by Dena Blake
“What’s that?”
“A souvenir.” He held it up and swiped his finger through the bolt hole. “See where it’s bent?”
Drew could see where the pre-formed slot had been marred by the pressure. “Holy shit.”
“I told you I tried. Ripped both my deltoid and triceps.” He flexed his right arm and fingered the three-inch scar from the surgery on the inside of his arm.
“And your legs?”
“The G-force from the impact snapped my spine. The doctor said I was lucky to be alive.”
“What about Sam? Why didn’t she have her skin grafted?”
“I told her she should, but she wouldn’t. She said I had to live with my scars every day, so she would too. She never wants to forget.” He dropped the wheel back into the drawer. “That little hairline crack caused a lot of damage inside and out.”
Drew nodded. “You aren’t kiddin’.” Tommy had no idea that crack had been caused by deliberately weakened steel.
The side door of the garage flew open, and they both turned.
“Hey, babe,” Jade shouted, swinging the door closed behind her. “Paddy wants you to go with him to the inspection meeting.” When she got closer, she pulled her eyebrows together. “You okay? You look a little flushed.”
“Yeah. I’m fine.” He scooted around her. “Is he already at the clubhouse?”
“Yep.” She waited until Tommy was out of sight and then turned to Drew. “What’s going on?”
“We were discussing the accident.”
“His accident?” Jade’s voice rose. “You should’ve talked to me about that. It’s not good for him.”
“It still bothers him?”
“Wouldn’t it bother you if you were stuck in a burning car and couldn’t get out?”
Drew pulled her brows together. “Sam pulled him out.”
“But he doesn’t remember that. When he thinks about it, his blood pressure skyrockets. He still wakes up in cold sweats during the night, trying to get away from the flames.”
“Sorry. I won’t bring it up again.”
“Anything new on the case?”
“I have to go into the city.”
“What for?” Jade snatched up all the dirty shop rags and tossed them into the linen service bin.
“The boss wants an update.”
“Why’s he riding you so hard on this one?”
“Don’t know. Maybe because I screwed up the last one. I need to do some research on lover-boy Brad anyway.”
“Oh. I thought you’d taken over that role.”
Drew smiled as she headed out. “I’m workin’ on it.”
Chapter Twenty-one
Sam glanced at her watch. Twelve thirty. She’d been waiting in Drew’s room since eleven. Dinner with her parents shouldn’t have taken this long. She should’ve gone with her, but she still had too much to do before the race. After her conversation with Paddy this afternoon, she wasn’t feeling up to hobnobbing with the rich tonight.
Her head began to throb, and she scanned the room for an ibuprofen bottle. She spotted the suitcase on the chair and flipped it open. Rummaging through Drew’s socks and T-shirts, she held up a pair of plaid boy-shorts and smiled. She dropped them back in and dug to the bottom of the bag. Nothing but clothes.
She closed the case and kneaded her forehead with her fingers. The bathroom. She went to the sink basin and found a bottle on the counter. She twisted the cap, but it didn’t budge.
“Damn childproof bottles.” She pushed, squeezed, and finally pulled the top off. After shaking out three tablets into her hand, she snapped the cap back on the bottle. After popping them into her mouth, she dipped her hand under the faucet and washed them down with a lukewarm swig of water before settling in on the bed.
She watched her stomach rise and fall with her breath. Closing her eyes, she imagined the heat of Drew’s breath brushing across her. She didn’t know how Drew had left such a mark on her so soon, but it was clear that she had. Sam yearned for her in every way. She was certainly not a virgin, but Drew sure made her feel like one. She smoothed her hand across her stomach, trying to purge the lingering feeling. When she felt the rough border of her jeans, she opened her eyes and hopped off the bed. After the way they’d made love last night, jeans and a T-shirt just wouldn’t do.
Sam opened the door and peeked through it before stepping outside. The balcony was deserted, so she sprinted around to her room, opened the door, and squeezed through quickly.
She’d made it halfway. Now to find what she’d come for. She rushed to her suitcase, unzipped a small compartment inside, and held up a silk, emerald-green teddy. Her sister, Faith had convinced her to buy it not long ago when they’d been out shopping together, but she’d never had the urge to wear it until now.
She heard a thud against the door and spun around. Her excitement flattened. She’d wanted to surprise Drew. She heard another thud and her pulse raced. She tucked the silken piece of clothing back into her case, rushed to the door, and opened it. Brad fell into her.
“Omigod.” Sam struggled to hold him up. “You smell like a brewery.” In one swift motion he barreled through the door at her, and they tumbled onto the bed. She rolled him to the side and slid out from under him.
“How many drinks have you had?”
“Dunno.” His words were slurred as he tried to catch the tail of her shirt when she stood up. “Come back.”
“You’re going to be out again tomorrow, aren’t you?” She rubbed her face and paced to the window. “Paddy’s going to replace you if you keep this up.”
“He’s not gonna replace me. I’m the best and he knows it.”
“Then why don’t you act like it?” She waited for his cocky response but didn’t hear one. At the sound of a gurgling snort, she spun back around. “Oh, no—you can’t stay here.” She slapped at his face, but he didn’t flinch.
Suddenly he grabbed the bed, lurched forward, and spewed all over both of them.
“Uh—Yuk!” Sam flew back, gagging. “Fuck!” She gave him a shove, and he flopped back onto the bed. She couldn’t believe this was happening. She was supposed to be having a nice romantic evening with Drew, and instead she was covered in puke and dealing with a heaving drunk.
“Get up.” She pulled his arm around her neck and led him into the bathroom. “Take your clothes off,” she said, leaning him up against the wall and starting the shower.
He fumbled with the buttons on his shirt but had no luck. Sam held her breath as she unbuttoned the vomit-covered shirt and slid it from his shoulders. She pulled the button loose on his jeans, and the zipper went down with one swift tug.
“There. Now get in.”
“You’re not going to help me with the rest?”
“No.” She picked up his clothes. I am so done with you.
“How’m I gonna get in there?”
“You figure it out.” She turned and pulled the door closed behind her. She gagged and tried not to breathe as she dropped his shirt into the sink, then peeled off her own. After slipping on a clean shirt, she rinsed the clothes and hung them across the balcony railing. Her stomach turned as the stench of liquor and vomit hit her when she came back into the room. She dug a perfume bottle out of her cosmetic bag and squirted it a couple of times. A miserable end to a miserable night.
She heard Brad fumbling with the doorknob. “You okay in there?”
“Can’t get the door open.”
She pushed it open, and he was right where she’d left him, only now totally naked and dripping wet. She let her gaze sweep his length and didn’t feel even a twinge of desire. Only regret. She pulled a towel from the rack and wrapped it around his waist.
“No takers tonight?” He slurred his words.
“Stop.” She blotted his chest, then his hair. “Come on. Let’s get you into bed.” She wedged her shoulder under his arm and guided him out. Before she could pull the blanket back, he was on his way down. She let him drop onto the bed.
> “Why couldn’t you have just gone home with someone tonight?” She pressed her fingers against his neck and felt his pulse, slow but rhythmic, so he was still alive.
She pulled his legs around, then went to the other side of the bed, wedged her arms underneath him, and shifted him to one side. After glancing at her watch, she let out a heavy breath before flopping down onto the vacant side of the bed. It was close to two o’clock, and her romantic surprise for Drew would have to wait. It seemed as though Drew had stayed with her parents for the night. She clicked off the light, then crossed her arms and sank back onto the pillow.
Sam glanced over at the pathetic man lying beside her. How had she ever gotten involved with him? Charm, arrogance, and a handsome face, that was how. Sam never could resist a rebel, especially if they got a rise out of her father. She put her hand on his chest and felt his slow, erratic breaths. She had to make sure this one made it through the night, for Paddy’s sake.
Chapter Twenty-two
Sam rattled the doorknob to Drew’s room, but it was locked. She gave the door a soft knock, and it whooshed open.
She pushed inside and closed the door. “I missed you last night.”
“I got in pretty late.”
She snaked her arms around Drew’s neck. “I waited up for you, but then I figured you stayed over.” Something wasn’t right. Drew didn’t kiss her and wouldn’t make eye contact. “What’s wrong?”
“I went to your room last night.”
Panic flooded her. “He was drunk.”
“That’s your excuse for hopping back into bed with him?”
Sam dropped her arms from around Drew’s neck. She couldn’t believe she would think so little of her. She’d opened her heart to Drew, and now she was questioning her fidelity. “I didn’t—”
Drew grabbed her shoulders roughly. “Didn’t what? Think I would be back last night? I can’t believe you slept with him.”
Sam batted Drew’s arms away and poked at her chest. “Since when do I have to answer to you? Did we say we were exclusive?”
“You’re damn right we’re exclusive. I thought we were going somewhere with this.”
The sinking pain in her chest intensified. Her combative response had become so second nature, the words had spewed out involuntarily, and it was too late to take them back. What am I doing? This is Drew. She raked her hand across her face and fought to speak softly. “Do you have any idea how hard this is for me?”
“Hard for you?” Drew brushed by her. “One night you’re in my bed. The next you’re in his.” Drew paced the room, dragging her hand roughly across her neck. “I’ve never shared a woman with anyone before.” Hesitating in front of the door she yanked it open. “And I’m sure as hell not going to do it now.”
“You really want me to leave?” Her voice came out in a whisper.
“Yes.”
* * *
Sam’s beautiful green eyes drooped like a wounded puppy’s, but Drew didn’t cave. She couldn’t get the vision out of her head. Last night, she’d knocked lightly before she’d pushed open the door to Sam’s room. She’d given her eyes a minute to adjust to the darkness and then dropped back against the door. Sam had been tucked in tightly next to Brad, with her head on his shoulder and her arm across his naked chest. The night before she’d made love to her, and now she was back in bed with Brad.
She watched Sam walk out the door, slammed it behind her, and paced the room. Fuck! That was stupid. She’d tread on hot coals for Sam, and she’d just thrown her out. Drew didn’t know when it had changed, but Sam was much more important to her than any job. She should’ve let her talk, but jealousy had consumed her. She jerked the door open and rushed out after her. She had to have a reasonable explanation.
Sam wasn’t in her room, so she went straight to the garage. She spotted Sam by the number forty-four car, but Brad was MIA once again. That meant Drew was driving today, and she was going to have to make things right between them.
“How’re we doin’ here?” Drew asked.
“We?” Sam’s eyebrows rose, but her face remained expressionless. “There is no we here.” She seemed to have rolled from hurt to pissed.
Drew clenched her jaw. “The car. Is it ready?”
“Yeah, but my driver’s not. He’s hung over.”
“I’ll test it.”
With one eyebrow still cocked, Sam stood back and crossed her arms. “Are you sure you want to share?”
Drew got her message loud and clear. Sam was angrier than she’d ever seen her, and Drew didn’t like the fact that she’d made it happen. She should’ve trusted her. She stared into her eyes, gauging the fury in them. She wanted to take back everything she’d said but didn’t know how to begin.
Sam broke contact to glance over Drew’s shoulder. Drew turned and saw nothing. “What’s up?”
“There was a guy in here earlier, said he was lost. I just saw him pass by again.” She lifted her eyebrows. “Maybe I should invite him in for a drink. We can throw another person into this mess.”
“I’m sorry.” Taking note of her combative stance, Drew knew the wall wasn’t coming down today. She climbed into the driver’s seat and fastened her helmet. “Can we talk about this?” She slid the steering wheel onto the shaft and fired the engine.
Sam’s scowl faded, and she blew out a short breath before glancing back at the rest of the guys. Besides the usual crew, the garage was full of stragglers today, and Drew knew she wasn’t about to give them anything more to talk about.
“Not now.” Her stance might have weakened, but her tone was still strong and demanding. “I rebuilt the clutch, so it’s—hey!” she shouted as Drew threw the car into gear and took off. She’d waited just long enough for her angry green eyes to meet hers. Drew knew how to break in a clutch.
* * *
Fuck! Drew had done it again, just took off without listening. Sam didn’t care how angry Drew was with her. This was a dangerous business, and if she wanted to continue on this racing team, she had to listen to Sam, whether she wanted to or not.
“Damn it, Drew! Come back here!” She shouted as the crew hustled out to watch her test run.
“What’s wrong, Sam?” Jade smiled widely, Tommy beside her. “Tommy told me you like a driver who can handle a tight clutch.”
“Tommy said what?” Sam glared at him.
“Better be careful, sis. Word travels faster than cars around this track.”
“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear,” Sam shot back, showing him a spark of anger she knew he’d recognize. Tommy had made a habit of testing both of his sisters’ boundaries as a child. Faith had always ignored his taunting, but Sam had a wicked temper.
Tommy tilted his head. “So, it’s not true?”
Sam narrowed her eyes in warning. He was waiting for her to blast him, but she held her temper. “You’d better stop, Tommy.”
He smiled. “I’m proud of you, Sammy. You’ve grown up.”
“It’s about time you noticed,” Jade said, giving Sam a wink.
Jade slid onto Tommy’s lap, straddling him. Sam could see her gaze zoom in on his just before their lips met. Tommy seemed to have found true happiness. She envied her brother. It was obvious Jade loved him and not just for the benefits of being on the circuit. Jade filled his heart, but Sam still saw reluctance. Tommy apparently wasn’t sure he did the same for her.
“You know, if I was Tarzan and you were Jane, there might never be a Cheetah.” Tommy’s tone was teasingly serious.
Jade laughed abruptly. “Cheetah was a monkey, silly.”
“Oh.” He hitched one of his eyebrows up into a cockeyed grin. “Whatever. My point is there may never be any kids for us.”
“I’m not interested in kids, right now.” She pressed her forehead to his and lowered her voice. “We’ll worry about that when, or if, that time comes.” She twisted around and sat forward on his lap. “Now I’m hungry, so put this thing into high gear and take me to lunch.” She glanced
back at Sam. “You want anything?”
“Bring me back a sandwich.”
“Tuna or egg salad?”
“Whichever.”
“Ray?” Jade solicited his order.
“No thanks.” Ray watched as they rolled out of the garage. “She’s an original.”
Sam chuckled. “Oh yeah.”
“You’re worried about him.” Ray’s usual low-easy tone filled the garage.
“I’m a little overprotective after that last heartbreak.”
“I never did like that one. Spoiled rotten.”
“And this one?” Sam needed to know if her judgment was clouded by Jade’s willingness to keep her secrets.
“She’s good for him. Doesn’t let him wallow in self-pity.”
She turned to see them cruising around the corner. “I’m giving her a shot, Ray. Only because he seems to be happy at the moment.”
“What about you, Sam?”
She snapped her gaze back to meet his.
“Are you happy?”
“Let’s see now.” She pressed her finger to her lips and glanced up at the hollow, rounded ceiling. “I’m twenty-eight, single, and surrounded by people all the time.” She shrugged. “What more could a woman want?” Too bad saying it didn’t make it real. Sam was good at putting up a front, but in truth she wanted more. A lot more.
* * *
Drew pulled the car back into the garage and came to her usual screeching stop. She’d had time to think it over and realized Sam was right about one thing. She shouldn’t bring up their personal business in front of everyone else. For that matter, there really shouldn’t be any personal business at all. She’d blurred the lines and lost sight of her mission.
“Don’t take the car out again until I’m ready.” Sam’s tone was more harsh than usual.
“Okay.” Drew held her tongue. It wasn’t all her this time. Something else was bothering Sam.
“Okay?” Her brow rose quickly. “That’s all you have to say?”
Drew looked sideways at Ray. “I’m sorry, Mom? I won’t do it again?” Her voice thickened as she bobbed her head slightly.