Chapter 54
FIFTY-FOUR
“You heard him.” I sigh as Mackie fusses over me as I sit in my office chair. “I can return to work.”
“I also heard him tell you to take it easy,” he snaps, crossing his arms.
“You’re so cute when you’re mad,” I say as I slide my hands around his hips.
“Nope!” He points in my face as he steps back. “You can’t distract me with sex. You can work this morning and that’s it, then you will go home to rest.”
“I’m leaving when you do.” I shrug. “Qualifiers are next week, baby. We need to be ready.”
“And we will, but we can’t do this and be worried about you,” he murmurs softly.
“I know you want to keep your condition a secret from the rest of the world.” It’s something we spoke about at length this morning.
“I will go along with it, since it’s your life and business, and I agree someone might try something if they know, but that doesn’t mean everything returns to normal.
You need to take care of yourself. If you want us to win that title, then we need our manager in the best shape he can be in, which means rest and listening to the doctors and me. ”
“Fine,” I relent. “I’ll nap in my office until you’re done, and then we can go home together. Deal?”
“Fine, but I mean it. If I come in here and you’re working, you get no sex for two months,” he warns.
“Two months? I’d die,” I mutter. “Fine, I’ll be good.”
His eyes narrow as he backs out the door, and I can’t help but smile as I watch him go.
He missed a few days of training to look after me, but in all honesty, he’s ready.
They both are. They are incredible racers.
They know the courses and what to do. They are going to win.
I’ll make sure of it. I want to see my boy on that podium with Skylar.
I want to give him his dream. If that means relenting so he can worry less, then I’ll do as I’m told.
I watch him go, and then I catch up on my emails, which are insane.
Who knew there would be so much admin when running a business?
Not me. It’s the worst part of my job. All morning, members of my team pop in to see me.
The eighth time one of them brings me drinks and food and makes sure I’m okay, I know Mackie sent them.
I should be mad, but it’s so cute, I can’t.
Rolling my eyes at the knock on the door, I get up and open it. “I’ve eaten, I’ve had more drinks than I’ve had in my entire life, and I’m fine,” I tell my mechanic, who grins, holding out a plate of fruit.
“For you.”
“For me, huh? When have you ever brought me food?” I ask. “He made you, didn’t he?”
“I’m scared of him more than I’m scared of you,” he says as he shoves the plate at me and runs away.
“You’re more scared of Mackie than me?” I yell as I head into the garage, plate in hand. “Mackie, get your ass in here.”
He strolls inside from the track, his suit undone at his waist. “What’s up, old man?” he teases.
“Stop making them check on me,” I say when he’s close enough. “Did you know they are more scared of you?”
“Of course,” he replies as he steals a piece of fruit and chews on it. “The worst you’ll do is yell and maybe fire them. Me? I’ll ruin their entire family line and then fire them since you do as I say anyway.”
“I do not,” I grumble, and his eyes narrow. He walks toward me, and I back up until I hit the table. “What?”
“Eat the fruit,” he orders. “Now.”
I look from him to the plate, and his eyebrow rises. I don’t want to give in, but you bet your ass I shove that fruit in my mouth.
Patting my cheek as I chew, he smiles sweetly. “See? That’s why they are scared of me, babe. They know I control you. Now be a good boy and take a nap while I beat Skylar’s best time.” He grabs two waters and heads outside, leaving me staring after him.
“He’s so fucking cute,” I mutter around the fruit while I clear the rest of the plate.
I did, in fact, take a nap because I was tired, no other reason.
When I wake up, I head into the garage to see if Mackie is ready to go home, but I see all my staff gathered in the kitchen, watching TV. “What’s going on?” I ask around a yawn, and it shuts off and Mackie stands, smiling guiltily.
“Nothing. Are you feeling okay?”
My eyes narrow, and I stalk his way. Grabbing the remote, I turn the TV back on, only to freeze. Amanda is on the news being interviewed, and I hit the volume button.
“Amanda, most people see Nos Racing as a relegation team. They haven’t won anything in a long time. Why did you invest and become the owner?”
She chuckles, flicking her hair back. “I’ve always been interested in racing, and I have a plan to dominate this field with Nos at my side.”
“Why is that?” someone asks.
“I want to prove myself to everyone who doubts me in this industry and also to the man I love.” Her eyes lock on the screen then, cruel and knowing.
Mackie’s hand slips into mine, and I pull him closer despite everyone around us.
“Who is it?” reporters yell, but she just smiles.
“I’ll see you all at qualifiers.”
Switching off the TV, I glance around. “Don’t let her get to you. Nos is nothing. Just focus on what we are doing,” I announce before clapping. “Back to work.” I watch them disperse, all but Mackie, and I worry about what he’s thinking.
“She really doesn’t give up, does she?” he finally mutters.
“Baby—”
He shakes his head, his eyes hardening.
“Fine. If she wants me to beat her in this as well, then I will. Go back to sleep, Noah. I’m going to practice.” He leaves, and I’m left staring after him again, wondering what the hell she is thinking.
Even if she won, I’d never choose her. I never have.
Why is she doing this?