Disclaimer: I don't own Fast and the Furious.
Rating: Strong T
Warnings: None really.
A/N: Thank you reviewing, reading, alerting and favouriting. On with the story…
Chapter Three: Boys and their Toys
There were a lot of things Rome expected when he walked into the garage. Brian, Tej or Rome working on a car being top on the list, not a fine as hell ass sticking out from the hood of a Camero covered in black shorts and begging to be smacked. Seriously, it was like the thing was calling him to take a squeeze, and he wasn't even trying to fight it, tipping his head to the side to take a better look.
Dom had found the spare he was looking for, but stopped in his tracks to witness something that was bound to be entertaining. And the closer Rome got, practically licking his lips in anticipation, he debated on who to warn –Rome about his arm getting ripped off if he went through with his intentions, or Rayne whose booty was popping out of the hood provocatively.
So close, all he had to do was reach out a bit more and he'd be in heaven –
"Your hand gets any closer, and you'll be pulling back a stump," the booty owner called from under the hood, just when he was he was flexing his hand readying it for a squeeze.
Dom laughed, silently approaching the pair as Rome quickly debated on whether the consequences of his actions, and he seemed to conclude that the punishment was worth the crime.
"I'd think again, unless your thinking of castration too," that one did it, as Rome's hand fell to his side still twitching for a touch and Rayne finally reappeared from under the hood, with a satisfied smirk. "Good boy."
Dom smiled, "Rayne this in Rome, a friend when I choose to claim him," aware of his friend still openly admiring the visible curves and skin Rayne had to offer. Her shorts weren't offensively short, but were short enough to get a guys pulse racing with the legs and ass she had on her. The grey t-shirt kept most covered, but clung here and there to emphasize her small waist and generous chest.
"Ah, no wonder you keep him hidden," she commented, eyeing Rome with a curious raised eyebrow. "Should I get you pictures?" Discrete wasn't the guy's strong suit.
Rome smirked, "No need, every inch of you is engraved in a special part of mind." She was really working the whole hour glass with the hips and thighs.
"Okay Romeo here's the deal," she stepped closer, playing with the collar of his over shirt. "You lost the chance of me being interested when you tried feeling on my ass a few minutes ago. But if it's a consolation, you are nice to look at," patting his chest in comfort, before breezing away from him to get something from the back.
Dom shook his head, snapping Rome's attention back to him from Rayne's ass by smacking him upside the head. "So what did you need, Rome?"
"You know that ain't cool man," rubbing the back of his head, but breaking into a shit-eating grin that told of scam coming up. "But, I'll let it go 'cause you my boy, in fact I brought you a present."
"A present," Dom repeated disbelievingly.
"Yeah and this one you'll like," throwing an arm round, pointing out a Celica. "A Michelangelo masterpiece fully loaded and you getting first dibs as buyer. You interested?"
He could see right through, Rome's attempt. "How much do you need," he said, getting straight to the point, because the guy was capable of going round the point for an hour just to get to it when he'd reached the person brink of sanity.
"I'm just offering you sweet deal for a car by a mech you respect," Rome raised his hands in surrender. "But, if you ain't interested I've got other buyers," making for the door hoping, Dom took his bluff and bought the car.
Dom shook his head, "How much Rome? For real, if I've got it, I'll help you out."
"I can't let you do that, Dom," Rome conceded. "Look, I'll figure it out."
"You're family, Rome and family helps family," Dom reminded him. "Now what's the problem?"
Sighing in defeat, he spilled. "I kind of haven't paid my rent for three months and the landlord's threatening to kick my ass out by tomorrow if I don't have the cash. As you can see I've got a car but no takers, so I'm stuck."
"How much," Dom asked for the third time.
"Ten grand including this month's rent," he cringed hating that he was bringing this to the guy. "But, like I said I'll figure it out. You need cash for this place, so forget about it."
"Can you give him half to tide him over?" Dom asked, trying to find a solution.
"Trust me, man. I've talked myself ass backward with this guy and all I could get was 24hrs or my ass will be on the streets."
The problem wasn't finding a race to win in; it was raising the capital to get him in the race that was the problem. Rome was probably dry and he'd spent the last dime on paying off suppliers, so he wasn't spotting any cash at the moment. "There's always the room at the house."
"Me and Vince, under one roof?"
Dom raised an eyebrow, "it's either that or you'll be sleeping in that Michelangelo you've been trying to hustle."
"I'll get my stuff," Rome conceded. Besides, he wasn't willing to part with Michelangelo just yet. "I'll see you around Mami," he called out as a goodbye to the brunette.
"In your dreams, Romeo," Rayne contradicted with a smile.
With a salacious smirk and a long slow one over, "Oh I can't wait," leaving a wink in his wake.
Rayne gave out an uncertain laugh not sure what to think. He was a slight perv but he seemed relatively harmless except of course, for him trying to grab her ass. "Family member you are embarrassed by but, tolerate because he's family?" she inquiry, walking back to the car. She'd heard most of the conversation, but chose not to comment on it. Besides, she hated eavesdropping. "Do I have to worry about him coming in and grabbing my ass?"
"Not unless you want him to," he answered, making her falter in her steps. She definitely wasn't expecting him to answer her rhetorical question.
She chuckled, unable to say anything after that little comment. What exactly could she say to that? Best to keep her mouth shut, even though all she wanted to do was wipe that smug smile off his face she was sure he was spotting at the moment.
-~*+*~-:Fast and Furious:-~*+*~-
The first thing she noticed when she walked in was the very female behind sticking out of a blue Camero that was disturbingly familiar to her. Familiar in the sense that, she was sure the ass sticking out of it was a brunette that had caught his eye in the recent week.
"Dom!" she called out, ready to yell something wicked if he hired the girl to work at the garage. His infatuation with her, Letty could stand but bring her in and having another O'Conner situation? Screw that!
She found him in the office looking over something, already looking up startled by her yell. "You hired her really?" she demanded, banging the door shut and keeping her voice short of a shout.
"Letty –" he began, trying to get a word in before she began to yell.
"No, this is business Dom, so I've got free reign in it," placing hand on the table and leaning in. "You're hiring to get into her pants now?"
Dom sighed, wishing he'd anticipated this when he let Rayne work on her car in the shop. "Can I talk now?" He inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"Talk," She let her fight die down marginally, but kept her defiance in her stance –arms crossed over her chest, hip tipped to the side and eyebrow raise in question, daring him to lie to her.
"She's paying to use our tools and space, so she can work on her car herself," Dom told her simply, leaning back in his chair. "I didn't hire her."
She scoffed, "oh come on, what was she wearing when she convinced you to do that?" oh she forgot, the shorts. Dom had always been a booty guy, and the one stick out of that hood was enough to sway him to seeing things the brunette's way. "Nix and Fox, her friends work in a garage, one slightly bigger than this one and she just has to work on the car here? You can't be serious!"
"She's paying for it," Dom argued keeping calm, knowing how much she loved a good fight. "She'll probably be out of here by mid week, work around her."
"Just so we're clear, I don't like this," were her last words as she stormed out, blatantly ignoring the brunette.
Rayne knew when she wasn't wanted or liked, and from the moment Letty saw her, the petite brunette had disliked her and it didn't look like it would change any time soon by the looks of it. These people were a family and she was probably causing a rift between them by being there. It may not be her family, but she wouldn't cause trouble for one. So, wiping her hands clean she walked over to the office the Latina had just stormed out of, knocking on the door frame to gain Dom's attention. "As much as the door was closed, she wasn't exactly whispering," she began, leaning on the frame and catching his eye to let him know she was sincere with her next words. "If it causing issues, me working on the car here, I can figure something out. The major problems been fixed, so it won't be a problem. I can pay for today though."
"She –"
"Doesn't like me that much, I get it," she smiled understandingly. "I'll call Fox to tow it over to Cass."
"You sure about that?"
She smiled, "positive," she assured him, "So, can I get an estimate?"
-~*+*~-:Fast and Furious:-~*+*~-
He wasn't surprise when Vince sauntered into his office, plopping down on a chair looking to talk. "So I hear the Cassidy chick's working on her Camero here." It wasn't accusatory or a question, just a statement in observation.
"Was," Dom corrected. "Fox came in and towed it out a few hours ago."
Vince nodded, "and Rome came into the house with a duffle bag saying you told him he can move in. You're kidding me right?" letting the topic go, to much more bigger and current problems.
"There are no bruises on your face, so I'm guessing you didn't get in fist fight?" Dom noted.
"First O'Conner, and now his buster friend?"
Dom raised an eyebrow, his tone sober, "You know the way it is V, if he's family he's got a place at the house –no questions asked."
"But, Rome?" Vince repeated, wincing at the thought of sharing a house with that idiot. He was only barely tolerating O'Conner as it is, but it was Dom's ultimate decision in the end so he'd have to go with it.
-~*+*~-:Fast and Furious:-~*+*~-
"… I just want to see what the hype is about, that's all," Maya assured, after finally convincing Rayne to take her along to the DT garage for paying for the invoice.
Rayne raised an eyebrow rethinking this whole family excursion. The plan was to drop Maya off at school, then head over to pay off the estimate Dom had given her, but somehow between the apartment and school Maya and her big blue eyes had convinced her that it was much easier to just pass by the garage first then head to the high school since she had study hall and wouldn't be missing anything. Of course the blue eyed brunette had failed to disclose the fact that her little manipulation was to see the 'King of LA' up close and in person. "Why do I feel like I just got played?"
"You didn't get played," Maya assured her, "I just didn't tell you the whole truth about why I wanted to come along. The study hall wasn't a lie though, I swear."
"So what's the hype?" Rayne asked, curious to know what Maya could possibly know about.
"That he's muy clienté in that dark and dangerous way," Maya gushed mockingly. "I'm just quoting here, and before you start the suspicious 'have you been street racing?' line of questioning, it's info from heresay, because come on – I go to a school filled with trust fund kids, with too much money to waste and energy to burn, where do you think they spend their Friday nights?"
"You better hope so, May, because if I see you're scrawny, little, doe-eyed ass at a race wearing next to nothing, Nicole's wrath won't match the can of whoop ass I'll unleash on you," It was hypocritical, she knew but she would lay down her life for her baby sister-in-law to keep her out of trouble. If there was someone who was relatively normal in their little family, it was Maya despite it all and she wanted to keep it that way.
Maya rolled her eyes, "Bad decisions and racing, are for the older Cassidy's, me, I'd rather not step in it. Thank you very much." It was true like every family member she had an unusual love and passion for cars, but racing wasn't her thing and that wouldn't be changing ever. "But, with that said, is he… a ten?"
"He's … someone you'll have to judge for yourself," Rayne said, not wanting to fall into the trap Maya was creating. Slowing down, she pulled into the garage groaning a little bit at the sight of Letty. She didn't hate her or harbor ill feelings for her, but she didn't like being around people who disliked her. The Latina obvious couldn't stand her for some reason, and the bearded guy watched her like a hawk whenever she was around Dom. "Uh, what do you think you're doing?"
"Stretching my legs," Maya answered easily, slipping out of the car like it was nothing. As much as Rayne was mellower than both Nicole, Kane she was still protective and obviously averse to her getting out of the car.
Rayne glared, smacking herself upside the head internally for her lapse in judgment. It was even more glaringly when Maya and her big doe-eyes stared interestedly at Brian who passed by, giving her a soft smile and a 'hello'. "May," she called, but the teen was entranced. "Maya!" her tone barely a shout, finally getting her attention, "Don't even think about it."
"Looking is not a crime," looking around the older brunette at the blue-eyed, blonde wonder boy. Now, he was off limits, but so damn fine and the smile…
Rayne stepped in her eye line, blocking her gaze. "Girly, you step a foot beyond this car and I will –"
"Yeah, yeah heads will roll," Maya completed, "now could you do your thing, so I can suss the 'King' out?"
There was nothing she could do to rectify the situation, without calling attention to them so she turned around walking toward the Latina and tall, brunette man but barely made it within steps of her before Letty yelled out for him, "Dom!"
Maya could see the apprehension the petite brunette and bearded man held for Rayne for a mile off, and studied them critically to ensure they weren't a threat. But, at the sound of a deep and undeniably male voice answering, her head whipped back around to see a brawny man in a wife beater making an appearance. He was… intimidating, and this was her saying it with a brother like Kane in her repertoire who smiled only when the sun shone and it rained at the same time –that is rarely.
Most took advantage for the whole grace period until the last minute to pay an invoice, but Rayne seemed not to one of them, coming to pay what she owed so bright and early Monday morning. "For someone who preaches American," he began, looking past her at the sleek, black BMW that had a teenage girl leaning against, big blue eyes startling when his eyes landed on her briefly to assess her. Judging from the look of her he would put her past 16, crisp white uniform shirt and plaid skirt that in his opinion was a little too short for a girl her age –private school he guessed. "That sure looks like an import to me."
"Okay, fine maybe it is, but it's not mine," Rayne quickly defended, "It's hers."
"Pretty expensive car," he noted off handedly, because teenagers who weren't trust fund brats didn't drive around in cars like that.
Rayne shrugged, shocking herself with the truth, "She's the baby of the family, and her brother likes to spoil her hence the import," it was too personal a blurt, but she couldn't take it back.
"Whatever you say," he smiled, pointing toward the office so they could get away from all the eyes; his eyes easily falling to her hips and butt, watching their sway in her black pants.
He was watching, she could feel it on her like a phantom touch but, like the last few times they'd met she wouldn't let that gaze get to her. "I'll admit that I drive them from time to time," she continued her argument easily. "But, I'm still true to my views, you on the other hand, Toretto, you're a car whore," her slick mouth easily coming to play, when she was trying to regain her bearings after her slip moments ago.
"What?" he asked in a disbelieving laugh, because no way she said what he heard.
She raised an eyebrow, "'I'm a boy who appreciates a good body, regardless of the make.'" Repeating his words to her the first time they met again in the garage. "That's suave for, 'Imma try every engine if the car looks pretty and doesn't satisfy me, but hey I don't discriminate.' You my friend are either a straight up car whore or you're not being honest with yourself." She explained, with a smile unrepentant for her observation.
"So, it's wrong to appreciate all models?" he asked, challenging her quirked eyebrow with his, eyes piercing hers.
She bit her lower lip in thought, drawing his gaze there for a split second before returning to her hazel-green orbs. "Hey, there is nothing wrong with being a car whore," she chided, with an engaging smile, "but we both know there is a certain car –make and model that makes your blood race. Be honest."
Her gaze challenged him, dared him to look her straight in the eye and deny her words. There was something admittedly sexy in the way she was calling him out, while looking him dead in the eye. "Dodge," her smile widened encouragingly, "Charger R/T, 1970."
"See, that wasn't so hard was it," she winked, taking a seat and allowing him to get to it. "Mine, is '67 Chevy Impala, by the way," watching him write out a receipt for her.
"Are you?" He asked not looking at her, "Honest?" Eyes finally, finding her own. He was asking her more than what was said face value, looking for an answer in the distrusting glint in her eyes.
Taking out the exact amount from her jacket pocket, she thought carefully about the answer, "About cars? Hell yes. About anything else that comes out of my mouth… that's debatable," she finally said, looking him in the eyes like he wanted. Whether, dishonesty was dancing in their depths she didn't know, but all things pointed to him being suspicious of her.
…
Maya entertained herself, by glancing round the garage and trying to avoid staring at Brian or the scene going on in the office. Sure the enclosure was … private, but not completely with the shades open. Now, she was pretty sure it didn't take as long as it was taking to sign an invoice, making her wonder.
The look 'King of LA' or 'Dom' gave Rayne when he walked out was … let's just say if he looked at her like that she'd be weak in the knees. Heck, a glance in her direction and she had felt startled but that whole smoldering eye thing…
"What's he doing designing and printing the frigging receipt?" Letty asked, impatiently.
Vince squeezed her shoulder in comfort, "Let, relax."
"So what do you think the deal is with blue eyes?" Letty asked, not raising her voice to be heard by the teenager, but not subtle either. Brown locks were shiny and sleek held back in a plate down her back, white shirt loose enough to not be offensive, but the plaid skirt, white knee socks and black flats were a pervs catholic school girl fantasy, but recognizable enough. Eden Hills Academy, prissy rich kid school in the Hills and the car confirmed social standing, "Daughter?"
Brian chuckled, "Rayne's what, 25 at most. Now unless she was doing the horizontal mambo at 9, you're way off base." Letty was determined to hate the girl. Skanks she couldn't stand but was impartial to whatever Dom did with them, but people taking advantage of the brawny racer she would take out the claws.
"And you don't think there's something off with this Rayne girl?"
Brian raised his hands in surrender, "I'm staying out of it."
"You would wouldn't you?" Vince told him, snidely.
With time comes sophistication into the previously unorganized scene of the underground. Different syndicates running circuit in each city, usually the crew that contains the top dog, known as Kings. Kings, or number one, has the right to pick the Race Runner who of course handles all bet and wagers placed on the racers.
Circuit races accommodate at most four racers each time, with wages ranging from as little as $5000 to as much as a pink slip. Drag or straight races are usually reserved for challenges and rank challenges, allowing two racers or four depending on circumstance. But one has to wonder with, Syndicates and Kings at play, if this addictive world isn't one step shy of the mafia?
It was the third Friday since the beginning of her assignment, she found herself in the midst of the racing crowd. Long ago, this had been all she needed, being at the event alone had been enough, but now she felt like an outsider looking in. Sure, the general scene was the same but the working seemed foreign. The only people that provided the tiniest bit of comfort in the fray was Tej, Nix and Fox; the latter two because they were familiar and Tej because he didn't have an agenda.
Nix was across the way and thankfully engrossed in Letty to pay her too much unwanted attention. He was still giving her the eyes, the ones he used when he was psycho analyzing her trying to gauge whether she was 'looking' at Dom. Now, Rayne would admit that Dom was hard not to notice and when he looked at her, she couldn't help look back but she wasn't stupid enough to get sucked in. And flirting never hurt anybody.
Fox was in the processes of receiving groupie love from racer girls who couldn't get enough of that smile he graced them with. But the blonde was keeping a close eye on her too, yet keeping his distance. Her, well she was lounged comfortably on the hood of her car, scanning the crowd with feigned interest. It was the end of the month, so Tej was busy handling rank races as well as an influx of regular races.
"Well, what do we have here?" Dante smirked, blocking her view of Dom's crew obviously wanting something.
She rolled her eyes, but humored him anyway. "Dante, what do you need?"
"Can't I just come by and say hello to my favorite chica," he tried for a charming grin, but failed miserably when it came off pervy. His hazel eyes running over her body like he was stripping off her clothing. "You've gotten even hotter after dumping the Carambano, mami."
Rayne rolled her eyes, "Dan, why don't you do yourself a favor and go flash that dimpled smile at a chica who cares?" Yes, Dante was good looking, but the fact that he was an all round jackass overrode the good qualities making him unattractive. Racer girls and groupies were crazy about the dimples he flashed each time he smiled, but she could care less.
"Alright, if that's the way you want to be," Dante surrendered, but not before caressing the tattoo on her naked ankle. "But, if you ever want to be with a man that can satisfy you, you know my number," winking at her, after she violently snatched her ankle from her grasp.
Rayne chuckled humorlessly, not even wanting to dignify it with an answer. The guy was a man-whore and probably had skills in bed, but she wasn't at all interested in finding out.
"He causing you trouble?" The bearded male that she knew to be part of Dom's crew asked which was shocking in itself. For one, the guy didn't seem to like her very much and kept his distance otherwise.
She nodded, reeling in her shock. "He's all talk, no action," watching him closely for a catch, but couldn't find any as he leaned on the hood of the front of her car. "I don't think we've met yet, I'm Rayne."
"I know," he stated, scanning the crowd and partially ignoring her like she was a nuisance than anything. More so, he didn't seem all that ready to offer up a name and she didn't push. "I'm Vince."
She didn't acknowledge she'd heard, because he didn't want her to. The reason for him gracing her with his reluctant presence became clear when she spotted the absence of Dom and Nix from across the way. Fox was talking over wagers with Tej, readying himself for his race, a double take –rank as well a wage. "Fox is unlikely to ask," she finally broke the silence. "So, I'm guessing Nix?" Did they really think she was that incapable of taking care of herself?
"Whatever you need to believe, sweetheart," he shrugged, not really in the mood to correct her. That, no, it wasn't Nix who asked him to look over her, but Dom. The minute Dante approached the brunette and touched her, his best friend had seen trouble, asking him to look over her. To be honest, he could blame his current location on Dom 'til the cows came home, but facts were he was here because he didn't want her getting hurt either. For whatever reason, other than the obvious physical ones, Dom had some sort of affection for her and was already extending his protective streak toward her which by extension included him. The girl was trouble no matter how you sliced it, but it was better to stay close he guessed. "But, I'm here."
"Or maybe you're here to watch me," she observed, her eyebrow raised when he faced her.
He finally let a smile slip, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Since we're talking straight, I don't trust your pretty little ass as far as I can throw you."
"A lot further than, I anticipated," she joked, earning her an unimpressed look. "Maybe this will go a lot smoother if we didn't talk, so I'll just back off now."
"Best thing that's crossed those pouty lips of yours all night," he concurred. Threatening women had never been, nor would it be a strong suit. So it all came out softer than intended, slipping body parts he found attractive into the conversation.
The rest of the time before Nix made an appearance again, was spent in silence. Was it pleasant? Not particularly. It was tense, but tolerable because they'd both reached an understanding.
"I leave you for a while and you're tolerating Vince," Nix asked, with a warm smile that suited his face more than the contemplative scowl. "What's next, a slumber party with Letty?"
Rayne snorted, "Yeah, and we're going to paint our nail and braid each other's hair too," sliding over to the edge of the hood, she rested her chin on his shoulder with an arm thrown over his shoulder. "Next time you want to get me a body guard, get me someone who actually likes me. More stimulating conversation to be had that way."
"Wait, you think I did that?" Nix asked, turning his head slightly to look at her. Frankly, he'd left for the race against Dom and some other two trust fund novices, and assumed Fox was around. But, the blonde was nowhere in sight and Vince had taken his place, which could only mean one thing. Dom was behind it, because no one convinced Vince to do anything outside his will except Letty, Dom or Mia. Mia wasn't around so it wasn't her doing, Letty couldn't tolerate Rayne as is, so her safety wasn't the Latina's priority, leaving Dom who had a possible stake. How did he know that look would be trouble?
Rayne rolled her eyes at his denial, "Okay, I'll bite. If it wasn't you who would it be? Fox can't exactly tell Vince to do a damn thing…" her voice trailed off when it clicked and shocked the hell out of her. Dom? Outside her two friends, he was the only viable choice in the matter especially the way Nix was eye him in suspicion, "Yeah, right."
"I thought we'd talked about this?" Nix told her calmly.
Sighing, she extracted herself from him knowing what he was thinking, "Talked about what Nix, I didn't do anything? If anything, he probably noticed what a guard dog you are and did you favor. He doesn't know me well enough."
"You have no idea who Dom is, do you?" he chuckled, running a hand over his face to curb hysteria. "But you know, whatever I say goes in one ear and comes out the other, so, I won't even bother."
Rayne rolled her eyes, ignoring Nix's melodramatics for an all too pleased with himself Fox, swaggering toward them obviously, "So, how'd it go?" approaching him with a warm smile.
"I am number 4," he was able to get out, before she barreled into him encasing him in a tight, congratulatory hug which he returned when he managed to catch his breath and regained his balance.
Pulling away she smiled brightly, arm wound around his waist. "We need to celebrate. Who's up for drinks?" eyes passing over Nix and Fox, awaiting approval for her plan. Mostly her suggestion was to get Nix's mind off his notations onto something else, like getting liquored up because Letty wasn't looking too welcoming.
"I could drink," Fox shrugged, throwing an arm around Rayne's shoulder. "Even better when it's free, how do you feel about a party?"
It wasn't something she would have liked, but she was beyond caring especially when Nix was still eyeing her in suspicion. She had no clue why Dom did what he did, but she didn't exactly ask him for it. "I say what the hell, free booze right?" The booze encourage meant was mostly for Fox, she'd never been a drinker and wouldn't be starting anytime soon. Tonight, she was the designated driver.
As luck would have it, said party, was at the Toretto residence and Nix wasn't too impressed, but suppressed it in favor of the plus of Letty being there, abandoning her and Fox as soon as they stepped in the house. The distance from the door to the kitchen where the drinks were kept was relatively short, but lengthened with all the stops they had to make due to Fox's adorning fans.
Finding an undisturbed spot on a counter and a Red Bull, she set out to spend the night in solitude typing out inspired sentences for her article when they came to her. Being an introvert wasn't how people who knew her describe her, but most would label her so if they found her sipping on a Red Bull and typing on her Blackberry ever so often.
Karen was being especially affectionate that night obviously looking for something. Not that Dom was opposed to it, because she was someone who understood he wasn't looking for a relationship and was quite the sight. But, he'd yet to have a drink and was thirsting for one. Imagine his surprise when he found, Rayne lounging on a counter, looking back at him with a curious eye, "want one?" he asked offering her bottle, but she shook her head.
"Not much of a drinker, but thanks for offering," she smiled, playing with the empty Red Bull can, "designated driver tonight." He didn't need to know about her non-drinker status.
He laughed, because it was only her who could say something like that. It was a party with free drinks and reign, and she chose to be the designated driver. It was becoming exceedingly clear that she would never figure him out even if she tried, other than the fact she was someone to watch out for. "Why do you race?"
"Why do you ask?" she countered, leaning back against the shelves feeling comfortable yet unhinged in his presence, but her eyes couldn't break his gaze for the world. His eyes were something she couldn't stop admiring or fearing. There was something addictive about their intensity, about their ability to look right through her even if scared her at the same time.
"A girl like you in this scene, racing doesn't make sense," he didn't mean to insult her, but make an observational remark. If anything he meant it as a complement because she stood out in the crowd, but fit in just enough to fool someone not looking closely. It wasn't because she had a college degree, Tej had it too. But, it was in the way she dissolved into a world so cleanly and without question that was curious. No novice no matter how talented drove the way she did, it called for experience.
Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "A girl like me?" wanting an elaboration.
"Straight laced," he said, even if it didn't quite describe her, not exactly
A laugh couldn't help escape her, "Straight laced, I guess that's a compliment," jumping off the counter to dig for another Red Bull, in the sea of Coronas. "But, straight laced don't race do they?" she challenged, finding her drink.
"No they don't," he conceded, taking a sip wondering if he'd offended her and if she'd answered.
She opened the can, letting him stew in it for a moment before the power of his gaze had her ready to shift in nervousness and discomfort. "It's 200mph therapy," she stated like it explained everything, smiling even if she wasn't in her car. "Shit may hit the fan, but when I'm in a car hitting 200mph pushing the engine to its capabilities, it all disappears and I feel… calm," unable to meet his eye after her confession. Most of it was true and that was unsettling, "How about you?"
"Why I race?" He asked the rhetorical question, "Similar reasons I guess. A quarter mile is enough to forget all the crap around you. Enough to free you for ten seconds or less," surprised they had similar views. Most didn't understand his reasons, thinking he was all about the glory but the way she thought, she understood. The way she looked at him with her hazel-green eyes sucked him in like nothing else. Even with the doubt that surrounded her, he was drawn to her.
Rayne bit her lips tearing her eyes, "Doesn't hurt to be the best though," raising an eyebrow, daring him to lie about it.
"It has its benefits," he agreed, eyes unconsciously giving her a once over. It was impossible to be near her without taking her in, and she didn't need to wear next to nothing to attract attention either. The dark denim hugged her curves, ending midway down her calf, and a shirt the fell of one shoulder. Even her feet were in flat black shoes instead of heels. He liked it.
His brown eyes tracing her form, felt like his large hands were the ones skimming her body. "Like girls throwing themselves at you more than usual?" she offered, with a sly smile stepping closer to him. "Not that you need the extra boost."
"Is that right?" he inquired, his hand slipping closer to her hip on the counter.
Every alarm was going off in her head, to stop this flirtation with him but the magnetic pull he had over her always seemed to fight and resist it. Even though his form and persona radiated danger and power, his actual personality was anything but. His magnetism though was something to be scared of, because he drew people in even on stand-by.
Whatever was occurring or about to occur was stopped in its tracks when someone barreled through the door. Dom didn't bat a glance in the intruder's direction, more than happy to see what was hanging heavily in the air between them. But, Karen voice had the effectiveness of a cold shower bringing him back to the present, where the red head had remained waiting for him to get a drink before they proceeded to his room.
"Well, I see you're busy," Karen commented, a slight bitterness invaded her tone even if she tried to hide it. Dom didn't belong to anyone, she knew but tonight he was meant to be hers, and now some brunette heifer was trying to interfere with that?
Rayne smiled, not taking her eyes off him. "I was just leaving," stepping away from him, to find Fox. If she was right, the blonde male was tittering on the edge of tipsy right about then and on the verge of making stupid decisions, like prepositioning another bat-shit crazy broad for the night.
He didn't even attempt subtly, when he watched her sway out of the room; her legs, hips and ass holding his attention, until she was completely out of sight.
Fox was in happy land on the makeshift dance floor in the backyard, sandwiched between two touchy-feely groupies that looked more than ready to get it on right then and there, even share if they had to. True to her assumption, Fox was on the precipice of sobriety and tipsiness where he got loose and horny. In other words, it wasn't the time to step in. When the drunkenness finally settled, that was when she'd drag his ass home before he did something he regretted.
Her options for company rested on Tej, and she didn't hesitate sauntering over. "Tej, Tej, Tej. I'm disappointed; you don't call, you don't write… it makes a girl feel unwanted."
"Well, Ray C how can I make it up to you?" Tej smiled at his favorite racer, female wise that is. Girl could brighten up his day with just a smile.
Linking her arm through his she smiled, "You could dance with me?" her tone hopeful, as she looked that the dance floor. Well, what people were doing couldn't be classified dancing, bump and grind maybe, alcohol and reduced inhibition had blurred the lines of appropriateness.
"Now I wouldn't mind going there with you," Tej smiled. He wasn't much of a dancer, and as much as she was beautiful and flirted him senseless anytime she was around him, he couldn't see himself grinding on her. "But, I don't dance well and Nix would kill me slowly if we did half the things happening on that dance floor."
Rayne laughed, "Tej, sounds like you're scared of Nix."
"Scared, no; Cautious not to cross, definitely."
"Smart man," She gave him props on seeing Nix's protective pit bull side. "But, I feel like dancing even if it's all on my own," taking one last sip of her Red Bull and heading for the dance floor, just in time for the next song to begin.
The reggaton beat washed over her body, taking over as she found rhythm. Her hips of her hips fell easily into the seductive sway of the salsa, keeping her hands soft and slowing down the pace to make it gentler. Tej was watching with a smile, and she couldn't resist calling him over even if he'd say no.
Rayne movements were hard to ignore, even if Karen was more than try to keep his attention moving suggestively against his front, back resting against his chest. His eyes, however, couldn't get off the brunette a few feet away dancing by herself, showing she didn't need a partner. A part of him wondered if it was for him because the slow winding sway of her hips were a little to deliberate to be innocent, arms raised over her head. Any guys trying to get behind her to persuade her into a grind were sorely disappointed, when she pushed them away lightly and dismissively for them to back off.
He'd definitely mislabeled her earlier with the 'straight laced', not even close. She knew exactly how to work the racing scene. She could not only handle a car well, but knew exactly what she was working with under the hood. And most of the things she told him seemed sincere, but could he really trust them to be true. The things she said were a little too perfect and appropriate not to be suspicious. Even her eyes had a hidden agenda, able to sustain his gaze without looking away, before tonight though he had her pegged as a good girl trying to play bad, but there had been a downright sinful light in her eyes back in the kitchen making him rethink his assumption. And it was back in her eyes as she glanced at him over her shoulder, pure devilish seduction.
Was it possible to be attracted to someone he couldn't trust, someone he felt doubtful about each time he looked into her eyes?
Getting Fox into drunk like a skunk mode was a long process, with him having an alcohol tolerance of elephant and needing liters to get there. She didn't condone drinking to get drunk, but in this situation it was an out. Ideas were percolating and forming in her head from the earlier conversation with Dom that needed to be put down on paper. Also, if she was being truthful, she needed to get away from his gaze that was burning into her after her little dance. Stubborn and rebellious she might be, but even she knew when things were getting out of hand and it was time to book it.
"Come on Fox," pulling him away from more of his adorning fans who were clinging on for dear life, "Time to get you home and to bed."
Fox resisted sloppily, allowing a bleach-blonde to pull him into another kiss that was too tongue filled and x-rated for her tastes. "Oh but the night has just began," his smile was boyish and dreamy, falling prey to the lustful urges fuelled by his current state.
"Maybe for everyone, but not for you," her persistence was stronger than his resolve to stay. "Don't make me force you, Crane."
Despite his urges, he let her pull him away throwing an arm around her for support as they staggered out of the party. "You know Ray, you can be a real party pooper," his words holding the slightest slurr.
"Sorry, but you get stupid when you're drunk," she countered, trying not to trip on his sloppy footwork. "And bleach-blonde Betty was up there on the stupid scale," her battle to support the heavy blonde male failing with every step and she almost hit the ground, but was saved when someone else took to supporting Fox, giving her time to straighten up –lucky her that once again, it was Dom helping her.
"I'll help," pulling Fox's other arm over his shoulder, unable to watch her struggle with the six foot male with no help coming her way.
Even with her stubbornness, she couldn't reject his help when she was about the collapse under Fox's weight any minute. More grateful that he was now supporting most of her best friend's weight and she wasn't burdened too much. Since they'd arrived early she had been lucky to find a parking spot close to the house and wasn't blocked in. Fox's car would have to stay over for the night. She wasn't even surprised that he helped the less than cooperative blonde into the car.
There were no verbal goodbyes exchange, just a nod and a look which was more than enough. But she couldn't in good conscious just let him go without acknowledging him for his help and assistance. She owed him that much, right? Without hesitation, she reached out grabbing his arm, "Dom," his skin under her palm warm to the touch.
His eyes drifted down to the hand on his bicep, before slowly following it up to her face and finally finding her eyes, waiting on her to say something. He really didn't know if it was just him, but she seemed hell bent on playing with him and he was playing her game. Yet, he was still there ready to hear her out.
"Thanks," she said, after she had his attention so he could see the sincerity in her eyes. "I know Vince didn't come over for a little chit chat, so … thank you. For that and helping me with Fox," Her nerves were rising, but she easily stifled them.
"No problem," he replied acknowledging her gratitude and from what he could see it was sincere. Her hand still lay on his bicep, eyes still boring into his own. He would have said something, if she didn't surprise him by getting on her tip toes, and laying a soft kiss on his cheek before getting into her car and racing off. She seemed to like leaving him unsettled.
TBC