I know what I’m doing. I’ve known how to drive since I was old enough to understand the dynamics. Dad always ensured I was there, ready to take on the world. And the more I fell in love with racing, the closer he and I became.
“Slow down.” Two words filter into my mind across the console from Kayden. But I ignore him. I hate him. He’s an arrogant asshole who needs to realize that this is the twenty-first century. “I said slow down,” he murmurs again, but the deep tone of his voice ensures I cast a quick glance at his serious expression.
“I know what I’m doing, coach,” I bite out, breaking into the curve, then accelerating out of it. The fury burning the right side of my face comes from teal eyes. There’s no other way to describe them. They’re endless, like a lake amongst the mountains. If he weren’t so annoying, I might even find him attractive.
“Haelee, I said fucking slow down.” This time, his voice booms through the tight space of the car, and I take another S-turn before gearing down to fourth, then third, and then I pull up the handbrake, sending us skidding in circles, but I control the vehicle like a professional, doing a donut in the middle of the track before coming to a complete stop.
I push open my car door as anger tackles every nerve in my body. My feet are already moving when Kayden reaches for my arm and grips me, spinning me to face him. Those eyes I deemed beautiful are pure fury.
He pulls off his helmet, chucking it on the seat, and I’m assaulted by the full force of just how handsome he is. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“What the fuck is wrong with me?” The shock in my voice is clear. My helmet is next to go as I swing it onto the car seat beside his. He’s being the asshole, and he’s asking what my problem is. That’s rich. What a condescending jerk.
“Yeah, you’re acting like a petulant teenager, and I know you’re no longer in your fucking teens,” he bites out, eyes glowing as he takes me in, and for a second, I’m sure I see a hint of desire. But I brush it off and ignore the warning bells ringing in my head.
“You’re a condescending asshole, and I don’t like being spoken to like I’m a child because I’m not. Let’s get one thing straight. I’ve been driving since I was barely thirteen. I know what I’m doing.”
“Like fuck you do,” he grits through clenched teeth, and I can’t deny myself the pleasure of seeing his jaw tick with frustration.
“Oh? And you’re so fucking good? I beat you,” I remind him, pointing my finger at him, hitting him in the chest. It’s hard as solid concrete. Pushing back the thoughts that invade my mind at that tidbit of information, I lock my glare on him.
“That was a fluke. Don’t think for one second I won’t wipe the track with you, little girl,” he sneers.
“Oh, yeah? Put your money where your mouth is.”
“Don’t start something you can’t finish, little girl,” he taunts me again, using the name to fuel my anger, and my hand is rearing for a slap, but before I can make contact, his grip on my wrist is solid steel.
Fireworks spark through me, and a tremble takes hold. No. I can’t want this with him. He’s bad news. My father warned me about racers. They have girls in every town they visit.
“Let go of me, Kayden,” I sneer, lowering my voice, but he doesn’t relent. Instead, he steps closer to me. So close, in fact, I can smell the woodsy scent of his cologne. There’s a minty fragrance as well, and for a moment, I’m struck dumb.
“Why? Doesn’t it turn you on when we’re this close, speedy? Do you not like my hands all over you?” he challenges, but his words only incite more frustration. I’m not angry anymore. I’m annoyed that he doesn’t see me. And I realize in that moment I want him to see me. The real me.
The woman.
Not the girl.
When I was in high school, I wasn’t one of those giggly cheerleaders who would swoon over the popular boys. But Kayden, he’s not a boy, he’s all man. And that’s the last thought that enters my head before he leans in, allowing his lips to feather over mine.
“You know what, Kayden, fuck you,” I tell him before tugging my arm free. “I’m a racer. I’m a woman who knows how to drive around that track the same as any guys on this team. Yeah, I’m young, but you know what? I have youth on my side. What do you have? I don’t know, perhaps just the cash that your—”
Suddenly, my mouth is fused with his. His lips scorch me, turning my blood hot, and my toes curl in my shoes. Kayden pulls me in deeper, closer, and my whole body is molded to his. My softness against his hardness.
I should push him away.
I should stop this kiss right now.
But the moment I whimper and his tongue snakes into my mouth, dancing along mine, I lose all fight and just enjoy the moment for what it is. My first real kiss. His hands taunt their way over my hips, down to my ass, and he grips both globes of flesh to hold me against him.
A low rumble vibrates in his chest. I’m lost to the pleasure, lost to the taste of him. The dark flavor of black coffee assaults my senses. I don’t know how long we’re fused for, but when he finally breaks the kiss and steps back, I’m breathless.
“What was that?” I breathe the words, looking into his eyes that seem endless right now. The anger and frustration from moments ago gone. All that’s left is … confusion?
“I don’t know.” His admission is bitten out as if he’s as unsure as I am. “This isn’t happening,” he tells me then. “I don’t mix work with pleasure.”
“That must be a first,” I bite out as embarrassment burns my cheeks. I’ve been ignored before. I’ve also been looked at as different from everyone because I wasn’t the perfectly poised cheerleader, the prom queen, or any of those popular girls who seemed to swan around high school as if it were a pageant.
“I didn’t mean it like that.” Kayden reaches for my hand, but I step back. I don’t want my heart broken. I don’t want to do this. Because as much as I enjoyed the kiss and I allowed myself to want it, I know I can’t. I’m not the type of girl for Kayden. He’s bad news for both my heart and my mind.
“I’m going to walk back,” I tell him, tossing him the keys and turning to leave. His eyes burn a hole through me, and I remind myself not to look back.
Don’t you dare.
He’s not good for you.
But by the time I reach the garages, I do glance over my shoulder, expecting him to have gone. Instead, he is standing right where I left him, staring after me as if I just broke his heart.
10
Kayden
Fucking shit.
I fucked up. I should never have done that.
Picking up the beer, I think back to this afternoon and just how much I wanted to kiss her. She’s beautiful. Even though she doesn’t think so, I know so. But I can’t tell her that because the moment I do, she’s possibly going to knee me in the balls. One thing I’m learning about Haelee is that she doesn’t like to be told what to do or how to do it.
But I’m her racing coach, and I’ll make sure she gets better with every class. If I can keep my hands and lips off her. That’s going to be difficult because all I can think about is how her mouth felt against mine.