Shit, reel it in, Rome.
The last thing I need is a headline about how I got into a fight with another racer or, worse, that there’s something going on between Tessa and me.
“Tess and I–”
I snap my hand forward, colliding with his neck. “Her name is Tessa,” I seethe. “Only friends and family call her Tess, and from what I just witnessed, you’re neither.”
“‘Fuck, fine,” he forces between clenched teeth. “Chill.”
For good measure, I press my thumb onto his windpipe before I let him go.
He gasps for air and reaches for his neck.
His glare makes me chuckle.
To my surprise, he begins to head in the direction of the gala but not before halting right beside Tessa.
I clench my jaw.
He’s testing me.
He glances at her once before glaring at me over his shoulder. “See you on the track.”
“Looking forward to it,” I say, tone low.
Tessa waits until he’s out of sight to face me. Her arms are crossed over her breasts, and if she wasn’t glaring at me the way that she is, I may have offered her my jacket like a gentleman, but I can tell by the groove in between her eyebrows that whatever she’s about to say isn't going to be athank you.
I wait silently.
Her pretty brown eyes, full of fear moments ago, narrow with irritation. “I amnotyours, Rome Pierce!”
I scoff.See?
Chapter Thirteen
TESSA
I’m notsure what I’m more perturbed about: the fact that Vinny crossed a line—again, Rome declaring that I was his, or that his proclamation gave me butterflies.
How dare my traitorous body?
Rome pushes his hands into his pockets, a faint chuckle slipping from his mouth. He appears so cool and calm after the altercation, as if his hand wasn’t wrapped around another man’s throat.
“I was referring to you being my engineer…my teammate,” he says, a smirk slowly appearing on his face. “But glad to know that’s where your mind went, Princess.”
I turn around hastily, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. The clicking of my heels echoes between the two buildings, mixing in with Rome’s slow strides behind me. Before I’m able to step foot on the sidewalk, I’m pulled backward by Rome’s hand around my waist.
Mid-gasp, he presses me against the brick wall.
“Not so fast.”
A strand of Rome’s dark hair falls onto his forehead. I stare into his blue eyes–a mirror of the ocean, a mix of dark and light blue, full of life.
Oh my god, knock it off.
“What was that all about?” he asks.
I swallow. “Nothing.”
