“Fine, I will.” I rev up the engine, making sure I’m ready to go. I’m almost ready to punch the accelerator, but then realize I can’t very well fly out of the police station parking lot. I think that’s what Danger wants. I think he wants me to end up right where he was moments before I picked him up. In jail for racing illegally in the streets of LA. No, instead of pulling away from the curb like I'm a speed racer, I gently press the pedal like I’m driving Miss Daisy.
He laughs. “That’s what I thought.” He slinks down into the seat, getting comfortable and pulls his ball cap over his eyes.
I don’t care if he’s laughing at me. I won’t disobey the speed limit to prove a point.
Sure, maybe staring at him a little bit too long may be a bit dangerous. However, I’m a big girl who can control my sexual urges. And believe me, it will never happen between Danger and I, so I don’t even let my mind travel there… often. It’s not like he’s the type of guy I could bring home to my father.
“What were you thinking? Street racing?” The deep harsh look of my father’s angered eyes are directed solely on Danger.
Danger sits on the sofa in my father’s study at almost midnight with a small smirk on his face. “It was just a little fun.”
My father moves around the room in his motorized wheelchair, where I delivered Danger to him. “Danger, we have to keep our investment sound. We’ve only got ten more races left of the season, and I can’t have you illegally street racing all around town.”
Danger shuffles in his seat, hanging his head low. Keeping a leash on the infamous Danger Hudson is something my father has struggled with since he signed him to our team’s roster.
Personally, I’m not really sure why my father puts up with him at all. Sure, he’s a great driver, and one of the quickest and most skilled I’ve ever seen, but there are others who can drive well enough.
My father had pulled me aside before signing him, and told me with Danger on our team we’d be sure to win.
So, as the good daughter, I went along with my father’s ideas. I like to think of my father and I as partners in the racing business. We own the team together. We make most decisions together.
Well, he makes most, and I usually just agree with him.
But just for the record, I was never on board with Danger.
My father crosses the room, and ends up next to his best friend and lawyer, Bill. “Anyone want a drink? Bill? Monterey?” He smiles. “Danger, I’m not offering you any.”
I laugh a little under my breath, my eyes meeting Danger’s dark ones from across the room. I decline my father’s offer for a drink.
“I have an idea,” my father states as he swirls the amber liquid of his drink around in his glass. “It’s a risky one.”
I’m all ears. “What is it?” I’m half-hoping my father will tell me we’re cutting Danger from the team. I almost wish for it.
“Well, we know controlling the media on Danger is impossible. Everywhere he goes he’s like a media nightmare come to life. I think they follow him because they know there’s a good story coming.”
Danger smiles.
“Well, maybe you should ground him to his room.” I cross my arms and Danger’s smile fades instantly.
“We need to showcase him in a better light,” Bill adds.
“That’s what I’m thinking.” My father turns to face me. “Monterey, what if we say the two of you are engaged. You two are madly in love. The media loves a good redemption story. Bad boy tamed by the daughter of a racing tycoon. It’s perfect.”
I think I stopped listening after the word engaged. My eyes widen. “I...uhh.” My mouth snaps shut and no more words come out.
Does the media even like me?
Danger’s having the same reaction on the other side of the room. “Engaged to her?” He jabs a thumb over his shoulder, pointing it directly at me. “No one will believe that one.” He appears horrified.
This angers me and instead of acting out, I plaster on my best sweet smile. “Why wouldn’t anyone believe it?”
Danger stands, controlling the room as he moves across the hardwood. “Because you and I don’t fit, sweetheart.”
“Don’t call me that.” There has to be another idea. “Dad, can’t you just make him be good.”
Danger laughs along with my father like together they’re in some boy’s club where no women are allowed. They should be smoking cigars and drinking bourbon, instead of trying to ruin my life.
“Don’t you think we’ve tried?”
“Well, cut him from the team,” I snap out.
Danger’s dark eyes widen. “No, I can pretend to be engaged for a little while.”
“You can’t seriously be on board with this idea.” I turn to face him. This is a very bad idea, it has disaster written all over it.
“Sure, maybe it’ll be fun.”
My father laughs. “Yes, but not too much fun. Monterey, just think about it. The two of you will make headlines. The couple that was never expected. Think about how many women will be jealous of you.”
I roll my eyes. “I have some conditions.” When my father gets the glint of gold he has right now in his eyes I know there’s no arguing. And I won’t go down without a fight.
“Sure, anything,” my father answers. “Bill, take notes of her conditions and we’ll have Danger sign them.”
“I won’t have him cheat on me. I don’t need to be made a fool of in the public eye.” Again. “Even if you think you’re not going to get caught by the media, that doesn’t mean you won’t.”
Danger nods. “No women.” He shakes his head, running his fingers through the sexy mop of black hair disheveled all over his head. I’m sure asking Danger not to sleep with women is like asking the pope not to pray.
“No women. And no kissing. And no touching. We can hold hands once, maybe. And absolutely no nicknames. And I don’t want any contact with you at all really.”
Danger laughs. “Oh sweetheart, we’re gonna have to put on a show. No one will believe this facade if I’m not all over you in public.”
I step closer to him, poking his rock hard chest with my finger. “If you lay one finger on me,” I step even closer, “I’ll break it.”
He smiles, his eyes challenging mine, this man is infuriating. “I will touch you and kiss you and pretend like we are a happy couple in love. Because we need to make sure the media believes it. Buckle up, baby, this will be the race of your life.”
I hate that my body betrays me at this very moment and I might actually be looking forward to this.
Chapter 3
Danger
I want to laugh at the seriousness in Monterey’s emerald-green eyes right now. They sparkle with fire and ice simultaneously. And with her fair skin and dark brown hair, she has to know how beautiful she is. The right combination of sophistication and sex. She’s so fucking pretty. I bet she bathes in the compliments I’m sure she receives from all the men in this industry. It’s her wardrobe. Like the dress she’s wearing right now. Casual, yet classy. A dress that clings to her body and has a slit clear up the side of one leg. She wears them all the time, all in different patterns, and it’s hard to turn away from her when she’s around. She crosses her arms over her chest, pushing up her tits just a little, and I take the opportunity to check them out.