Chapter 61

**Summer's POV**

"Is that really your only concern?" His voice carried that velvet-soft quality that never failed to make my pulse race.

Heat flooded my cheeks as I finally admitted, "Okay, fine! I'm worried I'll lose,alright? Happy now? We should switch places!"

His smile widened slightly. "Come on then." Without another word,he stepped out of the cár, leaving me to scramble after him.

The group of modified car enthusiasts watched with barely concealed skepticism as Brandon approached. Their vehicles formed an impressive lineup - GTRs, Supras, and other heavily modified machines that made the Bentley look almost tame in comparison.

"Rules?" Brandon asked simply.

They exchanged uncertain glances, clearly thrown by the sight of a Bentley owner actually willing to race. The leader, a tall guy with facial piercings,recovered first. "Standard route - straight down the coast to the end.Though uh, with that ride..." He gestúred at the luxury car. "We could handicap it if you want?"

A redhead with a heavily modified GTR stepped forward, grinning."Or just beat one of us! That'l count as a win, yeah? No need to smoke the whole field with that fancy ride." "Deal." I couldn't help chiming in. "Just one car, right?" Brandon's sidelong glance made me step back automatically, fighting a guilty smile. As everyone moved to their cars, I caught fragments of whispered conversation between the racers: "Boss, that plate number..."

"Shut up and get in your car!"

"Don't mess this up - if we let a Bentley pass us, we'll never live it down..."1

"Give me the clean channel on the radio..."

The leader's voice cut through the chatter: "Everyone clear on the rules?And hey,careful on that last curve."

Brandon buckled his seatbelt with practiced efficiency, then turned to me. "Ready for this speed?"

I thought about how the car had felt under my control earlier and nodded.trying to project more confidence than I felt. "I think so."

"Hold on tight."

The moment Brandon hit the accelerator, I knew I'd made the right choice letting him drive. The Bentley surged forward with impossible grace, the engine's purr deepening to a satisfied growl. Within seconds. we'd passed two modified cars on the first curve, the movement so smooth I barely felt it. My fingers dug into the leather armrest as I stared at Brandon's profile,mesmerized by his absolute focus.

"Oh my god!" A voice crackled through someone's radio. "Who is this guy?The way he took that curve..." "Were you a professional racer?" I couldn't help asking, watching in awe as he navigated another bend with perfect precision. That dangerous half-smile played at his lips."Scared?" "No! I'll be quiet - you focus on driving!" Still, I couldn't tear my eyes away from his hands on the wheel, the way he seemed to anticipate each turn before it came.

We flew past another car, the night air whipping through the open windows. The coastal road stretched before us like a ribbon of silver in the moonlight. "Just keeping ahead of one car is enough!" I reminded him, but Brandon just hummed noncommittally.

"Not a racer," he finally said, smoothly dodging another challenger. "Just a college hobby."

*Of course.* I fought back a smile. *Brandon Stark,casually mentioning street racing was his "college hobby" like it was intramural soccer or something.*

A yellow GTR suddenly roared past us, its driver calling out, "Sorry man!"through his open window. The car cut in front of us aggressively, clearly trying to force us to slow down.

Brandon said nothing, just smoothly accelerated. His movements were so precise, so controlled - within moments the GTR was nothing but taillights behind us. As we approached the steepest coastal curve, the one the leader had warned about, he suddenly spoke. "Talk to me."

"What?" I turned to him, startled.

"Anything. Just talk," his lips curved into that dangerous smile. "Don't forget why we came racing in the first place."

I frowned slightly,sudIdenly remembering that we'd gone racing because of my dark mood. "DDid you really have to bring that up now?" "It needs to be addressed eventually," Brandon maintained a steady pace,keeping the car ahead of us in sight while ensuring none behind could pass. He seemed completely at ease as he chatted with me. "Feeling better?" "No," I said playfully. "But I might feel better if you passed everyone.Though that's probably impossible!"

"Is that so?" Brandon's smile deepened as he glanced at me. "Well, if my wife expects such things of me, I can hardly disappoint. Hold tight."

In an instant, he shot past several cars on the next curve,leaving them far behind in what felt like mere seconds.

I stared at Brandon in amazement, then turned to look back at the shrinking taillights behind us. "How did you--"

Before I could finish my question, Brandon's expression sharpened. "Hold on tight." With that warning, he floored the accelerator,sending us flying down the most treacherous part of the road.

"Shit!" The redhead leader's voice crackled over the radio. "Is he trying to get himself killed?"

Most racers would slow down on this section, but Brandon was actually accelerating. I gripped the handle above the door so hard my knuckles turned white, my entire body rigid with tension.

My heart was in my throat- in that moment, all I could do was trust Brandon completely.

Then, to my utter surprise, the car came to a stop. I turned to Brandon,confused."What's wrong?" Brandon killed the engine and closed the windows, then reached for me."Were you afraid?" His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close against his chest. I swallowed hard, my hands coming up to rest on his biceps. My body was still trembling slightly from the adrenaline, but I tried to sound brave."N-not at all." His low chuckle vibrated through his chest as he held me tighter,one hand coming up to stroke my hair. "Very brave," he murmured, the praise making something warm unfurl in my chest.

I took a deep breath. When I'd calmed down enough to pull back slightly,I found myself staring at his perfect features in the dim light. The way the moonlight caught his sharp jawline, the intensity in those dark eyes as they studied my face.

Before I could overthink it. I leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth.

Brandon's arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer as he deepened the kiss. I started to retreat, suddenly overwhelmed by the intensity,but his hand came up to cradle the back of my head,holding me in place with gentle firmness.

Gradually, I found myself winding my arms around his neck, responding with growing enthusiasm. The tension of the evening, the thrill of the race,everything seemed to pour into that kiss.

When we finally broke apart, I was breathless."I..."

Brandon pulled me back against his chest, a low laugh escaping him."A bit late to be shy now, isn't it?"

My face burned as I pushed against his chest halfheartedly. Then I remembered something and bit my lip, "We're going to lose the race."

"Does that matter?" His dark eyes held mine, thumb tracing my lower lip. I shook my head, smiling. It had never been about the race anyway.In my mind, Brandon had already won-in more ways than one.