Page 16 of Overdrive (Speed Demons #1)

I thrived in the controlled chaos ofpre-racepaddock energy. Media Day was always chaos—reporters swarming like bees, team staff darting with clipboards, engines warming in nearby garages. I usually thrived in it. But the second I stepped outside?—

There she was.

I stopped mid-stride, my conversation with Marco fading into the background as my gaze locked onto her. She was walking down the paddock like she owned it, and for a moment, I wasn't sure if she was real or if my mind was playing tricks on me.

She looked… fucking heart-stopping.

Gone was the understated, reserved rookie who'd kept to herself during pre-season testing.

Today, she was a vision of confidence. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a sleek ponytail, bouncing with every step, a few loose strands framing her face.

Her golden tan stood out under the bright Shanghai sun, legs on full display beneath the hem of her black skirt.

Not too short—just enough to drive me fucking insane.

And the wedges? Jesus fucking Christ. The way her hips moved was permanently burned into the part of my brain that had no business noticing her like that.

She was commanding attention. And every single bastard in the paddock was looking.

I squeezed the water bottle in my hand, sweat breaking out on the back of my neck.

“You good, mate?” Marco's voice broke through my daze, and I blinked, tearing my eyes away from her.

“Yeah,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair and tugging a bit to ground myself.

I needed to fucking get it together. I didn't like being this distracted during season.

It was one thing to have a random hookup, but the warring emotions of knowing I needed to keep my distance from her and not wanting to were exhausting. “Just… didn't expect that.”

Marco followed my gaze and let out a low whistle. “She's pulling out all the stops today. Good for her. Maybe now some of the idiots on the grid will shut the fuck up.”

I didn't respond, my attention already drifting as she approached a group of reporters.

She hadn't even glanced my way, her focus entirely on the media ahead of her.

But there was something about the way she carried herself, the way she laughed lightly at something one of the journalists said, that pulled me into her orbit.

Was this whatKimihad meant about her family's estate being peaceful? Had a few days in the French countryside transformed her, or was this who she'd always been, hidden beneath the pressure of her debut weekend?

Either way, I couldn't look away.

By the time I caught up with her, she'd finished her media obligations and was chatting withKiminear theLuminis garage. I approached casually, forcing myself to look as unbothered as possible.

Which was so fucking fake of me.

“Dubois,” I greeted, nodding at her andKimi. “You're making quite the statement today.”

She turned, her smile softening into something more mischievous.

Her eyes sparkled with an energy that hadn't been there in my previous interactions with her, like she was holding onto a secret she was daring me to uncover.

It felt more like a challenge, subtle but unmistakable.

“Oh? And what statement would that be, Fraser?”

“Show-stopping,” I said, keeping my tone light, though my pulse quickened now that I had her attention .

She laughed, a sound that seemed to ripple through me.

It was a noise I hadn't heard from her yet, and I had this inexplicable urge to make her do it again.

“Maybe I am. Or maybe I'm just tired of blending in.

Thought I'd remind everyone that being fast and being feminine aren't mutually exclusive.” What looked like insecurity flashed in her eyes for a fraction of a second, but it was gone before I could tell if I'd seen it at all.

Kimichuckled. “She's got a point.”

“Besides, Fraser, isn't it you who said adrenaline makes people do wild things? Maybe this is mine.”

I grinned. “Wild? I don't know if I'd call a skirt wild.”

“Oh, trust me,” she said, stepping closer, her voice dropping just enough to send a shiver down my spine. She searched my face for a brief second. “You haven't seen me wild yet.” She said it with a voice like silk and sin, and I swear my brain just… short-circuited.

My mouth went dry when a thousand images of her popped up in my mind—naked, back arched, mouth open while she moaned my name.

For a moment, I forgotKimiwas even there. My heart hammered against myrib cage, a mix of adrenaline, heat, and something far more distracting coursing through me—pure, unadulterated lust. She was so intoxicating, so fucking sexy.

“Well,” I said, recovering quickly, “if that's your version of a warning, I'll take it under advisement.”

“You should,” she replied smoothly.

“Alright, you two,”Kimiinterjected, his tone amused. “Save the fireworks for the track.”

Aurélielaughed again, the sound light and free as she turned back to her teammate. “Don't worry,Kimi. I'll behave.”

She walked away withKimiat her side. I was rooted in place, watching her go, mesmerized by the sway of her hips and the bouncing of her ponytail. She was a force of nature,unapologeticallyherself, and it was impossible not to admire that.

It was also impossible to ignore her allure, the raw sex appeal in that devious look she wore so well.

I so badly wanted her to not behave.

“You've got it bad,” Marco's voice came from behind, perhaps finally catching up. “Seriously, be careful, mate. That's the kind of fire you lose yourself in.”

I didn't respond and he walked away. My thoughts still lingered on her words, her smile, and the way she'd looked at me like she knew exactly what she was doing.

Maybe Marco was right.

But then again, I'd always liked playing with fire.

And suddenly, her statement clicked. Adrenaline makes people do wild things.

I'd said that in a post-race interview after I won my first championship, when the title fight came down to the last few laps.

I'd performed a smooth switchback, which had since become my preferred method of overtaking, because it worked.

Every. Fucking. Time. For some reason, none of the other drivers could see it coming when I decided to use it.

And the fact thatAuréliehad just thrown an old quote of mine out there? That meant she was serious about watching me.

Fuck.

It wasn't just me. She felt it, too.

I ran a hand over my mouth, shaking my head to try to clear it— but nothing fucking worked .I turned the opposite direction, needing to move, needing to walk this off before I did something stupid.

Like drag her into the nearest room and make us both lose control.