Two.
I tightened my grip on the wheel.
Almost there.
One.
The flag came down, my foot hit the pedal, and the screech of tires filled the air as we rocketed forward with reckless abandon.
Darkened buildings and empty lots whizzed by in a blur. My heart rate kept pace with the car as we flew through the streets.
This. This was what I’d needed. I’d been in a foul mood since training, and nothing helped me vent like a good race.
The first corner approached. I braced myself, my body tense as I calculated the perfect angle for a clean turn. Beside me, Clive appeared to do the same.
We zoomed toward the bend in near parallel streaks.
Not yet…
The guardrail loomed. Its rusted metal glowed with menace beneath our glaring headlights.
Not yet…
The world narrowed to that one stretch of pavement.
Now!
With a quick flick of the wheel, I punched the car into a sharp turn. The tires squealed, but a controlled switch between the brake and accelerator smoothed the shift.
I was clear-and I’d pulled ahead of Clive.
However, my grin of triumph faded when the glint of his headlights filled my side mirror again. He’d recovered faster than I’d expected.
Motherfucker.
He inched in front of me by a hair.
I caught up a second later.
On and on, we traded leads until the finish line came into view. Simon stood by the roadside, shirt in hand.
Clive and I were still neck and neck. I could take one of two strategies. Either I pushed now, or…
Fuck it.
I went with my gut and eased my foot off the throttle a centimeter, just enough to let Clive speed past.
I ignored his gloating stare even as my blood drummed to the beats of competition and adrenaline.
Are you going to throw his number away?
No. Why would I?
It was a kiss…It didn’t mean anything.
I get why you’re so twisted up about her.
Is she a good shag? If she is, I might take her for a ride…
I slammed my foot on the pedal in the home stretch. It was my first time going full speed, no holds barred in this car, and the Bugatti shot forward like a bullet tearing through the night.
My body hurtled forward while my organs remained behind. The amount of g-force I’d unleashed proved exactly what several million pounds’ worth of vehicular optimization could do, so I held on and didn’t fucking breathe as the scenery outside morphed into an indistinguishable blur.
I imagined this was what astronauts experienced during a rocket launch-acceleration so powerful, it pressed them into their seats through sheer force.
Thank God I hadn’t eaten before I left the house.
But my temporary light-headedness soon gave way to relief and the sweet, sweet taste of victory as I flew past the finish line half a second before Clive.
Gravel sprayed as we skidded to a stop.”Fuck!”
I heard his shout of frustration loud and clear through the glass, and I didn’t bother hiding my smirk as I exited my car.
Clive slammed his door shut and spat on the ground. One of his rugby buddies tried to console him with a pat on the back, but he shrugged him off with a scowl.
I walked over and held out my hand. Part common courtesy, part acknowledgment that I’d won.
After a moment of audible teeth grinding, he took it.
I squeezed. Dark satisfaction coasted through my chest when discomfort shaped the contours of his grimace.
“I trust the hundred grand will be in my account tomorrow?” I drawled.
Clive’s eye twitched. “I’m good for it.”
I believed him. He wouldn’t go back on his word, not when we had witnesses. He’d lose too much street cred.
“Good.” I released his hand and pretended not to notice as he discreetly shook it out. Simon and the rest of the guys watched us, their faces rapt with fascination. “And Clive? Don’t ever talk about Scarlett again, or losing a hundred grand will be the least of your problems.”
I walked away, his glare of resentment scorching my back. He was probably plotting how to get back at me, but I didn’t care. He could plot and sulk all he wanted. I’d made my point, and I’d taken the edge off my frustration, which was what I came here to do.
Two birds with one stone.
However, the high from winning faded quicker than I would’ve liked. I only made it halfway home before a swarm of unwanted thoughts buzzed through my head again.
I drove because it calmed me; I raced because it exhilarated me in a way no drug could touch. Racing made me feel in control. Alive.
Tonight, I’d needed that more than most nights. Yes, I’d wanted to teach Clive a lesson, but I’d also wanted to forget about my kiss with Scarlett.
For fifteen glorious minutes, I had.
But now that Clive was gone and the race was behind me, my thoughts returned to where they always went.
Back to her.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.