Illicit Affairs

Chapter 17

Atlanta came and went and it's now Monday morning as I sit in my office contemplating everything. Hendrick Motorsports is looking unbeatable right now at 2-2 at this early point in the season with Kyle picking up the win yesterday. As team owner, I'm firmly in the spotlight. Everyone is now recognizing my name, instead of just Rick Hendrick's granddaughter. Some have even gone so far as to say that  I clearly have the Midas touch meaning everything I touch turns to gold. This is huge for the organization because with two races in the books, we have two of our four drivers locked into the playoffs.

Unfortunately, Kyle's win came at Ryan's expense as Kyle beat him to the line by three one thousandths of a second. The closest finish in NASCAR history. It is hard to even fathom something that close because in racing, seconds are huge gaps and everything is measured in hundredths and thousandths of seconds which to the eye conveys mere inches and NASCAR has to rely on cameras and photos and timing/scoring lines to determine the winner. So close.

I'm happy to report that the team building workshop that I forced the guys to attend seems to have paid off as things were way more civil this weekend as opposed to last weekend. I can only hope it lasts. Winning certainly helps.

Ryan took everything in stride and almost seemed a bit relieved when I told him that Erin knew about us. I guess that makes things easier for him since Erin is living on his property, in the apartment above his garage. We can now get together at his house sometimes instead of just sticking to mine and now he is not having to make excuses whenever Erin casually asks why he's rarely home.

Due to the race finishing at night and both of us having to stay for media, it was well into the morning that we had made it home. Therefore, Ryan and I did not spend the night together. I missed him. It was a miracle I had even made it into the office this morning, although I was dragging. I probably could've slept in a little, but as owner and CEO with something to prove, I dragged myself here. Now it was only 9:30 but I was already counting down the hours until I saw Ryan.

As if he knew I was thinking about him, my phone vibrated with his name flashing on the screen.

"Morning beautiful." The raspy voice sent a little shiver up my spine, waking me up way more effectively than the double shot of espresso in my coffee had.

"Hi handsome. I missed you last night." I purred into the phone.

"Good, because I have big plans for you this evening." His voice held an element of excitement with a hint of teasing. My imagination began to go wild with images of "sexy time". It was enough to have me squirming in my chair.

"I can't wait." I replied, my own voice sounding just as raspy to my ears.

"Great. I will pick you up at seven. Date night. Dress formal."

Huh?

"Ryan Michael, what in the world are you thinking? You know damn well we can't go out for a date night." Now I was a bit perturbed. He knew better than this. Was he deliberately trying to expose us?

"Yes Mia Nicole. I am well aware. Just trust me, and don't tell me you don't have anything to wear because I happen to know you have an entire closet just for formal wear."

He was right. I did have a ridiculous number of formal dresses. Between banquets, fundraisers, charity events and holiday parties, I was more than covered, but I was also insanely curious.

"What are you up to?" I asked.

"It's a surprise. See you at seven." He said, this disconnected the call. How rude. Did he just dismiss me?

Regardless, I was more than intrigued, and the thought of getting dressed up made me excited. I passed the long hours away by taking a mental inventory of my formal attire. I knew just the thing that would blow his mind.