Chapter 18
eighteen
AUSTIN, TX
Avery leaned back into Teddy’s arms, the vibe of his burnt orange Longhorn t-shirt and jeans so different than his usual polished appearance.
Bistro lights twinkled overhead, casting a glowy light.
She could see the glimmer of Lake Austin beyond the musician playing on a makeshift stage.
It hadn’t taken much convincing for Avery to join Teddy at a post-race party at the sprawling waterfront home on Lake Austin that Cody, the Archer driver Josh worked with, rented for the week.
There were two full weeks until the next race in Mexico City, and most of the drivers were taking advantage of the time off by extending their stays in Austin for a few days.
She looked around the patio, trying to soak up the euphoric atmosphere.
They were all young, at the top of their sport, and money was no object.
The privilege that came with the moment was not lost on her.
She felt like the luckiest girl in the world, cuddled up with Teddy, surrounded by friends.
She nuzzled his neck, taking in a deep breath of his woodsy scent, which had quickly become her favorite smell in the world.
Despite the fact that it was nearly a perfect night; she couldn’t entirely escape the nagging thought she hadn’t earned her place in this crowd, that it had been handed to her on a silver (pun intended) platter.
One day, I’ll be at a party like this not as someone’s daughter or as someone’s date, but because of what I’ve accomplished too.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t appreciate her good fortune.
She was well aware that most people would kill to be in her position.
She closed her eyes and let the music wash over her, the sound of the cowboy-hat-wearing guitar player serenading them with his deep Texas drawl.
Stay in the present, Avery. Just relax and enjoy the company of your best friends and your…
boyfriend? No, certainly Teddy wasn’t her actual boyfriend, but they weren’t just friends who were faking it anymore.
The sparks she’d felt during their kiss had confirmed that.
It felt like all the fake dates, the fun, the flirting, had all led to this inevitable night.
Avery looked over to her side where Stacey was relaxing on a lounge chair and made eye contact. Stacey gave her a knowing look.
The musician finished his song and the small crowd erupted in a round of applause.
Cody, who had quickly earned a reputation as the biggest partier among the drivers, joined the musicians on the porch.
“Thank y’all for being here tonight, to celebrate my first home race.
Driving in F1 is a dream come true, even when you end the weekend out of the points.
How about a round of applause for Zack and Teddy for that awesome team performance today?
” He paused for another round of applause and a few whistles.
“Have fun, stay as late as you like, and I’ll see y’all in Mexico City. ”
“I’m going to grab another beer, do either of you want anything?” Stacey asked.
“I’m good, thanks!” Avery said. She turned her head and asked Teddy. “Want anything?
“Sex.” He whispered into her ear, so that no one around them could hear.
Avery’s mind went blank as her brain tried to process what it heard. But her body was already there—heat instantly building in her core. She whipped her head around to face him head on, her lips parted, trying to form a response.
“Um, with you, in case that wasn’t clear,” he grinned mischievously, but his eyes were smoldering. She hadn’t been imagining things. The weeks-long flirtation wasn’t just for the cameras, the celebration kiss that afternoon wasn’t a one-time victory celebration. Am I ready for this?
His eyes were fixed on her, waiting on her response, but her breath caught in her throat.
Her body craved him and wanted nothing more than to give itself to him, but her mind had not only caught up, it had raced five steps ahead.
What would happen after they hooked up? Was it a one-time thing for him while he was riding the high of his successful race?
Or would it be the start of something else entirely?
Shh, brain, just stop. The heat that was flooding her body was desperately trying to burn away any rational thought.
“I’m game,” Avery dared him back, sounding cool and confident.
Inside, however, she was nearly bursting with both desire and apprehension.
She wanted Teddy more than she had ever wanted a man before, but what would he think of her in bed?
Surely, he had been with tons of women: would she be able to satisfy him with her limited experience to draw from?
Avery looked around self-consciously out of habit to see if anyone was watching (they weren’t), and then remembered that everyone here thought they were already dating. Walking out of the party together wouldn’t raise any eyebrows.
He pulled her to her feet and put his hand on the small of her back, guiding her back through the house and out front where their town car was waiting. She felt her confidence waning. What underwear was she wearing? How would her undressed body compare to the models and starlets he’d been with?
The ride back to the hotel was one of the most exciting of Avery’s life.
They sat dangerously close to one another in the back seat, their thighs touching like they had that first night they had talked in the hotel bar.
She lifted the pointed toe of her boot and rubbed it up the back of his calf.
He shivered and snaked his arm all the way around her waist in response.
She scooted even closer to him, putting her arm around his neck and giving him a light shoulder rub.
Everything about their bodies touching felt right, and Avery enjoyed the tingling sensation she could feel through her dress where his hand touched her hip.
They were silent, shooting coy glances at each other until their car pulled up at the swanky downtown hotel. Teddy held the door open for her as she stepped out, and grabbed her hand. They walked hand in hand, and Avery couldn’t help but giggle as she led him straight to the elevators.
With a surprisingly shy smile, Teddy looked at Avery questioningly as he pushed the button for his floor only.
She nodded in agreement. This is really happening.
They couldn’t keep their hands off each other as they rode the elevator up to the eleventh floor.
Teddy kneaded her side above her hip bone as she traced her fingers up and down his back.
They stole glances that smoldered as they ascended, a visual confirmation to go along with the physical that this was really happening.
That neither one was backing out. Once the elevator doors opened, Teddy reached for his key card and buzzed open the door to his suite.
The second the door clicked shut, Avery found herself with her back against the wall, Teddy gazing down at her with heat in his eyes.
“A proper kiss, I’ve wanted to do this for weeks,” he said happily. His mouth was on hers, firm and commanding. Avery kissed him back deeply, urging him on.
She playfully bit his lower lip, and pushed him away from her, away from the wall, and toward the bed. Teddy nearly groaned with want and sat back on the bed, pulling her toward him. Avery straddled him, her dress bunching up over her thighs.
She put her arms around his thick neck and kissed him again, hungrily.
His hands slid up and down her exposed thighs, higher and higher until he slipped a finger under her lace underwear.
She trembled with excitement and want. She’d felt what those fingers could do to a car’s steering wheel, and now she’d get to see what they were capable of doing to her body.