Page 102 of Kiss & Collide
Rabia’s poker face was terrible. He could tell in an instant that she was up to something. And that something probably had a whole lot to do with Violet.
“Rabia, what are you two up to?”
“Ask her yourself.” Rabia nodded her chin toward the crowd out in the paddock. Violet was weaving her way quickly throughthe crowds. Chase took a minute to appreciate the view, the long legs in her fitted poison-green suit, the swing of her glossy black hair as she walked … He felt almost weak in the knees from it.
“How’s it going in VIP?” Rabia looked at her over the rim of her glasses.
Violet nodded briskly. “Good so far. I managed to get some celebrities here for this one. His wife, Corrine, is having an absolute blast. She took a selfie with a Kardashian, so well done there. Carter was surprised to see so many business execs here. I explained how many movers and shakers follow Formula One, and he seemed intrigued by the idea of doing deals in the VIP stands instead of on the golf course.”
“What about Junior?”
“Imogen corralled him with the sponsor rep from ILM and a bottle of bourbon. Hopefully that keeps him out of the way until after the race.”
“Are we up?” Rabia asked quietly.
Violet nodded.
Chase looked from Violet to Rabia and back again. “I know that look in your eyes, Violet. What are you plotting?”
She leaned in close and murmured in his ear. “Rabia and I are going to try to convince him to keep the team.”
“How are you going to do that?”
She ran a finger up his chest then tapped his chin with it. “By showing him how amazing Pinnacle is, and how amazing you are, and how much he’d be missing if he let us go.”
“I’m slightly afraid. But if anybody can do it, it’s you.” He reached up and touched his fingertip to her bottom lip, where he’d kiss her if they were alone.
She smiled, a new sort of smile he hadn’t seen from her before. It was soft and intimate, like it was meant just for him. “Wish me luck.”
He could feel himself smiling back, impossible to contain. “You don’t need luck, Violet. You make your own magic.”
She reached out and snagged his hand. He glanced down at their entwined fingers and smiled. “Really? Right here in the garage? What is everybody going to think?”
She stepped closer. “I guess they’re going to think you’re my boyfriend.”
His smile exploded into a grin, still only half as big as this emotion swelling up in his chest. “Damn right, I am.”
She sobered slightly. “Be careful out there.”
“I’ll be fine. You know I’m hard to keep down.”
The corner of her mouth tugged up. “I do know that. Have a good race.”
He looked into her eyes. “You, too.”
Because Violet was definitely running her own race today, one that everyone’s futures were riding on.
VIOLET SURVEYED THEPinnacle VIP hospitality room, checking in on all the major players.
She’d had to do the tap dance of her life to get Carter Hammond down here. In the end, she’d hit up his administrative assistant, who she’d discovered was also personal friends with Corrine Hammond, his wife.
Corrine Hammond, a statuesque woman in her sixties in a stunning ivory suit, with impeccably styled blond hair, was currently chatting with Dean Morley, a mid-list movie actor and racing fan Violet had invited to the box. Corrine, she’d been told, loved a good party and a chance to rub elbows with celebrities.
Carter himself was talking to both the CEO and CFO of Rally Fuel, one of their sponsors.
Rabia slipped into the VIP box and stood beside her. “Is it time?”
Rabia looked as nervous as she felt.
