The force of the movement jarred me, but I’d been ready for it. Mohawk hadn’t. He minutely slowed down as his bike started to swivel, and I shot ahead of him. Yes! Now I just had to hold it for ten seconds…eight…six…three…one. As I crossed the line in front of him, a sense of wonder ran through me. I won! Holy shit!
A crowd surged around me when I stopped my bike, and Hayden’s face was the first thing I saw when I tore off my helmet. He looked both upset and ecstatic. Throwing my helmet to Grunts, I hopped off my bike and into Hayden’s arms. “I did it!” I squealed, squeezing him tight. It was only when his arms wrapped around me that I realized I’d hugged him. But I was flying high from my victory and it felt too wonderful to pull away.
Surprisingly, though, Hayden pushed me back. Holding my arms, he scowled at me. “You nudged that guy? Are you insane? You could have wrecked, and there are no safety walls here, Kenzie.”
At the moment it hadn’t seemed like that big of a risk, not compared to letting everyone down, but now that the high was fading, I was beginning to see just how stupid that had been. “Undefeatable, remember? That’s what I need to be. And I was careful about it…I swear.”
Shaking his head, Hayden wrapped his arms around me again. “I’ve created a monster,” he murmured.
“Shit yeah, you have!” Hookup exclaimed as he approached us. “We’re celebrating after this. My treat. Well, not really, you assholes are buying your own shit, but you know what I mean. We’re drinking!”
Hayden and I stepped away from each other and Hookup grabbed my shoulders. “Fuck, that was amazing. I’m kicking myself for not knowing about you earlier. Damn it. Well, here you go…your cut of the pot was five grand, plus another grand for side bets. Not bad, rookie.” He reached into his pocket and handed me a thick wad of hundreds. I’d never held that much cash at one time. It was a heady feeling, and a little surreal. Six thousand dollars, instantly in my hand, and all I’d had to do was what I did almost every day. The relief and joy pouring through me made me feel like I was flying. I could actually do this. I could help my father and save the family business. Everything was going to be okay.
I found myself watching the next race with the discerning eye of a fellow participant. Critiquing routes, speeds, corners. It didn’t even faze me to see the rider weaving in and out of traffic and blowing through stoplights like they were optional. I wasn’t sure how it had happened, but somewhere along the way, I’d started seeing the entire world as one big racetrack.
Right before Hayden was set to go on his run, the last race of the night, I noticed a handful of people not watching anything that was happening. Instead, they were looking down side streets, occasionally chatting to someone on a walkie-talkie. Giving reports, from the looks of it, most likely keeping an eye and ear out for police. It was a chilling reminder of the true danger that came with street racing. Maybe more so for Hayden and me than anyone else here. But even still, I couldn’t bring myself to leave early. I needed to see how Hayden finished.
The final minutes of betting were furious as the racers took their places, and I momentarily considered taking my six grand and placing it all on Hayden. I couldn’t risk it though, not even on an almost guaranteed sure thing like Hayden.
The light changed color and the pair were off with a roar of engines. I immediately ran to the van so I could watch the helmet cams. The guy Hayden was racing was good, and he pulled out in front. Hayden quickly caught him, then fell behind, then caught him again. I felt like biting my nails as I watched the high-speed back-and-forth action. This one would be close, that was for sure.
Hookup and Grunts were beside me, cheering for Hayden with loud, obnoxious screams, as if somehow he could hear them. “Come on, Hayes! Daddy needs a new pair of shoes, with a matching gold watch, diamond cuff links, and Escalade to go with it.” Hookup smacked Grunts across the shoulder and he chuckled.
His materialistic comment pissed me off. Hayden was out there putting his career on the line to help a friend…to help Hookup’s sister. Tearing my gaze away from Hayden, I looked over at Hookup. “So, your sister, your niece…do you help them out like Hayden does?”
Hookup looked annoyed by my question. “Nobody helps Iz out like Hayden. It’s like he thinks he’s somehow the kid’s dad or something.” He rolled his eyes, then quickly evened his expression. “Don’t get me wrong, I throw her a bone here and there, but she’s the one who went and got herself knocked up. Not my problem.”
His callous attitude rubbed me the wrong way. “She’s your family.”
He shrugged. “Yeah, and that’s why I help out every now and then. But the girl’s gotta fend for herself at some point. Teach a man to fish and all.”
Right. I wanted to tell him where he could shove his fishing parable. I hadn’t met her, but Izzy seemed like a good person who was dealing with a horrible situation, not someone who was actively looking for handouts. Her daughter was sick, she was desperate to save her, and all Hookup seemed to care about was making money. I opened my mouth to voice my opinion, but something was happening on the screen and it distracted me. People were groaning, and throwing their hands up in disgust as I tried to figure out what was going on. Hayden’s cam was still showing the road speeding by, but the other guy’s cam was focused on the engine of his bike. It was smoking.
Hayden zipped across the finish line a few minutes later, and I wanted to cheer, but all I could think about was the rumor surrounding Hayden—on the streets, he never lost, and I was seeing the proof of that right now. He either had the best luck in town, or everyone he went up against was cursed. It was a frightening thought. But I had raced him before and won, and I’d come out of it unscathed, so it must just be good luck and bad coincidence.
Hookup and Grunts were congratulating Hayden, so I walked over and gave him my well-wishes too. His helmet was off and his smile was a mile wide. Hookup repeatedly socked him in the shoulder. “Twelve grand, man! That’s your cut! I told you, when people know you’re racing, the bets skyrocket. Everybody wants to beat my boy, but nobody fucking can! Now let’s go drink! Meet you at Haven.”
Hayden took his money from Hookup, then turned to me. “Want to?”
Biting my lip, I nodded. Between the risk and the reward, I was buzzing with vibrant energy. “Yeah, sounds good.” Really good.
The entire group was dispersing, racers vanishing so quickly it seemed like they’d never been here at all. With a grin, I hopped on my bike and started heading somewhere…anywhere. Hayden followed me, and I couldn’t resist teasing him. Standing up on my bike a little, I smacked my ass, then laid on the speed. Race me or chase me, Hayden.
He immediately took the bait, and we were neck and neck before I knew it. Hayden veered left and I followed him. I veered right and he followed me. Riding with him like this was the ultimate form of foreplay. Each turn was a caress, each acceleration a hard stroke. The air was cool on my exposed hands, sliding up my coat sleeves like Hayden’s fingers. My breath was loud inside my helmet, echoing my rising passion back to me. I was on such a high, I couldn’t think of a better way to top off tonight than to have Hayden’s arms wrapped around my naked body. If I started us on a path to my house, would he follow?
But before I could, Hayden pulled in front of an abandoned warehouse lined with motorcycles. Some of them I recognized from the race; Hookup’s car was there too. I could hear music thumping on the inside of the building, could feel the pulsing energy from my seat. Hayden removed his helmet, then walked over to me. “This…might not be what you’re used to,” he said, holding out his hand.
The excuse to touch him was too great, and I clenched his fingers in mine after slinging my helmet over the handlebar. “I find that I’m getting used to a lot of new things.”
Hayden smirked. “I’ve noticed.” His voice was low and seductive, and little hairs stuck up on the back of my neck. With a grin that could power this whole place, he pulled me toward the door. The world diminished, and all I saw was the curve o
f his smile. Until we got inside.
Three or four work lights brightened areas of the room, but in the places where darkness prevailed, every type of vice was being practiced: drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, sex—you name it, and it was probably happening. I wasn’t sure at what age Hayden had entered this world, but I was positive it had been way too young to handle all this…excess.
In one corner of the room, seven or eight coolers shone under a light, and a couple of female bartenders were busy providing the thirsty crowd an assortment of beverages. On the other side of the room a couple of tables were set up, with clumps of people playing poker, and in the center of the far wall was an enormous set of speakers pumping out the rib-shaking sound.
Hookup and Grunts were standing near the cooler bar, getting drinks from a woman wearing a bra for a top, and Hayden led us that way. When we arrived, Hookup nodded in greeting, then had the girl pour two more of the mystery drinks; there were about six different liquors going into the cup and only a splash of cola to dilute the mixture.
While the woman worked, Hookup glared at Hayden. “Took you guys long enough. I thought you were both supposed to be fast.”
Hayden rolled his eyes as he handed the girl cash for the drinks. “Some things are meant to be enjoyed slowly,” he said, locking his eyes onto mine. A warm flush filled me; yes, some things definitely were.
We sipped our drinks at the bar, chatting with Hookup, Grunts, and some of the other riders. When our plastic cups were empty, Hayden tossed them in a garbage can and held out his hand again. “Dance with me?”
There were a handful of people dancing, but it wasn’t exactly a club atmosphere in here. And most of the dancing—and I used the term loosely—was actually just rhythmic making out. But that drink had been strong, and I was still buzzing from the thrill of the race, and just the thought of having Hayden’s hands on me…“Okay,” I murmured, letting him lead me away.
He took me to a section of the room that was shrouded in darkness. The inky blackness was almost a palpable thing brushing against my skin, making my senses come alive. And then he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. As our bodies pressed together, something inside me opened. A tiny crack in my defenses, letting Hayden in when I knew I should be pushing him away.
Hayden ran one hand up my back while the other hovered tantalizingly close to my backside. Lacing my arms around his neck, I pressed myself closer and looked up at him with hungry eyes that I hoped conveyed what I was thinking. Take me again, right here, right now. Maybe it’s not too late…
Hayden smiled at me as we slowly began to move. We weren’t keeping time with anything but each other, and I was perfectly fine with that. “God, you were amazing out there tonight. I know I said I didn’t want you to do this—and I still don’t—but I had a feeling you’d be good at it, and I was right,” he said, his smile smug. “You’re gutsy, fearless…but smart too. And so beautiful. You’re a deadly combination, Kenzie, one who would drop any man to his knees.” His expression turned so serious, so admiring, that my breath caught and my heart started pounding.
“Stop it,” I murmured. We couldn’t take it to that level. We just couldn’t. Just being attracted to each other was hard enough.
“Stop what?” he asked, his face shifting into amusement. “Stop saying nice things to you?”
“Yes,” I stated. “Because when you say things like that, it makes me want to do…things to you. And we can’t…We said we wouldn’t…” The harsh reality of my words hit me and I tried to squirm away from his embrace. I couldn’t; his grasp was too solid.
“You said we wouldn’t,” he said, his voice heated with desire. “You’re the one who said we shouldn’t start this…after we already started it.”
The passion in his eyes was captivating, intoxicating, and even though I wanted to cave, I had to at least try to stay firm; I was doing this for us…to make it easier in the long run. “And you know why we can’t. There’s no future here, Hayden, just a bunch of people we’ll let down. You’ll lose your job, I’ll lose my father, and for what?”
“God, Kenzie, just shut up and let go,” he growled, then he brought his mouth to mine. I moaned as his soft lips moved over me. When he pulled away, I was breathless. “For this, Kenzie. We risk it for this…”
He lowered his lips again and I met him halfway. He tasted too good, felt too good; I couldn’t say no to the temptation after having had a piece of it. “Yes,” I murmured into his mouth. God, yes.
I felt him moving us, but I didn’t care where we were going. His lips were working against mine, his tongue was brushing over me, and his hand was finally firmly holding my ass. I was in a euphoric state of bliss that didn’t allow logic to enter.
When I felt my back bump up against a wall, a groan escaped me. Somewhere in the back of my brain, I knew we were in a warehouse full of people, but it was dark where we were, and everyone was preoccupied with their own carnal delights. No one would think twice about us making out against a wall.
His mouth transferred to my earlobe, and my eyes fluttered closed as he nibbled and sucked. As my hands tightened in his hair, he groaned in my ear. “You feel so good…I want to make you feel even better.”
I wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but I found out a second later, when he unbuttoned my jeans. I was three seconds from pushing him off me when he murmured, “Let me do this. Let me make you come, right here, right now.”
Opening my eyes, I looked around the oddly lit building. No one was watching, no one cared, and with Hayden’s body flush against mine, no one could see anything anyway. Before Hayden, I never would have considered doing anything like this, but now…I wanted more. Arching my back, I told him, “Yes…please.”
He growled in my ear, then shoved his hand down the back of my jeans, the back of my underwear. I was so ready for him that when he slid his finger against me, I dug my fingers into his scalp and let out a loud cry as my head dropped back. “Oh God, Kenzie…you’re so…Fuck…I want you. Come for me,” Hayden groaned.
His finger started a slow circle that had me panting with need. God, he felt good. I wished it was more, wished it was his mouth, wished he was driving into me. Moving my fingers to his shoulders, I gripped him tight as I started shaking. I sought his lips, needing to drown my cries in his mouth before I alerted everyone to what we were doing.
His hips were grinding against mine, and the hard outline of him was teasingly pressing into me over and over. Not undoing his jeans took every ounce of willpower I had.
He moved a finger inside me and I broke contact long enough to whisper, “Yes, more…” He paused to shift positions and then he was sliding one finger inside me while simultaneously stroking my core. I was done. Gripping his neck tight, our mouths sealed together with passionate fury, I cried out in short bursts while the pleasure broke over me in a tidal wave of bliss.
We pulled back to stare at each other, and we were both panting. Eyes hazy with lust, Hayden carefully removed his hand from my jeans, then inserted a long finger into his mouth. His eyes closed as he devoured me, and when they reopened, they were hungrier than before. “Not the same as directly tasting you, but it will do. For now.”
Jesus. How would I ever be strong enough to say no to him again?
Chapter 18
Every few days Hookup called Hayden with a new location, and every time I won a race—and that was most of the time—I hid the money in my house and pondered how I could subtly give it to my father. I couldn’t just hand it to him; he would want to know where it came from, and I couldn’t tell him that. I also couldn’t just slip it into the business checking account—Dad was an excellent record keeper; he’d recognize something was off.
It was infuriating to have the solution to our problem in my hands and no way to share it with him. I’d have to be creative. Like I was being with Hayden. I’d managed to hold out on having sex with him for almost two weeks now. Not that we didn’t fool around. The thrill that came from a great rac
e often manifested physically between us. There was a lot of heavy petting, making out, and the occasional orgasm…but no actual sex. I was a little proud of myself for not caving. And really frustrated too. God, there were times when I would have paid him money to have him inside me…What we were doing was stupid, but adding sex to it would be so much stupider. Because no matter how often I allowed myself to ignore the truth, it was right smack in my face whenever I went to the family track.
Myles was grumpy whenever he visited and saw Hayden freely walking around the Benneti side. Nikki was stressed about having to find a job somewhere else at the end of the season. Dad was busy trying to find another team worthy of having me. They were all a mess, a fact that was amplified when Theresa decided to have Daphne’s bridal shower in the Cox garage. She said it was so everyone could participate, but I knew the truth—it was goodbye. They were all giving up. Except me.
More determined than ever not to accept defeat, I won my race that night. Hayden won his too, and like we did after most of our successful events, we ended up at some seedy abandoned building afterward, celebrating our victory with other racers. It made me feel a little guilty, allowing myself to be happy when everything back home was falling apart, but I was trying to fix that. And…I just couldn’t say no when Hayden asked me to go with him.
I’d had a couple of strong drinks since getting here, and I was feeling good—loose, relaxed, and carefree. I wasn’t thinking about how many calories I was consuming, wasn’t worrying that I was overindulging, wasn’t contemplating all of my many problems. I was putting all of that aside and living in the moment. And it felt so good to let it go, even if it was just for one night.
Hayden was giving me that look he gave me when he wanted more than just talking and drinking. God, I loved the way his eyes sparkled when he was horny. It set off something inside me, something primal and needy. I’d never get enough of him. Probably because I never allowed myself to have any of him. Just that one glorious time…
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