I figure I’ve taken enough of your money for a while.”
The crowd laughed; some moaned in disappointment. She stepped from behind two girls and moved close to the car the man stood on. “I’ll put someone in my place, though.”
Three men came forward. One stared Allie up and down like she was a piece of meat. Chase stiffened, wanting nothing more than to smack that look of lust off his face.
“I’ll race,” the man said. “Who’s this person you want to take your place?”
She smiled and looked over at Chase. “My new mechanic. Chase.”
Blaine coughed and Logan snickered. Chase reached over to slap Logan across the chest with the back of his hand. His heart raced at the idea of getting behind the wheel of Allie’s car. The Talon was quick and equipped with more technical gadgets than he knew what to do with.
“I’ll race,” Chase said. “If I can drive the Talon.”
Allie rolled her eyes slightly, but her smile widened. “Fair enough.”
“Wait a minute,” a young Hispanic guy said as he stepped forward. “I gotta race this guy in your car?”
Allie smiled a smile so adorably sexy Chase couldn’t take his eyes off her as she turned to speak. “It’s not about the car, José. It’s about the driver.”
José snorted. “Not always.”
She shrugged. “If you’re afraid, then don’t race.”
“I am not afraid,” he replied, frowning. “I’ll race.”
“Good.” Allie turned to Chase and held the car keys out, waiting on him to come take them from her hand. “I’m curious as to how my new mechanic handles himself behind the wheel.” She shook the keys as though to entice him to move from his spot.
Chase cocked his head in amusement and stepped toward her, working his way through the thick crowd that had gathered. As he broke through the people surrounding her, he didn’t miss the way her gaze wandered down his body from head to toe. His balls tightened at the look of desire that shone in her brown eyes.
Did his desire show in his own?
He met her gaze head-on as he reached out to grab the keys. She didn’t relinquish her hold right away, and he tugged, actually pulling her a step toward him.
“What do I get if I win?” he asked.
“Half the winnings. There’s always money involved in these races.”
He let his gaze drop to the white, off-the-shoulder blouse she wore. The ruffle of lace rested against her breasts that were pushed up to create a mouthwatering cleavage he wanted to bury his face in.
His eyes moved back to hers. “Maybe money isn’t what I’m after.”
The crowd around them mumbled and awed at his comment, then grew silent, waiting for her answer. Her lips twitched slightly as she stepped closer, still holding on to the keys. “I’m your boss, so doesn’t that make this sexual harassment?”
Chase grinned. “That’s only if you proposition me .”
“I think you’re wrong, but I’ll give it to ya. So what is it exactly that you want other than money?”
“If I win, I get a kiss.”
The crowd got loud, clapping and laughing at his proposition. He didn’t know why he’d said it. The thought just popped into his head as he stood close to her, staring at her glistening lips.
Allie glanced around at the people surrounding them, her cheeks slightly flushed, but her stance and look no less confident. If he’d thrown her for a loop, she hid it well.
“I’ll tell you what, handsome. If you win, I’ll give you more than a kiss.” With that, she let go of the keys and started to walk away, but before getting too far, she called over her shoulder. “But you have to win.”
The crowd moved aside, making room for the cars to move toward the abandoned four-lane running through the middle of the warehouse district.
So this is where we’ll race .
Chase quickly made his way toward Allie’s Talon parked just a few feet away. Logan and Blaine joined him as he climbed into the car.
“Have you lost your fucking mind?” Logan snarled as Chase shut