Page 42 of Racing Heat

“I’m going to have to teach you some expressions just to make sure you use them correctly.”

“What was wrong with that one?”

He doesn’t answer me. Instead, he says, “I think this might be the best part of my night.”

“I’m sorry you’re having a rough time of it. Are you homesick?”

He chuckles. “No, I like it here. It’s just the you-and-me of it all. We’re doomed before we start. But let’s see if we can’t make this work, and maybe, just maybe, August will be understanding.”

“Yeah, because he’s such a rational man,” I say, shaking my head.

“I could just take a picture of him with a stripper and hold it over his head as blackmail or something.”

“I’m not sure that’s the best way to treat your boss,” I remind him.

“Well, he can be an ass.”

“You like him and he’s your friend. You get each other.”

“Whatever you say, Cas.”

Neither one of us speaks for a bit. He’s the first one to break the silence.

“I should probably get going if I’m going to make it to run with you. And you know you shouldn’t be running. Big game coming up.”

“You can discipline me when you see me tomorrow.” My voice drops to a seductively low octave, and he groans. “What?” I ask.

“The images at the idea of disciplining you that are coming up in my head right now… I’m not a well man. Tell me something, Cas, would you let me punish you? Like are you into some freaky shit?”

My cheeks heat. My brain is tired, and I feel like I’m not in the right frame of mind to keep up with this conversation, so I just say, “Guess you’ll have to wait and find out.”

“I guess so.” There’s hope in his voice, and it makes me smile.

“I’m glad you drunk dialed me.”

“Yeah, this one worked out.”

“How many girls do you drunk dial?” I ask him.

“Just you, pretty girl. Just you. I’m going to go because I need some food in my stomach, and then I’m going to hit the hay.”

“Good night, Jase.”

“Good night, Cassie.”

I click off the line and lie back into my bed. I stare up at the ceiling, trying to figure out what the fuck to say to him tomorrow. I wonder if he’ll remember this conversation and if we’ll talk about it while we run.

It takes a bit, but I finally fall asleep, thoughts of Jase and how he could discipline me drifting through my mind.

Chapter Fifteen

~CASSIE~

Ishow up at the beach ready for my run. I wonder if Jase will be joining me. But the question I keep asking myself is why do I want him to show up? And what does all of this mean?

I don’t have too much time to think about it, because his sleek black Audi is pulling into the parking lot. He gets out of the car, water bottle in hand. He’s wearing sunglasses and a hat, and I wonder if he’s feeling the impacts of how much he drank last night. I sigh, taking in the look of his white T-shirt and navy running shorts.

Oh my god. He looks heavenly. I sigh and look down at my own outfit. I’m wearing my bright yellow shorts and white tank top. I wonder if the way I look affects him the way he does me.