Racing for Freedom - By Bec Botefuhr Page 0,24

I did.”

I look up at him and our eyes meet for a long, long moment. My heart hammers and I swallow. Oh god, why am I feeling like this? I shouldn’t feel like this. Slade looks away quickly, handing the ball back to me.

“I have to go to work.”

Then he turns and rushes out of the room. I sigh and sit on the bed, rolling the ball in my hands. What the hell are all these feelings and why the hell don’t I want them to leave?

Chapter Seventeen

“Order up!”

I spin and take the plate of food and slide it onto my arm, before rushing out and taking it to the correct table. Work is busy today, over the top busy. I have not stop running for the last two hours. I turn and there’s another order ready to be taken out and someone is shitty because they don’t like the food. Get over it. I rush around like a mad woman, clearing and serving, taking orders and politely smiling as customers complain. Customer is always right….yeah….right.

“Dash, another one.” The chef calls from the kitchen.

“Coming Lyle.”

I rush over and take the next lot of plates, serving them quickly and then heading back to the counter to serve a woman, waiting by the register, with her foot tapping.

“How can I help you ma’am?”

“I have been waiting for ten minutes.”

“I’m so sorry, we’re short staffed today.”

“An efficient business would have back up.”

“The backup is sick,” I say, smiling.

Stupid old hag.

“Well, I’m disgusted with the service, I’ll be going somewhere else.”

“I’m so sorry you feel that way, let me give you a free coffee before you leave. It’s the least I could do for being so slow.”

Her eyes widen and she stares at me, analyzing my expression to see if I’m serious or not. I smile sweetly and she finally cracks one back.

“That’s very kind of you, perhaps I will scan the menu.”

“Then let me take you to a seat and get you started.”

I look back at the kitchen and Lyle is shaking his head and grinning at me. Yeah, that’s how it’s done! I finish up my shift and the lady leaves, extremely pleased. See, a little kindness and admitting one is wrong, goes a long way. I say goodbye to Lyle and take my keys, before leaving for the afternoon. Slade and I have another race this afternoon, so I have to go home quickly, before it starts.

When I get in, Slade is in the bedroom and I can hear Kandee giggling. Seriously, does the girl know how to do anything else but giggle like a little girl? I thought I told Slade she wasn’t allowed over again, it’s nice to know he listens so well. I walk into my room and slip into the shower, at least I have hot water. When I get out, I realize my racing clothes are on the lounge ready to be folded. Great. I peer out the bedroom door and I can still hear Kandee giggling.

I rush out and dig through the clothes on the couch, tossing Slade’s jocks aside. I find my shirt and spin around, only to slam into a hard chest. I gasp and leap back, and my towel drops off me as my arms fly out to steady myself. Colour fills my cheeks as I realize the position I’m in. I’m half on the couch, supporting myself so I don’t fall, butt naked and Slade is staring down at me.

His eyes grow lusty as he slowly, yes, very slowly, takes me in. When he meets my eyes again, I’m scrambling to gather up my towel. Jesus, I can’t believe that just happened. Slade grins and reaches out to offer me his hand, but I slap it away. He opens his mouth to speak but I put my hand up quickly, oh no, we are not going to go over this one.

“Don’t you dare speak.”

He smirks and shakes his head, putting his hands up. He opens his mouth again but I cut him off with an, “ah ah!”

His laugh fills my ears and I can’t help but smile. He leans down and takes his own racing shirt, then he gives me a grin so wide, it has me flushing again.

“Nice ass, Dashy,” he says, and then rushes off down the hall.

“Thanks,” I call out after him, and then add, “Oh and Slade? That girl better not be here for long!”

“Aye aye boss!”

Chapter Eighteen

“Dash, you need to be on your game today.” John