Evelyn had told him she’d be flying down in the morning, so he took the opportunity to catch up on some much-needed sleep.
He’d hesitated in asking her to make the drive down with him, though he didn’t know why. Maybe because that was time for Ian and him to catch up and strategize on race stuff. And maybe part of it was his and Evelyn’s relationship—or non-relationship, since that’s what they’d both agreed it was—was still new, and he didn’t want the whole damn team knowing about it. Because once the team knew, it would only be a matter of time before everyone knew. And that meant media involvement, which he’d prefer to keep to a minimum.
But for the next few days, he wanted Evelyn at his house, and in his bed, so he got up and took a quick shower, then dressed and went to the garage, deciding on his ’67
GTO, since it had been a long time since he’d pulled her out for a spin. He folded back the cover, smiling as he smoothed his hand over the sleek black finish. His staff did a great job taking care of his cars while he was on the road, knowing as soon as he came home he’d want to take one—or more—for a ride.
He grabbed the keys and slid into the leather seats, inhaling the sweet smell of eras gone by. When he fired her up, the rumbling engine roared to life, exciting him at the thought of taking the GTO out on the roads for a little action.
Too bad the U.S. had speed limits. With a grin, he slipped on his sunglasses and pulled out onto the street, then hit the highway, letting out the clutch as he gave it some gas.
It was still early, so the sun hadn’t risen high enough to heat him up. Not that he minded, since nothing could be as hot as when he was in his race car. Plus, in the convertible, the wind blew through his hair and his mind went blank. He gripped the steering wheel as he and the GTO became one.
There was nothing that made him happier than being behind the wheel of a car, whether it was competitively or just out for a joyride.
He knew for a fact that driving—racing—was what he was supposed to be doing with his life. Evelyn’s question about law school had made him pause, but only for a second. He was most comfortable, most himself, most at home, behind the wheel.
That’s where he belonged, and that’s where he was going to spend the rest of his life.
The whole law school thing had been born out of guilt because he hadn’t done what his parents—what his father—had wanted him to do.
Funny how that guilt still nagged at him, even after all these years. And he didn’t buy that his father was a changed man. Men like Mitchell Preston didn’t change. They played at changing, so the public would vote for them.
He knew his father better than anyone, knew he was one of the best actors out there. He knew what his dad was capable of—and what he wasn’t capable of.
Shaking off dark thoughts that had him tensing on the wheel, he blew out a breath and took the exit leading to Evelyn’s hotel.
The valet whistled as he came around to Gray’s side.
“GTO? That is one sweet ride.”
Gray pulled a hundred dollar bill out of his pocket and waved it at the wide-eyed valet whose name tag read Oscar.
“Oscar, park it like you own it and this’ll be yours when I pick her up.
Understood?”
“Yes, sir,” Oscar said. “She’ll be in bubble wrap until you’re ready for her.”
“Thanks. I won’t be long.”
He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed Evelyn, who gave him her room number. It didn’t take him long to figure out she’d scored a bungalow down on the beachfront.
Smart woman. He headed down the front steps of the hotel and toward the left. She was waiting for him at the fountain.
“Afraid of taking me to your room?”
She smiled at him. “I’m enjoying the beach way too much to spend much time in my room.”
She looked beautiful, dressed in a pair of shorts and a tank top. He slid his hand in hers. “Then let’s go to the beach.”
She looked down at his jeans and tennis shoes. “You’re hardly dressed for a beach walk.”
“I have stuff in my car.”
“Where are we going?”
“Lots of places. You have a swimsuit?”
“Yes. Let me grab my bag.”
She started to turn away, but he grasped her wrist. “You might want to grab some clothes for tomorrow, too. Just in case you don’t make it back tonight.”
Her brows raised. “Are you intending to kidnap me?”
“The thought occurred to me.”
“All right then. I’ll pack the bag accordingly. You can come with me to my room if you’d like.”
“It’s okay. I’ll just watch the ocean here and wait for you.” If he went to her room, they likely wouldn’t get anything done on his agenda today, and he had a lot of plans.
She gave him a knowing smile. “I’ll be right back then.”
One thing he liked about Evelyn was her efficiency. She was back in about five minutes, a small bag slung over her shoulders. He took the bag from her.