The Pretense

Chapter 16

He really should be worried about getting himself into the mental space required to win pole position for tomorrow's race but for some reason, he wasn't. The race was less than twenty-four hours away and he wondered if he had time to make a quick detour on his way to the track.

He probably should be worried about how he felt about Harper as well but so far, he'd refused to think about it – and he was going to continue doing so until after the race.

It was true he was starting to entertain some thoughts about not finishing things with her straight away, but the jury was still out on that one.

And it wasn't just because of the sexual pleasure she brought him – though that was astounding. It was that he liked being with her. He'd even let her convince him to try Filipino dessert yesterday. He smiled at the memory. He hadn't planned on eating much since his team manager would have thrown a fit if he'd deviated from his strict diet this close to a race, but he hadn't needed discipline to tell her he'd pass.

"What are you thinking about?"

He glanced at her sitting beside him in his Range Rover, her long legs curled to the side. The question has become a running joke between them since Monday night.

"That thing with shaved ice, milk, bean, jelly and fruits you forced me to eat yesterday."

"You mean halo-halo."

He shuddered at the memory which made her roll her eyes.

"I didn't force you to eat. There must be something wrong with your tastebuds."

He smiled. "I promise you. There's nothing wrong with my tastebuds, baby." He watched her flush and brought her fingertips to his lips.

The sudden realization that he was relaxed and happy jolted him. Often he had to force those feelings but right now, they were as genuine as she was.

"Any news from Callum?" He knew the man had agreed to part of Harper's business proposal, but the crafty old bastard was holding back on the rest until he found out his own decision about representing Real Sport.

Harper had insisted that he not do it, but he'd turned the matter over to his publicist anyway.

"Not yet. But I'm confident he'll give us the rest of his business in due course."

Matt was too, but talking business reminded him again of one of his own little projects that he'd neglected of late.

Deciding that he had enough time, he turned the car off the next exit ramp.

"Are you sure were going the right way?" Harper said, curiosity lighting her voice.

"I want to show you something first."

He pulled into a large empty car park and cut the engine, "This is a go-carting track."

"Yep. Go wild."

Harper followed him out of the car, her sexy legs encased in denim jeans and black boots.

"Why are we here in the first place?"

"I want to check it out."

"I think it's closed."

"It is," he reached the double glass doors and used a key to open it. "I bought the place two months ago when I was bored convalescing. I've had a lot of work done on it, but I haven't been back for a while."

He walked into a dimly lit cavernous room, the smell of grease, sawdust and petrol making him breathe in deep. A sense of well-being settled over him as he took in the changes since the last time he visited.