Page 5 of Driving Force

“Ryan, explain yourself now,” she says as soon as I step in the door.

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

As she stares at me, I think to myself, Yep, she needs to be in PR. She could scare the devil himself straight with the look I’m getting. Brad better watch out, or she’ll have his job. Matt could use a woman like this on his team because his PR guy sucks; I’m just saying. With that thought, a small laugh comes from me, causing her to glare even more.

“Ryan, I saw you leave the driver meeting in a rush to catch up to Tinley,” she finally says. “Listen, I know it’s your personal life and all that shit, but she’s my best friend, so it’s my duty to tell you if you’re just looking for a girl while you’re in town, she’s not it! She’s the marrying type of girl, not the hook-up kind of girl, okay.”

Grace is protecting her best friend, so I need to tell her this is different and make my intentions clear, even if I’m unsure of what I’m really feeling now.

“Okay, thanks for the warning, but just so you know, Tinley is different than any other woman I’ve come across, and I intend to see if we have something that could be more than just two people who hang out, if you really want to know. Now if you will excuse me, I need to get my head on straight to run 300 laps because this morning has taken a different path than my normal race days.” Instead of daydreaming about a curvy, dark-haired beauty taking up a lot of space in my mind.

Stepping into the shower to get ready for the race, my mind wanders back to that kiss. I can’t help but wonder if she also felt the earth crack. It may have been the most intense first kiss I have ever had. I would have kept kissing her for the rest of the night if I didn’t have to prepare for the race. There’s something different about Tinley. I want to get to know her and am determined to pull out all the stops to get what I want. The longer I think about her, the harder I get, water pelting me in the shower as I slowly start to stroke myself. Closing my eyes, I picture that dark-haired beauty kneeling before me with those blue eyes looking up so innocently before wrapping those beautiful lips around my cock. The image causes me to stroke fast, and then I’m coming all over the shower wall like a high school kid. Shit, what has this woman done to me?

Slowing my racing heart, it’s time to suit up and go to work. Race days are always busy, so by the time I get buckled into my car, I’ll be in a different headspace. Standing by my car listening to the national anthem, my mind keeps drifting to Tinley, having her standing beside me as I get ready to climb in, kissing me good luck and saying she will see me after the race. I’ve only known her for a few hours, and she is already occupying my mind. Ugh, focus, McKenzie. You have a job to do and a race to win. I need to get into driver mode, fierce NASCAR driver Ryan McKenzie who doesn’t take any shit from anyone.

The rumble of the car’s engine coming to life pushes Tinley to the back of my mind. I line up to begin 300 miles at Bristol, The Last Great Coliseum. “Okay, Ryan, let’s get ready to go green,” I hear my crew say over the headset. “Bristol is a fast-paced track, and you need to be on your game.”

The race is brutal from the start. Qualifying mid-pack, I knew I had my work cut out for me early on. The rookie doesn’t make it any easier when he dives into the corner on lap 160, thinking he could pass me, but little does he know I’m not the easiest person to get around. After playing back and forth for ten laps, I’ve had enough and decided it’s time to put him in the wall. Am I going to have a meeting in the NASCAR hauler? Maybe so. Time to head to the front. It will be challenging with only 50 laps left, but I’m up for it.

After 300 miles and a hell of a race, I end up with a top-5 finish. I always want to win, but the car just wasn’t what it needed to be. Stepping out, Brad greets me along with the press, chomping at the bit to ask about the race today and about why I put the rookie in the wall. I put on a friendly face even though I’m unhappy with the finish. I need to be grateful for the life I’m able to lead by driving for a great team like Mac Motorsports. But really, I just want to get a shower and text Tinley to see if she enjoyed the race and find out when I’ll be able to see her again.

As I’m getting my hanns device off, Regan Smith with Race Hub comes over to ask a few questions, bracing for the one that everyone’s been asking. “So, Ryan, why did you put the rookie in the wall? He wasn’t happy about that when he came out of the infield care center.”

“Honestly, Regan, I was tired of playing his games. I had the better car, and when he wouldn’t give an inch for me to get around him, I made my own inch. It’s racing. Sometimes it happens; the rookie had better get used to it.”

Two hours later, I finally leave the track. My mind races as I try to figure out what to say to Tinley. One kiss—that’s all we had shared, and some light conversation. Yes, it was the best kiss I have ever had, and that makes me both excited and nervous as hell about what’s to come next.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I decide to text her. My first instinct is to call, but then I think that if she’s riding home, she may not want to talk in front of all her friends, especially if Malibu Ken was sitting with her. What if they hit it off during the race? Did he ask her out? Did they hold hands? Had he made her laugh or even blush? I’m going down a rabbit hole of doubt, and I just need to text her to see if I even have a chance. Deep breath McKenzie just freaking text her and see what happens.

Sexy Driver:

Did you enjoy the race today?

Tinley:

Um, who is this?

Sexy Driver:

Sorry, yeah, you might need to know that - this is Ryan.

Tinley:

Ha-ha, I knew who this was just wanted to make you sweat a little. But your number is in my phone with Sexy Driver as the name. I wonder how that happened? Yeah actually had a lot of fun, and great job on the top-five finish.

Ryan:

So, what time can I pick you up?

Tinley:

Well, I should be home in about half an hour, so around 9 if you still want to do something tonight. I know you may be tired from the race, but if not, there’s a bar around the corner from where I live. What time do you need to head back to Charlotte?

Ryan:

I’ll see you a little before 9, and don't worry about me. I don't have to be back in Charlotte until bright and early Monday morning. So I have plenty of time.

You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face at the thought of seeing Tinley later, what she might wear, and how the clothes would hang on her beautiful curvy body. Good god, I’ve never thought of myself as the boyfriend type or even a romantic, but I’m starting to think I just might try for her.

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