Page 44 of Downforce

Is that concern in her voice?

The question unintentionally escapes my lips, and as soon as the words are out, Annalise’s hand is on her hip.

“Concern for the team,” she reiterates.

“Right,” I say sarcastically. Not because I necessarily think she’s concerned about me performing well, but because I can’t help myself from goading her, pushing her since something inside of me wants to see how far I can go.

“I’m not going to dignify that with a response.” She turns toward the door behind her.

“The better I perform, the worse chances your brother has of winning another championship." I don’t know where that came from, but it appeared the second I thought of her disappearing behind her hotel door.

Turning back to me, she makes a disbelieving sound with her mouth.

“Please, you are the furthest thing from a threat to Travis.”

Red descends over my gaze as I step closer.

“What did you say, princess?” I snarl.

“Jealousy is the green-eyed monster that mocks the meat it feeds on,” she says casually, her tone uppity.

“Is that another one of your movie quotes?” I step even closer, unwittingly dissolving the space between us.

She pulls a face. “Aren’t you British?”

“Half,” I answer, though I rarely claim my Brazilian heritage. Mostly because I don’t need to since everyone knows who my father was and because I grew up in London.

“You should know one of the greatest plays ever written by the foremost playwright.”

“Shakespeare fan,” I reply.

“I don’t trust anyone who isn’t.”

That’s the last thing she says before my lips are on hers. Do not ask me how we got from my dragging her back to her hotel, kicking and screaming, to me kissing her, but here we are.

I take a second to allow myself to savor the pillowy softness of her lips against mine. The gasp of surprise she lets out parts those pillows for me, allowing me the briefest taste of what’s inside.

I can’t take full advantage because almost as soon as it started, the kiss ends.

Annalise’s hand presses against my chest, pushing me away. Heeding her refusal, I pull away, although everything inside of me desires more.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” she whisper-yells.

The tone of her voice—her rejection—snaps my brain back online, and I realize what the hell I’ve just done. I take a step back.

The moment I do, an irrational anger comes down over me.

“Right,” I say tersely. “I have to remember that I’m not good enough for you.”

I turn on my heels and head straight for the staircase, calling myself an arse for the bullshit I just pulled all of the way to my room.

CHAPTER 14

Annalise

Walking into the second level of the paddock, I am relieved to see that no one else is in here. There’s less than an hour before the Suzuka race and the drivers are in the middle of the driver’s parade. I watched the crowd cheer as they all waved while rounding the track, but then I remembered all of the emails waiting for my attention and decided to do a little work before the start of the race.

At least, that’s what I tell myself. The other reason I decided to escape the chaos downstairs is because every time the camera panned to Max, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. All I kept thinking about is the feel of his lips moving over mine, four nights ago.