Race for Redemption Read online

  “Hey, I saw that,” Tracey said.

  “Of course you did,” Juan said. “Now come on in front of the car.”

  During the next few minutes, Juan arranged her in different sitting and standing poses with the car. Tracey was happy when he finally called it quits.

  “And that’s a wrap,” Juan said with pride.

  Tracey breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. I can change and be on my way,” she said. “Samantha, give me a minute to get out of this getup and I’ll be right with you.”

  “About that,” Sam said hesitantly. “Change of plans. I am going to have to drop you at your car for your next meeting. Something important came up that I need to take care of.”

  “Oh?” Tracey said, eyeing Sam.

  “I’m sorry Tracey, you know I wouldn’t leave you if it wasn’t absolutely necessary,” Sam said.

  “That’s fine. Just drop me at the hotel. Uh…my meeting was postponed to another day. I was just going to hang out with you. Don’t worry about me I’ll have plenty to do before I leave for Florida,” Tracey said.

  Tracey knew that Sam couldn’t drop her at her car unless she took her to Shane’s house. No way was that happening. Besides, she couldn’t tell Sam how to get to Shane’s home if she wanted to.

  Either way she had to find some way to get her car. But not this way. “Just pull the car up to the front. My feet hurt.”

  “You’re walking funny. Do you need some help?” Sam asked.

  “No, I got out here. I’ll make it back just fine. Just be in the front with the car and pray I don’t break my neck in these ridiculous boots,” Tracey said.

  Samantha laughed. “You look sexy, and the boots are hot.”

  “You can have them. I’m done. They had the nerve to tell me this getup was mine after the shoot. As if,” she snorted.

  “Tracey you’re a hot commodity now. You are going to have to learn how to deal with the makeup, heels, and everything else that goes with it,” Sam giggled. “Next on the list is getting someone to teach you how to walk in heels, because clearly you can’t figure it out on your own.”

  “Not funny Samantha,” Tracey called out while trying to make it to the door of the building on wobbly legs. “The nerve of Juan, leaving me in the middle of this lot in these damn stilts that are supposed to be boots. Hell! I am going to break my fool neck in these things,” she mumbled.

  Tracey was so busy talking to herself that she didn’t see the person standing there and walked right into him which caused her to stumble back and nearly fall.

  “Whoa there, li’l lady.” She heard the southern drawl and thought oh, no.

  “I’m all right,” she stuttered, trying to right herself without help, and looking right into the eyes of Adam Westbrook.

  “Hey, don’t I know you?” Adam asked.

  “Nice line, brother,” Shane chuckled, coming to stand next to Adam.

  “No. You don’t know me,” she barked, turning away.

  “Tracey?” Shane asked.

  “Tracey who?” Adam asked. “The only Tracey we know is…No. Get out. Wow, you look gorgeous!”

  “Yes, stunning,” Shane whispered.

  “Tha—Thank you. Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I’m trying to go change out of these clothes,” she murmured. At that moment Tracey heard a lot of whistling from others in the studio. “Oh great, just what I need.”

  “You need help, suga’?” Shane asked, frowning at her.

  “Of course I need help, but you’re not going to help me. Juan is waving like a mad man for you. I guess you’re up next. And why aren’t you dressed like you’re about to go trolling and I am?” She asked.

  “Trolling?” Shane questioned.

  “Yeah, I look like a pinup doll,” she said with disgust.

  Adam laughed hysterically.

  “It’s not funny, Adam,” Tracey barked stomping her foot and almost tumbled again. “Can you stop laughing long enough to give me a hand here? Samantha is waiting for me.”

  “Why didn’t you just take the boots off?” Adam asked, between his bursts of laughter.

  “Because I can’t walk on the ground or floor barefoot,” she hissed. “Are you going to help me or not?”

  “Sure. Where’re we going?” Adam asked taking her by the hand.

  “I just need to make it over to the dressing area and change into my clothes,” Tracey said pointing across the room.

  “I can help you get dressed,” Tracey heard one of the guys yell out.

  “And if he can’t I know I can,” another called out.

  “Don’t y’all have somewhere to be?” Shane snapped.

  “Nope,” they said in a chorus.

  “Trust me you all have somewhere to be. Now get to it. Tracey has all the help she needs. Go,” Adam barked, and surprisingly they all turned around and began walking back towards Juan, mumbling something that Tracey couldn’t quite make out. By Shane’s body language, he wasn’t at all happy. Adam must have picked up on it, too, because he gave Shane a firm look.

  “That photographer dude is obviously waiting on you Shane,” Adam said.

  “Juan,” Tracey said.

  “Who?” Adam asked.

  “The photographer dude that you’re referring to name is Juan,” Tracey sniffed.

  “Juan, Jon, whatever. Now move it before my brother does something stupid,” Adam chuckled.

  “Like what?” Trace frowned. “And why?”

  “The what…I don’t know as my brother has a mind of his own. I can tell you that it wouldn’t be good for his or for your reputation or career. As to the why? You already know the answer to that,” Adam snorted.

  Tracey blushed. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Adam.”

  “If you say so,” he smiled at her. “I’ll wait here and walk you out to your car.”

  “You don’t have to, and I don’t have my car. I’m riding with Samantha,” Tracey said.

  “Just how are you planning to retrieve your car?” Adam whispered for her ears only.

  Tracey didn’t even bother to deny understanding him. “I have no clue,” Tracey murmured softly.

  “You’re still at the hotel?” he asked.

  “Yes. I’ll be in North Carolina for another week or so, and then I’m going to stay with the parents for a few days. I won’t be in Florida until a day or two before the race,” she said.

  “Hmm, I’ll get your car to you,” Adam said. “You’re not driving down to Florida, are you?”

  “Not sure yet. I was thinking about it,” Tracey said “I may just leave the car at my parents and fly down.”

  “Didn’t I read somewhere that your folks moved?” Adam asked.

  “You sure did. They moved to Georgia. Samantha and I are certain they moved close to us just to annoy us and get up in our business,” Tracey moaned.

  “Isn’t that what parents do?” Adam chuckled.

  “Yes, some more than most. I’ll be right out,” she said, walking carefully into the dressing area.

  “Take your time,” he said.

  Tracey quickly took off the feet-killing boots and instead of removing the leggings, just pulled her t-shirt over the bikini top and slipped her feet into her flats. She pulled her hair up into a ponytail and walked back out to meet Adam…the jeans she’d worn to the photo shoot on her arm.

  “Ready,” she said leaving the dressing area.

  “Wow that was fast,” he laughed.

  “Yep. Since you insist on walking me out, let’s go. Samantha has someplace to be,” she said.

  “After you milady.” He gave an exaggerated bow.

  Shaking her head, Tracey walked out of the building to where Sam was waiting for her. Adam stayed right on her heels.

  “Thanks, Adam,” Tracey said, opening the door and getting in the car.

  “No problem. Hey, Samantha,” Adam waved.

  “Hi, Adam,” Sam called back.

  “Y’all drive safely,” he said turning on his heels and
walking away.

  “What was that all about?” Samantha asked Tracey.

  “I was getting some ribbing from the guys inside and Adam thought it his duty to protect my honor,” Tracey giggled.

  “Oh, how noble of him Mr. Playboy himself,” Sam said sarcastically and they both laughed.

  Chapter Nine

  Shane was in the family room watching ESPN when he heard the ding to the alarm advising him that someone was entering his home. Being that the alarm didn’t go off; he knew that it had to be Adam. He was the only one with the access code to the gate and his home security system.

  Shane didn’t bother to get up. He knew that his brother knew where to find him. So he sat and waited for him to enter while he watched replays of the race from the other day splay across the screen. Shane smiled as he watched Tracey’s interview over and over again. She looked marvelous.

  Nothing could have prepared Shane for the site of Tracey at the photo shoot. He’d wanted to whisk her away and make love to her all night long. Too bad that wasn’t possible. Never in his entire racing career had he wished the race would come and go so that he could be with a woman. The thought elicited a snort from him. Not any woman. The lovely Tracey Powell. Just thinking of her gave him a hard-on.

  “Damn,” he groaned.

  “What’s the problem, big brother?” Adam whisked into the room.

  “Go home, Adam,” Shane murmured.

  “Aww, I feel the love,” Adam bantered.

  “I am really beginning to hate that I gave you access to my home. I have to have the locks and security codes changed. You’re becoming a pain in my ass,” Shane drawled without looking at his brother. His face was still glued to the television screen.

  “Now if you did that, I wouldn’t have been able to bring you your surprise,” Adam said.

  “What surprise?” Shane started, whipping his head around, his eyes landing on the woman standing next to Adam.

  “Tracey,” he whispered, and shook his head and rubbed his eyes as if to clear his head.

  “In the flesh,” she smiled.

  “Now who’s the pain the in the ass?” Adam gloated.

  “Get out, Adam,” Shane demanded not taking his eyes off of Tracey.

  “I don’t get a thank you or anything?” Adam teased.

  “Thank you. Now get out. Now,” Shane barked.

  “Geez, I’m going,” Adam snorted, turning to place a kiss on Tracey’s cheek. “See you in Florida. Do me a favor,” he said.

  “What’s that?” Tracey asked.

  “Kick Shane’s ass on the track,” Adam quipped and then rushed out of the room amid Tracey’s laughter.

  “You’re brother’s a character,” Tracey giggled.

  “Yeah, a real comedian,” Shane said, getting up and walking to her until he stood directly in front of her.

  “Soo. What are you doing?” She asked for lack of nothing else to say.

  “This,” he said, kissing her fully on the lips. Her lips parted allowing him to slip his tongue between her teeth and kissing her properly. Shane made quick work of ridding Tracey of her clothes as she rid him of his…their lips never parting. Once they were both naked Shane released her lips, lifted her in his arms, and laid her on the coach.

  “Shane,” Tracey whispered.

  “We’ll talk later, sweetheart,” he said, lying down on top of her and using his leg to spread hers open. He slipped inside of her while simultaneously taking her lips in a scorching kiss. Shane moaned at the tightness of her vaginal walls surrounding him. He began to push uncontrollably in and out of her.

  Ripping his mouth away from hers, he whispered. “Not enough. I need more.”

  “Take more,” she moaned.

  As if that was all the encouragement he needed, Shane grabbed both her legs, spread them and bent them at the knees. Her feet were dangling, as he lifted up on his knees, pulled out of her and then sank back into her hard. He then wrapped her legs around his hips and grasped her hips with both hands…sinking into her wetness and pulling back out…again and again.

  The sounds from the television, her sweat slicked body slapping against the leather sofa, and their cries of ecstasy permeated the room.

  Shane pushed into her one final time before crying out…spilling his seed into her.

  Tracey cried out, too. Her body quivered uncontrollably beneath his.

  Shane collapsed on top of Tracey in a state of bliss. They were both breathing heavily. Neither spoke. They just lay there basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

  “You’re staying here with me,” Shane breathed.

  “Says who?” Tracey sassed.

  “Says me,” he said.

  “Only for the next few days, and then I am off to Georgia to spend some time with my parents before the big race,” she said.

  “At this point I’ll take what I can get,” Shane mumbled.

  “Shouldn’t we get up and put on some clothes?” she asked.

  “No. It would simply be a waste of time as I plan on keeping you naked for a long time,” he snickered, using one hand to grasp one of her breasts and tweaking its nipple between his fingertips.

  She responded by taking hold of his hips and pulling him more firmly into her.

  “You trying to start something?” he asked his voice smoky with passion.

  “Are you?” she countered sweetly.

  “Let’s get it started then, sweetness,” he said covering her mouth with his.

  “You ain’t said nothin’ but a word. Show me what you’re made of,” she murmured against his lips.

  Shane did just that. They’d moved from the family room to Shane’s bedroom where they made love all through the day and night, only leaving the bed long enough to get food and drink.

  It was after midnight before Shane slipped quietly out of the bed, pulled on a pair of boxers and his robe, and left the bedroom. He walked through the house, grabbed one of his cordless phones, and went out onto his patio where he hit the speed dial to his folks’ home. The phone rang three times before it was answered groggily.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey, Pops, sorry I woke you, but it’s kind of important,” Shane whispered.

  “I would guess so since it’s well after midnight. You hurt?” his father asked.

  “Nah, it’s nothing like that. Listen, I need a favor,” Shane said hesitantly.

  “Yeah?” his father waited.

  “Do you think?” Shane paused for a bit.

  “Do I think what?”

  Shane cleared his throat before continuing. “Do you think you could get grandma’s wedding ring out of the safe?” he rushed on.

  The line had gone completely silent. Shane didn’t know what to think then. “Pop, you still there?” he asked nervously.

  “Yeah, I’m here. Just trying to make sure I heard you right. You want me to get your grandmother’s ring out of the safe? Is that what you said?” His father asked.

  “Yeah, you heard right,” Shane whispered looking back toward the door.

  “Well I’ll be. Norma-Jean wake up, Shane’s getting married.” Shane heard his father yell.

  “Pop’s. Pops, hold on a minute,” Shane tried to reason. Next thing he knew his mom was on the line.

  “Shane…Oh my baby’s getting married. Who is she? And why haven’t I met her? Oh my word, you’re getting married and I didn’t even know you were datin’ anyone.” His mother rushed on before Shane could get a word in edgewise.

  “Hold on, Momma,” Shane laughed. “I have to ask her first. You know there is a chance that she just might say no.”

  “Nonsense. Who wouldn’t want to be married to my boy? That’s flat out crazy talk, Shane.” He heard his mother’s snooty sniffle through the phone.

  He could just picture her nose up in the air.

  “Everyone doesn’t think I’m wonderful like you do, Momma,” Shane said.

  “Well they should. I declare, Shane Westbrook—”

  “That’s
enough, Norma-Jean, give me the phone back,” he heard his father saying.

  Shane heard his mother still mumbling something in the background before his father’s booming voice came over the line.

  “Son, what is your mother going on about?”

  Shane explained the situation and what he wanted to do. “So can you bring the ring to me? I want to take it to Florida with me. I plan on asking her after the race.”

  “I’ll do better than that I’ll bring the ring and your mother to the race. I take it Adam knows about this?”

  “No, he doesn’t. He knows about Tracey but not about the proposal. I figured I’d tell y’all first,” Shane said. “And there’s something else.”

  “Lord son, don’t tell me this young lady is with child,” his father moaned.

  “No, Pop,” Shane said quickly before his mother could start carrying on again. “This will be my last race. I’m retiring.”

  “Well hallelujah, now me and Mother can stop worrying about you out there on the track,” his father said joyously.

  “Keep the retirement information to yourself. I am going to make the announcement after the race,” Shane said.

  “Well, good luck on both. See in Florida,” his father said.

  “Bye, Pops. Give Momma a kiss for me,” Shane said.

  “Will do,” his father said before disconnecting the phone.

  Shane walked back into his house with a smile on his face, undressed and crawled back into bed with Tracey. He pulled her back against him, and fell asleep smiling.

  Chapter Ten

  Tracey had stayed with Shane for four days, lying around playing board games and just getting reacquainted with one another. She’d learned that Shane was a sore loser in Monopoly. Adam had stopped by and they’d had a good time remembering the stupid things they’d all done in their childhood.

  Tracey really liked Adam. He was a real down-to-earth guy. He was nothing at all like he’d been portrayed in the papers. Shane had assured her that Adam had been exactly like he’d been pictured in the media, but that he’d finally grown up.