Roaring Hot! (Contemporary Romance): A Billionaire Biker Romance (5 page)

Amy went to the door and peeked. Before she could react to the photographers, Teo had her in his arms. He lowered his face and pressed his lips onto hers. The kiss was light, a formality, accompanied by a flurry of flashes. Her lips tingled at the contact, and his scent, a woodsy, citrus blend wrapped heat around her. But it was over before she could sink her tongue into his.

Why, oh why, did her body have to be so attracted to him?

“See you in the morning, sweetie.” Teo caressed her cheek and winked. He pushed his way past the photographers, who turned toward Amy’s direction.

She slammed her door, her heartbeat prancing like all the king’s horses as she wiped her lips. Sweetie? No one had ever called her that. It sounded nice coming from his lips. Amend that. His hot lips, and that wink? Holy moly. That wink caused all sorts of meltdown deep in that private core of hers. He’d been almost nice, trying to get behind her defenses.

She talked herself out of the horny fog of lust. It was just one kiss. She wasn’t about to be played by the likes of Teo Alexiou. Greek gods with billionaire fathers had to be the worst. She knew exactly how to treat a player. Cut off their fuel supply of admiration and adulation.

If he wanted to pretend she was his girlfriend for the reality show, fine. She’d fawn on him in front of the camera and she’d behave in public. But once they were behind closed doors, she’d show him how much she disdained him. A guy like Teo needed be brought down a few pegs.

Amy held her umbrella as she and Mia wandered around the pit, the behind-the-scenes area at the race track where racers and their crew gathered. Teo was dressed in full leather and was fitting his helmet while the pit crew made last minute adjustments on his motorcycle. A tall, leggy blonde in tight spandex held an umbrella for him.

True to his word, Teo hadn’t spoken to Amy since he left her room Friday evening, and she’d held up just fine without his attention. She’d spent Saturday getting acquainted with the racing setup and watched the Suzuki team go through their time trials. None of them had placed high enough to get the pole position, which was the most coveted starting point at the front of the grid.

A light drizzle wet the track, and the sky had that sodden gray look with not a hint of sunshine. Mia led Amy toward the covered bleachers from where they could watch the race.

“I can’t believe they’re going to ride in the rain. Isn’t it dangerous?” Amy stepped around a puddle, pretending to care about him. “And who are those girls?”

She supposed she should also pretend to be jealous and slightly peeved at the attention the scantily clad women around the pit gave Teo and the other racers.

“Pit girls, promotional models.” Mia laughed. “You’ve never been to a race, have you?”

“Operas, symphonies, theater and even ballets, thanks to my overprotective parents, but nothing like this.” Amy squirmed as the blonde touched Teo’s shoulder in a manner of familiarity. “Does he sleep with them?”

“What do you think?” Mia rolled her eyes and grimaced. “That’s why this reality show’s going to be good for his image.”

“Image?” Amy angled her umbrella against wind. “I thought he was renown as the biggest player on the circuit.”

“That’s about to change thanks to you,” Mia said. “It’s really sad if you think about it.”

“What’s sad?” Amy felt a chill skittering down her spine. During yesterday’s time trials, she’d met several widows. They’d naturally assumed she was Teo’s new girlfriend. Since she was such a greenhorn, not knowing anything about motorcycle racing, they’d given her a quick rundown of the inherent dangers of maneuvering a three-hundred-fifty pound machine up to two hundred miles per hour. Add to that, the curves on the tracks looked torturous, complete with hairpins and tight S-shaped turns.

“The life of a racer.” Mia settled her large dark-brown eyes on Amy.

“I thought he lived a charmed life. Billionaire’s son who can do anything he wants. Girls, parties, travel, money.”

“Once you get to know him better, you’ll see.”

An announcement drew their attention to the starting line. Each racer was parked on a bracket separating them across the track. Teo was in the second row wearing a bright blue and yellow suit with the number sixty-nine. Ronaldo was even further behind wearing number ninety-six.

The racers were a superstitious lot. Amy crossed her fingers as the seconds counted down. Their team wasn’t as experienced as the others on the circuit in a season marred by crashes and injuries.

“They’re off,” the announcer said.

The racers tore across the starting line in a deafening roar. A blurring mass of bikes and colors disappeared around the first corner.

Amy’s heart skittered to her throat. Her adrenaline pumped and fire raced through her veins. Just the sound of the bikes, the high-pitched whine and thundering of the motors made her feelings soar, as if she was skirting the edge of a cliff.

“I can’t believe how low they’re going.” Amy clapped a hand to her mouth as the racers took the turn in front of her.

“Sometimes their knees and elbows scrape the ground,” Mia said. “You can’t see it except on slow motion.”

Teo was still in the middle of the pack as they completed the first lap.

“This is all there is?” Amy fiddled with the program. “They go around and around and around?”

“Unless someone crashes.” Mia’s tone was flat. “Of course there are the overtaking passes. But that doesn’t usually happen until a few more laps in. Right now, with the wet track, the key is survival first, position second.”

A woman’s voice sounded behind them. “Mind if I join you two?”

A busty woman with dark brown hair and the face of a Greek goddess greeted Mia.

“Tasha, so glad you could make it.” Mia gave the woman a hug. She turned to Amy. “This is Teo’s sister, Tasha. She’s been dying to meet his new girlfriend.”

Cool beans. He actually told someone I’m his girlfriend.

Amy’s nerves flushed hot, but she quickly controlled her facial expressions. Smiling, she held her hand to Teo’s sister. “I’m Amy, it’s a pleasure meeting you.”

Tasha squeezed her hand and smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Indeed. I’m really enjoying working with your brother.”

“She works out with your brother every day,” Mia corrected, nudging her. “Helps him with his new health regime.”

“He’s a great worker outer,” Amy said. “Does two hundred sit ups a night.” According to what she’d researched on the internet.

“I’m glad you’re keeping him in line,” Tasha said. “Our grandmother’s been worried about him ever since the crash in April.”

“He crashed? What happened?” Amy darted a glance at Mia for a clue on how she was supposed to respond.

“I’m not surprised he hasn’t told you,” Tasha said. “He’s so stubborn and prideful. Anyway, make sure he gets plenty of sleep and takes his vitamins. He’s lucky he got away with a broken finger and toe.”

A gasp from the crowd drew everyone’s attention to the track. A rider cartwheeled over his bike. A second bike swerved wide to avoid the downed bike, and a plume of smoke blocked out the action.

Amy’s heart struggled to jackhammer from her chest. The bike that crashed was blue, just like Teo’s. She strained to squint and see while swallowing a lump in her throat.

Everyone directed their attention to the jumbotron monitor while the surviving racers rounded another tight turn and came toward them. Blue. Blue. Blue. Amy’s hands clutched in front of her chest. A blue bike streaked down the straightway. Number sixty-nine. Teo was safe. But Ronaldo was down. The cameras zoomed in on him. He leaped up a little too quickly, gave a thumbs up, and wobbled onto the grass where medics met him. Good. He hadn’t been hurt badly.

Tasha tapped Amy’s arm. “Teo’s okay. I’ll never forget the day I saw him slide out. It was a spectacular crash, but when it’s someone you care about, everything changes.”

Everything had changed. Amy grit her teeth and begged her heart to settle down. She didn’t know Teo from Adam, couldn’t care less about him. And even though no one was hurt, her heart continued to beat like war drums. Each menacing roar of the motors brought cold sweat along with the realization that death could occur in a split second.

A cold spear of ice threaded through her heart. Why was Teo racing? What did Mia mean about it being sad? There was something pathetic about a guy who had everything money could buy risking his life for a sport, a momentary thrill, a borderline of fame. Was his life so shallow? And if not, why did the thought of missing out on Teo’s life crater her heart into her stomach?

* * *

Teo and Ronaldo’s after race parties were legendary. While other contestants huddled in motor homes or retired to bug-ridden motels, the two sons of billionaires rented a suite at the same posh estate they’d had their team dinner. Whether they won or lost, they had reason to celebrate the fact they lived to race another day.

Tonight was no different. Teo had finished a respectable fifth, and he was ready to party. He stepped out of the shower and dried his hair.

Ronaldo stood in front of the sink, misting himself with cologne. “Mia says Amy didn’t make a good show in front of your sister today.”

“Why? What happened?” Teo tugged a T-shirt over his head and shoulders. “Was she sick?”

“More like iceberg cold. She wasn’t the least bit worried about you crashing. Tasha said she continued to watch the race with a bloodlust gleam in her eye, as if watching crashes were the main reason to spectate.”

Ronaldo was the drama king. He seemed to enjoy wrecking his bike and rehashing every incident. His arm candy women were expected to ooze concern over every bruise.

“Maybe Amy’s just stoic. I can’t have her falling apart after every crash.” Teo spritzed his chest with cologne to cover the twisty twinge in his heart that she might not care at all. “She better be coming to the party, or Tasha will suspect she’s not really my girlfriend.”

“No worries there.” Ronaldo combed his sleek hair. “I told Tasha it was still early in your relationship. Amy and you only met a week ago in Los Angeles.”

Teo pulled on a pair of jeans. “Did she buy it? What do you think she’ll tell Oba-chan?”

“Doesn’t matter what she says. Your job is to figure out why Amy didn’t seem to care if you lived or died.”

“Whatever. You’re the one who crashed, not me. I’m sure she’ll act real friendly at the party, at least friendly enough for a fake girlfriend.”

Ronaldo brushed his hair back, his upper lip twisted to one side. “You have to up your game and get her to fall in love with you. She might be able to fool a studio audience, but not a grandmother.”

“Especially mine.” Teo wiped gel into his hair. “What more can I do to convince her I’m into her? I’m sleeping alone these days. Shouldn’t that count?”

“What a big sacrifice you made.” Ronaldo threw a punch on Teo’s bicep. “Poor baby. Did your dick shrivel off from inactivity?”

“Shut it.” Teo packed his clothes into an overnight bag. “It’s time to take my relationship with Amy to the next level. Watch and learn.”

Fifteen minutes later, he arrived at the ballroom doused in his most sexy cologne, Le Male Terrible. A few of his many half-brothers and sisters were there, but most of them were scattered around the world thanks to his father’s fertility and money.

“Teo!” His sister Tasha, the one closest to his age, spread her arms for a hug. Her mother had held onto his father longest, being a Greek heiress.

Teo smooched her on both cheeks and spotted Amy chatting with Ronaldo who had his arm around her shoulder. Teo’s jaw tightened. Ronaldo would always have the advantage where Amy was concerned, since his family included Hollywood producers and directors and his grandmother was Amanda Silver, the doyen of movie casting.

Tasha patted his shoulders and straightened his collar. “Ronaldo’s too much of a flirt. He’s not used to you having a real girlfriend. Frankly, I’m surprised too. Amy doesn’t seem like your type.”

“In what way?” Teo’s gaze tracked Ronaldo and Amy as they made their way to the bar. Amy was wearing a clingy dress displaying her well-toned curves. Platform stilettos brought her eye level to Ronaldo’s five and a half feet, but she’d still be comfortably below his five-nine. Racers weren’t chosen for bulk, but speed and agility, especially since the rider and bike’s combined weight had to edge as close to the allowed limit as possible.

“Not that you’ve ever had a girlfriend before.” Tasha laughed. “Amy doesn’t worship the ground you walk on. You sure you can handle it?”

“She’s exactly what I want. I can’t handle a needy woman.” He strode toward Amy and peeled her out of Ronaldo’s arms.

“Hey, sweetie.” He placed a delicate kiss on her lips, just a brush, not enough to mess up her lipstick. “You look sexy hot. Enjoying the party?”

From the corner of his eye, he noticed the cameraman. Dang. Whatever response from her would be scripted. Sure enough, she smiled, her eyes lighting up on cue.

“Not until you showed up.” Her fingers traced over his collarbone. “You’re not looking half bad yourself.”

The blush on her cheeks. Was that real? If not, she was an awesome actress.

“What will you have to drink?” He raised his eyebrow at a waiter, eager to play her game of mock seduction.

“Whatever you’re having.” She seemed oblivious to Ronaldo and the drink he tried to wedge between them.

A flush of pride puffed Teo’s chest. Ronaldo might have his pick of chicks, but tonight, he was getting the brush off from the one who mattered. This actress idea was fabulous, especially since all the paparazzi were out in full force. Oba-chan was sure to be stalking on social media.

Teo picked two champagne flutes from the waiter and handed one to Amy. “I owe you a walk in the gardens. No tulips this time of the year, but lots of private space.”

He didn’t understand why he wanted to get away from the spotlight, especially since his goal was to showcase Amy everywhere he went as his real girlfriend.

She took his offered arm and nodded, smiling at him as if he were a prince. “You’re a naughty boy, Mr. Alexiou. The camera crew didn’t bring spotlights.”

“Good, let’s go for the darkest corner and give them the slip,” he whispered. “I’ll meet you out back beside the peeing baby fountain.”

“Sounds like fun.” She licked her lips and drained the rest of the champagne flute. Twirling so that her short dress fluttered above her panty line, she sashayed toward the powder room.