Traction: A Driven World Novel (The Driven World)

by Dani René

  When the cool breeze picks up, Kayden breaks his connection to me. A smile dances on his lips as those eyes watch me.

  “What?” My voice is a husky whisper.

  “I think you’re absolutely exquisite,” he tells me. “I can’t believe you would ever think anything other than that.” He’s not joking. His expression is serious as he kisses me quickly once more before he pushes to his feet, holding out both hands to me. I accept, and he tugs me to stand before wrapping both arms around my small frame.

  It’s suddenly chilly, and a lightning strike shoots from the clouds, thunder rumbling in the distance, causing me to jump.

  “Oh, god.” I laugh when Kayden looks at me curiously. “Sorry, I’m not a fan of storms.”

  “Let me take you home,” he offers, grabbing my hand and leading me back to the car. Once inside, he doesn’t start the engine immediately. Instead, he looks over at me, a grin on his face. “I don’t know how this is going to work, or even how we’re going to be around each other at work, but trust me when I say this isn’t a one-night thing at all,” he insists.

  I want to nod, but for a moment, I ponder his words, praying he’s not lying. If he had come into my life a few months ago, I would’ve run in the opposite direction, but right now, I want to give him the benefit of the doubt.

  “I’ve never … I haven’t really had a boyfriend before,” I admit shyly. “So, this is new to me.”

  Teal eyes widen. His mouth opens then closes. I almost expect him to tell me to forget it, that he doesn’t want to deal with someone inexperienced, but he doesn’t. He nods, then says, “Then I better be on my best behavior.”

  “Just don’t be an asshole,” I snap, livening up the banter because I don’t like the seriousness of the air between us.

  “Me? An asshole? Never going to happen, speedy,” he tells me with a chuckle, using the name he calls me back on the track.

  “You’re so original.” Rolling my eyes, I earn myself a poke in the ribs, the lightheartedness taking over the rather serious conversation from the beach.

  “I still want to know all there is to know about you, Haelee,” Kayden says, before starting the car. I know he’s going to need to know where I really came from, who my birth mother was, but for now, we’ll allow that part of my life to remain a mystery.

  “What time are we training tomorrow?” It’s the weekend, but I’m hyped to get back behind the wheel. Even though today was a bust after our fight and our kiss, I can’t wait to see his face when I race him around the track again. I know Kayden is good. I’ve watched videos of his races online. But me beating him that first time was most definitely a fluke because there is no way I would’ve gotten by Kayden Mercer.

  “Tomorrow, I’m taking you on a date,” he informs me. “Colton said we should be back on Monday, so we have the weekend to go on a few dates.”

  “A few dates?” My brows furrow in amused confusion.

  Kayden shrugs. “Yeah, I see it as at least four—Saturday we can do lunch, then dinner, and Sunday, I’d like to take you out on a sunrise ride along the coast. We’ll head up north and stop for lunch somewhere you’d like,” he informs me.

  “And what makes you think I don’t have plans?” I challenge him but keep the smile on my face. My stomach flutters when he glances over at me, offering me a side smirk that makes the butterflies in my belly dance wildly.

  “Because you can’t say no to your boyfriend.” The word coming from his mouth makes me want to giggle. “Also, I don’t often tell anyone about my past. Colton knows because he and my father had business dealings before, but other than that, only my two best friends and my ex-manager know me. Or, at least, really know me.”

  “Then, I must be special.”

  “Oh, speedy, you most certainly are.” As we weave our way back home, I ponder his words. Him calling me special, saying he’s my boyfriend, has my heart doing silly somersaults, and even though I don’t want to get too excited, the newness of our relationship is fun. I get along with him, even after our initial meeting, and now that I’ve felt his lips and hands on me, I want to feel them again and again.

  By the time we pull up to my house, the silence has been welcome but becomes worrying. Kayden kills the engine, but he doesn’t look at me. The tension in the car has skyrocketed within seconds.

  “I want nothing more than to come inside, kiss you on your couch, make out with you until the sun comes up,” he tells me while keeping his gaze on the windshield. “I want to hold your hand and take you to beautiful places, to show you just how scenic it is in some of my favorite spots.”

  “I’d like that,” I tell him honestly because I would. “But my mother is inside, so making out will probably not go down too well.” I can’t stop the smile from gracing my lips, but I quickly bite down on my lower lip to keep from laughing when he chuckles. “But I want to go places. It’s one of the reasons my dad wanted me to race. To be able to go anywhere in the world and sit beside the best of the best and show them a girl can do what they do as well.”

  “Tomorrow,” Kayden tells me after turning his gaze to me. “I’ll pick you up at nine. I have somewhere I’d like to take you, but before we leave, I’ll come inside and meet your mother.”

  “Thank you.” I’m sincere in my words because I know Mom would like him if she met him. And I just hope she’ll give him a chance. Men like Kayden could have anything they want, and he most certainly could’ve taken any of the girls tonight, and they would’ve most probably ended up at his place, doing things that I haven’t yet done. But he chose me.

  That’s got to mean something.

  Right?

  I lean in, kissing him on the cheek before I open the car door and slip out. I bend down before I shut the door and offer him a smile. “Goodnight, slick,” I tell him while grinning playfully.

  “Goodnight, speedy,” he responds with a wink that sends tingles through me. I make my way up to the house, unlock it, and step inside. Warmth hits me while the cool air from outside causes me to shiver.

  Kayden pulls away once I’m inside, and I slide the door closed. I’m still smiling when I reach the living room to find my mom on the sofa with a book. She’s always loved reading, and when she finishes her latest novel, I’m next in line to devour it.

  “Hi, Mom,” I greet, bending down to kiss her cheek.

  “You smell like a boy,” she comments without looking up. She’s always been kind. A woman who was always there for me, no matter what. And I don’t know what I would do without her. “Who is he?”

  I didn’t realize Kayden’s cologne is all over my clothes. “He’s my coach, Mom,” I tell her, but the grin on my face has her arching a brow as she finally looks at me from over the black rim of her glasses. “His name is Kayden, and he’s a bit older than me.”

  “Oh? And I thought you were out with the girls,” she says, but I can see the hint of a grin on her face. When I was in senior year, she and Dad wanted me to find a nice boy to take to prom, but since I wasn’t overly popular, I ended up going with the son of one of their friends. Not the most romantic prom ever, but it was fun. I didn’t date. Never thought about it. Until now.

  “I was, and when we went to a bar to go dancing, he was there.”

  “And you ended up with him?”

  I nod, settling in the armchair across from her, closer to the fire she’d lit. “We went to the beach. We didn’t stay long, and we just talked. I told him about Dad, about how he got me into cars and racing.”

  “I hope I’ll be able to meet this boy,” she says.

  “He’s not a boy, Mom,” I inform her, suddenly feeling anxious. I know Kayden is in his late twenties. If I remember correctly, he’s almost twenty-nine, which makes him a few years older than me. I know my parents have always been open-minded, and I pray Mom will be when she sees him.

  “Just remember what Dad and I taught you—always be careful.”

  “Ugh, Mom, seriously?” I’m embarrassed at the reminder of that f
un chat I had with them. It was one of the most excruciating times of my life. “We’re not doing all of that.”

  “I know, baby girl, but you have to remember, I love you, and I just need you to look after yourself.”

  “Mom, you and Dad brought me up to be a responsible, level-headed woman. I’m not going out to do something stupid.” Even though I could’ve done so many times, I didn’t. My focus was always set, and Kayden is not going to disrupt that, no matter how much I like him.

  “Good.”

  “We have a date tomorrow, and he’ll come in to meet you,” I tell her, waiting for something negative. Most girls my age would’ve gotten a telling off, I’m sure, but Mom just smiles. “And be nice.”

  “I’m always nice. If your Dad were here, that would be another story,” she teases with a wink, and I can’t stop the lump from forming in my throat. She’s right. He would’ve had my back and told Kayden if he ever hurt me, there would be hell to pay. And right in this moment, I miss my dad even more because he’s missing out of my life.

  “I’m tired. I’ll see you in the morning,” I tell her before pushing to my feet and giving her a goodnight kiss. In my bedroom, I shut myself inside and focus on the happiness from the date tonight rather than the heartache.

  Tomorrow, I’ll be able to see Kayden in the light.

  And hopefully, we can get to know each other better.

  12

  Kayden

  The sun is hidden behind clouds when I pull up outside Haelee’s home five minutes before nine. When I woke up this morning, I had second thoughts on taking her to my special place, but I promised, so I’m going to keep it.

  I’ve hardly ever met any of the families of any girl I’ve been with previously, but with her, I want to do it right. Not because I am thinking about a long-term future just yet, but because we work together, and I want to prove to her that I’m not the judgmental prick she thinks I am. Also, I need to make up for our first meeting.

  The frustration of the day had gotten to me, and the embarrassment of losing to a girl had me angry. She’s good, and I couldn’t see it that day through the prominent frustration that had taken hold of me.

  It’s no excuse, and I need to show her I’m not usually like that. When I reach the door, I knock twice, holding the bouquet of flowers in my hand I hope her mother will like.

  My chest is tight, anxiousness taking hold of me when I’m finally met with Haelee’s pretty, cocoa eyes. She’s gorgeous in a pair of tight blue jeans, her Vans sneakers, and a gray hoodie that makes her look like a bad girl in a hip-hop video.

  “Hey, speedy.” I greet her with a smile, which she returns as she plants a chaste kiss on my cheek.

  “Hi, come inside,” she says, stepping aside to allow me in. The house is modern yet has a homely feel with soft accents of off-white and brown and a fireplace I can see from the entrance foyer. “My mom is in the kitchen, making something to eat.” Her gaze falls to the flowers, and she smiles.

  “They’re for your mom. I didn’t bring you any because I don’t know which your favorite is. Yet.” I tack on the last word, hoping she’ll notice it before a woman comes through from the kitchen and smiles at me.

  “Hello, Kayden,” she says with a friendly grin, holding out her hand to me. “I’m Caroline, Haelee’s mom.”

  “It’s so good to meet you,” I respond, then offer her the flowers. “I brought these for you. I hope you’re not allergic,” I continue, realizing I should have checked with Haelee beforehand.

  “They’re gorgeous. I’m not at all allergic, and you’re welcome to bring some any time you visit,” Caroline tells me. She brings the pink roses to her nose and takes a long inhale as a smile spreads across her face.

  “Come,” Haelee whispers excitedly, and we move through the living room, which I note is warm and welcoming, into a kitchen with modern appliances, along with a black marble countertop filled with three mugs, a large bowl of fresh fruit, and a French press.

  “I made some coffee. If you youngsters aren’t in a rush, you’re welcome to have a mug before you leave,” Caroline invites, and I nod. Rushing out of here with her daughter wouldn’t look gentlemanly, and I want to make a good first impression.

  “Of course,” I agree. “I take mine black with two sugars.”

  With a smile, she pours the dark, steaming brew and passes me the sugar along with the mug. We settle on the high stools with our drinks before Caroline asks, “So, Haelee tells me you’re a racer as well.”

  “I am. I have been since I was about sixteen. My dad used to pay for me to race on a Sunday afternoon while the track wasn’t being used. It was the only time I truly felt happy.”

  “And are your folks happy with your choice of career?” I knew this question was coming. And as much as I don’t always want to talk about my dad, I know that setting her mind at ease is a good thing.

  “My dad passed away three months ago, but he was proud of me. He supported my choice, although at times begrudgingly. He wanted me to take over the family business, which is more into finance, and it’s not my area of expertise.”

  My honesty is responded to with a friendly smile. “I’m sorry to hear you lost your dad as well. Haelee’s father was a good man. He was the reason she got into racing, and even though I didn’t like it, being so dangerous, he always ensured she was safe.” I can tell she misses her husband. The pain in her blue eyes flickers with the heartbreak of losing the love of your life.

  I never thought I would be able to understand that. Even now, I don’t think I could ever love someone because the example I grew up with is so far removed from the happy families most kids I went to school with had. I think it’s a beautiful thing to have that one person who can complete you in many ways. But to find it, is rare.

  “I’m sorry for your loss,” I tell her before taking a sip of the strong caffeine. The delicious flavor bursts on my tongue when Haelee informs her mother that I’m one of Colton’s new drivers as well as her coach. We settle into a comfortable conversation, and I’m happy to have come in to meet the woman who raised Haelee.

  “Can we go now?” Haelee asks, and her mother laughs.

  Caroline rises from her seat with a grin on her face before she says, “Of course. Kayden, thank you for spending some time with me. I’d like to invite you to dinner one night. I’m not sure what you kids have planned over the weekend, but let me know.” I haven’t been called a kid in a long while, but it feels good. My mom would hate Caroline since she still thinks my father and I were the banes of her existence.

  “I’d like that. Perhaps we can come back here tonight for dinner?” I offer, hoping it’s not too much of an imposition, but her face lights up, and I know I’ve made the right decision.

  “Great. I’ll make my famous chili. I know Haelee loves it.”

  “That sounds delicious. I think I may overstay my welcome if there’s such good food going,” I tease Caroline as Haelee grabs her purse, and soon we’re saying our goodbyes. I finally have my girl in the car, and we’re off on an adventure.

  “Where are we going?” she asks once we’re on the road.

  “It’s a surprise,” I tell her.

  I hear her sigh, but I don’t look at her. “My mom seems to like you,” she informs me, and I can tell it means a lot to her that I met her mother.

  “I like her too. She seems like a good woman.” I don’t know much about Haelee’s past, but something tells me her birth mother wasn’t the best person. I would like to ask her about it, but I don’t want to upset her. Perhaps in time, she’ll feel comfortable enough to tell me about it. That is, if she even remembers her real mother.

  “She is. I was really lucky to have been adopted by them. Even my dad was great. They both were a godsend to a young girl who didn’t have much going for her at the time.” Once more, I hear the pain in her voice, and I realize there’s so much depth to this woman that I want to delve into. I want to learn all there is to know about her. And I promise myself
I’m not going to fuck this up.

  I reach for the stereo to turn it on, and the deep bass of Anth comes through the speakers, which makes Haelee grin. The song, “Woah”, bounces around us, and I can’t stop glancing at her bobbing to the music. The more she moves, the more my thoughts turn to pure filth because all I can think about is watching her do that on top of me.

  “I don’t mean to sound like a guy, but if you keep doing that, you’re going to kill me over here,” I tease, chuckling when she blushes. Her tanned cheeks turn a soft pink, and my focus is torn between the road and her.

  When I glance her way again, I notice the small grin turning into a full-blown smile, which lights up her face in a way I haven’t seen before. It’s as if the sun is shining on her, making her skin glow beautifully. The smoothness making my fingertips tingle.

  “You need to focus on the road,” she sasses me, and I like how at ease she is with me. “Besides, you’re the one listening to bad-ass rap.”

  “I didn’t think girls were into rap,” I retort, knowing it’s going to spark her fire. Knowing her, she’ll defend the fact that women can listen to anything they want. I have to agree, but seeing her fired up makes my dick hard. And I can’t deny I like when she makes me hard.

  “Are you being a chauvinistic asshole again?” she challenges, which has me laughing out loud.

  Chuckling, I glance at her from the corner of my eye before responding, “You should be used to it by now.”

  “I’m going to change that,” she warns me. “Trust me, you’ll see women as equals.” She taps my iPhone screen, turns up the music, and bounces in the seat, throwing her hands in the air as she sings along to Anth because she decided to replay the damn song and all I can think about is seeing her naked.

  Jesus, I need to focus on something other than Haelee all over me. Naked. Her breath hitching. No, this is most definitely not good.