Page 20 of Torqued

“Are you kidding me?” The doors close slowly, almost at a snail’s pace and much like the ride down. I keep myself calm by thinking of the various ways I can kill him. Skinning him alive seems to be a clear frontrunner.

When I come to a stop, I squeeze through the opening and dash for the entrance. I can’t lose this deal. My dad’s expecting it to go through and I refuse to let him down. I’ll even come up with more funding if needed.

I hit the sidewalk in front of my building just in time to see him getting in the back of the limousine. With no time to spare, I sprint over and grab him by the arm.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

He stumbles back into my arms, righting himself and me before we can fall to the ground. “Well, hello to you.”

“Are you going to answer me?” I push away from him, crossing my arms so I don’t wrap my hands around his throat. About the time his mouth opens, a woman slides from the backseat. My eyes dart to her and then I shoot daggers at him.

He glances to the side, and realization washes over his face. “This isn’t what you think.”

“Care to tell me what I’m thinking, besides the fact that you walked out of negotiations?”

He juts his thumb to the woman to his left, whom I immediately recognize but love watching them squirm. “This is Margo Baker, my head mechanic and crew chief.”

“Did she think… do you think I’m… no, you did not think…” Margo pushes her sleeves up, and Rush steps between us. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

“Will you stop! She obviously isn’t going to fight you.” Rush holds his hands up, holding her back.

“Oh, you can let her go, and after I’m done with you, I’ll take her ass to the curb. I may look nice, but don’t get it twisted.”

Their heads whipped around, gaping at me. I need them to understand I take no prisoners. Margo’s smile widens with the bob of her head. “I think I’m gonna like her.”

“At least one of us does,” Rush turns around, opening the door back up. “give me five minutes or less.”

Margo leans around him, holding her hand out to me. “Nice to meet you. We’ll talk later.”

“And you.” I take her hand, shaking it. She slips into the back of the waiting car, and Rush slams it shut.

“Do you often do business this way?” He folds his arms across his chest, hardening his jawline.

I rear back, hoping I need to adjust my hearing and not my understanding. “Am I getting this right? You’re offended at me?”

“Yes, you called this meeting but couldn’t be bothered with coming to it.” He steps up, pulsating with disdain for me.

“I had an unexpected meeting. I asked Colton to run you through the basics until I could get freed up to join you.” I drop my arms, fisting them at my side.

“So, I’m important enough for you to come to Charlotte, but not enough to walk down the hall for?” He’s so close to me, his scent washes over me, and my mouth goes dry.

I sweep the tip of my tongue between them, hoping to catch my breath. “Tell me what I can do to make you stay, Rush?”

“I’m not following.” He leans against the back of the car, shoving his hands in his pockets. My lower belly tightens and dread sets into my bones. Warning me that I’m going to regret my next words.

“Tell me what I can do to get you to stay and hear us out. I want to sign you and I’ll do whatever it takes to get it done.”

A smile plays on his lips, making them even more delicious looking than ever before. As if on cue, there’s a pull deep in my fiber for him. I hate my body and its reaction to him.

He pushes off, coming closer to me again. He leans in, whispering in my ear so that I have to tilt my head toward his mouth to hear him. His breath brushes past, chilling me as it does.

“I want you…” I gasp at his words as my body draws close to his. “I won’t do this without you by my side every step of the way.”

“But I- “

His jaw press into mine. “I want you or nothing.”

“O-Okay. I’ll arrange it. I just need you to come back upstairs so we can sign the papers and get everything started.” For a brief moment, I’m lost in him, and then he’s gone. I open my eyes to find him standing before me with a smirk on his face. I. Hate. Him.