner’s records right off the board.”