Page 56 of Formula Fling

I’m shocked he would make such a statement because as far as I know, Lex hasn’t told anyone about our relationship. But I could be wrong, so I just play it casual.

I force a smile, trying to keep things polite without encouraging interaction. “Thank you.”

He leans in a little closer, and bile rises. “I’ve got to say… it’s a shame he’s keeping you all to himself.”

Before I can respond, he brushes a fingertip down my bare arm, and I jerk away, my heart pounding. I try to laugh it off, but there’s nothing funny about the way he’s looking at me.

“You all right?” he asks, his tone almost mocking. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Fighting against a slight surge of panic, I stammer, “I’m fine. I… I just need to find Lex.”

“He’s busy,” he replies smoothly. “Trying to dazzle new sponsors. But I’m glad to keep you company.”

The words alone would seem innocuous but he says them with such a lecherous leer, I know exactly what type of company he means. Rage boils within and the fear recedes as I remember I’m in a public place and he can’t do a damn thing to me other than try for intimidation.

I decide to throw it back on him. “How could you do that to your friend?” I demand.

Ronan’s chin pulls inward as his eyebrows rise. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you clearly know there’s something going on between me and Lex, and yet here you are, hitting on me.”

His mouth sags for a moment, clearly shocked that I’d go on the attack. But then Ronan proves just how scary he truly is. “I think you’re a little full of yourself, Posey. You’re definitely not my type and I still don’t understand what Lex sees in you.”

“Good,” I sneer. “Then how about you stay away from me because if you don’t, I’ll tell Lex what you’re doing.”

Ronan laughs, an irritatingly confident sneer on his face. “He’ll never believe you.”

That gives me pause because he might be right. He’s known Ronan since they were kids, all of these drivers having literally grown up in the sport together. He’s known me for a few weeks, and well… I came into his life under a big lie. Perhaps he’d think I was being untruthful to stir the pot, although I hope he knows me better than that.

Regardless, I again resolve to keep this to myself to avoid drama. I’ll just have to figure out how to handle Ronan on my own.

That starts with not giving him the attention he’s clearly seeking. I could walk away but I don’t want him to have that power over me. I don’t want to be intimidated.

“I’d like you to leave.”

He cocks an eyebrow, opens his mouth to cut me off but I hold my hand up, palm out.

“And before you think about denying my request, I’d have you consider the fact that while I might choose not to tell Lex about this, I don’t have a problem going to Harley. As team principal, it would be her duty to take action against such an allegation.”

A flash of rage turns Ronan’s handsome face ugly, but he composes himself quickly. I can see his resignation but he doesn’t leave without dropping a bomb on me. “Enjoy your time with Lex because it won’t last. You’re a shiny toy to him right now but he’s not built for monogamy. He’ll drop you as soon as he’s bored, so don’t be surprised when it happens.”

His words hit hard, speaking to every insecurity I have. I force a hard stare back at him but inside, I want to crumble at the tiny possibility that he could be right. Ronan leaves, looking smug.

I exhale long and quiet, my neck muscles quivering from the stress of that encounter.

“What would you like?”

I startle at the voice and turn to face the server standing on the other side of the bar. “Um… a glass of white wine is fine.”

He nods and grabs a chilled bottle under the counter, pouring a three-quarter-full glass for me. I accept it gratefully, sliding a twenty across the slick surface. He smiles but shakes his head. “Open bar and there aren’t any gratuities.”

“Um… okay,” I say, shoving the money back into my clutch. “Thank you.”

I barely get my first sip, which turns into somewhat of a gulp, before Lex is back at my side. Relief floods through me, and I hope I’m completely composed.

“You okay?” he asks, leaning his elbow on the bar and asking the bartender for a club soda with lime. He turns back to look at me.

“Yeah… totally. How’d it go with the sponsors?”

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