Cocky Romance: Chapter 8

“Allegedly. He’s allegedly dead,” I growl into the phone.

Hills bursts through the door. He gives me a pointed look and I gesture for him to wait.

“Recant your story.” I pause and listen to him argue before I get bored. “I don’t care that you’ve already published. Look, I’m doing you a favor. When you refer to the source of these rumors, you’ll find a trashy tabloid known for clickbait articles. Your defense won’t last a second in court. Not to mention, your journalistic integrity will be called into question forever. Is that what you want? If not, take the article down immediately.”

I end the phone call, stabbing my finger against my phone screen.

A sigh builds in my chest, but I don’t let it loose. Eyes sweeping to Hills, I bark, “This better be good news.”

“The PR Team is already making a public statement.”

“Good.”

“We’re trying to find out who contacted that source and gave them such a ridiculous tip.”

My fingers tremble and I curl them into fists to stop them from shaking too much. This is an utter crap storm.

But I’m grateful for that. Grateful I still have hope that my brother can be found. Alive. For a split second, I almost believed the headlines myself. It shocked me in a way I didn’t expect.

I’ve gotten that call before. When I lost my mom, there was nothing but numbness and an overwhelming desire for the police to walk back their words.

Dead?

No, she can’t be dead. Not my mom. I just saw her laughing last week. She invited Vanya and Hadyn over for my birthday. She’s making waffles and wings. She’s not dead.

I don’t want to go through that again.

No matter what he’s done, Trevor’s my little brother. He’s family.

Hills narrows his eyes. There’s the gleam of righteous indignation in his gaze. “Our lawyers are preparing to sue. In fact, they’re itching to sink their teeth into this.”

“Good. Hit the tabloid hard. I want their doors to squeak shut within a day.”

“Done. What did the police say?”

I pick up my pen from the desk. Trevor bought it for me when I took over Stinton Group. “The police can’t confirm or deny anything at this point, but they did not give a statement to the tabloids. In fact, they’re leaning toward Trevor being alive and within reach. They just found a ping on his potential whereabouts.”

Hills lets out a breath. “You think it’s him?”

“I’m going to choose to believe my brother’s alive.” No other thought is allowed. Not until I see proper evidence.

Hills shakes his head. “I can’t believe things imploded this quickly. We were just getting some great momentum with the rebrand of Stinton Auto. This is a giant blow to progress. Now Trevor and his dirty deeds are back in the spotlight.” His eyes land on me. “You think someone did this intentionally?”

“I’ve considered that.” It would be an incredibly well-placed move. Positive opinions about Stinton Group have been flooding in for the past twenty-four hours. Now, this ‘death’ report is all the world can see.

Prop us up just to tear us down.

The company is trending again—for all the wrong reasons.

“People are dragging up his dirty deeds. The women. The drugs. They’re rehashing the downfall of Stinton Investment all over again. It’s almost like our work with Dawn was for nothing.”

Would it be someone on the board?

I undo the button at my cuff and roll up my sleeve. I doubt they would sabotage Stinton Group intentionally. After all, their wealth is tied up in our company. If Stinton Group goes down, they all go down.

I flick my pen around my fingers. “Let’s concentrate on getting Trevor’s name out of the press for now.” Another rotation. “We can’t out any other fires until we out this one.”

“What about the video we shot of Dawn today? It was supposed to be released this evening. The production team is already editing the footage.”

“I don’t think it’s the best time to release it.”

“Because of Dawn?” His stare is accusatory.

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Don’t ask me dumb questions, Stinton.”

I growl at him. “You’re the one not making sense.”

“I saw you today. Everyone did. You’re protective of her.”

“She’s the mother of my niece.”

Hills rolls his eyes. “Do you think I’m blind? It has nothing to do with Trevor’s kid and you know it.”

It feels like he’s on to me.

Do I have a thing for Dawn?

Yeah.

No.

Even if I do, it’s just physical and it’s easy for me to push those thoughts out of my head. I don’t have room in my life for anyone. Especially someone like Dawn, who’s the type to barge in and take up as much space as possible.

“Mila Dubois’s agency called and expressed their concern about their starlet being dragged into this mess. If we go down, they want us to go down alone.” I fold my arms over my chest. “That’s why we have to be careful. Happy?”

Hills yanks at his tie and curses. “Talk about awful timing.”

“What matters is the police still have hope that we can find Trevor alive. Stinton Group can weather this crisis, but we’re not powerful enough to bring a person back to life.”

He shakes his head slowly. “I’m glad you’re taking this so well.”

“Trevor’s fine. It’s the company that I have to worry about.”

He sighs. “I’ll let the lawyers off their leashes.”

“Let me know if anything new turns up. We can’t afford to take another public hit right now.”

“I will.” He leaves and I sink into my office chair.

The pen rolls out of my grip and clatters to my desk. I bury my head in my hands and try to breathe deeply.

Trevor’s okay. He’s okay and he’s probably sitting in the sun somewhere, laughing about all the fuss we’re making over this false death announcement. He’s the type who’d get a kick out of dark humor like this. I can almost hear him teasing me, ‘you think I could come to my own funeral, Max?’

“Where the hell are you, Trevor?” I mumble.

I’m too restless to sit.

I end up pouncing to my feet and prowling in front of the window.

Who would pay the tabloids to release such a ridiculous article? Someone has to be pulling the strings. No one would come against Stinton Group like this without a powerful backer.

Is it one of our enemies? Or is it more personal? One of Trevor’s women?

Dawn pops into mind.

Ridiculous.

She wouldn’t do this, no matter how much she hates me and Stinton Group. Her form of attack is staring someone in the face while she stabs them in the gut.

Besides, she doesn’t seem all that interested in getting revenge against Trevor—as much as she is in staying far away from Stinton Group.

I take a slow breath and stop in front of the window.

Beyond the thick piece of glass is a sky that’s sparkling blue. The sun sheds fiery warmth over the buildings that gleam silver and white.

Staring out at the horizon, surrounded by an office full of luxury and opulence, I realize how easily it can all slip out of my hands.

Blow after blow.

It never stops.

It’s never going to stop.

I shake my head. These pitiful thoughts don’t suit me.

I’ll scrape myself back up after a minute.

There’s a knock on the door.

My shoulders straighten. It’s not Hills. He rarely does anything as polite as knocking before he enters.

“Come in.”

Dawn steps through the door and my heart starts pounding in my ears.

I know I should keep my eyes to myself. I know.

But it’s tough when that jumpsuit is clinging to her body like it wants nothing more than to be a second layer of her skin.

It bothered me when I saw all the men staring at her this morning. Especially that Jefferson kid. I almost wanted Dawn to go back and change into baggier overalls. Of course, telling her to change would be guaranteeing that she wouldn’t. Ever. Stubborn woman.

The material stretches over her chest and the curve of her waist. Each sensual sway of her hips sends a bolt of electricity straight into my pants.

Great.

Now I’m going to need a cold shower.

Talk about the world’s worst timing.

I clench my jaw, forcing myself to keep up a hard expression.

“What are you doing here?”

Her voice is a soft and sultry tone. “You gave the security my name?”

“Dawn.”

“They just let me up here.” She remains by the door as if she’s too scared to come in. As if she knows what will happen to her if she gets close to me. “I thought you’d have better security, but there was no one at the receptionist desk outside your office. Hills is gone too.”

“What do you want?” I growl.

I expect my harsh tone to chase her away. Any woman with common sense and self-preservation would take the hint and bolt.

But not Dawn.

No, she has to grab on with those slender hands and embrace every challenge presented to her, even if it means stepping into a cage with a viper.

Chin tipping up, she takes a step inside—then stops abruptly.

I know I’m glaring at her.

Maybe it’s because I’m scared.

Maybe it’s because, if I find out that Trevor really is gone, the only… only reason I’d be able to smile about it is that I know he wouldn’t be coming back and stealing Dawn away.

That makes me an awful person.

She makes me that kind of person.

I’m not angry with her.

But I need her to believe I am. Need that like my next breath.

If she leaves, I can go back to being the heartless prince of Stinton Group. No beautiful single mom tugging on my heartstrings making me act in ways I never have before. No whisper of a conscience in my ear telling me that I could change my tone or change my perspective.

I stare her down when she doesn’t move. It’s always worked before. Simply making eye contact longer than socially acceptable has been known to rid me of unwanted attention. Hell, it helped me when I first got acquainted with the Stinton family.

Wasn’t until I met my dad’s relatives that I realized someone could stab you through the heart with a polite word and a smile. I learned to keep from flinching. Then I learned to stop blinking. To just stare and stare until the awkwardness wasn’t mine alone, but it was theirs too.

Most people don’t look you in the eye when they’re insulting you. It forces them to consider your humanity. Forces them to consider their own pettiness.

Eventually, I learned that I could apply that tactic to business associates, to journalists, to clingy women who didn’t understand that Stinton Group would always be more important to me than anything else.

I’ve yet to meet someone who could hold my stare.

Until Dawn Banner.

Her eyes lock on mine and she watches me with that frank, I have nothing to hide gaze. It’s unusually direct and it’s enough to rouse my anxiety, my frustration, and another emotion that I’m too smart to name.

“Look, I know we’re not exactly friends.” Her voice is quiet, but it isn’t chilly. “And you know how much I hate Stinton Group. That much is never going to change. But…” She chews on her delectable bottom lip.

Screw it. I need to get rid of this turmoil she inspires in me.

At the very least, I won’t go through it alone.

“Are you worried about me, Dawn?” I ask darkly.

Her steadfast stare begins to waver as I move around my desk, keeping my eyes on her. The fierceness in her gaze hollows out and becomes something a little uncertain.

I keep my steps slow and determined. Give her time to run if she has the good sense to. It would be better if I could chase her out.

I should have expected that I couldn’t.

This woman.

This headache of a goddess in a jumper and grease on her face.

She lifts her chin higher as if her defiance is any threat to me. As if it doesn’t make me want to torture her more.

My fingers are still by the time I stop in front of her.

She purses her lips. “He was Beth’s father.”

“Is that why you ran here as soon as you heard? Because of him?” It bothers me. Again, I war against a sense of family loyalty and propriety.

She doesn’t belong to you, Max. You can’t go after your niece’s mother.

“Who said I ran?” Her voice lashes through the air, but it lacks its usual bite. She’s being loud. She’s not being honest.

I step a little closer. The heat of her washes over me. I can’t stop the little voice inside that’s begging me to reach out.

To touch her.

Her fingers curl into her jumper, and it’s the only indication that my nearness is affecting her. “I figured you’d be like this.”

“Like what?”

“Unfeeling.” She grits her teeth. “I knew you’d act like nothing could hurt you. Like you weren’t devastated.”

The more she talks, the more I want to sweep the door closed and back her up against my desk.

I see myself touching her over that ridiculously tight jumpsuit first. Just enough to have her bucking against my hand and screaming into my kiss. Then I’d unbutton her. Starting from the button she has at her collar. And I’d press my lips over every inch of dark skin it uncovers.

Heaven help me.

She licks her lips as if she can sense my thoughts. As if she wants it too.

My gaze on her intensifies, sliding down her face to her mouth. I can practically feel it against me. Soft and firm. Just like her.

My heart is thumping so hard I’m sure she can hear it. The current thickens, coiling around us like a rope binding us together.

Is she breathing?

I can’t tell. She’s just looking up at me, her beautiful, upturned face begging for my kisses. Speechless. For the first time since I’ve known her, her tongue’s not wagging at me. She’s not using that delectable mouth to bark out the most obscene things.

I lift my hand.

I graze my fingertips down the side of her cheek, barely skimming the grease stains over her cheekbones.

It’s just the barest hint of a touch.

But it’s enough to make me feel naked. To send tremors spreading through my body, teasing out an overwhelming heat that I’ve never felt before.

It’s not explosive.

Hell, if it were, I could handle it. I could find someone to give me those fireworks and get it out of my system.

No, Dawn is a simmering, steady heat.

The kind that builds gradually and by the time you’ve realized how trapped you are, it’s too late.

“You ran out so fast you didn’t bother cleaning up,” I growl. Then I bring my fingers back and show her the grease stain.

Her eyes nearly pop out of her face.

She jumps back and shakes her head like she was swimming in the sea and got water in her ear.

I have the same feeling.

Foggy. Like I just travelled through those creepy forests Trevor used to tell ghost stories about.

“You could have told me earlier.”

I tilt my head, watching her intently before letting my hand drop to my side. “Come somewhere with me.”

“Where?”

She didn’t say no. Is it because she feels sorry for me? Because she thinks Trevor is dead?

The thought that she’s doing all this for my brother is a bucket of ice down my back.

I smile cruelly. Let that annoyance wash away the scalding hot attraction that had filled me only moments before.

“You’ll know when we get there,” I say vaguely. “Don’t worry. You’ll be back in time to pick up Beth from school.”

Her brows hover low over her brown eyes. She seems surprised that I’d be able to think about Beth. Or maybe she’s surprised I’m thinking about someone other than myself. She’s made it clear what her opinion is of me.

What she doesn’t know is that I do think of Beth. The form I had Chef Aimsley ask her to fill out had more than just questions about her favorite food on it. I wanted to get to know her, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to given Dawn’s aversion to me and everyone in Stinton Group.

“I don’t know if going anywhere with you is a good idea,” she croaks.

And I wonder if she’s referring to the tension between us.

“We’re not going to do anything illegal.” Prowling over to my desk, I swipe my phone and car keys from the table. “If that’s what you’re worried about.”

“That’s the least of what I’m worried about.”

I laugh under my breath and lean toward her. “Are you in?”

She instinctively scowls at me, eyes burning with the flare of a brand new challenge.

“I’ll let you drive Black Beauty.” I arch an eyebrow and dangle my keys in front of her.

She snatches the keys from me. “Don’t regret it, Stinton.”

Impossible.

When it comes to Dawn Banner, I know I’m going to do all kinds of things I’ll regret. And I’ll enjoy every second of it.

I direct her to the racetrack and watch as her eyes dart back and forth. She looks comfortable behind the wheel and while I instinctively knew that she would control Black Beauty with finesse, it was another thing entirely to see her take those back roads in style.

She drives like she does everything.

With an almost ferocious determination and a hint of insolence.

Always trying to prove something, this woman.

I had to keep reminding myself not to touch her when she threw Black Beauty into third gear. She shrieked when she felt the entire car respond. The laughter that poured from her lips reminded me that there are some things worth more than money.

Dangerous thoughts.

Dangerous woman.

What the hell is this spell she’s cast on me?

Deep down, I know playing with this fire is going to burn me.

I invite it closer anyway.

“What is this place?” Dawn asks.

I survey the excited, slightly intoxicated look in her big brown eyes that says the drive put her in a good mood and she finds me semi-tolerable in the moment.

“What do you think?” I press my fingers against hers and note the way her breath hitches as my hand brushes over her knuckles. Sliding the key out of her grip, I jut my chin at the window. “We’re at a racetrack. My friend Hadyn owns the place.”

“Racing? Is this how you handle grief?”

I catch her worried look and it almost makes me smile. That motherly side of her is coming out. Never thought it would look so cute on a woman with a temper as frightening as Dawn’s, but here we are.

“Are you finally admitting that you’re worried about me?”

Her expression hardens. “In your dreams, Stinton.”

No, in my dreams, she would be doing something far more entertaining than just worrying and following me around.

Dammit, I’m struggling to keep myself in check and I can’t pin down why it’s so tough to keep Dawn on that ‘don’t touch’ pedestal.

She climbs out of the car and walks confidently ahead of me.

This woman is irritating. Short-tempered. Outrageously stubborn. Passionate.

Stunning.

Crackling with an energy so intense that her mere presence is a distraction to every man in the room.

Focus.

How can I when she’s here, flouncing ahead of me because she thinks Trevor’s dead? Because, as much as she pretends that she doesn’t, she cares about him?

I almost stumble over a rock and I’m glad her head is turned so I’m spared the embarrassment.

We crest the hill where the bleachers are and the track sprawls before us. There are a few cars out today. The engines make a low roar as they zip over asphalt, taking corners at warp speed.

Dawn bounces on the tips of her toes, an excited smile blooming on her dark face. The wind picks up one of her curls and she tosses it back while glancing over her shoulder at me.

Damn.

Enough.

Do not get distracted, Max.

I can’t see her as anything more than Trevor’s ex and the spokesmodel for the company. She’s only useful to me while I can get what I want from her. I’m only dragging her around with me so I can mess with her. If she’ll let her guard down because of Trevor—that’s even more reason to keep myself from getting too deep.

No.

I’m not developing feelings for her.

I’m not.

Just in case, I won’t touch her again for the rest of the day.

“Do my eyes deceive me?” A voice clammers from my left. “Is that Max Stinton I see?”

“In the flesh.” I lift a hand.

“And who is this?” Hadyn clamors to a stop when he sees Dawn. His twinkling brown eyes give her a quick once-over that immediately sets me on edge, but he drags his eyes back to her face real quick and leaves it there.

I relax my fists.

Hadyn can live.

“Dawn Banner.” She offers her hand.

He takes it and shakes. “You’re…” He points at me and then at Dawn. “You’re the spokeswoman for Stinton Auto. The female mechanic, right?”

“Yes, I’m female and a mechanic, but one doesn’t have much to do with the other.” Her smile is polite.

“Oh, right. Right.” Hadyn lifts his baseball cap and sets it backward on his head. “It’s just the two of you?”

“Vanya’s still out on business,” I tell him, since that’s what he’s really asking.

“Oh.” He sighs. “Are you here to play?”

Dawn shoots me a look of confusion.

“Stinton?” Hadyn arches an eyebrow.

I nod. “I’m not here to race. Just to drive.”

“I’m game,” Dawn says. “If you do want to race.”

I shake my head at her. “Who invited you?”

“You did.” She flings back. “When you brought me here.”

“The bleachers are comfy.” I point there. “Wait until I’m done.”

“You can’t possibly expect me to sit this out, do you?”

Hadyn glances between the two of us, a slow smile spreading on his lips. Then he focuses on Dawn. “Do you drive?”

“I know a thing or two.”

“This is different than driving a regular car, Banner.”

Her brows knit together. “I’m aware, Stinton. If you need a lesson, I’m more than capable of giving you one.”

A thrill shoots down my spine. What has she done to me?

“Just to be safe, I’d prefer if someone were in the car with you,” Hadyn says.

“Perfect.” She gives him an up and down look. “You’ll do.”

The flush that spreads over Hadyn’s face tells me this wasn’t part of the plan.

“Shouldn’t you and Stinton be on the same team? You arrived together after all.”

Dawn folds her arms over her chest and stares at me. “No, I’d prefer to kick his butt.”

My lips twitch.

Her eyes shift to Hadyn again. “You mind if I drive?”

“Uh… no.”

“Good. Where can I change?”

Hadyn points wordlessly and Dawn glides across the walkway, heading inside where the receptionist, lounge, and changing rooms are located.

The moment she’s gone, Hadyn stalks toward me and grips my upper arm. “Since when did you bring women here?”

“Is she a woman?”

“Cut the crap, Stinton. From the eyes you’re giving her, you’re well aware that she is.”

I turn away. “What are you still doing at the tracks? Shouldn’t you be at the company?”

“You’re changing the subject.”

“Fine. Don’t tell me.” I walk off.

He follows me, an annoying grin on his face. “I’m at the track because, unlike some people, I believe in a healthy work-life balance.”

“Meaning you hand everything over to your assistant so you can goof off?”

“Is that why you’re running around with the spokesmodel for Stinton Auto? Because you like being hands-on with company matters?” His voice crackles with meaning.

I stiffen. “It’s not what you’re thinking.”

“What am I thinking, oh mighty heir of Stinton Group?”

I open my mouth and then snap it shut. I can’t tell Hadyn about Trevor and Dawn’s relationship. “I don’t want to know what’s in that filthy mind of yours.”

Hadyn rubs his jaw. “Nothing filthy about it. She’s beautiful. That’s a fact.”

“What?”

“The spokesmodel. Dawn. She’s stunning.”

I frown. “Watch it, Hadyn.”

“What? I’m not saying I’m into her. She’s kind of small for my taste. You know I prefer my women… bigger.”

I roll my eyes. “Just suit up and stop talking nonsense.”

“I’m happy for you.”

I flip him off and stalk into the lounge, fighting to stay calm.

Hadyn can turn cold and deadly when he’s at work, but when he’s with the people he’s comfortable with, this goofball side comes out to play. I know he’s just trying to get a rise out of me, but I still want to smack him for talking about Dawn.

With a shake of my head, I disappear into the men’s changing room. My racing suit is hanging in my locker where it always is. Vanya gave both Hadyn and I personalized suits for Christmas. My mother’s name is on the back of each of our over-alls. Almost made me shed a tear when I saw it.

There’s a knock on the door while I’m changing. “Stinton, what’s taking so long?”

“I’m almost out,” I growl.

Hadyn laughs. “Don’t tell me the suit can’t fit anymore. I told you to lay off the raisin-nut cookies.”

“Raisin nut?” Dawn’s silky voice follows on the heels of Hadyn’s loud laughter.

“Disgusting, right? I’ve been telling him and Vanya that fruit shouldn’t be in cookies, but they’d rather keep living in misery.”

Dawn’s laughter has me scrambling with the rest of my suit so I can throw the door open.

And she’s there.

Sunshine in her smile. Eyes gleaming. Shoulders shaking.

The racing suit is far too big for her, but she wears it with a confidence born from wearing too-big over-alls all of her career. The sharp white of the fabric sets off the darkness of her skin beautifully.

If I were in my right mind, I would be thinking about Stinton Auto and arranging a photoshoot on the racetrack. She looks amazing in that suit and the rest of the world would think so too.

If I were in my right mind, I’d be thinking about how to maximize my relationship with Hadyn to form a partnership between his track and Stinton Auto. Make Dawn the face of that too. Capitalize on her relatability.

But instead of business, I’m stuck thinking how to make her smile again.

She catches me staring at her and the grin wobbles and then goes out. I feel the absence of it like a lone candle at midnight getting snuffed by the wind.

Her fingers tighten around the helmet tucked into her side. “I won’t go easy on you because of everything that’s happening.”

“What’s happening?” Hadyn glances at me.

I ignore the question. Hadyn will start asking questions if Dawn talks about Trevor’s ‘death’ and I don’t want to answer those questions. Not yet.

“Just get ready to eat my dust, Banner.” I step in front of her.

Her lips curl up. She tilts her head back to stare at me. “I’ve been itching to put you in your place, Stinton. Keep talking smack and I won’t be nice about it.”

“Try your best.”

“It’ll be my pleasure.”

Hadyn glances at us with a confused look. “What’s… going on?”

I move away from Dawn before the urge to touch her gets any stronger. “Keep her safe, Hadyn.”

Dawn’s eyebrows hike.

“Stinton Group’s invested a lot in her. I’d hate to see all that money go down the toilet.” My eyes cut into Dawn. “She can’t promote us from a hospital bed.”

Her lips curl into a scowl, just like I knew they would.

I would laugh if there wasn’t a ball of emotion blocking my throat.

She scoffs. “Enough talk, Stinton. Let’s settle this on the track.”

Hadyn gives me a what’s up with you look as he passes me by and follows Dawn to the cars. I duck my head to hide my grin and trot after them.

The race is neck-and-neck. It’s no surprise that Dawn is nimble behind the wheel, but she’s never practiced on this track before. I edge across the finish line seconds before she does.

I climb out at the annex, prepared to rub my victory in Dawn’s face and maybe watch her eyes get all hot and glaring again. But the face I see waiting at the winner’s circle isn’t Dawn’s. It’s Hills.

“I knew you’d be here,” he says gravely.

My adrenaline turns into bubbles and disappears with the wind. “What’s wrong?” I ask, slightly out of breath.

He shakes his head. “Something’s happened.”

As I watch Hills’s somber expression, I’m reminded of why I never take my eyes off Stinton Group. Dawn Banner is a distraction. A beautiful distraction, sure. But it’s time to get myself back to the real world.