“Where are we going?” he asked, shifting in his seat.

He still wasn’t comfortable with me driving Elvira.

I loved messing with his head when I drove. He was too easy.

Every time he’d flinch or grab the dashboard, I’d giggle. It didn’t have much to do with his darling car, but more about giving control up to me.

“I want to show you something,” I told him, glancing at him out of the corner of my eye.

“It’s barren around here,” he said as he looked out the window.

“There’s so much open space around here. That’s why it’s perfect.”

“What is?” he asked as he turned his attention toward me.

“My surprise.”

“I hate surprises,” he grumbled before he sighed.

“Just sit there and enjoy the ride.” I pressed down on the gas pedal and Elvira took off like a bat out of hell.

“Race,” he said, reaching out to grab the dashboard.

“Are you worried I’m going to hit a cow?” I teased, gripping the steering wheel tighter as I stared straight ahead. “Look around, Morgan. There isn’t a thing for miles but trees, sunshine, and open road.”

“Are we almost there, at least?”

I enjoyed every moment of anxiety I was causing him. “Yes.”

“Did you buy a farm?” he asked, dragging his hand across his face.

“No. Just relax, baby. We’re only two miles away,” I told him, looking for the hidden drive.

“Thank God,” he said, pulling his collar out and fanning himself.

As I turned down the dirt road lined with pine trees, the sign finally came in to view.

He turned toward me. “You’re bringing me to the driving course?”

I nodded, bouncing in my seat. “It’s not just any course,” I told him, unable to wipe the smile off my face as I glanced at him. “It’s the place where I spent my childhood with my father. This is Johnny’s place.”

“You’re going to make me sit in a car and speed around a dirt course?” he asked as his face paled. “Are you trying to kill me?”

“You can drive your own car,” I said as I pulled into the empty parking lot.

“I can’t ruin Elvira.”

I rolled my eyes. “You can drive one of the other cars. I wanted you to see this place.”

“It’s important to you, huh?” he asked, relaxing as I parked the car.

“Very,” I said, turning the car off and sagging into the seat.

I looked around, taking in the place that held so many happy memories for me as a child. It hadn’t changed a bit. It was still an out-of-the-way, hidden course for those who followed the circuit. It was where many drivers got their feet wet before heading out to join the big leagues.

“I have something to tell you. I’ve been waiting until now to share the news,” I whispered.

His eyes grew wide as his lips parted. “Are you…” His voice trailed off as he swallowed. “Pregnant?”

I covered my eyes, shaking my head. “Oh God, no.”

“Phew,” he muttered, wiping his forehead. “I mean, maybe someday, but we haven’t been a couple that long.”

I raised an eyebrow as a grin danced on my lips. “I didn’t know we were officially a couple,” I said, totally yanking his chain.

“I told you you’re mine, Race.”

I clasped my hands together and hunched my shoulders. “You’re always so romantic.”

He threw his hands up as he exhaled. “Do you want me to get down on one knee?”

It was my turn to have the blood drain from my face. “No, Morgan. I mean, I love you, but you could ask me to be your girlfriend.”

“Race, do you wanna go steady?” He smirked.

“You’re such an asshole sometimes.” I laughed, shaking my head.

His mouth dropped open as he held his hands out. “What did I do?”

“I want to be romanced, bonehead. A little more effort than what you just did.”

He clucked his tongue against the roof of his mouth and rubbed his chin. “I’ll come up with a plan.”

I covered my mouth. “Now that’s romantic,” I mumbled into my palm.

“So, what’s the news?”

“I decided what I want to do with the rest of my life,” I told him, glancing at the building in front of us. “I bought the track from Johnny. I’m the proud new owner.”

His mouth fell open as he stared at me.

“I’m going to make this the best damn course in central Florida.” I waited for his response.

“I’m speechless,” he said as he looked at the building and back to me. “You bought it already?”

I nodded, unable to stop smiling. “We’re here to sign the papers.”

“No more corporate world?” he asked, tilting his head.

“No. I figure I can use my background to bring this baby back to life. I’ll bring Cara to help me, and we’ll have this sucker hopping in no time.”

A slow, lazy smile spread across his face as he leaned over and took my hand. “I’m excited for you. You’re finally following your dreams.”

I sighed, squeezing his hand as I stared into his eyes. “For the first time in a long time, I feel like I can breathe again. I’ve never been so excited about anything in my life, Morgan.”

He motioned toward the track. “Want to show me around your place?”

“Yes!” I screeched, releasing his hand.

We strolled toward the offices hand in hand, and I resisted the urge to skip. I felt like a kid again as we walked the halls that hadn’t changed in twenty years.

“You have a lot of work to do,” Morgan said as he glanced around.

I squeezed his hand, peering up at him. “I know, baby. I can do it,” I told him.

“I know you can. You can do anything you put your mind to. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”

My cheeks now ached from the happiness I could no longer contain.

“Ms. True,” said a man as he waited in the hallway outside the conference room. “We’ve been waiting for you.”

“Here goes nothing,” I said to Morgan, taking one last breath before walking inside and changing my future forever.

* * *

“You did it, kid,” Johnny said as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me against him. “Your dad would be so proud of you.”

I glanced up at him, feeling the bittersweet sorrow in that truth. “I know, Johnny. I wish he’d been here to see it.”

“He’s watching over you, Race.”

I swallowed hard. “I hope so,” I said, blinking the tears away.

“What’s the first order of business?” he asked as we gazed out over the track from the grandstands.

I looked over at Morgan as he surveyed the place. “I want to take him out on the track. He needs to experience what I feel when I’m out there.”

“I don’t want to go out there,” Morgan interrupted as he walked toward us.

“Oh, yes you do,” I told him, glancing at Johnny and winking. “Trust me.”

He grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck as he watched a car speed around the bend. “As long as I get to drive.”

Johnny kissed the top of my head. “I’m going to let you two kids have some fun. I’m going to clear out my office.”

I reached out, touching Johnny’s arm. “I wanted to talk to you about that,” I said, hoping he’d say yes.

“I’m all ears.”

“I want you to stay on here and work with me,” I told him, stroking his arm.

“I’d love to, kid. I want to spend more time at home, but I’ll be here to help with anything you need.”

“Johnny, you’re the last link I have to my dad. This course has been yours since before I was born. It wouldn’t be right not to have you here. You have a place here, with me, for as long as you want.”

“You’ve made me the happiest man in the world, Race,” he said and hugged me tightly.

Resting my head on his chest, I imagined that my father was hugging me, like he had so many times in this place. The familiar sounds and smells brought me back to my childhood.

“Thanks, Johnny,” I mumbled into his chest, trying to hold on to the memory of my father.

“You two be careful out there, you hear?” he said as he released me, glancing between Morgan and me.

“We will be, sir,” Morgan replied.

“Are you ready to have some fun?” I asked Morgan, shaking with excitement.

Morgan didn’t look so sure as he glanced back at the track.

“Should I call an EMT to be on standby in case he,” Johnny said in my ear, motioning at Morgan, “has a heart attack out there?” He laughed quietly, causing me to giggle.

“He’ll be fine,” I told him, looking over at Morgan. “Once I get him out there, he’ll relax.”

“What are you two whispering about?” Morgan asked, walking toward us.

“Nothing.”

“Liar,” he growled, wrapping his arms around my waist.

I pulled our bodies toward the stairs, unable to wait another minute to get behind the wheel. “Come on, sissy. Let’s get on that track.”

He brushed his lips against my forehead. “Show me what makes you tick, princess.”

“Hold on to your pants, big boy. I’m about to blow your mind,” I teased him, patting his belly as we walked down the steps.

“I’d rather you blow something else,” he said as he glanced down at his crotch.

“If you’re a good boy, maybe I’ll reward you,” I teased as I let my hand slide down his back and squeezed his ass.

He peered down at me, blocking the sun from my eyes with his size. “Baby, I eat your pussy every day and you’re still a pain in the ass.”

“I allow you the pleasure of tasting me because I love you. Feel lucky, big boy,” I teased him as we set foot on the track next to the waiting car.

“I’m the luckiest son of a bitch in the world,” he muttered as he stopped next to me, looking over the sleek, sexy red car in front of us.

I patted his stomach. “You are.”

“I’m driving, right?” he asked, running his hand along the hood.

“You are,” I said, letting him go to walk around the vehicle. “I’ll be with you. I’m going to teach you everything you need to know.”

“How fast does she go?” he asked, glancing at me from the other side.

“How fast do you want to go?” I cocked an eyebrow.

“I feel the need. The need for speed.”

“All right, Maverick. Climb in and buckle up,” I told him. “Let’s see how big your balls are.”

“Princess, I know you have a set, but let’s not forget whose are bigger.”

“You’ll have to remind me later,” I said, smiling at him as we climbed inside and buckled ourselves in.

“You shared your fantasy with me, making it real. Tonight, I’m going to show you mine.” He smirked, biting the corner of his lip.

My belly flipped from the burning in his sapphire eyes. “I don’t know if I like the sound of that.”

“Don’t worry.” He laughed. “I’m going to make you mine tonight. In every single way possible.”

I laughed, laying my head against the seat. “Going to ask me to go steady again?”

“You’re going to have to wait to find out. Today is a day for new beginnings and celebrations.”

“Ready?” I asked, taking a deep breath.

“More than ever,” he replied, gripping the steering wheel, feeling the leather under his fingertips.

Morgan understood the happiness I felt on the track as he took the corners like a pro.

Driving around the track, leaving everything else behind, we both felt the freedom it offered.

As he drove, I took a moment to take stock of my life. So much had changed in a short amount of time. I hadn’t imagined I’d quit my job and be a business owner.

On top of that, I’d never in a million years thought I’d be head-over-heels in love with the man who’d saved my life. Not just from Natasha, but also from the mundane existence I’d accepted as my reality.