Page 68 of Danger

“Warren, yes, please join us,” my father says, ever the gracious host.

Warren stares right at Danger and me, and I suddenly feel like I need to put on a performance. Like he doesn’t believe Danger and I are a real couple. Hell, sometimes Idobelieve we are.

“Ignore him,” Danger whispers into my ear. “You look so damn good right now. He’s just jealous.”

Tingles erupt along my spine at Danger’s words. “Thank you.”

My father goes back into his lengthy speech about how promising our chances are in the upcoming race. He speaks mainly to the pit crew, devising ways to get their timing down, and I tune it all out.

Instead my focus is solely on Danger. How he eats carefully, listening to my father, while smiling and being present at the same time. I watch as he tries to keep his hand off my thigh. It’s killing me that he won’t keep it there.

Because I want his touch. I miss his touch.

“Stop staring at me like that,” Danger whispers into my ear.

“Like what.”

“Like you want to devour me.”

It’s because I do. I want this man more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. And I don’t know what to do about that. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he licks the shell of my ear, “because I want to do the same fucking thing.”

My whole body heats up and I smile and try to focus back on the conversation going on around the table.

“Don’t you two look cozy,” Warren says when there’s a lull in the convo.

“We are,” Danger says, placing his hand on my thigh.

I know he’s trying to appease me. To try not to upset me so I don’t go off on Warren, but it’s too late.

“I’m sorry Warren, I don’t see where my relationship with Danger is any of your concern.”

“Dear, I don’t think Warren means anything by it,” my father says, trying desperately to keep peace at the table.

“I just want to remind Warren just how and why he’s on this team. I want to remind Warren that it wasmewho found him from his local SCCA chapter and brought him to this level of racing. I also want to remind Warren that I can easily cut him from his contract and bring up Filippe to replace him.”

“Filippe? You can’t be serious,” Warren scoffs.

“Oh, I am.” I spear my steak with precision and accuracy, all while staring at Warren. I’m so serious that I want to do it. I want to call Filippe who can barely pass a driving test, and tell him he’s on the team.

“Let’s just enjoy dinner. Did anyone see the dessert tray?” My father smiles. And his word is final.

I don’t stop staring at Warren until he finally looks away.

“God, you’re so damn sexy,” Danger says, leaning into me.

I want this whole night to be over with. I want to get Danger back to our room and finally have sex with him. Can we skip tothatpart of the night?

Because that’s the only thing playing on repeat in my mind.

After dinner, Danger and I decide to walk around the hotel’s lush landscaped garden.

“Look up and make a wish.” Danger points up to the sea of stars above us. “Make a wish on that one, right there at the tip of your nose and it’ll come true.”

I laugh a little. “Really?”

“My mother used to tell me that all the time.”

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