Page 12 of Getting Off

“That’s part of the fun.The trucks have all kinds of lights for night racing.”

Lucas felt a jolt of real excitement.The first he’d felt in days.He was surprised by Dylan’s offer to include him in this outing, but he found himself grateful.

“I’m in,” he said.

“So you’re encouraging this,” Brooklyn snapped.

He shrugged.“Chances like this don’t come along often.Something new and exciting.You have to take them when they come, or you’ll miss out on something that could be life-changing.”

“Spare me your motivational-poster platitudes,” she griped.

That made him smile.He liked it when she wasn’t so coldly professional, even when she was pissed.“Think about it.I can’t imagine what it’s like to be out in the desert with nothing but the lights on the truck and the stars overhead and all that open space.”

“See?”Dylan was so excited that he looped his arm over Lucas’s shoulders.Lucas felt a thrill run from that point of contact all through his body.“Lucas gets it.Just come and try it, Dr.Brooklyn.I want to show you a good time.Don’t judge a book until you’ve read it and all of that stuff.”

“Oh, I see.Instead, I have to risk my life joining a live-action, low-budget movie remake of the book before I can judge it?”Dr.Foster was now glowering at both of them.Strange, but it actually made her appear even more beautiful.Maybe it was how her eyes flashed with emotion.

“Come on, Dr.Foster,” Lucas chided gently.She wanted to go.At least he was ninety percent positive she did.The woman couldn’t possibly be all business all the time.“You want funding for a trauma center?Then come with us and have some fun.”

Her mouth dropped open in shock.“That’s…that’sblackmail!”

“No, it’s encouragement.”He gave her his most charming smile.“I was already going to fund the trauma center.But we both know you need to score some points with Harvey Gibson, and if you prove you can loosen up enough to enjoy yourself and have fun, I’ll tell him you’re theonlyreason he’s getting the funding.It should make you an even better candidate for that top position.”

Lucas felt a niggling doubt about pushing on her like this.He knew she was qualified for the position, but he kept getting the sense from Dr.Gibson that the man was opposed to her getting it.But money could pull a lot of strings.She would thank him later.Besides, he was going to donate the money whether she went with them or not.This would simply make the whole situation more satisfying.

And if she hated it, she could pin the blame on him.

She eyed him, but he had trouble reading her expression.“I don’t need your help with Gibson, thank you very much.But fine.I’ll go.It’s crazy, but I’ll go.”

“Yes!”Dylan pumped a fist.

“I’m only doing this because Idohave an open mind.I want you both to realize that I’m not against people living their lives and doing things that they enjoy.I only think they need to be more conscientious about it.That’s all.”

Lucas bit back a smile.After all, he had won.Again.“Admirable.”

She glared at him as if reading his mind.“And if I get hurt, I’m suing you, Lucas Fox.”

He chuckled.God, she had some fire once you got past that wall of ice she’d built around herself.“You wouldn’t be the first.”

“Great!”Dylan said and grabbed hold of Dr.Foster’s arm.He towed both her and Lucas toward the exit.“Now that we all agree on who to sue, it’s time to have some real fun!”

CHAPTER FOUR

Brooklyn knew she had lost her mind.

There was no other reason for her to be at a racing club on the edge of Vegas, holding the racing outfit and the gear Dylan had given her.

“You want me to wear this?It looks like I’m going to be joining the Daytona 500.”

Dylan actually tweaked her nose.She was so surprised by the friendly gesture that she didn’t even protest.“Wrong sport, sweetheart.This is off-road racing.And yeah.Everyone wears the gear.It’s for safety reasons.Which I know you’ll appreciate.”

He had her there.She had been concerned about safety from the get-go.

“Besides,” he continued, “you don’t want to be wandering the desert at night in that sexy dress.”

She barely had the chance to register that he’d called her dress sexy.Instead, she was focused on imagining wandering the desert at night, lost and alone.

Before she could announce, again, that this was crazy and she was crazy for being here, Lucas Fox appeared.He walked from the other side of the bank of lockers with the top half of his padded suit hanging around his waist.His broad, muscular chest was bare.

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