Touch Me Not (Manwhore, #1)(13)

“Awesome. There is nothing like being in the pit on race day. My dad had a special headset made for me so the noise wouldn’t hurt my ears. I lived for those days. We’d always get there early and talk to some of the other drivers. Dad liked to go over his car himself before the start of the race, and we’d run through the checklist together. Then I’d get to watch the race from the pit. Seeing them fly by lap after lap, it’s the most amazing rush.”

“You were allowed in the pit?” Nikoli quirked an eyebrow. He and Luther had tried to sneak into the pit at one of the smaller tracks once, and security had escorted them right back to the stands.

“My dad was Martin Holmes. What do you think? I lived in that pit thanks to my dad’s crew. They always snuck me in. Being there, feeling the rumble of the ground beneath my feet as the cars sped by, the rush of the trail of wind they left behind them…there is no other feeling in the world like it.”

She sounded like him, Nikoli realized. That was exactly how he felt every time he got behind the wheel for a race. The adrenaline rush was almost better than sex. Almost.

“You never thought about driving yourself?” he asked, curious.

“No. I was there the day my dad crashed. I saw them have to cut him out of the car. I haven’t been behind the wheel of an actual race car since that day.”

“I get that.” He nodded. “Do you still like racing, though?”

“Sure, I grew up on it. I’m still a huge NASCAR fan. My dad loved rally racing too. He used to build cars just for those races. He never took me to any of them, but it was his passion.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever met a girl who knew so much about cars.” Nikoli shook his head. “It’s new for me.”

“Well, that might not be true.” Lily smirked. “You admit yourself that you don’t talk to the girls you sleep with, so how do you know they didn’t know cars?”

“Well, I’ve never had a girl completely ignore me to lust after my car, either.” He laughed. “I’m guessing that’s a dead giveaway.”

Lily blushed. “I think lust is a strong word.”

He grinned. “You were caressing the car like a lover, Lily Bells. I know lust when I see it.”

“You are going to let me drive her, aren’t you?” Her eyes lit up with excitement.

“That car is my baby, Lily.” He frowned. “You said yourself, you haven’t driven a racer…”

“She’s a racer?” Lily burst out. “I didn’t see any mods.”

Nikoli stopped breathing for a second. Before him now sat the sexiest woman he’d ever known, even dressed like a high school teeny bopper. She knew cars, she knew racers, and her eyes lit up like Christmas when she talked about them.

“I removed them last year. She’s street legal now, but there are still a few modifications that aren’t noticeable at first glance. She’ll run faster than the average ’Cuda.”

“Maybe not drive, then,” Lily hedged. “Could you take me for a ride, show me flat out how fast she runs?”

“Yeah, I can do that.” He grinned, his own excitement shining through. He loved to drive fast, and he sensed a kindred spirit across from him. For the first time all night, the thought of being just friends crossed his mind. Then she shifted and her breasts bounced slightly, and the thought flew out the window. Nope, sex, and then maybe just friends. Or friends who have sex a lot? He’d never done the friends with benefits thing before. Hell, he’d never done the female friend thing in his entire life.

Lily was gentle and shy at a deep level, and an enigma. She had the courage to stand up to him, but blushed and looked down at the smallest compliment. Her innate tendencies were calling to all sorts of his own dominant ones, including some serious protective ones. Very few women had ever struck that cord in him, and Lily was the only one he’d ever contemplated keeping. He frowned. When had he started to think about keeping her?

His phone buzzed and he pulled it out. Luther wanted to know how the date was going. He made a face at the phone, well aware his friend couldn’t see it, but it made Lily chuckle.

“So you race cars?” Lily surprised him by asking.

He nodded. “Yeah. Luther and I got into when we were seventeen. Been racing since. We do a lot of rally races, as well as a few underground ones.”

“Underground? Can’t you get into a lot of trouble for that if you get caught?”

Nikoli grinned. “That’s the point, Lily Bells. It’s all about the risk you take.”

“You do seem like a risk taker,” she said, her smile infectious.

“You have no idea.” He winked at her and leaned back, letting his leg touch hers. She immediately scooted over. He frowned at her, and she glanced away and then looked relieved.

“Food’s here,” Lily murmured as Joe and a server came trudging over.

“Here we go.” Joe beamed at them as he set Lily’s plate down. Nikoli laughed at Joe’s obvious attempt to impress Lily. He never brought food out himself.

“Thank you.” Lily smiled shyly up at him. “It looks wonderful.”

“Only the best for Nikoli and his lady.” Joe grinned. “You let me know if you need anything at all, beautiful lady.”

“Go on back to the kitchen.” Nikoli laughed. “You’ll end up stealing her before I even have a chance.”