Thanks for all the great reviews! This chapter motors along, with the activity at the racetrack...
Chapter 17 – You Make my Motor Run
You win my love
You win my soul
You win my heart
Yeah, you get it all
You win my love
You make my motor run
You win my love, yeah you're number one
I want a heartbreak Harley
A full of steam dream machine
Or just a little late night
Sexy long stretch limousine
Meredith loved the heat and the thrill of the racetrack, even though she was a little concerned about the speeds Derek was driving. "Are you sure he's safe?" she demanded of his team's co-owner, as they watched the preparations for the start of the race. She adjusted the huge RayBan sunglasses on her nose, and pulled her hair back, before resting her forearms on her knees. Even though she'd watched the practices, and the qualifying, she was still a little nervous.
Derek had assured her he was a very careful driver, he'd never been in accident yet, and he wasn't about to start now that he knew she was worried about him. He'd looked so much more relaxed and casual out here, his dark hair tucked under the cap with the team's logo on it, and his race suit partially unzipped due to the heat of the day. A vast difference to the slick, arrogant man she'd met in Vegas originally. Before she'd taken her seat, he'd kissed her slowly, oblivious to the commotion around them. "There…you can think about that, and we can celebrate later on. I love you."
"Love you too…" Meredith had been caught up in the deep emotions that surged through her as he let her go. "Drive careful okay?"
"Always…" His blue eyes twinkled at her, and she had melted inside again. Damn the man – he had ways of making her weak she'd never suspected before.
"Derek is an excellent driver, Mrs. Shepherd," the man beside her laughed. "And the cars are engineered to keep them all in one piece in an accident. "
"Please, call me Meredith. I'm not quite used to Mrs. Shepherd yet," Meredith grinned, pulling her attention back to the moment.
"All right. And I'm not quite used to the fact that Derek has a wife, either. In all the years I've known him, he never brought any woman to the track. Went home with his share, mind you, but…." He stopped, realizing what he'd just said, giving her a look of mortification.
"Don't worry, Frank. I understand," Meredith giggled, her eyes glued to Derek as he prepared to get into the racecar. He adjusted the helmet, and goggles, before turning around to search for her. Giving her a wave before he settled himself in, and the crew surrounded the car for the last minute adjustments.
Meredith twisted the rings on her fingers, waiting for the race to begin. Flags fluttered in the warm Florida breeze, and the crowd was revved up to fever pitch, just as the command was given to start the engines. The air was suddenly alive with the sound of motors gunning, and even more cheers. Meredith felt her cell phone vibrate in her jeans pocket, and she fished it out, keeping one eye on the racecars.
New text message…
roses or orchids?
Sam was helping with the wedding preparations – this time at the Montecito, not the Elvis Chapel of Love. So far, she had been sending text messages about the dress fittings, the cake, and how many guests to expect. The wedding itself was set for a week from now, with an intimate candlelight evening ceremony at the roof-top restaurant. Wolfgang Puck was catering, as a wedding gift from Cooper. Derek had called his family, and they were flying in at the end of the week, after asking Derek dozens of questions, he'd told her after hanging up the phone.
Meredith paused before sending her answer, looking back up to see the green flag waving, and the cars accelerating into motion. It seemed like absolute insanity, as the drivers began to immediately maneuver for positions, and her heart jumped into her throat. She clutched the phone tightly, searching for Derek's car amidst the pack. He was off to a good start - his qualifying position had been good and he was in the grouping at the front. She let a little sigh of relief go, and Frank glanced at her. "He's fine, Meredith. Just relax…"
"Easy for you to say," Meredith replied, biting her lip. This was more nerve-wracking than sitting with a bad poker hand, and bluffing her way into winning the pot. She jumped up with every close encounter, unable to keep from yelling. When one of the cars spun out, taking several others with him, she thought she was going to faint, until she spotted Derek's car weaving unscathed through the smoke and dust hanging in the air over the track. "Thank god…" She hugged Frank impulsively, feeling giddy with relief.
The yellow flag slowed the field down, and Meredith sat back, finally looking at the cell phone she still had in her hand. Remembering the bouquet Derek had given her the day after their wedding, she instructed Sam to have both type of flowers, both for the bouquet and for the displays. Then she turned the phone off, and tucked it back into her pocket. Anything else would have to wait.
There were only two laps left when there was another accident. Meredith sucked in a sharp breath, digging her fingers into Frank's arm. "Where is he?" she muttered, and then Frank pointed to the car. The front left fender was hanging crookedly, and the tire wobbled as Derek fought to control the swerve that threatened to take him into a spin. "I can't look…" Meredith whispered, but found herself unable to move or turn her head. Rooted to the spot, her heart thundered wildly. "Please please…be all right…"
"He's doing good, Meredith," Frank soothed her. "Look, he's got it under control, and he's heading for the pit. The race is pretty much done now – we can start to head over there if you want."
"Oh god, yes…" Meredith scrambled out of the seats, her only thought to get to Derek. By the time they reached the car, the crew had started to roll it into the shop area, and Derek was pulling his helmet off, and raking his hand through his sweaty hair. He was feeling a little dizzy, and he swayed a little, trying to keep his balance. The aftermath of the accident, and the rush of adrenaline, was leaving him a little disoriented.
"Derek!" Meredith shouted, flinging herself into his arms, not caring that he was dusty and sweaty, just so happy to see him all in one piece. "God, you scared me…" She stared into his eyes, searching for any sign of pain, touching his face with her fingertips. "Are you all right? You should sit down…you're shaking…"
Derek hugged her tightly, trying to do his best to keep her from worrying any further. "I'm okay, just a little shaken up."
"Are you sure?"
"We can take him to the first aid tent," Frank offered. "Probably best anyway. They usually want to check you out just to be safe."
Derek leaned heavily against Meredith then, as another wave of dizziness suddenly hit him. Frank grabbed his other arm, and the two of them began to lead Derek to the first aid area. "Sorry, honey…" he muttered thickly, before his legs gave out and he dropped to the ground between them.
Derek struggled to open his eyes, feeling Meredith's hand squeezing his tightly. "Hey…" he murmured groggily.
"Hey you…" Meredith whispered, relieved to see he was awake. "You had a mild concussion from the impact of the crash." She stood up and brushed her lips over his.
"Where am I?"
"Still at the racetrack, honey. The doctor wanted to be sure you were awake before they move you."
"Damn…here I was bragging about my driving skills…" Derek mumbled.
"It wasn't your fault," Meredith laughed softly. "But you did nearly give me a heart attack…"
"Kiss me," he murmured, pulling her closer.
"Derek…"
"I want to make sure I'm not dead…"
"You're not…" Meredith whispered, leaning in to kiss him again, a little sob of relief in her throat. His arm slid around her, and her lips parted eagerly for him, as she moaned softly against his mouth. Long, slow and erotic, the kiss deepened, as Derek delved for her tongue, proving he was very much alive. Heat simmered between them, as his hands slid along her slim body, molding her against him. "God…Derek…." she sighed, finally making herself sit up.
At that point, there was a soft cough behind them, and she jumped to find the doctor behind them. "Mr. Shepherd…you are aware you're not well?" he asked dryly, coming to check Derek's pupils with his penlight.
Derek kept Meredith's hand gripped tightly. "I feel better. I can go, right?"
"Well, I was going to recommend a stay overnight at the hospital…"
"Meredith can take care of me," Derek grinned.
The doctor frowned slightly, before pulling out his prescription pad. "Only if you swear not to have sex. You need to rest." He scribbled on the pad, and handed it to Meredith. "Here…in case he has any pain. And let him sleep."
"Of course," Meredith murmured. "No sex – got it…we can do that…"
Shaking his head, the doctor left them alone, and Meredith dissolved into nervous giggles. "No sex…been there, done that!"
"It's only one night, Mer," Derek teased her, managing to sit up. "We DID last for a week as I recall."
She handed him his shirt, leaning in to kiss him quickly. "Very true."
"Let's go…you can tuck me into bed and take care of me…" His hand settled on the small of her back, as they headed outside, slipping beneath the silky jersey of her tank top. His hand was strong, his touch seductive against her skin, belying the fact he had just woken up not long ago. Meredith felt the quiver of arousal skittering along her spine, her body clenching with the need to be filled with his cock, affirming that he was still alive and well. No sex….how did that happen again…
"What's wrong, honey?" Derek asked, leaning to look into her eyes, a gleam of desire heightening the blue of his eyes.
"I'm…thinking of things I shouldn't be right now," she confessed. Things like being in their hotel room, naked, with Derek touching her, caressing her, taking her to bed and making love to her all night. "But I should be a good wife, and let you rest…"
"Resting is over-rated," Derek whispered against her ear, as they reached their rental car. He pressed her against the warm metal, catching the back of her head with one hand, urging her forward to meet his mouth. One glide of his tongue tracing over lips, and she wound herself around him, meeting his kiss head on. Her hips met his, as he moved down her throat, dusting kisses along her pulse, until she trembled in response and her breathing quickened.
"You don't…want…to overdo …it…" she murmured, feeling his erection throbbing against her.
"I'll be fine with you," Derek managed to say, "let's go. I think I need a shower and you, naked, not necessarily in that order…"
It turned out that she ended up naked first, barely in the hotel room, their hands and mouths everywhere on each other. They left a trail of discarded clothing as they headed towards the bathroom. "Much better," Derek approved, stepping around Meredith to open the glass shower door to turn on the spray. He turned to face her again, the look in his eyes almost his old arrogance. "Just the way I like you…"
"I kinda like you this way too," she said impishly, tracing the line of hair down his chest with one finger. "Now, let me take care of you…you smell like cars and sweat and gas…"
"You going to wash me off?"
"Oh yes…" Meredith winked at him, and stepped into the shower, glancing back at him over her shoulder. Derek followed her instantly, closing the door behind him. She turned towards him, water streaming over her body, over her shoulders and down the firm globes of her breasts, beading along her hardened nipples. Derek's cock immediately tightened, and he throbbed in anticipation. She swayed towards him, rotating her hips in the slow, sensual pattern that he had come to need. Meredith reached for the soap, and slowly began to massage it along his hot skin, lathering away the grime of the racetrack. Her fingers smoothed across his chest, and his ribcage, along his hips, and down his thighs, teasing and gentle. Derek's head went back, his eyes closing in pure pleasure, as the water and her touch took away the last remaining aches from his body. He wet his hair, and slicked it back from his face, as she looked up at him. "That feels good," he murmured, as she began to rinse the soap away. Tiny bubbles slid down her own wet skin, dancing across her breasts, begging him for his touch. He covered her slick skin with his palm, kneading the flesh, circling the nipple with his thumb, rubbing back and forth slowly. She moaned softly, her eyes wide with happiness, as he watched her.
"That's good too…" Meredith abandoned the soap, caressing his erection with a gentle touch, making him clench in response. "I want you so bad, Derek…"
"Yes, right now," he agreed, pulling her up against him, cupping her ass, then sliding down to the back of her thigh. Meredith's clit tingled, feeling him so hard and ready against her. She rolled her hips against him, a little pleading moan urging him on. With a deep groan, he backed her against the tile wall, and pulled her leg up to drape over his hips. On her toes, she was open and wet for him, and she could hardly breathe.
"Hurry…"
His hand closed around the base of his cock, and he angled against her, touching her with the tip. Teasing her when she ached to have him full and hard and deep inside. Whimpering for more, she met his eyes again, and then he was moving into her, thrusting against her. He tightened his grip around her, lifting her off her feet, as he moved with her, each thrust hot and perfect. "God you feel good," he muttered against her mouth.
"You too…" she sighed, as he flexed his hips against her, rubbing her in the right spots to make her scream. "Derek…now…NOW!" Her orgasm shuddered through her, and he met her there with his own, his body quaking in the intensity of his release. He collapsed against her, pinning her body to the wall, their ragged breathing mixed with the pattering of the shower spray. As he let her go slowly, he let his head fall against hers, and she felt a moment of panic.
"Derek…are you all right?"
He lifted his head, and gave her the sensual, sexy smile that she had come to love. "Perfect…"
Song lyrics from 'You Win my Love' by Shania Twain