Alien Romance: Interview with an Alien (Football Paranormal Invasion Abduction Alpha Sci-fi Romance) (Fantasy First New Adult Contact Science Fiction Mystery Sports Alien Short Stories) (35 page)

*****

Tick had reportedly had a huge bust-up with Team Redworth, for whom he’d all but won the Sprint Cup. The word had gone out that he was considering an offer from McNamara, so Suzie had hurried to his trailer, where she caught up with him smoking an electronic cigarette. He pushed it into a pocket, but not before Suzie had spotted it.

“Not good for your bad boy image, Tick,” she chided, then glanced around. “But I won’t tell.”

“You’re a funny lady.”

“Why thank you, sir.” Grinning, she’d dropped into a small curtsey.

“What can I do for you, Ms…”

“Kitchener. Suzie Kitchener.” She extended a hand, which he frowned at.

“And did you come here to blackmail me? Are you going to tell the world I’m less than a man? Because I drink real whiskey, you know.”

“I don’t doubt that. No, I came to make you a proposal.”

“I ain’t interested in marrying you, lady.”

“You’re a real funny guy, Tick.” When he shrugged, she wondered if he’d be acting this way if a smartly-dressed guy was talking to him, instead of a smartly-dressed woman. Of course he’d take a guy more seriously. After all, this was very much a man’s sport. Neptune Inc. had cautioned her before she interviewed for the position of race manager. She got the job with little trouble, effectively becoming the team’s owner. She had complete control of the finances, with the power to hire and fire as she saw fit—unless the board overruled her. So her first priority was to restart the stalled ‘Hot Core’ project. Her second priority was a fresh driver to replace old dog Harrison, who elected to stay on as a test driver, although at a lower rate of pay.

“So what do you propose?” Tick grinned his trademark ‘Burt Reynolds,’ and waited for her to regain her composure. Most women lost their train of thought when he hit them with his grin. More often than not, they ended up in his trailer and then his bed.

But Suzie was quick to recover. “A drive with Team Neptune.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I already got an offer from McNamara.”

“He can’t afford you.”

“He
what?
”

“I know the guy who does his books. They’ll promise you everything. At first, it’ll be rosy, but then it’ll start to slip. The pay will be delayed for some reason or another, and you’ll fall behind. You’ll dine out on I.O.U.s for a while, before he finally admits he can’t afford your pay, and would you take a cut—for the good of the team.”

Tick’s hands curled into fists. “That son of a b—”

“Of course, you don’t have to take my word for it…”

“No,” Tick muttered. “I knew there was something off about that guy. He was so damned evasive.”

“Whereas our accounts are available for scrutiny.”

“Neptune’s a big company,” he admitted.

“With a vested interest in motor sports.”

“Yeah. You guys make seats and wheels, yeah?”

“Among other things.”

“So you’re offering me a drive?”

“As the newly-appointed team owner, I’m empowered to offer you five percent more than McNamara offered, plus we can guarantee you’ll actually receive it.”

“Ten percent,” Tick replied without hesitation.

Suzie raised an eyebrow and inclined her head. “You’d prefer to take a chance with McNamara’s creditors?”

“Eight percent?”

“Six.”

“Seven.”

“Fine.” Suzie feigned exasperation. In truth, she’d budgeted for fifteen percent. Tick had been too easy to win over. She offered her hand and a huge paw enveloped it. His skin was warm, and surprisingly soft too, considering his profession. His brown eyes studied her as they shook on the deal. But when she tried to withdraw her hand, he trapped it between both of his.

“I
will
need this in writing, you understand.”

“Of… of course.” It took Suzie a moment to recover. She’d been prepared for his pantie-dropping grin, but the touch of his warm skin sent uncontrollable tingles along her arms. He held her hand tightly, but not painfully, as her thoughts crashed and collided like seashore breakers. Suzie turned her gaze away from Tick’s mesmerizing grin, knowing her self-control was close to its limit. She squeezed her eyes closed, cursing herself for being a weak-minded feminine fool. What was it about him that mesmerized women? He wasn’t anything special to look at. Sure, he was tall, dark-haired and muscular with a strong jaw, a winning smile and soft brown eyes. But apart from that…

Of course, most women would be swayed by his success, his determination to win and the fact he was always in the media spotlight. Plus, he was comfortably wealthy, easy on the eyes and sickeningly healthy. The success of his career depended on him staying as fit as an athlete.

Suzie was far too worldly-wise to fall for any of those shallow features. She valued other attributes in man, such as intelligence, and a sense of humor. Okay, Tick had them both, but that wasn’t why she was trembling like a teenager—was it?

“Can I have my hand back please?” she asked in a tight voice.

“Why? What do you plan to do with it?”

“Spend the rest of my life with it—if I ever get it back.” She tugged, and Tick released her. The blood roared in her ears; her balance was momentarily off… or was it the stiletto heels?

“So now you got me,” Tick said with a wide grin. “What are you going to do with me?”

Suzie took a couple of steadying breaths before she replied. “Come over to my trailer later.”

“Your trailer? Should I bring wine?”

“I meant the Neptune trailer,” she corrected. “The team’s trailer. I have no idea why I called it mine. I’ve never even been to bed—I mean, slept there.” Her stupid heart was hammering against her ribs. What in the hell was wrong with her?

“I’ll be there,” he said, then lowered his voice. “And I can still bring wine if you’d like.”

“Just bring a pen.”

*****

The rest of the race had gone well. Tick caught up with the next pack of racers and taken tenth place from Team Dysart, then gone on to slice his way up to fifth. It wasn’t a podium finish, but it was ten places higher than Harrison had managed in his final year.

“Not a bad effort—for a rookie,” Suzie teased.

“Hah!” Tick retorted. “I got more years on the track than you, lady.” His disarming grin turned the insult into a well-meant quip.

“Still your first day on the job,” she reminded him. “I haven’t seen enough balls-out driving to make me want to keep you.” Her wink softened the jibe into a joke. But when Tick unzipped his coveralls and reached for his crotch, Suzie stared.

“If it’s balls-out you want; I can soon fix that.”

Suzie squealed and turned her back. “Tell me he didn’t!” she wailed. Her stiff hands formed blinkers around her eyes. When the gathered pit crew laughed, she knew she’d been had. Suzie turned cautiously to see Tick zipping up his coveralls again. His other hand formed a pistol, which he aimed at her. She scowled at him, then shook her head.

“You had a lucky escape,” the chief mechanic whispered to her. “I hear he has really big balls.”

Suzie raised an eyebrow. “Well, fifth place wasn’t bad for a first attempt. Maybe those balls can get him even higher in the next race.” She raised her voice. “Maybe we all can. Right, boys?” The crew cheered loudly, spilling their drinks on the carpet. They grinned at her, happy for their contribution to be acknowledged. All too often, the glamor of the race landed in the driver’s lap. Suzie was determined to promote the pit crew—the guys who worked so hard—as part of a massive team effort. Maybe she could give them the recognition they deserved, instead of living in the driver’s shadow.

****

“You want to do
what?
” The CEO gaped at her.

“I want to take the entire team on a photo shoot. I want each and every one of them to share in the glory of Team Neptune.”

“Why, for God’s sake?”

“Because, Jim, they share the burden of the work. Why should they live in the shadows while the driver gets all the praises?”

“Because,
Suzie
, the driver is the face of the team. He’s the pinnacle of everything they’ve put together. We can’t have a team of prima donnas taking the glory from the main man. Why do you think we pay him so much? He’s a goddam star!”

“They’re not prima donnas, Jim. They’re passionate, hard-working guys who make everything possible.”

Jim raised an eyebrow. “Passionate, are they?”

“Oh drop it, you male chauvinist dinosaur.”

Jim laughed. “Relax, Suzie. I’m teasing you.”

“Well… don’t.”

“What we have is a team. A team strives to one purpose—to win. And the winner takes the credit.” He leaned back in his chair. “That’s the way the world works.”

“It’s not the way
my
world works.”

Jim shrugged. “Do whatever you think is best. But be careful not to mess with the status quo. There’s a good reason mechanics aren’t in the limelight.”

“Really? What is it?”

“The driver stops getting all the glory. And glory is what drives them to win.”

*****

Suzie decided to go for it. She had new coveralls delivered, each one inscribed with the mechanic’s name across the back. Her enthusiasm was met with puzzled frowns.

“What are we doing here, exactly?” Bob the jack-man asked.

“I’m raising your profile, boys.”

“But why?”

“Don’t you want to be out of the shadows?”

“I didn’t realize I was
in
the shadows.”

Suzie dropped a hip and addressed the room. “Okay, how many fans do you imagine are aware that Bob is part of Team Neptune.”

“Zero,” the chief answered.

“And you, Chief. You’re top dog in this garage. How many fans even know you exist?”

“I’m not here for the fans. I’m here for the team.”

“And you ought to be recognized for your contribution.”

“But me going out with my name on my back isn’t going to get me noticed anyway,” Bob pointed out.  

“Ah.” Suzie raised a finger. “It will if you’re willing to try a few moves from the football field.” She smiled as several of the guys glanced at each other.

“Go on,” Bob said.

****

“The guys are looking smart in their lime greens,” Tick said. He shielded his eyes from the afternoon sun as he walked back to the garage with Suzie. She’d booked an hour’s testing at the oval to give the rebuilt car a shakedown, and the crew some tire-changing practice.

“I thought they could use a make-over. And they’ve been drilling for the past hour, working on some new moves.”

“What kind of new moves?”

Suzie shrugged. “You’ll see. Or you might not, depending on how much visibility you have when you’re strapped into that thing.”

Tick slowed, and turned to look at her. “You’ve never been inside a Nascar?”

“Only when I was ten. My dad managed to sit me inside one for a few minutes. It was big inside.”

“Big for a ten-year-old, but not for an adult.” He looked her up and down. “You’ve filled out since then.” Suzie stopped in her tracks and gaped at him. He sagged and shook his head.

“I mean, you’ve grown up. You’re a woman now. You’re taller, you’re… curvier. You’re…” His head rocked as he searched for the right words.

“I’m what?” She raised an eyebrow.

“You’re prettier, is all.” He said in a low voice. His eyes moved from side to side to ensure he hadn’t been overheard.

“Hmm.” Her mouth turned into a tight line.

“What? I say nice things to you and you give me unhappy face?”

“Nice things,” she repeated. “I know what your little game is, Tick Garfield.”

“My game?”

“You have a reputation with the ladies.”

“Oh.” He smiled. “That game.”

“Exactly. So don’t try your flattery on me, mister.” She stiffened when he touched her shoulder.

“Okay, let’s clear the air right now. I might make naughty with the ladies at the weekend, but I’m here to do a job, okay?”

“Okay…” she said slowly.

“And that means no sleeping with the boss. So stop worrying.”

She laughed. “I’m not worried in the least.” She shrugged off his hand. “I just hate to see a grown man wasting his time.”

“Is that what it would have been?” he asked. “A waste of time?”

“Hey! What happened to not…” she lowered her voice to a hiss. “…sleeping with the boss?”

“I was curious. Nothing more.”

“This conversation is over,” Suzie hissed. “Hi, Chief!”

“Hey, Boss-lady.”

“Looking good, boys. Ready to play?”

“Well, they’ve been practicing, if that’s what you mean.”

“Good. I found you a driver. Not the best one, but he’ll do.” She slapped Tick’s back. “I hear he’s got balls.”

“You need me to prove it?” Tick whispered.

“Go get changed,” she replied tightly. She tried in vain to block the mental image of Tick reaching for his crotch.

“Yes, Boss-lady.”

“Here,” the chief said. He held up a small set of lime greens.

“Okayyy…” Suzie said slowly. The chief turned them around. ‘The Boss’ was written across the back in large, looped letters. Someone had been creative with a spare set of coveralls.

“You like?”

Suzie smiled and dropped a hip. “Yeah, I like. Thanks guys.”

“Thank Bob. It was his idea.”

“Chief!” Bob protested. His colleagues laughed heartily.

“It’s okay, Bob,” Suzie said. “They’re great.”

“Really?”

“Really. Except… wearing a skirt today turned out to be a bad idea.”

“You can change inside.”

“I’ll wait until Tick is finished.” She leaned closer to the chief. “Wouldn’t want to accidentally see his balls, would I?”

“Of course not, Boss.” The chief struggled to keep his face straight.

Suzie rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell me you believe the gossip crap too.”

“Of course not, Boss.” the chief said again.

“Chief, there’s nothing going on between us. I wouldn’t want to see his balls for an extra year’s salary.” When he whistled, she continued. “And that isn’t as much as you’d imagine.”

“Of course not, Boss.”

“Oh, drop it, would you?”

“Of course, Boss.”

“Chief, you and I are going to fall out.”