Free Surge: Bad Boy Racing Romance (Fastlane Series Book 1) by Sloan Storm Page A

turn. Even though she still eluded me until now, I had no intention of letting that continue. I slid my tongue across my lips as I approached.
    “What’s up?” I said.
    She shook her head as I neared.
    “Oh nothing,” she said, patting her hand against a manila folder tucked under her arm. “I just have to get some signatures from Darren.”
    “Okay,” I replied, tilting my chin up at her. “I, um, haven’t seen you around. What have you been up to?”
    She shrugged. “I’m just trying to do my job and stay out of the way as much as possible.”
    Before I could say anything, she continued. “What about you? How’s everything going with the car? Are you going to be ready?”
    I nodded and slid my fingers through my hair. “Yeah, we should be good to go. Gunter needs to watch his ass this time.”
    Just then, a trace of a smile came to the edge of Ava’s mouth.
    “Ahhh,” I began, winking at her. “So you do remember how to do that?”
    “What are you talking about? Do what?”

I pointed at her. “Smile. Every time I see you around here now you look like you’re not having much fun, depressed even.”
    Ava looked away from me. “It’s not intentional. I’ve just had a hard time adjusting. That’s all.”
    “I understand.” I said. “It’s a lot to take in all at once. You only got to see the tail end of things in Austin. I suppose from your point of view it hasn’t been real exciting here in Miami yet, has it?”
    She shook her head. “Not really, no.”
    I leaned against a nearby retaining wall. “Have you had a chance to get out? See the sights? Go to the beach?”
    “Yes,” she began. “I finally made it to the beach yesterday. I wish I’d gone sooner. It was just what I needed.”
    While I listened to her, something still didn’t seem right.
    “Hey,” I said, snapping my fingers. “Why don’t we go out and grab a bite to eat later? We haven’t hung out for a while. It will give us a chance to catch up.”
    “I really don’t think that’s a good idea, Dyson. Thank you, though.”
    I frowned at her. “Was it something I said? It usually takes you a little longer to shoot me down.”
    She chuckled a little. “No, I think it’s just better if we keep things, you know, a bit less friendly. I don’t mean anything by it. I do enjoy your company, but now that we’re working together it’s probably for the best if we don’t mix business and pleasure.”
    I pushed myself off the wall and nodded in the direction of Darren’s trailer. Not acknowledging her comment, I said, “Come on, I’ll walk with you.”
    Ava repositioned the folder, crossing her arms and hugging it to her chest. Without speaking, she turned, and we started to walk side-by-side.
    “You know,” she began, glancing at me for second. “You don’t have to worry about me, if that’s what this is about.”
    I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders at the same time. “I’m not worried about you, Ava. I’m trying to get into your pants.”
    Something that sounded like a cross between a laugh and a scoff came out of her mouth. I smiled. It was good to hear. She quieted down after another second.
    “Isn’t that what Anastasia and Svetlana are for?”
    “Sometimes.”
    “Uh huh,” she muttered. “Well as much I respect your honesty, that’s about the worst idea possible.”
    I chuckled as we continued to walk. Changing subjects, I asked, “How’s Simon doing? Is everything okay back home?”
    I looked at her and watched as she ran her fingers through her hair, tucking it behind one of her ears. She turned and smiled.
    “He’s doing fine. Thank you for asking.”
    “Of course. He’s a good kid. I’m sure you miss him.”
    Just then, Ava stopped and faced me. I looked at her as she did. She opened her arms and held the folder in one hand.
    “Thanks for the talk. I should really get this stuff to Darren.”
    “Okay,” I replied. “Last chance. You sure you don’t wanna go out and do something