Page 5

Danger

I stare into a camera with Monterey by my side. I place a hand on her backside, dangerously close to her tight ass, and she pushes my hand up higher. I laugh.

The main reason I couldn’t keep myself from telling the world that Monterey was my girl was because of her ex-boyfriend, Thad Jeffries. I heard they dated a long time ago, and I wasn’t gonna pass up the opportunity to put that fucker in his place.

And damn it worked. After the press conference I could see Thad trying to get some alone time to talk to Monterey, but she wasn’t having it.

She’s strong. And I have to say I like that about her.

She’s way too good for the likes of me, and if this thing were ever real, well, she’d realize that and leave me right where I stand.

Good thing it’s fake.

The Daily News takes one more snapshot of us and then the photographer smiles and nods. “Got enough,” he says and walks away.

“So, Monty, did you like your introduction as my girl?”

“Ok, no nicknames. Especially Monty. I sound like a poodle or something.”

I laugh. “Sorry, I just wanted to hurt Thad where it counts.”

She pulls me in for a hug when another reporter walks by. “It was actually perfect. I think I just might dislike him more than you.”

I let her arms wrap around me, and for once in my life I let this non-sexual act unfold. It feels weird. I don’t think I’ve been hugged, like an actual hug, in a really long time.

My eyes must be registering as all shock because Monterey takes one look at them and drops her hands to her side. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to touch…” her words fall away when I wrap my arms around her waist and squeeze her tight.

It’s just a hug, jackass.

I’m not sure why it’s affecting me so damn much, but for some reason it is.

I laugh a bit awkwardly when she steps away.

“I just need to talk to my father.”

I nod.

Fuck, our first interaction as a couple, and my chest is all warm and fuzzy. I need a drink. Pronto.

Luther and Monterey meet me near the entrance when they’re done talking to a few more media outlets.

“I think you and Monterey should take the Benz and drive to Indy. Get to know each other,” Luther says with a big smile all over his old-man face.

“Sure thing, sir,” I shake his hand as he gives me the key to his car. “I’ll take good care of her.”

“You bet you will. She’s my only heir.” Luther chuckles, and I won’t dare tell him I had meant I’d take good care of the car.

Monterey and I make our way to the parking area, and I open her car door. “I think I should drive,” she says, holding out her hand for the key.

“Not a chance in hell.” I leave her standing by the passenger door and make my way to the driver’s side and slide into the leather seat. “I figure you already packed?”

She nods, moving into the passenger seat. “Yes, my things and your things were moved into the trunk.”

“So efficient.” I click my tongue.

“Just drive.”

I smile. “Now that’s something I do very well. It’s actually the second best thing I’m good at.”

She rolls her eyes as I pull away from the curb. “Oh let me guess. The first one is sex.”

I crack a smile. “No, I was going to say eating pussy, but sure I guess driving is the third best thing I’m good at.”

“You really have way too much confidence for one man.”

I step on the accelerator and pull onto the interstate. “So tell me, what happened between you and Thad?”

She mumbles something incoherent and settles deeper into her seat. “Where do I begin?”

I smile. “Well, we have a long drive, why not start at the beginning.”

“He cheated on me.”

I swallow. She’s way too good for Thad. Hell, she’s even way too good for me. If I had friends they’d be lining up around the block telling me that this girl is definitely out of my league.

Good thing I don’t have any friends.

“So that’s what you want then?”

“Is monogamy really too much to ask for?”

I shrug. “No, that’s not what I mean. Do you want a husband? Is this what you’re looking for?”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Well, if you’re asking me if I wanted you as my husband, the answer would be no.”

Monterey is one of those women who’s very confident in her own skin. She’s incredibly feminine. And a little too sweet. Also, a little too pure. It makes me want to dirty her up.

“You hungry?” I ask her after we’ve made it a few miles out of LA.

“I could eat.”

“There’s a little diner at the next exit.” I need out of this car for a breather. Being around Monterey for this long makes me feel on edge. And not in a bad way. More in a type of way where if I’m not careful I may open up and spill all my secrets to her.

I take the next exit, parking the Benz at the diner, and we make our way inside.

“Can you please order me a bottle of water and I’ll be back.” Monterey heads off toward the restroom, and I take a seat at a booth near the back.

“Two waters and a coffee,” I tell the waitress. Doreen, her name tag reads, winks at me as her smile widens. “Sure thing, Danger. I’m a huge fan.” She bats her overly made-up eyelashes at me. If I’d been here on my own I’d probably have her legs wrapped around my back. She’s kind of pretty. But, she’s not Monterey pretty.

Doreen is a weed, whereas Monterey is a whole damn garden of roses.

Monterey returns from the washroom at the same time Doreen drops off our drinks.

“Ready to order?” she asks.

Monterey looks at the menu for a second and then smiles. “Just a BLT extra lettuce, thank you.” She hands the menu to Doreen.

“Same.” I hand my menu over and Doreen walks away.

I like a girl who doesn’t need half an hour to look over the menu. But that’s Monterey. She’s never been indecisive about anything in her life. She’s a go-getter. A woman who can make snap decisions in a split second.

“Can I ask you a question?” I pull in a deep breath of air, afraid to even ask Monterey this, but I need answers.

“Sure.” She shrugs.

“Do you personally know Cole Danforth?”

She blinks. “Um, sure. I know of him. I think I’ve met him a few times.”

“He’s that Indy racer that invented that helmet thing we use now, right?”

She nods. “Yes. He is.”

I scrub my hands across my jaw.

“Why do you ask?” She stares at me.

“I’d like to meet him.” I’m not sure what reason to give her, but settle on, “he’s kind of an inspiration to me with driving.”

That works because she smiles. “Actually he’s doing a charity event tonight in Vegas. We could swing by.”

“That won’t make us late to Indy?”

Monterey stares at her phone for a moment. “I don’t think so.” She taps a few buttons. “Nope, we should make it just fine.” She sets her phone down and looks up at me. “Want to go?”

“Yes. I do.”

She smiles, like she’s pleased with the answer. “I would have never guessed you had someone you looked up to.”

I hang my head down. “Don’t start.”

“No, I think it’s cute.”

I stare at her and blink. “Cute?”

“Yes, it’s cute that you have a hero.”

“Whoa, whoa. I wouldn’t call Cole my hero.” I shift in my seat. “I just want to meet him.” Monterey’s blowing this whole thing out of proportion.

She leans forward. “No, I think it’s admirable, Danger. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed. I’m excited for you to meet him. He’s a really good guy. And I love his wife.”

I twist my fingers together, relaxing a bit. “Ok, good.”

“So, Vegas?” Monterey’s eyes light up.

“Don’t get any ideas.”

“What? I’m not going to try to marry you.” She laughs like the idea is so ludicrous. And I guess it is. “Contrary to popular belief, I’m not trying to hop on the Danger train and ride it all night long.”

My ears perk up, my blood pumping a beat faster at the thought of Monterey riding me all night long. “You’re not?” I try to make it sound like I’m joking, but the tone comes out all wrong and husky.

Monterey blinks and we’re both interrupted by Doreen, dropping off our sandwiches.

Thank god too, because things were starting to feel a bit too real.