Page 9 of Driving Force

“Ryan, can I ask you a question?” I say, looking up at him. “How would this work? You’re gone so much, and I’m finishing up school. I don’t want to start something, then I only see you when you’re in the state or over video chat.”

“Honestly, Tinley, I don’t know. I’ve never wanted a relationship. But I want to try with you. A lot of the guys have girlfriends and wives, so it’s doable. And I would love to have you in my pit box when you are able to come. Just tell me you will think about it. I really had a great time getting to know you tonight, Tinley. Honestly, I think you're pretty great.”

“I did, too, Ryan.” As I sit there looking down at my lap, I can’t help the doubts that come into my head. Could this be too good to be true? Could two people click like we have and work in the end?

He leans over, cupping my cheek and turning my head so I’m looking at him. Then he kisses me. Yet this kiss is different, sweet, and sexy at the same time, a longing or maybe a question of what if. I want to kiss him forever in that instant.

“Let me walk you to the door,”he says.

Slowly we walk, and I become more anxious again. Part of it is because I’m trying to play out each option in my head on how it will work, and the other part of me is trying to keep my restraint and not dry hump him on the front porch for and everyone to see. I’m sure Mrs. Nelson doesn’t need to see that.

“Thank you again for tonight and the race. Please thank Brad for letting us tag along with Grace. It was nice of him.”

I turn to open the door but stop when it’s pulled back closed. Turning to face Ryan, I’m met with his beautiful eyes, dark with lust again, and I am putty in his hands. I feel that heat rush into my cheeks once more.

“Tinley, I can’t just let you go inside without a proper goodbye.”

His perfect lips crash into mine, and my world stops spinning. And I know from now on, all other kisses will be compared to this one.

As Tinley reaches for the doorknob, I know in that instant that I can’t let her leave without another kiss. What on earth is this woman doing to me? We’ve known each other for less than 24 hours, and I already can’t get enough of her.

One kiss will never be enough, and I know it. The kiss on top of the parking deck was like you only read about. Having grown up with sisters, yes, I’ve read bits of their romance books, so I’m very aware of the spark and time standing still and all that shit, but never thought that I might experience it. We were so wound up from that kiss, and I wanted to do so much more. Let’s just say that my dick didn’t agree and was very unhappy about me putting the brakes on. But I knew she deserved better, and it sure as hell didn’t need to be on a first date. She wasn’t like the track girls that just wanted to have fun, say they slept with a driver for their Instagram followers, then go on about their night.

Pulling Tinley against me on her doorstep once more is such a natural reaction. Kissing her is like breathing; I have searched my whole life for this connection. She smells like lavender and honey, and with each kiss and moan, I know I have to get back here as soon as my schedule allows, or I’ll make a point to bring her to me. Our foreheads press together as we catch our breaths once more.

Smiling up at me with those ice-blue eyes, she says goodnight. As I turn to walk away, I can’t help but glance back at her, standing with her best friends on the doorstep with her fingers pressed against her lips. Throwing my arm up, I wave goodbye to the ladies, and I hear the laughter behind me as they pull Tinley into the house.

I sit in my truck for a few seconds, smiling at the night I just had with her. I also need a minute to get my dick under control because I’m hard as a rock, wishing Tinley was under me right now. Guess it's going to be a very cold shower when I get back to my hotel room.

Driving to Charlotte the following day is uneventful. With Boone about two hours from Charlotte I didn’t need to leave extra early, but I wanted to be at the shop early to go over everything. Some weeks are better than others, depending on how we run. Mondays can be a mix of emotions. The garage guys could be unhappy with me if I happened to get into a wreck and the car is worse for wear.

Working for one of the larger race teams has some perks, like knowing my car is being set up and ready for the next weekend. I don’t have to spend much time talking with the engineer to ensure the specs are right. So, I make my way down the hall toward my crew chief John’s office. He’s been my crew chief for a few years, and he is always easy to talk to if I have any issues, work-related or personal. John has been in NASCAR for as long as I can remember and knows all the ups and downs that come with the job.

“Well, well, look what the cat dragged in.”

I walk into John’s office. Looking over my shoulder, I notice Matt, my best friend and total pain in the ass teammate, sitting in the corner reading a magazine. We started in NASCAR around the same time, becoming fast friends. The media likes to call us Shake and Bake. Yep, from that terrible NASCAR movie a few years back. They could have given us something better, maybe from Days of Thunder. Matt McCall is the total opposite of me. Where I would rather wear vans and music t-shirts, he’s a cowboy boot country boy from top to bottom. His blonde hair is grown out longer than usual, and he has a thick Alabama accent.

I walk further into John’s office. The oversized desk, which he always makes a point of saying he hates because he’s not a freaking CEO, is neat and organized with all the stats from the race weekend for us to go over.

“And just where have you been all night, Mr. McKenzie?” Matt asks with a smile so wide you can see his teeth from space. Flipping him off, I plop down in the seat beside him.

“I decided to stay at the track a little longer this weekend,” I say, sipping my coffee. But I know Matt isn’t buying anything I’m selling.

“Well, if that’s the story you’re sticking with, okay then.” Matt laughs.

“Tell me why you’re in here catching up with my crew chief, dipshit.”

“No reason. Just wanted to see you do the walk of shame on a Monday.”

Clearing his throat, John finally speaks up. “If you girls are done, I have actual work to do. If you want to know why Ryan didn’t call you last night or stop by for Cosmos, then do that on your own time. Now give a goodbye kiss, and you’ll see each other at home later.”

“All right, I’m going. Ryan. beers later?”

“Yeah, I’ll text when I’m done for the day.”

An hour later, I finished my meeting with John. Considering the place we finished, it wasn’t as terrible as I thought it might be. Granted, he wasn’t happy about the fine I got for turning the rookie, but I’ll do it again if the little shit gets in my way. John is just as competitive as me, so we’re always extra hard on each other come Monday mornings race breakdown. Just as I turn toward the engine shop, I get Brad's text wanting to see me. I let out a loud sigh because I made sure to be on my best behavior this weekend—well, besides the little bit of damage control he had to do with me turning the rookie, but other than that, I was good since we had an extra guest in the pit box this weekend. What have I done now? I better go find out before checking on my car.

Taking an abrupt turnaround from the shop, I head over to the management side of the building to see what I’ve done.