Ride: A Driven World Novel

by Heather Guimond

  “I slept for shit last night, too. Matt’s not thrilled with this arrangement, so our discussion was a little heated.”

  “Are you ever going to tell me what’s going on?” Finn asked softly, reaching out and tracing the line of my jaw with his knuckles.

  “Not tonight,” I replied softly, adding a ‘not ever’ to the sentence in my head. “So, where can I drop my stuff?”

  “Let me get your suitcases, then I’ll show you to the guest room,” he replied as he turned back toward the garage door.

  I’d half expected Finn to assume I’d be sleeping in his bed during my stay with him but wasn’t overly surprised he didn’t. He wasn’t the usual variety dickhead racer I was used to. Every minute in his company was proof. We were both in our beds before eight o’clock. I wasn’t sure about Finn, but I slept the soundest sleep I’d had in a very long time.

  We fell into an easy rhythm over the next week, practicing and working on the bikes during the day and spending time getting to know each other even better after dinner—in every sense of the word. One such night, two days before we were to leave for Salt Lake City, we were kicking back on his sofa, him sitting upright but facing me as I sprawled across the rest of the couch, my bare feet resting in his lap while we watched a documentary about nineteen-eighties racer, bad-boy Ricky Johnson.

  “He was my hero coming up,” Finn remarked quietly as another racer remarked how fierce a competitor Ricky had been.

  “Ricky was a badass and would do anything to win,” I replied thoughtlessly.

  “Yeah, I know. He never hurt anyone, though.” Finn regarded me soberly. “You do know I’m still willing to leave it all out on the track, don’t you? If Matt comes down hard on me these last few races, I’m going to fight back. If anyone tries to take me out, I’m going down swinging.”

  “Do you really mean that?” I asked, pulling my feet back and curling them under me as my eyes searched his.

  “I’m not going out of my way to start shit with anyone, but I’ll give as good as I get. There’s no Golden Rule in Motocross.”

  “Just.... don’t sacrifice what you’ve worked so hard to build,” I offered, concerned. Not because I thought Finn would deliberately hurt anyone, but because he’d mostly gotten out from beneath the dark cloud of his father’s influence. I didn’t want to see him end up on that path again.

  “I think there needs to be a balance. Almost everyone on the circuit is working to take me out. That’s just how the sport is. The main difference between them and the old me is they have a line they won’t cross. My old man erased that line... I never even knew it existed.”

  “What ultimately made the difference? Just getting away from your dad?”

  “That was the major part,” he said, sighing as he crossed his arms over his chest. “But I also had my time at The House to really give me the chance to rebuild myself from the ground up.”

  “You’re so lucky you found that place.”

  “I am. That’s why I still support them to this day. I owe my entire future to them.” He turned on the couch to face me. “The gala is next weekend, you know?”

  “I remember,” I replied, letting him divert the subject to safer ground while my toe lazily traced the outline of his thigh through the faded denim. “Are you ready?”

  “I’m always ready,” Finn replied with his usually cocky grin. “I’m sure I’ll go to some rich cougar who wants to abuse my body.”

  “Just tell her to have you home by two. You have to practice.”

  “Not too many races left. Just four more to go.” He reminded me, ignoring my quip with a wry look.

  “You’re in an excellent position, Finn. I won’t be surprised if you take it all.” I added, swallowing softly, “Matt will be bitter, so maybe I better keep working for you. He’ll be impossible.”

  “Don’t count your brother out. Matt’s a tough opponent. He makes my job hard. I’d love to say I’m going to kick his ass, but he’s beaten me enough times to convince me nothing is a sure thing when it comes to racing him.”

  “I can’t say the same about living with him. He’s a bossy, arrogant, alpha-hole. I love him more than I love myself, but the man is overbearing. I do miss him, though.”

  “We’ll see him in just a couple days. I can’t guarantee you’ll have much time to visit, but at least you’ll see him.”

  “I’ve been attached to that man’s hip since birth. The separation will do us good. Besides, I’m sure he and Holly Padgett are enjoying the privacy.”

  “They’re still a thing?” he replied absently as he trailed a hand over my shin, then wrapped it around my calf and massaged my leg.

  “Mhmm… I won’t be surprised if I have a new roommate when I return.”

  “If I let you return,” Finn growled as he stood, heading toward the kitchen, still talking as he walked. “I’m kind of fond of having you here. I didn’t realize how lonely it can be living alone.”

  “I’m enjoying myself, too,” I said quietly as I joined him, getting a beer from the fridge. He opened both our bottles, and we clinked the necks together in a toast.

  “To us,” he said with a smirk that made me want to kiss it right off his gorgeous face.

  “To us,” I chimed in, hoping against hope, everything would be okay. I forgot my worries the minute he swallowed his sip and moved in to kiss me.

  It didn’t matter how many times I looked into Kenni’s caramel eyes, I felt it right in my gut every single time. I’d never experienced this kind of attraction to a woman. I’d met plenty who got me excited with a simple look, but their appeal wore off quickly. Not Kenni. I don’t know what kind of voodoo she practiced, but I was a true believer. I would gladly look at her forever.

  Without even thinking, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her passionately. It was as if the playful, almost shy look on her face triggered my resting libido, stoking it into an inferno with just the blink of her thick, black eyelashes.

  Groaning, I deepened the kiss, hunger sizzling in my veins as I tasted the sweetness I needed to satiate me. Placing my beer aside, I lifted Kenni by the waist until she was firmly planted on the kitchen counter in front of me. She wrapped her arms around my neck as I snuck my hand up the bottom of her T-shirt to fondle her perfect breast. Plucking at the tightened nipple through the soft cotton of her modest bra, I snared her mouth again, swallowing the precious whimpers escaping her berry lips, drinking from her mouth as though it was the finest champagne. I didn’t care if I drowned, it still wouldn’t be enough of her—it never could be.

  Pulling back, she whipped her shirt over her head and dropped it to the floor, then quickly reached behind her back, unclasping her bra, and discarding it in the same fashion as her shirt. I dove for her chest like a starved man, licking, sucking, and nibbling my way back and forth between each plump globe. Her hands stroked and caressed my head as I dipped my head lower, trailing my tongue between her belly button and the tops of her leggings.

  She surprised me by pushing me back, then jumping down from the counter. I looked at her, unsure why she suddenly brought us to a halt, only to have my dick double in size when she boldly wiggled out of her bottoms and thong.

  Pure animal instinct took over as I spun her around by the shoulder, pushing her front against the kitchen island this time and bending her over the top of it. I swatted her bottom sharply—not too hard, just enough for the sting to get Kenni’s attention.

  “Are you trying to provoke me?” I asked in a gravelly whisper, my hand now soothing the red mark I left on just above the delicious curve of her ass. The only response I received was a low, needy moan and her writhing her bottom under my hand. Such a simple response, but one so honest, I was immediately tearing open my fly with the need to claim her.

  Dragging my jeans and boxers down my thighs, I swiftly lined myself up with her core, taking only the briefest of moments to test her readiness. I almost wept with joy when my fingertips slid between the wet folds of her pussy, practic
ally dripping with need. In one swift thrust, I buried myself to the hilt in her silken pink depths.

  “Hold on to whatever you can, Kenni. There’s no gentleness in me right now.”

  “Do your worst,” she purred as she lifted her head to look over her shoulder.

  I withdrew very slowly, feeling her walls collapse around me as I pulled back. I speared into her powerfully, bottoming out against her cervix, then dragged myself back again—slamming, ramming, thrusting, brutalizing her, again and again. When she threw her head back and howled on my deepest thrust yet, it was as if a dam broke inside me. I rutted into her tight channel furiously, mercilessly, my desire hurtling me forward, fucking her as though I was demon-possessed. Fortunately, she seemed as mindless as I was, gripping the edge of the marble and banging her hips back against mine, her ass jiggling and rolling as I hammered away.

  Admiring how her breasts looked smashed against the cold white stone, I drew back, pausing for a beat to soak in the sight, so submissive and helpless, bent over for me as she was, so trusting... and so freaking hot I almost exploded right there. I reached down, lifting her leg, so her foot rested on the counter next to her and really pistoned in out and out her tender sex. Her soft moans grew louder, triggering my own animalistic grunts.

  “Finn, oh my God, Finn, it’s too much, I...” she cried sweetly, the sound so pleading, my heart throbbed for her… but not enough to slow down. Gripping her waist, I smashed into her, and though she’d been overwhelmed, she kept up with me, savage stroke for savage stroke, unable to help herself from bathing in our shared heat.

  “Do you feel it, Kenni?” I whispered in her ear as I loomed over her back, fingers digging hard into her skin. “Do you feel how well we fit together? How you were made for me?”

  “Finn, I...” Her hoarse, breathless whispers, the stuttering of her words with every thrust of my hips fueled my fury until she was a writhing, gasping mess.

  “Now, Kenni!” I shouted as I came undone, Kenni’s body shattering beneath me simultaneously. I’d heard of fireworks before, even though I’d seen them a couple times with a few girls, but nothing compared to this. Kenni was... magnificent.

  If the sex hadn’t been as intense and explosive as it was, I would have been ashamed of my lack of endurance. Like any man, I prided myself on my ability to satisfy a woman. Being the competitive sort, I like to set the bar on the high side, but feeling her fall apart in my arms as I spent myself inside her... the only word I could summon was magic.

  Gently easing her down, I helped her work the stiffness that came with being in such an awkward position for so long while enduring a brutal assault on her much smaller frame.

  “You’ve wrecked me,” I whispered as I leaned my forehead against hers. “I always thought I’d meet my end on the track. Instead, the most beautiful blonde convinced me to drink her poison.”

  Kenni laughed as she leaned into me, a soft yawn overtaking her. I lifted her into my arms and stared at her face, still transfixed. She smiled up at me sleepily, so I carried her into my room, gently laying her down on the side furthest from the door.

  “Are you afraid I’m going to try to sneak out?” she asked, with an amused lift of her eyebrows.

  “I put you there, so in case any threats burst through the door, I can defend you. It’s simple chivalry, Kenni.”

  “Just shut up and kiss me,” she demanded with an adorable smirk.

  I wasn’t about to argue.

  The following Friday evening, we were all sitting around bullshitting in Ralph’s garage, after another day of grinding it out with Channing, while Kenni made small modifications and tweaks. I’d tried to get her to join us for a beer, but she insisted the race bike’s frame needed to be checked since I’d screwed up a jump, coming down hard on the backside. I thought it could wait until the following week, but she was busy setting up a string line to compare to the frame.

  “She really fits in well,” Channing observed before taking a long swallow from his can. “I think she’s ready to fly solo.”

  “She did for Matt all this time. I don’t have any worries.”

  “Good because as of tonight, I’m officially on maternity leave.”

  I sat back as he and Ralph talked about babies, children, and parenting. I wanted to be a father one day, but that day was a long way off, ten years, maybe more. I got up and wandered in Kenni’s direction, hoping I could convince her to put away her tools, so I could whisk her off to my bed again.

  “You about done here?” I asked, leaning against her tool case just like I had the day we met.

  “Right,” she snorted. “I told you I need to test the chassis.”

  “Kenni, we need to get some sleep. We’re picking Corey up before dawn so we can spend the day at the BMX track, remember?”

  “God, that’s right. Do you have a bike for me?” she asked, her excitement over getting to play in the dirt surfacing again.

  “I have a Mongoose I bet you could tear it up on.”

  “My first racing bike was a Mongoose!” She was practically hopping on the balls of her feet as she shoved her tools in their drawers before cleaning her hands with grease remover. “I hope you’re ready to eat some mud because it’s on!”

  I gathered her in my arms and kissed her soundly. She was cute. Delusional, but cute.

  ***

  Rylee was waiting on the porch when we arrived at The House on Saturday morning, Corey at her side. This time, he wasn’t shyly peeking from behind her leg but eagerly dancing in place.

  “Hey, Corey,” I said as we walked up, a quick wink of acknowledgment to Rylee, who smiled back at me. “This is my friend, Kenni. She’s going to race with us.”

  “But she’s a girl...” Corey stilled, cocking his head to the side in confusion.

  “It’s okay, Corey,” Kenni said, kneeling to look him in the eyes. “Girls like bikes and dirt, too.”

  “Oh, I know that,” he said with maturity beyond his age. “I’ve just never heard of a girl called Kenny before.”

  All three adults cracked up while Corey shrugged his shoulders, unfazed.

  “Hi, Kenni,” Rylee said, still laughing as she put out her hand. “I’m Rylee.”

  “Hey, Rylee, you ready to get dirty?” Kenni asked enthusiastically.

  “Sadly, no. I was going to, but Colton just called, and Ace has a stomachache. I’m taking him to the pediatrician as soon as my replacement gets here.”

  “Is he okay? Will you have to miss the gala tomorrow night?”

  “I’m sure he’s fine. He doesn’t have a fever, we just like to be safe. If he gets worse, Colton will be on Daddy Duty while I go to the gala alone. Come on inside. I made a cooler full of food for you guys to take with you—chicken salad wraps, potato chips, yogurt, and anything else I found under the kitchen sink.”

  Rylee handed me a blue Igloo cooler as Corey ran to get his jacket. Kenni and I promised to return him in one piece, with minimal scrapes and bruises.

  Corey’s energy was high as we drove to a BMX track in Simi Valley. Kenni tried to tether Corey’s expectations to reality, but the boy was chattering on about how he was going to do double jumps and flips by the time we had to leave. Finally, we just let him dream, figuring reality would set in soon enough—no need to burst his bubble right away.

  When we arrived at the track, Kenni helped Corey suit up in his protective gear and helmet while I unloaded our bikes.

  “Now remember, Corey,” I started, coming around to put one hand on Corey’s scrawny shoulder. “You’ve only been riding a bike for about a week.”

  “But I’ve been riding every day!” Corey chirped, his excitement bubbling all over the place. “Wait ‘til you see me!”

  “I’m sure you have, but until I’m sure you have the right skills, all we’re going to do is learn how it feels to ride on dirt versus pavement, and for fun, we’ll practice taking the whoops.”

  “What’s a whoop?”

  “You’ll see,” Kenni promised
him with a wink and a smile. He looked up at her in awe, and I realized he’d just found his first crush. He was starting early, but I couldn’t blame him. My girl was just that amazing.

  Corey took to the dirt like a natural. He was tearing up a small strip of dirt alongside the track, where the owner taught most of his lessons. Within minutes, he was racing back and forth, skidding to a stop every time with a flourish of someone much more experienced.

  “Wow, Corey,” I remarked when we stopped for a break. “Did you even bother to go to school since I saw you last? You had to have been riding from sunup to sundown all this time to get that good so fast!”

  “Of course, I did!” he cried with a laugh, shoving his helmet back on his head after emptying a juice box and crushing it in his fist like the hulk. If I had to judge it, I’d say it was quite possibly the best time of this boy’s young life. I vowed to bring him many more new experiences for as long as I could.

  All day long, Kenni and I threw shade good-naturedly at each other, hinting at a competition to come. By the time we finished, Corey insisted we have a showdown before we left.

  “Three laps. That’s all!” he urged as Kenni helped him out of his pads. She looked at me with a lift of her shoulder.

  “Unless you’re afraid,” Kenni said provocatively.

  I was a moron. I fell for it.

  “I’m not afraid. Get your helmet back on, and let’s go.”

  Though we’d only promised to do a three-lap race, once Kenni and I got started, it was hard to stop.

  Turn after turn, jump after jump, Kenni matched me on the first lap. In fact, she beat me that first round, but my endurance was greater, with the regular physical demands I put on my body. Sticking to wrenching, she’d grown soft and sputtered when she finally ran out of breath.

  “To heck with you, Finn Hawkins!” she shouted to my back as she came down hard on the backside of the last jump. I kept riding until I came back on her walking the bike toward Corey, who’d sat down on the sidelines, one hand resting on a knee, his head balanced on his hand in boredom. Kenni noticed first and waved my attention to him, both of us making a beeline to where he sat.