Page 41

CHAPTER 41

Connor

I can’t stop looking at her hand. It’s covered by clear wrapping, and beneath is her best lap time like an embossing on her skin. My feet tap as I study it for the umpteenth time.

“Should I drive us home?” I ask, reaching for the keys. “I don’t want you to hurt your hand, and it might be sore or?—”

Senna raises her eyebrows and holds her keys tight.

“Or you could drive because you’re perfectly capable,” I stutter.

She shakes her head as she walks to the driver’s side, and I slide into the passenger seat. She kisses me on the lips, and I taste the fruity jelly sweeties she’s sucked on. “Maybe we should pick up some ingredients so I can cook you dinner?”

She speeds down the road as I click in my seatbelt. She hasn’t mentioned the tattoo I got since she kissed me. Maybe she’s realising I was a bit obsessed with her. “Or we could eat out. Whatever?—”

She trails her fingers up my thigh.

“Or we?—”

“Connor,” she growls. I wink at her. “You’re a right chatterbox this evening.”

“You’re too quiet, and it’s freaking me out.” I’m playing it cool as I chuckle, but I lost my calm about an hour earlier.

She grabs the gear stick, and I instantly miss her warmth. I’m whipped, and although I’m terrified, I’m excited, too.

“Your laughter isn’t fooling anyone,” she says, side-eying me as she takes another corner. Her hand lingers on the gear stick.

I’ve shown enough vulnerability over the last day. I must remember that you don’t show all this emotion when it’s just dating.

She spies me warily but doesn’t say anything more as she drives us through the country roads. I tap my thighs as I glance out the window. “This isn’t the way to my house. Have you got another surprise planned?”

“You’ll see.”

I press my palm to her thigh, sliding it under her dress. She’s so sexy when she drives. Being in the car with her helps me to love driving more. I’ll remember the sweets on her lips and the caress of her spicy floral perfume.

“Don’t move that higher, or I’ll crash.”

“Totally worth it.” She side-eyes me. This time, my smirk reaches my eyes. But the temptation of the surprise stops me from moving higher. Her quads tense as she presses the clutch and pushes the car into fifth gear. “Out of curiosity, are you wearing knickers?”

“You’ll find out later…if you win.”

“What?”

“Just enjoy the drive.”

My little finger catches on the hem of her dress. I pull it slightly, which makes her strap fall. My dick presses against the zipper of my shorts with a desire only she gives me.

“Yes, boss.”

“Connor, we’re here .”

I squint against the bright sunshine. It’s nearly seven in the evening. A security guard opens a barrier and waves us through.

“Where are we? Is this… Why?”

“It’s part of my mission to get you enjoying driving again.”

She parks outside the main building of Dunsfold Aerodrome, the airfield used in the BBC car television show Top Gear . I gape at the track with the curves and straights I’ve only imagined driving on. The grass surrounding the asphalt is mostly green, although the brown biting the edges reminds me of the hot summer I haven’t had much chance to enjoy due to racing.

I’ve conquered tracks worldwide, but I also grew up watching some of my favourite drivers on Top Gear take on this track. Childhood Connor bursts from my chest and tells me how this was one of his dreams I’d forgotten about. But the show doesn’t film here anymore. Maybe Senna wants me to drive her Porsche here. I love her Porsche, but I’d rather drive a Ferrari around this.

Something shiny and orange catches my eye. I gasp as I stare in awe at the Lamborghini Hypercar I’ve only seen online. “Only twenty of these were made! Where did you get it?”

I run to it, hold my hand out, but quickly pull it back. “Can I touch it?”

Senna chuckles behind me. “Of course. You can drive it, too. But don’t forget the other cars. They’re feeling left out.”

I’m so blinded by its beauty I hadn’t noticed the others. Next to it is an Aston Martin in gunmetal that makes me drool, and, next to that, a Bugatti in bright blue. It’s the colour of cloudless summer days.

I walk around the vehicles, staring in the window like a wide-eyed child outside a candy shop, waiting for it to open after school.

“Get in, then,” Senna says.

I whip my head around. “Which one? I’ve never driven any of these rare cars.”

“Whichever one you think you can beat me in.”

I jut out my head. “Beat you in?”

She presses her lips to mine, and for a second, I’m distracted by the heat of her body, her candy taste, and her hands under my T-shirt. Her breath tickles my skin when she pulls back and says, “Yes, Dane, beat me in. This is your surprise. When you were younger, you dreamed of driving the best cars. When we were karting as teenagers, your eyes lit up whenever you were allowed near a supercar. I want you to recreate that happiness and buzz you felt then. Try each car out. You’ve got until the sun goes down, and maybe we can race each other if there’s time. The helmets are in the cars.”

I grasp her hands tightly and cover her face in kisses. “You did this for me?”

“I called in a couple of favours. Jacs helped me arrange it.”

My pulse is out of control. It’s because of her, not because I have the opportunity to drive without the pressure of being judged. It’s not about winning a trophy to make a business prick somewhere happy. This is all for me, and she did this.

As I climb into the Lambo, I turn to her. “You said if I win, I find out if you’re wearing knickers.”

“He finally remembers,” she says with a smile. She folds her arms and licks her lips slowly. “If we have time to compete, then the bet is that if you win, you get to find out what’s underneath my dress.”

“And if you win?”

“ When I win, I’ll come up with something. Don’t you worry, baby.”

“I don’t doubt that for a second, boss.” I give her a quick grin and reach for my helmet. All my dreams are coming true tonight, and it’s because of her.