Faster Longer (Take Me...#3) (New Adult Bad Boy Racer Novel) (4 page)

“Guilty,” Harrison shrugs.

“I know you’re probably still put off by the fact that I’ve
been cold to you,” Shelby goes on, “But Siena, can you blame me for being a
little jealous of you?”

“Jealous? Of me?” I sputter, “Why the hell—”

“I’ve been working for Team McClain for six years,” Shelby
presses, “And after all this time, I’ve never been given more to do than run
the Facebook page. But you...you’re already head and shoulders above most women
in this sport. You could really do something here, become someone important. So
yeah, I’ve been a little jealous of you, but I don’t want to keep this weird
tension between us stoked. I want to be your friend.”

“I don’t know,” I tell her, “I choose my friends pretty
carefully.”

“Then I’ll just have to keep trying to convince you,” she
says, smiling gamely.

“I hope you know that’s not going to work on me, Davies,”
Enzo says, crossing his arms, “You’re not going to win me over into thinking
you’re some great guy who deserves to be with my sister.”

“And why not?” Harrison asks.

“Because I know an entitled asshole when I see one,” Enzo
shoots back.

“Takes one to know one, I guess?” Harrison grins.

“Stop it!” I cry, as Enzo lunges for Harrison once again.
Gus and Charlie hold my brother back, but this time I can’t even blame him
fully.

“You can’t make this a one way street,” I tell Harrison, “If
you really want to be a part of my life, you need to play ball with Enzo. Can
you do that? Can either of you actually put your baggage aside and try to get
along?”

Harrison and Enzo stare at each other across the lawn,
immovable and silent. I shake my head at the pair of them and turn to survey
the rest of the group. My parents watch us from the steps of our home, Bex
waits for Charlie, and the four of us doomed lovers stare at each other, at an
impasse. It’s time for someone to step up and take charge.

“OK,” I begin, “Here’s what’s going to happen now. We’ve
been hiding away from the press and dodging questions for too long now. We need
to make an appearance, all of us, and get control of our story back.”

“You mean we should have, like, a press conference?” Shelby
asks,

“Exactly,” I tell her, “Right here on the front steps. We’ll
invite the press in and tell them our stories. Our real stories. Before any
more conjectures can crop up in the tabloids.”

“You want me to stand up here and pretend I’m OK with the
asshole having shown up?” Enzo demands nodding toward Harrison.

“Yes, I’d prefer that you actually be OK with the guy I
love,” I tell him frankly, “But pretending will do for now. We just need to
make our voices heard.”

“Are you suggesting that we address all the rumors about
us?” My mom asks, holding onto my father’s arm.

A ragged cough rips out of Dad’s throat. Without having
received any treatment, he really is getting worse by the day. I go to him, taking
his hand in mine.

“You have to tell the world, Dad,” I whisper, “You’ve been
playing it tough for too long. Let us take care of you. Let the world take care
of you, and keep you in their prayers.”

“Can’t we just focus on you kids?” he asks, sounding alarmed
and downright scared.

“I know it’s the last thing you want to do,” I tell him,
“But wouldn’t you rather the truth come from you, rather than some tabloid? You
deserve to own your own story, Dad.”

“And what are we hoping to accomplish with this little
meeting?” Charlie asks, crossing his arms.

“We’re going to present a united front,” I tell him, “Enzo
and Harrison are going to show the world that they’re not rivals, they’re not
out to kill or hurt each other. They’re just two drivers trying to do their
best for their fans and their families. Those guys, I’d root for.”

“I guess it doesn’t matter to you that we’re not united in
the least?” Enzo scoffs.

“Nope,” I tell him, “You’d be surprised how much that
doesn’t really matter. If you’re going to be a child about this—”

“Watch it,” my brother tells me, “I’ll go along with this
nonsense for the sake of our team and our family, but you’d all better know
that it’s total bullshit on my part.”

My brother turns back toward Harrison, his eyes cold and
merciless. “I’ll play my role at this press conference, Davies, because I want
all this drama to be behind us. But don’t think for one minute that I’ve
actually accepted you as a member of my family. You and me? We’ll never be OK.
I can’t stop you and Siena from being together, but I never have to like it.
And I never have to like you. Are we clear on that?”

“Crystal, mate,” Harrison says simply. “But no matter how
many times you tell me that it’s hopeless, I’m still going to try and prove to
you, your family, and most of all to Siena that I’m a good man. I only know how
to be good to your sister. And I’m going to keep trying to get you to see
that.”

“Good luck with that,” Enzo laughs, “Now if you’ll all excuse
me, I’d like to be off to bed.” He extends a hand to Shelby, who looks
tentatively toward my parents for approval.

“Oh, go on,” Mom says, “We may as well be good and rested
for this conference. I’m assuming we’re doing it tomorrow?”

“Bright and early,” I tell her, “I’ll set everything up. All
the rest of you have to do is show up on these steps looking calm and
collected. Let me do the rest.”

Enzo shrugs and sets off into the house, towing Shelby
behind him. Most of the team follows in their wake, happy to be released from
the tense gathering outside. Gus leads Charlie and Bex back to the kitchen for
a night cap. Finally, the only people left outside are me, Harrison, and my
parents.

My mother, ever the social gymnast, tugs my father forward a
step, smiling broadly toward Harrison.

“Mr. Davies,” she smiles, “It’s so nice to meet you in
person at last.”

“You can call me Harrison, Ma’am,” my love replies, stepping
forward to take my mother’s hand.

“And you can call me Camilla. I don’t know who this ‘Ma’am’
person is,” she responds.

We all look anxiously at my father, who stares blankly at
Harrison. I hold my breath as the men size each other up. I feel, ridiculously,
like I’m back in high school, bringing my prom date home to meet my parents. Of
course, I never ever went to my prom. Couldn’t be bothered. Maybe I’m just
making up for lost time now?

“Mr. Lazio,” Harrison says, finally breaking the silence,
“It’s an honor to finally meet you. I hope you know how much I respect you as a
driver and a man.”

“Davies,” my dad says gruffly. I can tell that he’s trying to
fall into the role of the wise, protective father, even in his vulnerable
condition. I hope he knows that he’ll always be my strong, respected, fair
father, no matter how sick he gets.

“I knew your father, back when he was racing,” my dad goes
on.

“Hell of a man to get along with,” Harrison says, sadness
sweeping through his eyes.

“But a good driver,” Dad says, “He could have been great.
Would have been. But sometimes things happen to us that are beyond our control,
isn’t that right?”

“That’s right, sir,” Harrison says.

“Sometimes the seas are calm. But then sometimes hazards
spring up out of nowhere. Sharp turns surprise you, throw you off course.
Sometimes you find yourself caught up with the wrong things and people, like
your dad did. Sometimes you get sick, no matter how you might resent it, like I
have. And then sometimes you fall in love. Even when it’s with the person that
you’ll have to run through hell and back for. Are you willing to run through
hell and back for my daughter, Davies?”

“As many times as I have to,” Harrison replies, without
missing a beat.

“Good answer,” my dad says. “Of course, I’ll need to see
that in actions, not words.”

“Of course. And you will,” Harrison assures him.

“No more of this lying business. No more sneaking around. My
daughter deserves to be with someone’s who’s proud of her. Someone who loves
her as much as I do.”

“I want to be that person,” Harrison tells my father, “With
your blessing—”

“Oh screw that,” my dad groans, “Siena’s not a prized heifer
I’m looking to sell away. You never needed my blessing, you know that. This
isn’t about permission, it’s about responsibility. You two just take care of
yourselves. Take care of each other. Things are going to get a lot uglier for
us all before they get any better. Just brace yourselves for that, and don’t
you dare waver. If you want to be together, then be together. No matter what
anyone else might say. Even me, god knows.”

“Thank you, Dad,” I whisper, lacing my fingers through
Harrison’s.

“Don’t thank me,” he grumbles, “Just be good to one another.
Christ, I need to put my feet up. This has been the most exhausting day.”

“Come on darling,” Mom says, leading Dad back inside, “I’m
sure tomorrow will be a big day, too.”

Harrison and I watch my parents walk back into the house,
leaning into each other. All at once, we’re alone again on my front lawn,
staring at each other in the dim glow of the moonlight.

“This is really happening,” Harrison says, brushing a stray
curl back behind my ear.

“It’s happening,” I tell him, running my hands down his
arms, “Are you ready to greet the world with me?”

“I’ve wanted to. I hope you know that,” he says, “I’ve
always wanted the world to know about us.”

“Looks like you’re getting your wish,” I tell him, “If we
play our cards right, we can have this thing under control in no time. You and
Enzo can get back to worrying about your point counts. And we can all just
focus on being there for Dad. That’s what I want.”

“You know what I want?” Harrison asks, “A bit of damned
shuteye. Is it off to the guest house for me?”

“What?” I laugh, “Don’t be silly. Why would you sleep in the
guest house?”

“I...don’t know,” he says, “Doesn’t propriety say—?”

“Since when are you concerned with propriety?” I laugh.

“I suppose you’re right,” Harrison smiles, “Lead the way,
fair lady.”

We head in through the front door and make our way upstairs
together. My heart begins to hammer unaccountably the closer we get to my
bedroom. As we step over the threshold, I’m downright nervous. And Harrison can
tell, too.

“What is it, Siena?” He asks, closing the door behind us and
looking around in wonder. “God. I can’t believe I’m standing in your childhood
bedroom.”

“This is it,” I tell him, clasping my hands behind my back.
“The safe haven of my awkward years.”

“It’s not as pink as I might have suspected,” he says,
trailing his fingers along the gauzy canopy above my bed.

“Do you honestly take me for a pink and flowery kind of
girl?” I ask.

“Nah,” he grins, “I guess you were probably the rough and
tumble tom boy type?”

“Something like that,” I say.

For some reason, I’m having trouble stepping further into
the room. Seeing Harrison here, in the place I slept as a girl, surrounded by
my slumbering family...it’s odd. After so much struggle to be a part of his
life, to make him part of mine, I’m finding it hard to trust now. It’s like
this whole thing has suddenly become too easy.

“You look like you’ve just seen a ghost,” Harrison says,
sitting down on my cushy bed, “What’s on your mind?”

“Seriously?” I laugh shortly, “Only the whole storm of shit
swirling all around us.”

“Nothing more to be done about that tonight, is there?” he
asks.

“I could start calling news outlets. Get a jump on writing
out a press release to—”

“Or, you could come over here and let me make you feel
better,” Harrison suggests, his voice dropping low into his register. A twinge
of wanting rings through my core at the sight of him, waiting for me there on
my bed. Every time I think of Harrison’s body and mine together, a million
steamy memories spring up in my mind’s eye. It’s a miracle the two of us ever
get out of bed in the morning.

“You can’t use your sexy voice on me right now,” I hiss,
crossing the room to where he sits so comfortably.

“Why not?” he laughs, pulling me down onto his lap.

“Because...this is my parents' house,” I splutter, as he
lays a hand on my thigh, “I slept in this bed as a kid. I dreamed about Brad
Pitt and George Clooney in this bed. I wrote love letters in my journal and
wondered what it might be like to have sex one day. I...I’ve never actually had
a man in this bed with me before.”

“Are you serious?” Harrison asks, eyes widening, “Oh
man...I’m sorry, but you can’t tell me a thing like that and expect me not to
get turned on.”

“No?” I ask with a grin, “It’s so hot for you, knowing that
no other man has touched me in this room?”

“I can’t help it,” he groans, pulling me tighter against
him.

His excitement is becoming infectious. I feel my hunger for
him eclipse any self-consciousness or nerves that might be tripping me up. Here
he is, Harrison Davies—sitting on my bed, having come to make amends with my
family like some kind of white knight. He’s out of a made for TV movie, right
now. And at this point in the movie, the leading lady would probably be giving
into her instincts...so, what the hell.

“It was very brave of you, coming here,” I tell him,
wrapping my arms around his shoulders, “Roaring up in your car like that, like
a damned conquering hero.”

“Bravery’s got nothing to do with it,” Harrison says,
encircling my waist with his arms, “I just wanted to do right by your family. I
want them to trust me.”

“And they will,” I say, swinging my legs to wrap them around
his waist. “They will, because I do. And I’m pretty good at reading people,
Harrison.”

“What was your read on me, right at the beginning?” He asks,
letting his broad hands slide down over my ass.

“I thought you were stupid handsome,” I tell him.

“That’s not what I asked,” he reminds me.

“I could see...that you were confident. And driven,” I tell
him, smoothing the blonde hair off his forehead. “I could see that you weren’t
the relationship kind of guy.”

“Thanks,” he pouts.

“Well you weren’t, were you?” I say, “I could see that you
were serious. That you could accomplish anything you set your mind on. And I
saw...that there was a sadness in you. A loneliness. A space that needed to be
filled up.”

“And did you know that we were the perfect fit?” He asks,
kissing just below my collarbone. “Did you know we were meant to be?”

“Honestly? No,” I say, cupping his stubbly jaw in my palms.
“Because I’ve never believed in ‘meant to be’. I never thought I’d meet anyone
who’d be my perfect fit.”

“And now?” he asks, pressing his full lips against my palm.

“I’m starting to reconsider my stance,” I smile.

“How diplomatic of you,” he grins. “But hey. I think I know
exactly how to change your mind, if I may.”

As easy as can be, Harrison stands up, holding me in his
arms. He supports my weight effortlessly, as if I were no heavier than a
feather. Gently, slowly, he sets me down on my bed and kneels before me on the
hardwood floor.

“Harrison,” I whisper, “What are you—?”

“Shhh...” he says, popping open the button of my jeans.

“But this—”

“Tell me to stop,” he says, laying his hands on my thighs,
“Tell me to quit it, and I’ll lay a sword down in the middle of the bed and go
to sleep. Or...” he tugs at my plants, easing them down off my hips.

“Don’t stop,” I tell him, lying back against the bed, “Don’t
you dare.”

Harrison slips my pants down off my legs, and I plant my
feet at the edge of the bed, peering up at him in the low light. I can’t believe
that Harrison Davies, world class F1 driver and sexiest man on the planet, is
kneeling before me in my bedroom. It’s almost too much.

“Take off your shirt,” I tell him, propping myself up on my
elbows.

“What?” he asks, surprised.

“You heard me, Davies. Take off your shirt,” I insist.

Without another word, he draws his black tee shirt up over
his head and tosses it across the room. His built, defined muscles stand out in
the shimmering moonlight, accented by the shadows, and the tattoos on his chest
and arms like dark inky ribbons. I pull myself further back onto the bed and
grin at him.

“Now the pants,” I whisper.

“You want me to strip for you, Siena?” he asks, his voice
gleeful.

“Oh, I do,” I tell him.

Harrison pulls himself to standing and takes a step toward
me. I have to stifle a giggle as he rips open his belt buckle and slowly,
deliberately, slips out of his jeans. They crumple on the floor at his feet,
and only a pair of black briefs remain between me and his fully naked, gorgeous
form.

“The briefs,” I say, pulling myself onto my knees.

“Whatever you’d like,” he replies.

Harrison hooks his fingers into the elastic of his underwear
and pulls them swiftly down, revealing the full length of his desire for me. I
suck in a little gasp as I take in the sight of him, standing fully naked
before me. All my schemes and ideas flee my mind in the face of such beauty.
All I want is him, no games, no conditions.

I lean forward, taking his thick rod between my hands.
Harrison’s fingers work themselves into my curls as I lower my lips to his
swollen head. I take him into my mouth, letting my tongue dance against the
sensitive underside of his cock. His fingers tighten in my hair as I work up
and down his shaft, bringing a hand down to cup his balls, ever-so-gently. It
takes both hands and my mouth to take all of him at once, but I do. And god, it
feels so good to please him that way.

That place between my legs grows wet with want as I suck
Harrison stiffer. I’m aching to feel him slip inside of me, fill me up. It’s my
favorite place to be, right here with him, racing ahead together toward unknown
heights of bliss. It’s where we belong, in each other’s arms. It always will
be.

I lay back on the bed, pulling Harrison on top of me. My
tongue traces a slow circle around the very tip of him, and he swallows a
groan. Gently, he presses himself away from me, kneeling above my sprawled-out
body. His hands work quickly to pull my tee shirt up over my head, unclasp my
bra, tug my panties down my legs. We’re naked together, not a stitch between
us. Harrison’s eyes are glinting with the spark of an idea.

“Will you take me in your mouth again?” he asks, his voice
husky, “I want to show you something.”

Happily, I wrap my lips once more around him, working my
hands up and down his slick shaft. In one swift motion, Harrison’s pivots
miraculously on the bed, swinging himself around as I get drunker and drunker
on the taste of him. I wonder what the hell he could be up to...

Until I feel his tongue parting my slick, pink slit. He licks
along the length of me as I bring him further into my mouth, frenzied with the
feel of him between my legs. He flicks his tongue against my hard clit as I
bear down, sucking hard along the length of him. A sharp new taste dances along
my tongue as he zeroes in on that throbbing, raw, bundle of nerves. I know that
I’m a goner, now.

I tighten my fingers around his shaft, swirling my tongue
around him, pulling him deeper into the back of my throat as he masterfully
teases my clit with his lips, sucking me and ravishing me with abandon. The
floodgates break inside me, and my legs begin to quake in the face of ecstasy.
I come at the same moment he does, warm gushes of him spilling into my mouth.
We feel ourselves release together, giving up any control we might have once
had. I swallow him down, every last drop, loving how he tastes going down my
throat.

When we’re totally spent, Harrison rolls off me onto the
bed. I struggle to right myself, crawling toward him. Without a word, I burrow
into his side and feel sleep rush in to claim me. I’m no good at sleeping with
Harrison, but tonight I don’t have to.

“Told you I’d change your mind,” he says sleepily, wrapping
a strong arm around me.

“Yeah, yeah,” I yawn, “Don’t brag, Davies. It’s unbecoming
of a gentleman such as yourself.”

We laugh lightly together as we drift off to sleep.
Tomorrow’s going to put us through the ringer, but at least we’re finally going
to tackle this thing together. As a team. Who knows? It might not even be so
bad.