Page 130 of Racing for Redemption
I set my bag in what appears to be the guest room, taking a moment to check my phone. Three emails from Blake, and a text from Johnson about next week’s testing parameters. I switch the phone to silent and leave it in my bag. Work can wait. That’s the deal I made. I’ll try to honor it.
When I return downstairs, William is waiting with a slightly manic energy, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“So,” he says, “I mentioned I had some gifts for you.”
“You didn’t have to—”
“I wanted to.” He disappears into another room and returns with a wrapped package. “First one.”
I unwrap it cautiously to find a ridiculously soft, plush blanket in Colton Racing black and red. His racing number—64—is embroidered in the corner.
I burst out laughing. “You’re giving me your own merchandise?”
“It’s high-quality merch!” he protests, looking wounded. “And useful. For when you’re cold. Don’t underestimate the weather here, city girl. It gets really cold during the nights in the countryside!”
“Oh my god.” I’m still laughing, the absurdity of it catching me off guard. “William Foster, are you secretly trying to turn me into a fan, and using weather as an excuse?”
“Is it... working?” Humor seems to dance in his eyes as the corners of his mouth rise, dimples popping out softly against his bearded face.
“Absolutely not.” But I run my hand over the blanket appreciatively. It is incredibly soft.
He hands me a second package. “This one’s more practical.”
Inside is a small leather kit containing what looks like specialized cleaning supplies and brushes.
“For your power suits,” he explains. “The dry cleaner told me it’s what they use for delicate fabrics and tough stains. I asked them for the best to take care of expensive suits. Theysuggested that. Though, if you need something more extensive, I’d be happy to help you out of those suits entirely.”
I narrow my gaze at him. “Are you implying my suits need cleaning? Or is this just an elaborate attempt to get me naked?”
He laughs, the sound warm and genuine. “Can’t it be both?”
Before I can retort, he steps closer, eliminating the space between us. “Gift number three,” he murmurs, and then his lips are on mine.
The kiss is gentle, almost reverent. He cradles my face like I’m something precious, something that might break if too much pressure is applied. It’s so different from our usual urgent, hungry kisses, that I melt into it, my body responding to his tenderness with a warmth that starts in my chest and radiates outward, making my skin all tingly.
When he pulls back, his eyes are soft. “I missed you.”
Three words, so simple, yet they carry a weight that should terrify me. Instead, that dangerous flutter appears again.
“There’s one more gift,” he says, taking my hand. “Though, it might be the sexiest thing yet.”
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. “Excuse me, but I didn’t come here just to have sex all weekend.”
His grin turns mischievous. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Violet. I cooked for you.”
“You… cooked?” I follow him into the kitchen, genuinely surprised.
“Well, baked, technically. That dessert you mentioned loving when we were in Barcelona.” He looks suddenly shy, a boyish uncertainty crossing his features. “Sex in a Pan.”
I stare at him, momentarily speechless. “You remembered that?”
He shrugs, but the pleasure in his eyes at having caught me off guard is clear. “I pay attention. Plus, the name is absolutely ridiculous. I thought that was an innuendo when you first said it. I had to check it online. To my surprise… itisa dessert. Odd name, though.”
He gestures for me to sit at the breakfast bar while he moves to the refrigerator. “I’m not much of apatissier, so don’t get your hopes up too high. I’m much better at actual cooking.”
He carefully plates the dessert, adding an excessive amount of whipped cream to the top. There’s something endearing about the concentration on his face, the way his tongue peeks out slightly as he focuses on making it look perfect.
“There you go.” He sets the plate before me with a flourish. “Sex in a Pan, with extra cream, because you deserve all the sweet things in life.”
