“Oh, um, no worries. I completely understand the situation and what you need from me,” she says, biting her lip. The way she says need has my cock swelling. Son of a bitch, I don’t have time for this now.
“Excellent. I look forward to working closely with you,” I say, loving the way her mouth parted when I said closely. Looking at the clock on the jumbotron, I shake my Rowe’s hand and climb in the car. When I look up after strapping in, she is right there, leaning in the window. My helmet isn’t on yet, so I have an unobstructed view of her beautiful face. Her perfume is subtle but it’s the best scent I’ve ever had the pleasure of breathing in.
“Um, drive safe, Tex,” she says checking my harness. Her fingers linger on my chest. Her quick kiss on my lips surprises me.
“You do that with McConnell?” I ask gruffly, pissed again. I’ve got to get a fucking grip. She’s bringing out the asshole in me. I certainly don’t want to scare her gorgeous ass away.
“Oh God, no. Just drive safe Tex. Promise me.” I stare at her. There’s only so much I can do. “Fine,” she says rolling her bright blue eyes. “Just drive to the best of your abilities,” she giggles.
“Kiss me again and I’ll do whatever you want, doll,” I say winking. She kisses me lightly again, before kissing her fingertips and tapping the top of my instrument panel. She’s superstitious and I find that fucking adorable. She then backs out the window, putting the net up.
“Gentlemen, start your engines!” Country music singer, Tammy Jean Vernon, says before waving the flag. Helmet on, I can hear Bristol’s quiet breathing loud and clear through my headset and it soothes me as nothing else has before.
“Good luck, Tex. I’m prayin’ for you,” she says. Her North Carolina accent so near my own gives me pause. I smile. For the first time, my confidence in this track is restored.
“Thank you, doll. I’m looking forward to my victory kiss.”
Chapter Two
Bristol Talbot
What the fuck was I thinking? Why the hell did I kiss my boss like that? Why did I do it on my first day working for him? Any day you do something like that, it’s typically bad, but the first day just seems worse. It’s insane is what it is. I’m insane. Overcome with lust. Is this lust? I’ve never experienced it before and it’s throwing me for a loop. All I know is that I need more. Much, much, more.
Sure, I’ve seen him on TV, and totally stalked and memorized his Wikipedia page but I was not prepared for seeing him in person. He’s hot, with short, blonde hair. Clean shaven and much larger than I ever thought a racecar driver should be. He makes me want things that I didn’t think were possible for me. I have been so career focused that I haven’t had time for men. I have had to work against my upbringing my whole life to get where I am today.
My father, Jerry Mayer, was a driver for the Jordan Racing Team. He died twelve years ago during the Birmingham 500 on the 490th lap. Another car hit him, forcing him into the pit wall. The impact was so hard, they said he died immediately. It was the worst day of my life. I was eleven and I was there. In the VIP box watching the best man that I’ve ever known die. My sister, Austin and I held hands. Crying and praying as we followed our mother, Sage, down to the track. That was the day I watched her fall apart before my very eyes. She hasn’t truly been happy since then. She refuses to acknowledge what I do and has warned me away from race car drivers my whole life. They will bring nothing but heartache. After his funeral, I knew then and there that I wanted to be a part of his legacy, but unfortunately, I am a terrible driver. Terrible doesn’t even begin to describe it, actually. Austin and I still live with mom in Charlotte. Though we are grown with jobs, we don’t want to leave her alone.
I made a name for myself during pit training school in Charlotte and job offers came pouring in. Austin became a driver. She’s on Wellington’s Silver team and is currently out on the track. I settled with Standifer Racing and had been happy there until Tex poached me that is. I didn’t realize I could be poached, but when Tex Johnston calls, you don’t hang up. I actually spoke to Rowe but my point stands. He explained what happened with the last chief and I’ll admit the prospect of helping right so many wrongs appealed to me. Now that I’ve met the man and kissed him, that’s only increased tenfold. He’s been held back by those who are supposed to help him and that doesn’t sit well with me.