In the Fast Lane (22 page)
Authors: Audra North
“If it’s not too late, I’ve decided to take the Natural Light deal. It’s the right thing to do. Not just to be a raging success, but because it’s a good deal and a good company and I’m proud of what they do for women. Being a woman in racing means I have the privilege of being their spokesperson—something that no one else on the circuit can do.” She had to rest for a minute then, feeling exhausted from even that small amount of talking. Damn, she hated being injured. After a second, she continued. “But most importantly, I want to say that I won’t let you down, Ranger. I’m not going to stop trying for Rookie of the Year. The doctor says I can race again in a few weeks and—”
His face fell. “Oh, Kerri. Sugar, no, I—”
“And I love you.”
She cut him off with those words, and he looked so turned around that Kerri couldn’t help but grin, even though it hurt her head to do so. She winced, and he finally rushed forward to smooth a hand over her forehead.
“God, Kerri. Shit. I love you, too.” His voice was steadier now, as sure and strong as his touch. “When you crashed, I was so scared. I couldn’t believe you might be taken away from me just when I’d realized how important you are.”
“But what about your promotion?”
He smiled. “I don’t need the promotion. I’m staying with Hart Racing. I’m not going back to Colt. You were right, Kerri. All I wanted was Al’s—my dad’s—approval. I ended up getting that and more.”
He told her the story of what had happened on the plane, and then she did let her tears spill over. She didn’t mind crying in front of Ranger. He deserved it.
He took her hand and held it gently, like he was afraid it might break. “You’re the reason that Natural Light was interested in sponsoring Hart Racing in the first place. I didn’t have anything to do with that. You’re the one who deserves to get everything you want, no strings attached. You don’t have to win Rookie of the Year. I’ll let you buy back Hart Racing. Hell. I’ll give it to you. Forget about the stupid deal we made before. I was stupid and you were wonderful. You’re always wonderful.”
She’d never realized it could hurt so much but also feel so good to cry.
“It wasn’t a stupid deal. You drive a hard bargain, Ranger Colt. I love you for that as much as I love the rest of you. Including the parts of your body that are just as hard-driving and definitely just as sexy.” She tried to drop her voice a bit, to make it suggestive, but she was afraid it came out much more tired-sounding.
Ranger grinned. “As much as I love to hear you say that, you need to rest, sugar. You’ve been through a lot today.”
“But what about you? Don’t you need to talk about the Natural Light deal so you can get back to them about the terms and—”
He shook his head. “Later. That stuff can wait until later. Right now, all I need is you.”
He leaned in and dropped a quick, soft kiss on her lips, and Kerri smiled even as her eyes closed. “Now that’s what I call a raging success.”
I want to thank so many people for being a critical part of making this book happen.
First and foremost, a huge thanks to my husband and children for being supportive of my writing. For the time and the space that you all give me, thank you. I love you all so much.
To Kerri-Leigh Grady and Tahra Seplowin, I would never have written this story if it hadn’t been for the two of you. After a short conversation on Twitter resulted in my writing the first scene of this book, and further discussion via email led to a whole book, I realized just how instrumental your excitement and encouragement were in making this happen. Thank you.
I am grateful every day for my agent, Courtney Miller-Callihan, for being brilliant, patient, and full of good advice. No one else rocks a mullet wig like you do.
Lizzie Poteet, you did a smashing job at editing this book. I was so impressed with your insight and professionalism. You made the editing process fun, which is an accomplishment in and of itself.
Thank you to Amber Belldene and Alexandra Haughton for beta reading this book and offering critiques that made it so much better. I am so fortunate to know such smart, competent, and generous women.
Finally, thank you to my readers. You are a community of incredible people and I appreciate every one of you.
Stay tuned for
Shifting Gears
Available fall 2015
Visit
AudraNorth.com
for more!
Audra North
fell in love with romance at age thirteen and spent the next twenty years reading as many romance novels as she could. Even now, after having read over one thousand of them, Audra still can’t resist the lure of a happily ever after, and her collection continues to grow. She lives near Boston with her husband, three young children, and a lot of books. Visit her website at
audranorth.com
or find her (way too frequently) on Twitter @AudraNorth. Or sign up for email updates
here
.
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Contents
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
“In the Fast Lane” Copyright © 2015 by Audra North.
All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
eBooks may be purchased for business or promotional use. For information on bulk purchases, please contact Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department by writing to [email protected].
Cover design by Kerri Resnick Cover photographs: couple © conrado/Shutterstock; light beams © Iscatel/Shutterstock
Author Photo © Erin Hilterman
eISBN 978-1-4668-8902-6
First eBook Edition: July 2015