A Bad Boy's Gift

Chapter 5

I extend my hand to Archer, seeing no sign of recognition in his eyes as he places his very strong hand in mine and shakes it back. 

"Archer," He says, introducing himself to me, "Most people call me Jack though." He looks directly into my eyes, he can't put his finger on it, but he recognises me from somewhere and watching the struggle amuses me. 

I take a minute to admire what he's wearing. Black skinny jeans and a tight black tee-shirt, and the same Adidas trainers he was wearing this morning. His hair, looking sharp, is cut short on the sides and back, while the top proves to show a slight curl at the ends. A small amount of stubble graces his chin and cheeks. While his eyes have stayed the bright blue they were when he looked directly at me all those years ago.

This is why I dress up for races. 

"River," I say watching him put the pieces together. I smirk as I see a frown forming, this is very amusing. "You not impressed by what you see, Sweetheart?" I know that's not what it is, but why not have a little fun while I can.

"River." He repeats. "I met you this morning." He continues to look into my eyes instead of at my body, almost pissing me off.

"You certainly did, Mr my schedule is very busy." I smirk at him, calling him by his own words. 

"Yes, I'm a very busy man. Can't you tell? I've been dragged to this event to see some girl racer try to win." He scoffs, clearly not realising he's talking to the girl racer he is referring to. 

My eyes narrow, I whisper into Benjamin's ear that he's not to make Archer aware of my position, that I'd like to have a little fun with him. Benny laughs and agrees.

The announcement for racers to head to the starting line in the next five minutes comes over the loud speakers. 

"Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom, I don't want to miss the girl racer now, do I." I smile at Archer, give Benny and Jen a kiss to their cheeks and head towards my car as the spectators head towards the stands. 

I hop into my car, start the ignition and give it a little rev, turning a few heads. 

I pull up on the starting line, take my racing helmet from the back seat and slide it onto my head. It's not a popular choice for most racers, but I always think it looks sexy pulling off a helmet when you're a woman. And a winner. After all, I have perfected taking it off after spending hours looking in the mirror, shaking my hair about. 

The countdown begins and the crowds roar with excitement, building the atmosphere.

The lights turn green and my foot is to the floor. It's always fun playing a bit of a game with the other racers.  I weave in and out until I'm fighting for first place with one lap to go. I can tell the driver in front of me is in their highest gear, they're not checking their mirrors so think they're safe. I knock my gears down by two, going from sixth to fourth, making my exhaust roar loudly, matching the spectator's cheers. I fly ahead, making it into first place with about half the lap left, I leave the former pole position holder in my dust as I cross the finish line. 

I pull up back in the paddocks, crowds forming around my car. I wait until I can see the familiar faces of the people I know, before getting out of the car. I see Archers face looking around. He seems to be wondering whether I got swallowed by the toilet. 

I open the car door, slip out gracefully and lean against the door. I put my hands on my helmet, sliding it off my head and shaking my hair out, just like the L'oreal advert. A ginormous grin spreads across my face at the sound of my name being chanted in front of me. The feeling is ecstasy. 

My eyes meet those of the bad boy who seems to have transformed into a goldfish. His beautiful face in shock, seeing that I am in fact the girl racer he was mocking only half an hour ago. I smirk at him as I lock my car, flashes of cameras still pinging around me, I walk towards the group of my friends, stealing a kiss on the cheek from Jenna who lingers, whispering into my ear.

"I heard him say something about how amazing you look. I'd tap that if I were you, I don't mind heading home with Benjamin if you fancy getting railed tonight." I look him up and down, the smirk still plastered to my face as I take in his muscles, this time with him fully aware of what I'm doing.

"Nah, I want a Chinese, I'll see him Thursday hopefully, as long as he turns up to swimming practice, maybe let him be blue-balled until then." I whisper back to her, keeping my eyes trained upon him. I know I'm teasing him, to the point I watch his hands fidget in front of him, hiding his arousal. I wink at him, seeing his cheeks turn red. "Come on, lets get out of here, I want a drink." I wave goodbye to our friends, blowing a kiss in their general direction, watching Benjamin swoon overdramatically, making me giggle. 

I turn and slide back into my car, Jenna sliding in next to me. I wind our windows down so the close onlookers can watch what the harness does to my cleavage. 

I rev the engine, still warm from the race, and it growls under my instruction. I offer a royal wave to the audience as I slowly part the crowd of bellowing onlookers as I leave the paddock, looking in my rearview mirror watching Archer in a deep discussion to Benjamin, looking directly at my car. 

I smile inwards to myself, knowing the effect I had on the man who was so rude to me no more than 12 hours ago. 

I pull onto the main road and speed through the night. 

...

We pull up to the Chinese that's down the road from where I live after an hour's drive from the raceway, order way too much and take it back to mine. We sit at the island scoffing our faces and drinking vodka lemonades. This really is the best way to celebrate a win. I sit imagining opening the envelope with my winnings in. £5k. I've been saving all of my winnings in a shoebox, knowing that my parents won't help Hudson and I buy our own homes, even though they're more than financially capable of it. 

Jenna helps me clear up after our banquet, putting what's left in the fridge and freezer to eat over the next couple of days.

"I'm gonna head off, Gorgeous," Jen says to me, "I've got work first thing and it's getting late. I'll see you Tuesday night again, yeah?" She pulls me in for a hug.

"Yeah, next one is a proper street race, so keep it on the down low, won't you," I order from her, she knows the Tuesday races are illegal street races, bigger winnings, much more dangerous and there are no rules this time. The excitement for it sets fire to my soul, knowing the dangers being faced. 

Jenna agrees to my demand and bids me farewell as the taxi pulls up at the top of the drive, on this side of the gigantic, over the top fountain in front of the house. 

I spend the rest of the night getting drunk by myself, in this massive house. I finish the vodka off, and then go to take my make-up off. I end the night with my second finish of the night. It's never as satisfying when I have to do it myself, but I treat myself after a win, preferring to please myself than have some sleazy cock-throb please himself and leave me desperate.

I sit on my bed, having a flick through Instagram, receiving a notification that I have a new follower. I check it out. Archer Jackson has started following you. I feel a warm feeling in my stomach seeing that he had liked my latest picture; one I posted before I left for the race tonight. I was admiring myself in the mirror, wondering who might like the picture. The rest of the pictures on my Instagram are of bare-faced me, either with colleagues or at sporting events, never pulling in many likes, and yet this one seems to have gained some attention.

I put my phone on the bedside table, thinking about deep blue eyes as I fall asleep.