Reckless Curves Read Free Page B

explain, I had a feeling that lunch with Brent Hague was about to be a very interesting experience.
    We stepped into the daylight and I slid my sunglasses down in place.  “So where are we going for lunch?”
    Brent nodded toward a building on the far side of the track. “I’d love to take you someplace nice. Unfortunately, there really isn’t time. So we’ll have to settle for the track café.”
    I couldn’t help but grin at his statement. “I’m sure the cafe will be fine.”
    Brent pursed his lips at my statement. “And I’m sure you probably eat in a lot nicer places back in New York.”
    I nodded. “Sometimes, but there are days when all I want is a slice from the corner pizzeria.”
    He smiled. “Good to know.”

Chapter 3
     
    Ten minutes later, I sat in a booth at the infield café, blotting the grease off my hamburger while I waited for Brent to return from taking a phone call.
    “Shannon?”
    Not expecting to hear my name, I lifted my head and began to scan the room. It didn’t take long to locate the source of the voice. I groaned at the sight of my ex-husband sauntering toward me with a giant smile plastered across his face. Why hadn’t I even considered the idea of him being here? He did work for a race team, so the possibility existed.  Since he’d already spotted me, any chance of my making a clean escape was already gone. With Brent taking an important call, that left me without even a buffer to help deflect Wayne. Knowing there would be no way around the meeting I forced myself not to frown and waited.
    Wayne’s grin widened as he reached me. “I thought that was you.” He leaned over to kiss me on the cheek only to have me block his move with my hand. He straightened his five foot nine inch frame and frowned. “What’s the deal, Shannon? I just wanted to give you a little kiss.”
    How quickly he seemed to forget how our relationship ended. “Sorry, but you lost that right the moment you put your lips on another woman.”
    His frown deepened and he actually had the gall to look hurt by my statement. “Aw come on, honey. I’m just trying to be friendly.”
    “I’m not your honey and I’ve seen your version of friendly. Sorry, I’m not interested,” I replied, lifting the bottle of water for a drink.
    “I can’t believe you’re still mad at me.” He waved his hands in the air and I got a smattering of satisfaction at the irritation I detected in his tone. Served him right for how he treated me. “Are you really going to hold a grudge over something that happened nearly three years ago?”
    Was he kidding? “Yep,” I replied, hoping my standoffishness would send Wayne away.
    He shifted his weight to one hip and folded his arms. “You know, I never pegged you for being the kind of woman to hold a grudge.”
    I was tiring of this conversation quickly and wished Brent would return. Maybe his presence would be enough to send Wayne scurrying away like the rat he really was.
    “Well I never pegged you for being a lying, cheating bastard either, so I guess we’ve both learned something about each other.” The tone in my voice reflected my frustration of being forced into a conversation I really didn’t want to have.
    Just as I spotted Brent walking toward the table, Wayne opened his mouth again. “So what are you doing here? You hate auto racing.”
    Oh God! Why in the hell had he said that? Especially with as much conviction as he did. Panic set in as Brent’s steps slowed. Had he heard Wayne? Would he be angry with me? Come on brain…think. I glanced at Brent as he approached Wayne from behind. Needing to diffuse Wayne’s statement and fast, I started to answer, only to have Brent swoop in and plant a large lingering kiss on me. Shock registered first, but his soft, warm lips were too enticing to resist. My lips parted, allowing his tongue access. He took the invitation, deepening the kiss. Currents of electricity lit up every cell in my body until I swore I’d simply