Page 28 of Risk

“How’s that?” I rubbed my hand up and down her back.

“If I would have known you were that skilled in bed, I would have made sure to not have a room to stay in sooner.” She laughed softly, her breath tickling my skin.

“You’re more than welcome to stay in my room anytime,” I offered.

“I might take you up on that.” She moved down to rest her head on my chest and slid one leg across mine. “Thank you for tonight—for everything. You’re my knight in shining armor,” she breathed against my chest. “You’re always there to save me.”

“It’s nothing. You save me every day.”

10

Aspen

Texas, USA

“And that’sCallum Crew with his fifth first-place finish of the season,” the announcer called.

I couldn’t help but jump up and down clapping. I was beyond proud of Cal and his win. He’d only needed me once during the race, and as I’d talked to him, he’d calmed himself down. It wouldn’t be long before he wouldn’t need me. I wasn’t sure what that meant for us. It had been a month and a half since Singapore and waking up with Callum in my bedroom. Since then, we hadn’t spent a night apart.

The moment I saw Callum, it took everything in me not to throw myself at him and kiss him all over his face. Instead, I waited back behind the crowd and let everyone congratulate him, wishing I could be the girl on his arm like the other guys with their wives, girlfriends, or flavor of the month.

Cal’s eyes locked with mine, never breaking contact as person after person clapped him on the back, kissed him on the cheek, or hugged him. When Colton and Rylee came into view, he reluctantly looked away, smiling at them.

His bosses couldn’t know we were sleeping together. If they ever found out, I’d be on the first flight back to Barcelona, and quite possibly lose my job if they reported me. It was easy when we were in other countries, but with CD Enterprises here, it was going to be difficult to look at Cal like the friend/patient he was supposed to be to me instead of my lover.

I left before Cal and the other two winners made their way to the podium and went back into the suite where I watched the race. I gathered my things, got on my phone to check my messages, and waited until someone came to get me when it was time to leave.

It was Rylee who peeked in the room about thirty minutes later with a sweet smile on her face. Cal had told me about Rylee and her company’s work with children, making me admire her all the more.

“Is it time to go?” I asked, standing up with my own smile on my face.

“It is. I wanted to come up and get you so I could tell you what a great job you’ve done with Callum. There wasn’t one sign he had any problems driving today. You don’t know how much we all appreciate the work you’ve done with him. Not only that, but he seems like a happier person.”

Was she saying she thought he was happier because of me or the work I’d done with him? I wasn’t sure, but I wasn’t going to say anything. If I did, it would be my job.

“He’s improved by leaps and bounds. I’m so proud of him.” I wanted to say more but thought better of it. If I gushed too much, it might clue her in to my growing feelings for Cal.

“If everything keeps going the way it has, I think he’ll win the season. I don’t want to jinx it, though.” She flashed me a smile as we walked out of the room and downstairs.

“You guys and your superstitions. I love watching all the guys go through their routines before the races.”

“How long has it been since you were in the States?” she asked as we rounded the corner to where a van was waiting to take us to our hotel.

“It would have been two years next month. Can you believe that?” I widened my eyes at her. When I was growing up, I never thought I’d live outside of the United States.

“No,” she shook her head. “I can’t imagine living anywhere but in California. Did you miss it?”

I hummed and tilted my head to the side as I thought about it. “In some ways, yes, but in other ways no. Traveling the circuit with the team, I’ve realized how much of the world I haven’t seen and that I want to travel. I want to incorporate that into my life somehow, I just don’t know how I’m going to do that.”

She bumped her shoulder with mine. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out. I don’t know how the guys do it. I’d be homesick after one race.”

“I’m not homesick yet.” Although Callum had a lot to do with why I wasn’t missing home—that and the fact that I didn’t have any friends there. I only had my work, and even though I loved it, it wasn’t enough to fulfill me for the rest of my life.

The door to the van slid open to reveal Cal, Colton, and Beckett all in the back, leaving the front open for us. The men were in deep conversation as we were driven to the hotel. I had no idea what they were talking about, and when I looked over at Rylee, she only smiled and rolled her eyes. I had a feeling she was used to it and didn’t mind it one bit.

* * *

“Don’t forgetdinner at seven. Your presence is required,” Colton ordered as we dispersed off the elevator toward our hotel rooms.

---