In the Fast Lane Read Online Free Page A

wasn’t in a position to throw stones.
    But he didn’t call her out on that. Instead, he kept his gaze as cool as hers was hot. “Apparently, my mother liked it enough to give it to me. We can exchange pleasantries later, though. Right now, we’ve got some damage control to do.”
    The corners of her mouth turned down, and she gave her head a small shake. “I’m sorry for being rude.”
    Well. Another surprise. Maybe she wasn’t as much of a hellcat as he’d thought.
    “But I don’t know a damn thing about you, and you want me to give up my practice time for whatever fool scheme you’ve come up with to fix that mess that Earl just made? Why should I trust an overdressed, soft-handed corporate suit like you?”
    Okay. Maybe she was.
    But there was something about that fire that was getting to him, despite that she’d just insulted him. He ignored the temptation to reach out and touch her, to show her that his hands weren’t soft, but if she begged nicely, they could be gentle in just the right ways …
    Grady broke in. “Kerri, I think—”
    “Shut up, Grady.”
    Poor Grady. Man was having a rough day, it seemed. But Ranger couldn’t worry about that. He had to get ahold of this situation before it got even more insane.
    “Trust has nothing to do with this. I own that car behind you.” He gestured to her Chevy. “Hell.” He let his eyes flick over her body, trying not to linger on the curves of her breast under that tight jacket. “I even own that racing suit you’re wearing.” He reluctantly brought his gaze back up to her face. Her eyes were narrowed and she looked like she was about to deck him. For some reason, it made him grin. “But why should you trust me? Because I’m real good at what I do,” he murmured, not taking his eyes off hers for a second.
    Was it just him, or did it feel like every exchange they had was somehow laden with innuendo? He didn’t say anything else after that, just watched her stand there all stiff and belligerent-looking.
    After another minute, she slowly uncrossed her arms.
    Ranger didn’t let his face betray his relief. But he was relieved, and not just because things could have gotten real ugly if she’d refused. He was just so goddamned out of his element here. Kerri was right, that he was overdressed, but he’d mistakenly stuck with his usual uniform of a dark, perfectly tailored suit and Italian leather shoes because he’d thought it would make him feel more in control.
    Except that here, he was the odd man out, the insane guy who careened down ladders to shout at a bunch of mechanics in colorful uniforms and rubber-soled, steel-toed boots.
    She turned and handed her helmet to Bit. “Needs more side bite.” Her voice was soft, but brittle-sounding, as though she were chewing on broken glass.
    What the hell did side bite mean?
    Bit nodded, and that was it. The next thing Ranger knew, she had stepped close and was pulling off her gloves, which she bundled together in her left hand before sliding her right one into the crook of his elbow. It felt like spikes were digging into his skin where she was gripping his arm.
    At least she hadn’t punched him in the teeth.
    Kerri nudged her elbow into Ranger’s ribs, making him grunt. Not as hot-tempered as he’d expected, but certainly not a wilting flower, either. He turned to look down at her. She was smiling now, just as he’d asked, looking to the world like she was as happy as could be. But he didn’t miss the way her eyes were still flashing a fiery gray green.
    “Well? What are you waiting for? Let’s find out just how good you are, Ranger Colt.”

Chapter Three
    Outwardly, Kerri was smiling. Calm, even.
    On the inside, her stomach was churning and the acidic taste of humiliation was making her want to retch.
    Nothing like a near-death marriage proposal, the loss of the majority share of the family business to a company she hated , and a blazing, soul-consuming attraction to a total stranger within a