Free High-Speed Hunger by Shady Grace Page A

father’s face, forcing him to listen to her. “When I need time off, I’ll tell you. Okay?”
    He nodded despite the concerned expression on his weathered face. “You’re just as stubborn as your mother was.” He shook his head and murmured something under his breath about stubborn young women and urged her toward the stairs. “On another note, Ty came to me the other day, asking for a shot at driving. What do you think?”
    They headed down the steps from their balcony over the field. She didn’t know what to think about him driving. Usually, a member of the team had to work with the crew for six months before driving a car. But when they rounded the corner at the bottom of the stairs, coming face-to-face with the man in question, her mind went blank.
    Eileen stared up at Ty, lost in his dark gaze, until Pop patted her hand, snapping her back to reality. “I’ve already made arrangements for him to drive next weekend on a test run, and you’re gonna watch him.”
    “What?” She whirled around and gaped at her father. “Why me?”
    Her father chuckled. “Because one of these days this team’ll be yours. You know a good driver when you see one. My money’s on you, girl.”
    What was the point in arguing, when the amused, dark Adonis they were referring to stood so close? Embarrassment made her cheeks burn.
    Tyrone winked, making the situation even worse, and then shook Pop’s hand. “Hey, boss.”
    “Good day, young man. I’m anxious to see what you can do behind the wheel. Don’t disappoint me now.”
    “I’d never dream of it,” he answered, still staring at Eileen.
    That damn Jamaican accent made her body react as if charged with an electrical current.
    Those enticing lips should be illegal, too .
    She lifted her chin and crossed her arms over her chest. Best to keep her guard up with a man like him. She could envision herself saying yes to anything he asked just to hear that soul-stirring voice. “Think you’re ready to prove yourself?”
    “You bet, girl.” His mouth tipped up at one corner, his gaze revealing a boldness that stirred a fire within.
    Despite the urge to smile, she stood her ground. “It’s Eileen, not ‘girl’.”
    The man had a way about him that annoyed her yet weakened her knees at the same time. Nobody knew she had a soft spot for men who took control, not even Bobby. That was her own secret she’d never, ever, let out.
    “There you are! I thought you’d be in the stands cheering me on, LeeLee.” Bobby’s loud voice boomed over the crowd. Ragin’ Cajun’s lead driver sauntered toward them in such a way that his arrogance alone would win him a trophy. A few women called out, screaming how much they loved him. Eileen tried to ignore the jealousy rising within when he smiled and winked back. Sometimes she wondered if the attention from the groupies was all that mattered to him, and not the excitement found on the track.
    Needing a distraction and some attention of her own, she launched herself at Bobby. “I was. Always, honey.”
    He threw an arm over her shoulders and grinned. “That was quite the race, wasn’t it? I had them all beat. Easy as rhubarb pie.”
    She giggled and ruffled his sweaty red hair. “The helmet got the best of you, though. Your flat hair makes you look like a rumpled cartoon character.”
    He chuckled and then eyed Tyrone with what appeared to be more than competition. “The best can’t always be handsome.”
    “I see that,” Ty replied, not at all fazed by Bobby’s obvious dislike of him.
    Bobby stood taller and scowled at him. “You got somethin’ to say, buddy?”
    Eileen glanced between the two men, sensing a fight may break out between them. “Settle down. I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it. Right?”
    When she glanced up, Ty’s crooked smile made her stomach flutter. “Of course.”
    “Good.” Turning back to Bobby, she tried to forget about the way Ty quickened her pulse. “Pop decided we’re gonna test Ty