Page 212 of Riches and Romance

He parked the car at the racetrack and cut the engine.

“What are we doing here?” Kat peered into the darkness.

“You’ll see.” He came around the car and opened her door, pulling her in close as she stepped from the car. “You said you liked to drive fast, and you really can’t do that safely on the roads, but here…”

“I am not driving a race car,” she said adamantly.

“No? Well, then, come with me, but first…” He lowered his lips to hers, giving in to the urge that had consumed him for far too long. Her lips were warm and sweet, and when he slicked his tongue over hers, she made the sound of surrender that he’d heard in his dreams, and it nearly sent him into full-ontakemode. It took all of his focus to draw far enough back to speak.

“I love kissing you,” he said against her lips, then pressed his mouth to hers again. “I never want to stop.”

He had a burning desire, an aching need, for another kiss, and as he sealed his lips over hers, his tongue plundering her mouth, his resolve to take things slow frayed with every sexy moan that escaped her lips. His hand moved over her hip to the curve of her ass. God, he loved her ass. It was firm and round, and he couldn’t wait to see it bare beneath him. He was hard as steel, and every move she made brought him closer to losing all control and letting his hands wander to all the soft, dark places he craved.

Fuck. This was anything but slow. But holy hell did she feel good, taste good.

With a groan, he tore his lips from hers. “Kat, I want to make love to you more than I’ve ever wanted any woman in my life, but…”

She pressed her hands flat on his chest, breathing hard. “We’re so bad for each other. Sorry.”

“No, darlin’. We’re perfect for each other, and this is all on me. I can’t resist you.” He lifted her chin so he could press his lips to hers again, lightly this time. “I want to give you a night you’ll never forget, and as much as I want that to include so much pleasure that you never want to touch another man, I promised myself that I’d be a gentleman.”

Her eyes darkened, as she said with a soft laugh, “Well, that’s a stupid promise.”

“If I take you to bed, I’m a player. If I’m a gentleman, I’m stupid. You’re going to be the death of me.”

She dragged her finger down the center of his chest. “But what a fun death it will be.”

With another groan, he took her hand and led her toward the track.

“Fast cars and fast men go hand in hand, don’t they?” she asked as he unlocked the gate.

“It takes a certain mentality to want to push limits to the extreme and risk your life every time you’re on a track, and that need for danger probably does play out in several other parts of our lives.” When their feet hit the pavement, the lights came on, illuminating the empty track and the bleachers beyond. Eric’s pulse kicked up at the spectacular sight. It happened every damn time, whether he was racing or not. The thrill of the race and his incessant need for speed sent a burst of adrenaline through him.

“Wow, how did you get them to let us come in all alone?” Her eyes were wide as she looked around the track, finally landing on his silver Jaguar XJ220. “And holy cow, whose car isthat?”

He took out his cell phone and sent off a quick text thanking his buddy Clay for taking care of the arrangements for tonight and sticking around to handle the lights. “Celebrity has its benefits, and I rarely pull strings, but tonight”—he took her hand and led her to his car—“is special.” He loved the look of awe in her eyes, but not because he needed the ego stroke. He loved seeing Kat happy, knowingshewas being treated special, like she deserved to be. He wasn’t kidding that he wanted to make this night unforgettable for her, and if that meant that he had to pull a few strings, her smile made it all worth it.

He opened the door to the Jag and motioned for her to climb in. “This is your night, darlin’. Take her for a ride.”

Kat took a step back and shook her head. “Oh no. I can’t drive a car that costs more than I’ve earned in my entire life.”

“You have no idea how adorable you are, do you?” He placed his hands on her hips and tipped her chin up with his finger. “It’s a car, Kat. Not an airplane.”

She shook her head. “I can’t.”

“You can. I thought you were all about conquering your fears.”

“I am, but?—”

He pulled her in close. “Okay, then, I’ll take you for a spin first, and then you can drive.” He helped her into the passenger seat, loving the way her fingers played over the rich leather seats. “You look like you belong in this car,” he said as he hooked her seat belt. He couldn’t resist kissing her again before settling into the driver’s seat.

The car roared to life, and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, then kissed her knuckles. “Hang on tight, Kitty Kat, because you’re in for the ride of your life.”

“Don’t crash,” she said as she clutched the edge of the seat.

“No chance of that when I have such precious cargo.” He leaned across the seat and kissed her again, because really, it was torture not to.

THE NIGHT WAS cool,but Kat’s entire body was on fire. She couldn’t believe Eric had made these special arrangements for her, and she wondered how he’d gotten his car here when he’d rented one at the airport. But those questions went out the window the minute he took off around the track, leaving her heart in the dust.

---