Collided (Dirty Air Series Book 2)

Maya likes to vlog all of our adventures, from Shanghai to Monaco. She plans different vlog segments for each day before the race.

She begs me to make my vlog debut, and who am I to say no? Her Fan versus F1 Racer idea convinced me in a heartbeat. I’ll compete against Santi in a series of games Maya planned, where the winner gets street cred and a gift card to Starbucks because Maya lives life on a budget. I don’t need the money because I prefer gloating rights. Santi makes easy competition because he tends to have poor impulse control.

“Okay, so today you’re both going to compete in three rounds of games. Whoever has the most points by the end wins the entire competition.” Maya flips her ponytail over her shoulder. She looks all professional in her Bandini polo and jeans, with a clipboard to keep track of points.

Santi grins at me. My body fails to feel anything when he shakes my hand.

“The first round will include a scavenger hunt where you’re allowed to pick one person to help you. Here are the lists.” Maya passes us each a sealed envelope like a secret spy mission. “Choose your person wisely. Send me your pictures and videos as you take them because whoever finishes first wins a point for this round. Be careful because some items can get you in trouble.”

Santi tears at his envelope. “I want to say in advance that I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Let the best person win. I hope you’re okay with runner-up. I’m sure you’re used to it with Noah anyway.”

Santi barks out a laugh as he walks away. After reading through the list, I text the only other person I’ve befriended during my time here, hoping he can help me out.

A few minutes later, I get the all-clear to visit the McCoy garage. I tread carefully into enemy territory. The crew fumbles around, passing tools and tires to different workers while others spend time clicking away at computers. Liam’s car is parked smack dab in the middle of the garage. The chrome paint gleams, shining bright and standing out against the plain white walls.

“Look who finally decided to join the dark side.” Liam’s voice sends a current of energy up my spine.

“Help me, Liam Zander. You’re my only hope.” I attempt my best Princess Leia voice.

Liam’s eyes light up. “Are you a secret nerd?”

“It takes one to know one.” I shoot him a cheeky grin. “My dad dressed me up as Princess Leia for three Halloweens in a row. He claims she’s the one princess he respects, and I can’t disagree.”

“We think alike.” He winks at me.

I ignore the way one wink makes me feel because it seems safer than going up and kissing him.

“So, I have a list.” I dangle the envelope in front of him.

“We already discussed it. Are you here to knock off an item?”

I shake my head. “No. This one’s different. You said you’re free, right?”

He nods.

I pass him the envelope. “Perfect! You’ve officially volunteered yourself to help me with a scavenger hunt. I’m competing against Santi. There are seven items, and we can do them out of order, but we have to finish first.”

“All right, read them to me.”

I open up the paper. “Take a video with the checkered flag on the Monaco finish line. Steal a security officer’s golf cart. Play flip-cup with a rival racer. Hijack someone’s Instagram live video. Steal a tire from a “best of the rest” team. Roll the tire across the pit lane (video or it didn’t happen). Take a picture in a non-Bandini car.”

Liam and I strategize for a few minutes, coming up with the best way to tackle the items.

“Let’s hit take a picture in a non-Bandini car first. That’s easy. Hop in.” He walks to the cockpit of his car.

I attempt to get in, except these guys make it look way easier because my legs can’t make it over the side without me falling over. Liam laughs before he lifts me and places me in the car. His hands press up against my stomach, and my skin buzzes from the heat of his touch. Stupid skin-on-skin contact.

He pulls out his phone and snaps a picture of me. “Do a funny one. You never know when you’ll have the opportunity to sit in a World Champion’s car.”

“It takes a special man to get a hard-on from his own Championship title.” I throw my legs over the side as I pull my sunglasses down my nose, puckering my lips. “Eat your heart out, Marilyn Monroe.”

Liam shakes his head as he snaps a picture, his throaty laugh making me feel all types of things. Hopefully, I come off way more seductive than I feel. Solely for the photo of course.

He coughs as I struggle to get out of the cockpit. No doubt my ass is on display from my jean shorts, a poor choice for today’s activities.

Liam and I walk through the pit lane before I snag an unsuspecting Albrecht crew member.

“Hi. Can I borrow you for a few minutes? It’ll be quick, I swear.” I drag our new helper toward a small pit table away from any watchful eyes.

The poor gentleman attempts to protest as his alarmed brown eyes scan Liam and me.

“I’d go along with it. She’s kind of stubborn.” Liam passes us ten plastic cups and a couple beers.

“Well, excuse me,” I scoff. “You know how to play flip-cup?” I look at my new competition.

The stranger nods. We set up the game, except since it’s only two of us, I have to chug multiple cups myself.

By the last one, I’m gagging from lukewarm beer.

“You’re shaming my culture.” Liam laughs as I cough into the camera.

“Sorry, my bad. I didn’t know Bud Light came from Germany. Forgive me for my expensive taste buds.”

Liam laughs as he turns off the video.

“Okay… I’m going to head out now. Thanks for the beer.” The Albrecht crew member practically runs away without me saying goodbye.

I nod in the direction he left in. “Shy guy. He barely looked at me.”

“I think that’s because he was too busy watching your lips wrapped around the rim of the cup.”

“That explains his terrible performance. He barely got past the second cup. I didn’t think I was that distracting, but I’ll take it.” I purse my lips.

“So fucking distracting.” He huffs under his breath. “That and the way your throat bobs from chugging beer like a champ.” Liam winks at me.

My cheeks heat on command. Do I distract Liam, too? I ignore my impulse to ask him. “Quit flirting with me. You’re sidetracking me, and we have other items to complete.”

We snag an unintended golf cart from a random security officer. Liam drives it toward the Bandini pit so we can show Maya our completed item.

I stop recording the short video of Liam driving. “You know, we don’t make a bad team.”

“If only you’d agree to working together on a different set of items.”

“Ha. Ha. Hilarious. Have you been saving that all day?”

“Yes. I can’t help it when you chose a list that I can’t get out of my head.”

While his tidbit is interesting, I carry on. “If you had to choose a few items for your own bucket list, what would you pick?”

“Is time travel on the table?” His eyes darken as he stares straight ahead, focusing on our destination.

“I think bucket lists usually have to include items you can actually accomplish.” I hide my surprise at his question.

“Then I don’t think I have anything I want to do.”

“Oh, bullshit. There has to be something you want.” My question is interrupted by Liam’s phone ringing.

He tugs it out of his pocket. I catch the name Lukas before Liam presses the ignore button, shoving it back into his jeans.

“Who’s Lukas?”

“No one,” he half growls.

Whoa, where did that attitude come from? “Um, okay then.”

Liam drives us silently for a minute. “I’m sorry for talking to you like that. Lukas is my brother. I don’t talk to him too often, and I’d much rather spend time with you, to be honest.” Liam stops the cart and looks at me with an unfamiliar expression, almost as if in pain.

Something about his sad eyes makes me drop the topic of his brother. “You’re forgiven if you tell me five facts about yourself that I can’t google.” I tap the wheel for him to keep going.

Liam lets out a relieved sigh. “If I find these online later, I know who to blame. I’m currently rereading It by Stephen King for the second time. Don’t ask me why, I just want to. I like to sleep naked. And yes, before your jaw drops, I mean completely naked. The one older woman I helped cross the street berated me about feminism and how men think women always need help. Fourth, I walked in on my parents having sex once, and I’m surprised I can still appreciate doggy-style after seeing them. And lastly, I still play Pokémon Go even though probably only two other people in the world play it.”

I don’t know why the last fact has me throwing my head back and laughing to the point of my lungs burning, but it does.

Liam looks at me as if he’s seen an alien.

“What?” I attempt to regain air to my lungs.

He shakes his head. “Nothing. Let’s finish up this list.”

I’m actually having a good time with Liam. No sex, no complications. Just time spent getting to know one another.

Can Liam have a few flaws, please? Anything besides his part-time job of screwing women.

We take a break to grab a water back in Bandini’s garage.

“Okay, I have to say this. I’m a little disappointed at how oddly normal you are,” I blurt out.

“I won’t lie to you. That’s possibly the best compliment I’ve heard in a while.”

I let out a laugh. “That’s kind of sad. But really, no offense, but your reputation sucks. I was a bit afraid to be your friend.”

“Your level of honesty is refreshing. Please boost my ego a little more while you’re at it.”

“Well, you’re nothing like the guy I expected based on what everyone says about you.” Being around him makes me question what I’ve read and the truths I’ve put stock in because he comes off sweet and interested. I regret jumping to conclusions about him because he acts like a model citizen, paying his taxes on time and walking grandmas across the road.

“For once, I really don’t want to know what people say about me.” He runs an agitated hand through his hair.

“I don’t blame you. But at least I’m willing to stay friends despite everything.”

“Wow. Thank you for your service.” He gives me a half-assed salute.

We finish up our break. Time flies while we hang out, and with one more item to complete, I text Maya to check in on Santi’s progress. She says he still needs to steal a golf cart.

“Last one. We need to sneak a picture with the checkered flag on the Prix finish line.” I read off Maya’s hardest item.

“Let’s grab a flag and hit the line. But we have to be quiet and not draw attention to ourselves because I can get in trouble. F1 tends to be protective of their course before a race day.” He smirks at me.

“I can be quiet, no need to tell me twice.”

We make our way toward the Grandstand overlooking the finish line. It turns out a ton of security officers and F1 personnel hang around the grid area overseeing the finish line.

I push all my blonde hair under the Bandini cap and pull it low on my face. “Do I look like a guy? Maybe a scrawny pit crew member by chance?”

“Is the sky green? What type of question is that? Last time I checked, guys don’t wear scraps of material like yours for shorts, let alone a shirt like that.” He lets out an exasperated sigh as his eyes trail down my body.

My head lowers to check out my T-shirt, laughing at the I like big boats and I cannot lie saying. I bought it specifically for Monaco. His glance makes my heart beat faster, unable to contain my excitement about him checking me out.

Friends, Sophie. Friends.

I don’t miss the way his eyes close after they land on mine. But I pretend I did, saving us the trouble and awkwardness. “Well. Can’t change anything now. Bitches get stitches.”

“You do understand this isn’t where you apply that saying, right?” He rubs a hand across his face.

“Duh. But where’s the fun in that? We’re already rebelling.” I step toward the stand housing the different colored flags.

Liam strolls past me, climbing the ladder like he does this all the time. He grabs the flag and tosses it to me. I miss because Liam smiles at me, looking like some kind of German god, screwing with my coordination. The pole clatters to the ground and draws the attention of surrounding crew members.

“Quick. Hurry up!” His yelling snaps me out of my impromptu spell.

I look up from the pavement to find his feet planted back on the ground, his phone filming me. My hand grabs the flag and I wave it around while Liam takes a video. He laughs along with me as I throw the flag in the air and catch it this time. A guard runs toward us, so I ditch the flag as Liam grabs my hand, sending another rush of energy up my arm.

We run toward the McCoy garage, not stopping until we both collapse by the wheels of Liam’s car. Our heavy breathing fills the silent garage.

I turn my head to find Liam staring at me, the blue shade of his eyes darker than usual. A look shouldn’t make me feel how it does, happy and excited all at once, craving him in ways I’m unaccustomed to. An uneasiness runs down my spine at the idea of feeling something more than friendship for this man.

A McCoy mechanic interrupts our moment when he asks us to move.

We head toward the Bandini pit area.

Maya hangs around the garage, fiddling with her camera. “Looks like you’re the winner of this round. But unfortunately, we have to cancel the Championship because Santi got in trouble.” She frowns at me.

“What? No.” My lower lip juts out.

“I’m sorry. Santi chose to steal a cart from a twenty-year-old security officer who used to be on the Junior Olympics for track or something. His old teammate from Kulikov slipped by without getting caught.”

“Either Santi has terrible luck or an undeveloped frontal lobe,” I mutter under my breath.

Liam clears his throat. “What if I step in for Santi?”

Maya and I both snap our heads toward Liam.

“I have nothing better to do. Plus, I’m a better match for Sophie than Santiago.” His words hit me like a sucker punch to the chest.

I recover before bouncing up and down, loving the idea. “Yes. Perfect! Let’s do it.”

Maya grabs her camera and introduces the change of plans. Liam pulls me into the shot as if it’s the most natural thing for him to wrap his arm around me. I suck in a breath as his body leans against mine, placing his firm hand on my hip.

“Next round is a race. And no, before Sophie complains and Liam gloats, neither one has an advantage here. I’m all about being fair and square. Well, to a certain extent.” She turns the camera toward Liam and me while flashing us a secretive grin.

Maya pulls out two remotes from her bag and leads us toward the back alley of the Bandini pit area. I have to give it to her. She goes all out with her vlogging because she set up a mini Grand Prix with a plastic racetrack and two remote control F1 race cars.

“Whoever has all four tires off the racetrack loses. Anything goes because what’s the fun in playing by the rules. So let this be the dirtiest race you’ve ever done. You have ten laps to make it happen.” She winks at us both.

“I hope your ego can handle a blow here and there because I plan on winning.” I gaze into Liam’s eyes.

“There are few things I like blown, and that’s not one of them.” Liam grins while Maya cracks up. I roll my eyes at the camera before I grab the remote from her.

“Bring it on, pretty boy.” I rev the toy car’s motor.

Liam shakes his head as he grabs his controller.

The idea seems easy enough, at least until we both start our cars and race them. Remote control cars pose a challenge to control. They jerk and swerve, making it hard to keep the wheels on the track for the first lap. Liam handles his with greater ease than me. That simply can’t do because I don’t want him to win.

Our cars complete another lap after what feels like ten minutes. Maya stifles a yawn.

For entertainment value, both of YouTubers and mine alike, I slam my car into Liam’s during one of the straights.

“Ah, the kitten has claws. It looks like Sophie’s done playing nice.” Liam looks into the camera as I slam into his car again, knocking two of his wheels off the track. My laugh comes off way more like a cackle than a cute giggle.

Liam lets me get away with just about everything before he turns the tables on me. I slam into the side of his car again before I take up most of the racetrack, not allowing him to move past my car without putting his wheels at risk.

His body inches up closer to me, stepping away from Maya and the camera. He leans in so the microphone doesn’t pick up on his words. “See Sophie, I drive like I fuck. Slow, then fast, then slow again until you’re all out of gas. I treat my car like a lover, stroking her before I enter her, only offering the best kind of foreplay for my girl. I don’t recklessly race because I prefer to be attentive. I fuck like I do everything else, with precision and strength—control and care.” He distracts me as his car surges past mine, his words hitting me harder than any collision with a remote-control car. Damn him for making race talk into our kind of foreplay.

Maya laughs at us. I glare at her before I pay attention to our cars again. Liam passes my car once more as I pick up the pace, the wheels swerving down the fake runway. Screw him and his dirty air.

“You don’t play fair.” My car speeds up along with my irritation.

“No, I don’t play at all. I fuck, I own, I dominate. Playing is for boys, and I can assure you I’m all man.” He smirks down at me.

Has this man ever had a friend of the opposite gender?

“You can’t talk to me that way.” My teeth grip onto my lower lip.

His car buzzes past mine again, but I try to concentrate this time, not wanting to take the loss.

“I can because I’m here to fight dirty. If you gave in to your desires, you’d know that. I want to learn every inch of you while I map out your body like the night sky you love so damn much. And fuck it’d be so good between us, with me showing you things you never thought possible.” His tongue darts out to lick his bottom lip.

Everything in me wants to agree except for the two brain cells working together, telling me how bad of an idea this is. I don’t have a moment to think about it because Liam’s hands find mine and he flips a switch on my controller. My car careens off the side of the track.

My jaw drops as my car rolls toward our feet. I narrow my eyes at him, but he grins before giving me a peck on the cheek. His lips move near my ear.

“You make it too easy with your innocent ears unable to handle such bad things like me. I’d love to see the way you blush when I’m balls deep inside of you. Say the words, and I’m yours, no questions asked. I want a night with you and your list.” His teeth graze the soft skin of my ear.

Smug fucker bit me!

He steps away, acting like he didn’t turn me on and run over my self-control at the same time.

“Okay, you two. I couldn’t pick up half of what was happening, but Liam won that round. I wish I could say it was fair and square, but based on the color of Sophie’s cheeks and the evil gleam in Liam’s eyes, I’m going to go with a no on that.” Maya walks over toward us with a huge grin plastered on her face. Glad she finds this whole exchange entertaining and cute because I sure don’t.

Liam gloats to the camera, pretending he didn’t whisper the naughtiest things I’ve ever heard. He remains completely oblivious about how he sent feelings from my heart all the way down to my clit from words alone.

“Friends, right?” His eyes slide from the camera to me.

“Yup.” I avoid his gaze as I listen to Maya’s next game, the drive to compete seeping away from me. Liam leaves me breathless and confused all at once. Uncertainty sits in my stomach while I mull over his words, not sure how I can stay strong around this man when my restraint wavers from a few words and touches.

For the next game, I remain on autopilot because my brain left my body an hour ago, short-circuiting from Liam’s wickedness. He wants to change the game and rip control away from me.

I don’t like it. Not one bit.