Page 101 of Start Your Engines

Jacs grumbles, and she and Tawny argue from the back seat. Senna is silent. Her hands grip the steering wheel as she drives us to an exclusive hotel on the outskirts of London. Her knuckles are white, and her jaw tightens. Her tattoo shines bright as we stop at traffic lights.

“Senna?” I’m a shitty boyfriend. She’s been panicking about this meal since Niki called her weeks ago, yet I’ve been arguing with Jacs like we’re children. I rest my hand on her thigh. I know I shouldn’t where Tawny might see, but I need to comfort her. The hem of her woolly dress warms my palm. “I’m sorry. How are you feeling?”

She worries her lips, which are a pretty shade of pink. I draw a heart on her leg with my finger, and she takes a slow breath.

“They’re dating?” Tawny whispers loudly. As I turn in my seat again, Jacs shoots her a look.

“As far as you’re concerned, they’re boss and driver and nothing more,” Jacs replies. “And I’m here tonight for solidarity and not because I’m the only one who knows about these two and can distract any questions that get too personal.”

Tawny holds her hands up in surrender. “Noted. I don’t know anything.”

I squeeze Senna’s knee.

I’m trying to be supportive, but I’m going to a dinner with Senna’s parents, and although they can’t learn I’m her boyfriend, I know I am. I’ve never been to a dinner with a partner’s parents before. I should be as nervous as the trembling woman beside me, but I’m jittery with excitement about making a good impression.

“Work is the most important thing to Senna, so we’ve tried to keep everything separate and secret.”

Senna links her fingers through mine on her knee. “Not the most important thing. Not anymore.”

I stare back at her, but she’s focused on the road.

“Wow! This is an F1 romance,” Tawny whispers to Jacs.

“Doesn’t it make you want to vomit and hug them all at once?”

I drop my head in my hands and laugh.

We turn into the hotel’s car park, and Senna drives past the entrance.

Tawny leans forward. “Aren’t you going to get them to park your?—”

I laugh. “Senna never lets anyone park or drive her car.”

“No one but Connor,” she says, her beautiful lips shining.

I pull on the back of my neck. “Yeah. No one but me. Senna is headstrong, which is why we love her.”

She parks the car, and as we climb out, she gathers us in a group. “Tonight is about getting through. My dad can be an arsehole, but he’s passionate and still owns the team. Here are the rules?—”

Jacs rolls her eyes, and Senna points at her. “Rule one: less attitude from you,” she says with a wink. “Rule two: enjoy yourself. The food and wine are good here, but don’t enjoy yourself too much, because secrets will come out. Rule three: if it gets too heated, ask my mum about gardening, dogs, or herfavourite city to visit. She loves to share but doesn’t always get a word in. Rule four: don’t mention me and Connor. My dad still hates Connor, so let’s not worsen that situation.”

“Although tonight, I’ll do my best to make Senna’s parents like me so they realise I’m the best person for their daughter. That way, when Niki returns, and we announce it, they’ll already be on my side.”

Senna squeezes my hand tightly, and my pulse performs a jig. Her eyes twinkle under the security lights in the car park, and it takes everything I have not to gather her in my arms and kiss her.

She turns back to the group “Rule five?—”

“I’m getting cold.” Jacs shivers in her green tailored jumpsuit.

Watching Senna be the demanding boss makes me impossibly more in love with her. And unfortunately, blood rushes to my dick, too. I shouldn’t meet the parents with a massive hard-on.

“Rule five: no lip from any of you, and don’t commit to anything my dad suggests.”

“Rule six: Connor needs to think about less sexy things because his erection is obvious from here. Could you have worn tighter trousers?” Jacs asks.

Tawny stares at the sky to avoid the sight of my manhood straining at my zipper. She’s giggling loudly, and Jacs joins in.

“It’s not my fault. Senna is mouth-watering in those high heels and her smart sweater dress. And then she got all boss-like and?—”

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