CIRCE
After all the ceremony pomp and bullshit, it didn’t quite register that I’d spent the whole hour staring at Wyatt. I was hoping to pass through the night like a gyno appointment— uncomfortable, but quick. But my mind has raced, my heart has soared, and my thoughts have danced with thoughts of the delectable racer.
Now that the ceremony portion is over, everyone is either moving on to the festivities or going their separate ways. Carli’s been spending her time informing Crass and Mahoney what she can do with her tongue, and how flexible she can be. I’ve become the third—make that fourth—wheel, and I think I’ve had enough for the night.
Rising out of the chair, I announce, “Car, I’m going to get some air.”
She hardly acknowledges me as I leave, but I don’t really care. I need to get clear of this place before I do something stupid.
Figuring that the porch is now a safe haven, since most the people have left, I tromp out to relax in the sea air. Earlier, I saw Wyatt leave when the reporting ass hounds started in on him again about the spectator on the track. Thankfully, I never saw Markus, and my boss never even spoke to me, so for now, my career fate is still in limbo.
Stepping out onto the porch, I take in the quiet. Leaning over the edge of the concrete railing, I pull in a massive gulp of salty air. Fuck, I needed this. I’d been drinking nonstop as I eye fucked Wyatt. I envisioned all the things I could do to his body, and all the things he could do to mine with his lips, his hips, his fingers, his—
“Nice night to watch the skies,” a dark, sexy voice says from behind me. I immediately recognize the voice.
Wyatt. Shit, he didn’t leave.
My heart skips a beat. I need to clear out quickly before I make a complete ass out of myself, doing something I can’t undo. My mind and body aren’t listening to each other, though, so I try my best to look unaffected.
As he steps around to lean on the stone edge to my right, I gaze at his features in the moonlight. His chiseled jaw. His soft, yet very manly cheekbones. His eyes…god, and those lips! My body feels like it’s overheating.
Fucking drinks. I never should have drunk so much. As soon as I tell Carli about this newest chance encounter, she’s going to raze me. I’m going to pay for it for days and months to come.
Here I am, dumbstruck by his beauty, and I’m scared of how many stupid things I can say. I try to act totally calm, relaxed, and poised. It’s been hours since I saw him at his Caravan, and less than an hour since he asked me to call him Wyatt. Now, here he stands beside me, leaning on the railing, looking like a Ralph Lauren model. All I need to do now is snort and giggle while bubbles pop out of my nose. That’s the type of thing that would happen to me.
“How about we try this again. I’m Wyatt Crown, and you are?” He holds out his hand in greeting, as I sigh inside like a lovesick puppy.
Taking his outstretched hand in mine, I smile, shaking it gently. “Circe. Nice to meet you, Wyatt.” The air is helping to clear my fogginess, but it’s not perfecting my awkward chick abilities. “What brings you here, Mr. Wyatt Crown?” I accentuate each word, dragging it across my tongue.
“I’m a racer.”
Faking shock, I suck in a breath. “Really? You don’t say. Are you any good?”
“I’m okay. I can make it around the track most days without breaking bones."
“So you’re average.”
“Most days. Somedays, I can be quite extraordinary.” He smirks, causing his dimples to peek out.
“Humble. I wouldn’t have guessed it.” Shit. That was snarky. I shouldn’t have said that. If I would have known this would be happening, I never would have had so much alcohol. Not to mention, the whole situation has my heart thumping against my chest, racing faster than Wyatt’s bikes. I could literally fall into a puddle of womanly arousal at his feet.
Remember, Circe, he was with two harlots a short while ago in his trailer.
Attempting to pull my hand back, I take a step away to lean against the railing. Gathering my thoughts, I remind myself I’m not the girl that falls at a guy’s feet, and I don’t crush over man sluts. Even one as adorable as him.
He still hasn’t released my hand. He strokes the back of it with his fingers, sending fireworks through my body.
"And what do you do, Circe? Are you a racer too?” His heated gaze stays focused on mine. If we keep this up, it could be very dangerous. The pink tinge in my cheeks has probably become a few shades darker, as my veins feel like they’re housing molten lava.
“Oh, no,” I rush out. “I’m an assistant, but I think that’s all going to pot at the end of the night. You see, after a very impromptu interview I had with a certain racer, I pissed off my boss’s boy toy.” I really have put my job on the line. I know if I want to stay employed, I need to take a step back.
“Really? Tell me about this interview,” he asks innocently, but it’s laced with sweet sarcasm.
Clearing my throat, I take my hand from his. Wandering around to the far edge of the porch, I take a moment to gaze out at the surf as it hits the shoreline. Turning back to him, seeing how the moonlight bounces off his crystal eyes, like twinkling lights, it becomes harder and harder to concentrate on the conversation. I want to strip him bare right here. Damn, I’m that wanton harlot I definitely didn’t want to be tonight. I should have sex more often, and not go so long without. Here’s the first man to touch me, and I’m ready to jump his shaft.
To keep from doing just that, I say, “Not one of those jackoffs were asking the right question.”
“What was the right question, Circe?” Like a predator, he slowly and methodically moves towards me, making me insecure and unsure about distancing him. Just like the prey I am, I back further along the railing.
“There was no reason to add to a stressful moment. It was a dick move by them.” My voice falls to barely a whisper as he approaches me. “It was callous and cruel, and quite frankly, it was unprofessional.”
He steps closer, bringing him within inches of my face. His breath is soft on my overheated skin as he dips his head to look in my eyes. His height, his powerful, sexy smell and strong presence is dragging me in. I can’t seem to stop myself from leaning in to his magnetic pull.
“I appreciate you defending my honor,” he jokes, running his fingers through my loose hanging hair.
Get a grip, Circe, I tell myself, even as I lean into his touch.
“In that position, who wouldn’t be in shock after something so scary?” I say.
Position.
He’d just been fucking two girls.
Two. Girls. Not even twenty-four hours ago!
Pushing against his chest, with a little bit of force, I do my best to distance us once more. “Well, I should really get back to make sure Carli has her room key.” Speaking only to keep my mouth busy is becoming hard. All I want to do is devour those soft kissable lips of his. But I can’t. I shouldn’t want that at all. Fucking drinks. This is my own bloody fault.
Well, sort of. If he wasn’t so goddamn beautiful, and someone I’ve fantasized about from afar, then I probably wouldn’t feel this way.
“Is that how you want to play this, Circe?” Cocking his head to the side, he looks almost shocked that I’ve denied him what he thought was a sure thing. “I know you’re attracted to me, so why deny yourself of all this?”
Pompous fucking asshole. “Wow. That humble guy act was short lived, huh,” I snap. Gathering the final thread of my decorum, I start towards the hall. “Have a nice night, Mr. Crown.”