Arrogant Boss

“You admitted that you threw the pool game. I’m happy you did, but it’s only fair that you get what you bet on as well.”

“I’m going to get to drive your car? This car?”

“Yes. There’ll be an instructor, too. We’ll race and then grab lunch at their restaurant.” He glanced at me sideways, as if gauging my reaction. “Good surprise? Bad surprise?”

“Amazing surprise. This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime kind of experiences.”

He laughed. “Oh, Emily. That’s the kind of mindset we’re going to have to change.”

It didn’t take long before we were dressed in a racing tracksuit each with thick padding on the shoulders and stripes down our arms. An instructor led us out to the course, his hand shading his eyes from the sun.

“The track is warm and dry today,” he said. “We haven’t had a drop of rain for days.”

Julian pulled on a pair of leather driving gloves. “That’s good. This is Ms. Giordano’s first time driving on a race track.”

“You’re in for a treat, then,” the instructor said to me with a smile. “We’ll start off with a safety demonstration and then take it slow. I’ll be in the car with you for both of your turns and we’ll explore whatever you feel comfortable with.” He put a hand on the roof of Julian’s Porsche, smoothing along the polish. “This is a fine 911 Carrera.”

“It is, isn’t? I haven’t taken her out much lately, so it’ll be great to stretch her legs a bit.”

“She’ll perform just nicely, I think.”

Fredrick, the instructor, had us memorize the track and the safety rules. Where to stop, where to break, the maximum speed we could hit and still make it around safely, and then he and Julian set off.

I stood in the empty stands and watched as he took the course in bursts of speed and slow, controlled turns, taking the curves with expert precision.

It might be my first time on a race track, but it didn’t look like Julian’s first try-not by a long shot.

When he finally pulled up next to me, the car’s engine was practically purring. Julian stepped out with a wide grin. “That,” he said, “was excellent.”

I smiled at him. “You looked like an absolute pro. I’m sure the car is quaking at the prospect of being driven by me.”

“Not at all.” He tweaked my nose. “Go out there and give it your all.”

“Will you watch me drive?”

Julian grinned. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Ace.”

I raised a finger in warning. “But no critiquing afterward or I’m never going anywhere with you again.”

“Critique? Emily, I’m already surprised as hell that you’re so enthusiastic about this. I had no idea you were into motorsports. At best, I hoped this would give you a laugh and we’d have a nice lunch.” He ran his hand through his disheveled hair and for the first time I realized that, just maybe, he occasionally got a bit nervous too.

“It was a fantastic idea. Now, have a little rest and let me show you how it’s really done.” I shot him a cocky grin and walked around the car to the driving seat.

Fredrick talked me through the modes of the car, and when I felt comfortable in the seat I gently pulled out of the waiting lot. The car purred under my hands. I’d never been a car person, but it felt like driving silk-the car was just so responsive.

“And now, I want you to let go. Let the car tell you what to do, and listen to when I tell you to brake or speed up. Other than that… The track is yours, Ms. Giordano.”

It took me a few rounds to get a hang of the curves and the long stretches of road, to learn the ins and outs of the car. But once I had it?

Speed was addictive. I’d never driven as fast as I did on that track. A wide smile was plastered on my face from start to finish as the car hugged the curves. Fredrick laughed at my exuberance when he finally instructed me to pull back up to the waiting lot.

I unbuckled my seat belt and took a few shaky steps out of the car. Julian was grinning at me.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Did you see that?”

“I sure did.”

“This is hands down the best day ever. I can’t believe you took me racing, Julian.”

He winked at me, hands in his pockets as he stepped close enough that I could smell his aftershave again.

Fredrick cleared his throat. “I’ll fill up on fuel and park her by the restaurant for you, sir.”

“Thank you, Fredrick.” I heard the purr of the car as it pulled away, Julian still focused on me. “You did some excellent turns out there, Ace.”

“Oh, did I, Mister Expert?”

“Mhmm.” He reached out and hooked his fingers into the belt loops of my jeans, pulling me closer. This close, his handsomeness was no less overwhelming, sharp angles and soft eyes.

His hand cupped my cheek and his thumb slowly traced a line from my cheek to the corner of my lips. “Look at that smile,” he murmured.

Perhaps it was the adrenaline or the happiness, but I rose up on my tip-toes and touched my lips to his.

He responded instantly. Reverent hands traced up my sides, cupped the back of my shoulders and tugged me closer. He kissed me with soft, sweet carefulness, like he’d wanted to do this forever and couldn’t believe it was happening.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave in to the sensations. His hair was silky in my hands, and as I tugged, Julian groaned against my lips.

The softness snapped and the heat between us exploded into fire and flames. Julian’s hands pulled at my waist so that my body was flush against his. I could feel the heat of his skin through the thin material of my shirt. Our mouths opened, tongues touching.

He was hard everywhere I was soft and our bodies fit together like they were made for this. Made to twine and support and kiss.

Under his guidance, the kisses grew slower, his tongue coaxing and gentle. He pressed his lips to mine one final time before lifting his head.

But I wasn’t ready to let go yet.

I buried my face in his neck and breathed a kiss at the hollow of his throat, right on the pulse that raced there. Every nerve ending of my body felt frayed, my stomach giddy with butterflies. His arms were tight around me.

“Hell,” he murmured against my hair. “I didn’t expect… that.”

I laughed against his skin. “Yeah. Wow.”

Julian pushed me back slightly to look at me, his eyes warm. His lips looked swollen and I flushed at the sight.

“You okay?”

“Yes.””Not going to spook on me?”

“No,” I smiled. “Definitely not.”