Revved (4 page)

“Mmhmm, I grew up with my head under the hood of a car.”

“And you have a degree in mechanical engineering?”

“That’s right. After I graduated I took a job working for a stock-car racing team back home.”

“Of course, you worked for Ingo Serra’s team.”

“I did.”

My answers are guarded, because if I’ve learned anything in this business and about people like Owen Ryan, give them just enough, but not enough to hang me with.

“I’ve seen Serra race. He’s incredibly talented.”

“Yes, he is.” I give a genuine smile at the thought of my old boss. Ingo was such a nice guy. “I enjoyed working for Ingo very much.”

“Fabulous.” Owen nods, smiling through tight lips. “Well, John speaks highly of you, and I’m sure you’ll fit in here, no problem.”

He doesn’t mean that. He’s worried that I’m going to shag his son. But it’s nice he said it I suppose.

“I’m looking forward to getting started.”

“Great. Well, I must get on, and I’m afraid I’m going to have to steal John for ten minutes.”

“Will you be okay on your own?” Uncle John asks me, moving closer.

“Fine.” I smile softly at him.

Uncle John stares at me for a moment. Owen is by the door, holding it open for him now.

“Go on ahead, and I’ll be there in a minute,” he says to Owen.

On a nod, Owen lets the door close.

Once Uncle John’s sure he’s gone, he says quietly, “Not that I’m excusing Owen’s behavior, but with what happened with Rich and Charlotte, it all fell on him. He’s Carrick’s manager. He’s been left to clean up the mess that Carrick created. Pierce was seriously pissed, and the sponsors didn’t like the bad press. It was a nightmare all around. The last thing they want is another scandal. That’s why he reacted like he did when he saw you.”

“And that’s why you should have told them that I’m a woman.” I give him a disapproving look.

“If I had, you wouldn’t be standing here right now. And I’m glad you’re here.”

I smile at that. “Yeah, me, too, barring insta-hate from one of the bosses.”

“Owen’s fine. And he doesn’t hate you. He just has concerns. But once he gets to know you and sees that Carrick is the last thing you’re interested in, he’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Anyway, go. You’re needed, remember?” I shoo him away with my hands.

“You sure you’ll be fine?” he says, taking a step back.

“I’m sure. I’m just going to take a look around here.”

“Okay. I’ll see you in ten minutes or so, and then I’ll show you the rest of the place.”

I watch Uncle John leave through the door, and then I turn around to the car that Ben and Robbie were working on, but Ben is no longer there.

The engine cover is still up on the car so I decide to go take a look, see what I’m going to be working with.

As I wander over to the car, David Guetta’s “Dangerous” starts to play on the radio. Humming along to the song, I take my jacket off, laying it over the cockpit. I run my fingertips over the blue-and-silver paintwork as I walk toward the back end. Bending over, I start poking around, taking a look at the engine.

“Please tell me that you’re my birthday present.”

The Irish drawl has the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

I turn my head to find Carrick Ryan standing behind me.

Oh. Wow.

He’s definitely better looking in the flesh than on television. I knew he was attractive. But blonds aren’t usually my thing. I’m more of a dark-hair-and-dark-eyes kind of girl.

But his dirty-blond hair, blue eyes laced with sin, and full lips—the kind of lips you spend hours sucking on—and that chiseled jaw decorated with stubble…yep, it all seems to be working for me. Well, my body anyway. Definitely not my head. Man-sluts are not my thing.

My eyes meet with his as he lifts them from blatantly staring at my arse. The look in them hits me straight in the gut, surprising the hell out of me. His eyes are profoundly blue and filled with heat. My skin starts to prickle as his intense stare burns me up.

I’ve never had such an instant visual reaction to a man before.

Fuck.

Take it easy, Andi. This isn’t a problem. You’ve met good-looking men before. You can turn this off. Drivers are a no-go area, especially ones you work for.

My job is too important to lose over a man.

Straightening, I turn to face him.

“Hello,” I say in my most confident and formal voice.

I get nothing back, and that’s because he hasn’t heard me. He’s too busy staring at my breasts.

Typical man.

I have the sudden urge to punch him in his handsome face.

But I won’t because I’m a professional. I’ll handle this in the best way I know when it comes to dealing with pervy dickheads like him.

“It’s your birthday?” I say sweetly, my smile a little on the flirtatious side.

He grins. “It sure is, and it’s definitely looking up now that you’re here. Are you going to make it extra special for me, sugar?”

He thinks he’s about to get lucky.

Far from it. Smarmy twat.

I tilt my head to the side, keeping the flirty smile on my face, as I walk up to him until there’s very little space between us. I press my fingers to his chest.
God, that’s firm
. I can feel the ridge of his muscles underneath my fingertips.

He’s tall, too, a good few inches higher than my five-nine. I’d say he’s six-one, which is tall for a driver, but he’s lean. He needs to be to fit into those cars. I bet, under those clothes of his, there’s nothing but toned muscle. Drivers have to be seriously fit, and Carrick Ryan certainly ticks that box on both counts.

Now, I’m imagining him naked.
Great. Just fucking great.

I force my focus back to the now. “Well…” I lean in closer to him, hearing him suck in a sharp breath. I lower my voice as I whisper, “If you ever call me sugar again, you won’t see your next birthday. That’s for sure.”

He tilts his head back in amusement. “Feisty. I like it.”

I take a step back, dropping my hand from his chest. “There’s nothing here for you to like.”

His eyes run the length of me, lingering on my legs, the lusty look firing in them again. “I see plenty to like. Jesus…your legs go on forever.”

I wish I had something to hide my legs behind. Instead, I fold my arms to bring his focus up. “I’m not your type.”

Lifting his eyes back to mine, he gives me a confident smile. “Amazing arse. Great stems. Awesome rack. Beautiful face. Yep”—he nods—“you’re definitely my type.”

“I would have thought stupid, gullible, and willing—of which, I’m none—would be more your style.”

He lets out a laugh, which shivers through me, leaving my skin covered in goose bumps. “We’ll see—on the willing part, that is.”

On a sigh, I turn and pick up my jacket off the car before pulling it on.

“You’re leaving?”

“Looks like it.”

“Give me your number.”

“Nope.”

“At least tell me your name?”

Pausing, I glance back at him. “Andressa.”

“Surname?”

I smile at his persistence.

Just at that, Ben comes back into the garage. “Ah, cool. You’ve met Andi,” he says to Carrick as he passes by.

Carrick’s gaze hits me full-on. Confusion flickers over his face. “Andi?”

“Mmhmm.”

“But isn’t Andi my—”

“New mechanic? Yeah, that’s me.”

“You’re Andi…my new mechanic?” His eyes are wide with surprise.

I have to suppress the smile I feel. Tilting my head to the side, I put my hands on my hips. “I am.”

“Well, fuck me. I was expecting someone—”

“With a penis and a deep voice? Sorry to disappoint.”

His face blanks, and then deep laughter bursts from him.

At that moment, I realize that I just said
penis
to Carrick Ryan.

I said penis.

Fuck.

Kill me. Kill me now.

He’s staring at me with a sexy smirk on his face and deep curiosity in his eyes. He’s looking at me like I’m his next meal.

He takes a step closer to me. His voice lowers as he says, “I’m far from disappointed. You’re beautiful, smart, feisty, and good with your hands. All my favorite things wrapped up in one hot package.” His eyes draw the length of me.

I hear a throat clear and turn to see Uncle John standing behind me with a pissed off look on his face.

“Carrick, your dad wants to see you in his office.”

He frowns at Uncle John. “Why?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you go see him and find out?”

He lets out a sigh and starts backing up. His eyes are still on me. “We’re all going out, the team and a few of my friends, for birthday drinks tonight. You should come.”

“Oh.” I’m taken aback. “Thank you, Mr. Ryan, but—”

“Carrick. Actually, call me Carr. That’s what my friends call me.”

“Carr. Original,” I deadpan. I can’t seem to help it. He naturally brings the snark out of me.

He grins. It’s a real panty-dropping grin. “Yes, you are.”

Oh, he’s good. But I’m better. “I’ll stick with Carrick. Thanks. And I appreciate the invitation, but I already have plans for tonight.”

His brow furrows. “With?”

Rude much? My new bed, if he must know.

“Me,” Uncle John imparts with a fatherly tone in his voice.

Carrick’s eyes flicker between the two of us, settling on Uncle John. “What are you doing?”

“Dinner.”

Guess I’m going to dinner tonight with Uncle John.

“Well, you can come for a drink after. It’ll give me a chance to get to know my new mechanic better.” He gives me a pointed look. “I’ll see you tonight.”

I watch as he walks away, his confident stride moving through the garage.

“So, that’s Carrick,” Uncle John says, letting out a huff of air.

“Hmm.”

“He’s a good kid. Smart as shit and one hell of a driver, like nothing I’ve seen since your, erm—”
My dad.
He breaks off and clears his throat. “Anyway, unfortunately, Carrick’s pretty much led by his dick.” Realizing what he said, Uncle John goes bright red in the face. “Shit. Sorry, Andi.”

I laugh. “Uncle John, I’m a grown woman, and I work around men all the time. I’ve heard worse words than
dick
.”

“Sure, sure.” His cheeks flush red again. “So, was Carrick okay with you? I heard him say—”

“Yeah. No problem at all.” I brush him off.

I decide against telling him that Carrick was very much trying his luck with me. I handled it, so no need to worry Uncle John with it.

I suddenly feel a wave of tiredness and have to stifle a yawn.

“You sure you’re gonna be okay for tonight? You don’t have to go, you know.”

“No. I’m fine.” A yawn escapes. “It’ll be a good way to get to know my new coworkers. But would it be okay if you take me to the apartment now? I can get a shower and some shut-eye. Then, I’ll be fine for tonight.”

Another yawn escapes me, and Uncle John chuckles.

“Come on, sleepyhead. Let’s get you to your new home.”

“
WE DON’T HAVE TO STAY LONG
. An hour max, and then I’ll get you home.”

“Okay.” I smile at Uncle John and then climb out of his car.

We had dinner at this nice Italian restaurant, and now, we’ve arrived at the pub where Carrick’s birthday party is going on, but I’m already starting to lag a bit.

When Uncle John took me to my new apartment, I barely looked around. He got me settled, and I fell facedown on my bed. I woke up hours later with only thirty minutes to spare before Uncle John was coming back to pick me up.

It was a quick shower and hair wash. With a halfhearted attempt at blow-drying my hair, after I dug the dryer out of my suitcase, I ended up putting it up into a messy bun. I rarely wear my hair down.

I threw on a clean pair of skinny jeans, and a long-sleeved emerald-green sweater with some little diamantes along the neckline. My mum bought it for me. After putting on my ballet flats and slicking on some lip gloss, Uncle John was knocking at my door.

I follow Uncle John into the pub, weaving through the throng of people. A lot of people are here, but then I guess Carrick’s a popular guy.

“Hey, you made it. I’ll get you both a drink,” Ben says as we approach him at the bar.