as well, Stallion. How might you be this fine afternoon?”
Mark nodded. “I’m doing quite well, thank you for asking. I was just telling my friend here that I’m looking forward to wiping up the track with your boys this season. Things couldn’t be looking better if you were to ask me.”
Vanessa watched with amusement, leaning with her back against the fence that separated them from the racecourse. She looked back and forth from one man to the other, clearly entertained at the exchange. Few knew that Greg Rockman was not one of Mark’s favorite people, something about the man’s business practices not sitting well with her friend. When it was necessary, Mark was very good at masking his distaste for the man but Vanessa knew it wouldn’t be but so long before her friend would be ready to drop his cordial facade.
Rockman smiled a wide grin that stretched from ear to ear. “I’m sure you’re going to give it your best shot,” the man answered, turning his attention back to the bike and the driver. “But I don’t think,” he continued, his tone smug, “that you’ll be wiping up much with the team I’ve put together. We’ve got a secret weapon this year that’s going to make all you boys wish you’d stayed home where you couldn’t get your feelings hurt.”
Vanessa wouldn’t have thought it possible but the man’s smile widened even further, his whole body quivering like a bowl of cherry Jell-O as he chuckled.
Mark gave him a wry smile back. “And what’s this secret weapon you’re so proud of?”
“Now, it wouldn’t be a secret if I told you, would it?”
Mark rolled his eyes, turning back to stare where the other man stared. The driver was slowing down, taking the bike around with a lazy ease. Mark wasn’t quite sure if there was something wrong with the vehicle or if the driver had just grown weary of the exhilaration. He was suddenly surprised when Rockman gestured for the driver to join them, the man waving excitedly for attention. “That’s one of yours?” Mark asked casually.
“That’s what’s going to whip your tail this season.”
Mark cut his eye at the man and back to the bike and driver that was headed in their direction.
Easing the bike forward, Michelle was only so surprised to see her new employer standing side by side with Mark Stallion. She’d known that once she accepted the position it would only have been matter of time before she and that man would run into each other. If Michelle were completely honest, Mark Stallion had motivated her to accept the position with his opposition. Michelle was looking forward to beating Stallion at one of his games. Once she’d said yes, running into him had been inevitable. But it had to be some kind of bad karma for it to have happened on her first day on the job.
Coming to a complete stop, she shut down the engine and lifted herself from the bike, setting it back against the kickstand. Reaching for the strap on her helmet, she was focused on the tall black man who was studying her curiously. He was even more beautiful than she’d remembered, she thought to herself. Her stomach was tumbling in circles, the toast and orange juice she’d consumed for breakfast threatening to return. It took everything in her to control the quiver of anxiety that was causing her hands and knees to shake.
Easing her helmet off her head, Michelle came through the gate to where they stood. She extended her hand to Greg Rockman, a warm smile filling her face. “Hey there, Uncle Greg. Glad you could make it.”
“I wouldn’t have missed this for anything, Mitch. You looked great out there. How did the bike handle?”
“She’s sweet. We’re going to have to do some work on the engine but the light weight of the body makes it a very nice ride.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear,” the man said excitedly. “Now, you sure I can’t convince you to come ride for me instead? You sure know how to handle yourself out there!”
Michelle shook her head. “I don’t think so, sir. I much prefer the garage.”
Michelle looked from Rockman to Mark and then noticed Vanessa eyeing her with interest. She bristled, trying to not let her sudden discomfort show.
“Oh, I’m being rude,” Rockman said, moving to wrap an arm around Michelle’s shoulders. “Mitch, let me introduce you to the competition. This is Mark Stall—”
Michelle cut him off. “We’ve met,” she said curtly, the smile draining from her face.
Mark stared in awe, his mouth parted slightly as he struggled to focus. He’d not been able to mask his obvious surprise. When Michelle had taken off her helmet, pulling a hand through her hair, he’d been instantly captivated. He had barely been able to contain his excitement when he’d recognized her.
Wire mesh and steel posts had separated the asphalt from the weathered grass where he’d been standing with Rockman and Vanessa. Where Michelle had rested on the other side had felt almost miles away to Mark. Suddenly he’d wanted to jump the fenced barrier to sweep her into his arms and hold her. He shook his head slightly, waving the clouds from his thoughts. “Yes, we have. How are you, Mitch?”
Michelle’s smile turned down into a deep frown. She nodded her head, not saying anything to him at all. “And how are you doing, Mrs. Stallion?” she asked, turning her attention toward Vanessa instead, loudly emphasizing the Mrs.
Vanessa laughed out loud. “It’s Ms. Long and I’m just taking it all in,” she said, unable to contain her giggles.
Michelle raised a curious eyebrow at the comment. “I’m just sure you are,” she said, moving back to the motorcycle. “Well, I need to get this in the garage to see what damage has been done. If you all will excuse me.”
Rockman nodded. “I’m right behind you.” He shook Mark’s hand a second time, giving the man a smug wink. “We’ll see you in our rearview mirror, Stallion. Take it easy now.”
Mark glared at the man. “You wish, Rockman. You wish.” He turned his attention back to Michelle, who was now on the other side of the fence, easing her bike toward the garage bays. She wore leather. Leather jeans and a jacket that bore the Rockman Racing logo fit her petite figure nicely. Everything about her demeanor highlighted her extraordinary beauty. Her confidence and self-assurance was almost intimidating, and he found the wealth of her talent sexy as hell.
Mark winced as she pulled out of sight. It suddenly dawned on him that she was working for the competition. And worse, it appeared as if she might actually like the job. Mark couldn’t begin to imagine what Michelle could possibly see in Rockman or his team. Even if he could have wooed her away with a better offer, Mark sensed that his chances of success, business or personal, didn’t look favorable. That icy stare she’d given him hadn’t done much at all for his self-confidence.
Vanessa’s amusement had increased tenfold, and as she stood staring at Mark it was all she could do to contain her enthusiasm. The expression on the man’s face was priceless. He stood staring after Michelle like a lovesick puppy, his eyes wide and sad that the exquisite woman was gone from him. Vanessa couldn’t remember him ever reacting to any woman like that before. Maybe this Mitch woman had a few redeeming qualities that Vanessa didn’t know about.
She grinned. “So, you just gonna stand there or do you plan on catching up with the woman to ask her out?”
“What? Huh?” Mark asked, jumping. He’d gotten lost in thought, having forgotten that Vanessa was even there. Heat warmed his dark cheeks as he blushed profusely. “What are you talking about, Vanessa?” he answered finally.
Vanessa pointed in Michelle’s direction. “You need to tell her the truth and straighten your mess out. So, go do what you need to do.”
Mark cringed. For the life of him he couldn’t quite figure out why things seemed so complicated. It felt like that woman had gotten up under his skin and now he had a raging rash that he couldn’t quite scratch. He shook his head, trying to shake every thought of Michelle out of his head. He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Leave it alone,” he said, his tone short as