“What?”
“Heisalone. None of his family is here. And I doubt any of his friends. He only introduced me to his crew and staff.” I grew pensive. “You think he concocted this engagement story so he wouldn’t be alone in Miami? Making history is a pretty big deal.”
“All I know is that you’d better go and be with him. Have sex or don’t have sex, but this is the one night he needs you. Call me with the deets. Later.” Saraj clicked off the cell.
Within thirty minutes, I’d showered and changed into a strapless, bodycon dress that hugged my curves like a glove. My long, thin braids hung low down my back, and I dusted my face and bare skin with glitter. I ignored the butterflies swirling in my stomach as I walked down the cobbled path. Canaan’s villa was a ten-minute walk away, and it was a beautiful, balmy, and starry night. I finally could breathe and celebrate the turn of events. For the next three months, I would be in sexy Miami with a man who made my body ache, and my career was about to be so fiery hot. I prided myself on being strong, and I would kick back feelings other than lust. When our arrangement ended, I would walk away with my heart intact. A man like Canaan Jackson left me with no choice. His scar would be much deeper than the one my ex left if I didn’t protect my heart at all costs.
Feeling inspired, I pulled out my phone, went to my Instagram page, checked my face in the twinkling lights lining the path, and went live. “Hey, sorry I haven’t posted in the last few days. I know there’s been a lot of buzz about a leaked video. Yes, it’s me and the number one racer in the world, Canaan Jackson, in that video. No, we didn’t leak it. I may be slutty, but I’m not a slut . . . well . . . at least not anymore. My dating life is always intentional for those who read my book.” She quirked one eyebrow. “Anyhoo . . . I know Canaan from way back. We’ve been dating on the low for a while, and it got hot and heavy quickly between us. I’m here with him in Daytona, and if you haven’t heard, he just won the NASCAR race today. We’re headed to Miami the day after tomorrow to prepare for his first Formula One race. History in the making in Miami, Flo-Ri-Da.” I grinned as viewers quickly hit over a million and waved at the screen. “I might have a few new followers. Welcome to my world as we talk all about the mad love we crave that might just lead to being hooked forever.”
“Tysha93 warned me to hold on to my man.” I laughed. “I’m Kensie, ‘never-the jealous-type’ Garrett. He knows what he has.” More comments. “Mattie says that she can’t wait for my next book. Me either. Not sure yet what it will be about. But I’ll detail everything that happens for the next three months while Canaan trains for his race. Have to keep following me to stay up to date on the latest.”
Another viewer asked if we were engaged, and I smiled wider. “He announced it to the world earlier today when he won, so I guess he won’t mind me saying it now. But yes, we are, and I couldn’t be more excited. We met in college at Prairie View years ago—Go Panthers—reconnected New Year’s Eve, and now we’re here.” I turned the camera away from me to show the dark Atlantic Ocean lit by the full moon low in the sky. The camera then spanned the colorful, sprawling villas of the resort, and some tourists waved at me and the camera.
“I can’t believe everything that’s happening right now. This is so amazing, and Canaan’s freaking amazing.” I refocused the camera on my face, and the way my face shone bright, even in the night, made me look happy. And maybe for the first time in a long time, I reallywashappy. “Stay tuned. Time to celebrate with my future husband. Talk to you soon.”
My joy didn’t last long. The closer I neared Canaan’s villa, the more the loud music and chatter of a party became apparent, and the bliss quickly turned to irritation. “I can’t believe him,” I muttered.
Canaan sent me away so he could be free to celebrate without me. He was so not alone tonight and probably had a woman. More than one, if the looks the women kept giving him while I stood by his side were any indication. And the reality is, I didn’t really matter. We were a ruse. He could be with anyone he wanted, and I had no right to be mad—except I was livid. At least he could keep his word for one damn night. I marched up to the villa and grabbed the door handle.
“You shouldn’t be walking alone after dark. Sex trafficking is real. You shouldn’t be alone. Period.” His voice appeared out of nowhere. I stepped back, searching for him in the darkness. My heart jumped when I spotted him leaning against a nearby tree, dressed in cargo shorts and an unbuttoned yellow Cuban shirt, the breeze doing sweet justice to his chiseled chest. “What have I done now? Miss Garrett is angry with me again.”
I moved closer to him. “Having a party without inviting me.”
He chuckled. “I wasn’t invited either. That’s my crew. My place is the one next to it. I had too many drinks with them, but it’s not my party.”
“Thought you were violating our agreement already.”
Canaan pushed his hands into his pockets. “Which one? The one where I’m with another woman, or you and I make love on the beach?”
“Let me guess . . . When you win, you like to have celebratory sex?” I asked more to pretend his last words didn’t burn a fever through my veins than wanting an answer.
“Usually, I go to bed alone when I win.” His voice seemed laced with sadness. “A moment of honesty?”
“I hope, if nothing else, we remain honest with each other.”
“I was happy to see you in the stands. I didn’t care that I was pissed and believed you set me up to build your brand. Didn’t care because I wouldn’t be alone when I won.”
“Is that why you want me to be there in Miami?”
“Yes. The only family who believe in me are my grandparents in Barbados, who don’t fly. My mother is somewhere in Chicago, living her life. My father keeps thinking that this is his spoiled son’s ‘hobby.’ I train too much to have time for friends besides Malcolm, my crew chief, and Ms. Murielle, my chef. So, except for the occasional groupie, most of the time, win or lose, I spend the nights I race alone, hyping myself up for the next race. My fingers are touching the sky now, and I need you in my corner, even if it’s pretending.”
Affected by the unexpected vulnerability in a man who seemed invincible, I admitted, “The one thing that won’t be pretended is my belief in you. What you did out there was amazing. I’ve never been to a race before and never cared about a sport I deemed dangerous and foolish until today. It takes unbelievable intelligence, skill, and focus to drive as you did. My heart practically burst out of my chest. I yelled and screamed, rooting louder than anyone for you. I don’t think I ever felt that exhilarated or free watching you.” I clasped my hands in front of me and met his earnest gaze.
“With everything else that went down today, I never had the chance to say congratulations and that you were pure genius on that track. I hope I’m not sounding like a parent, but the best way I can say it is that I am damn proud of you and what you’ve accomplished. And fuck anyone who doesn’t support your dreams.”
His lips curled into a smile. “No. You don’t sound like a parent at all. You sound like a woman proud of her man.”
I reached for his wrist and pulled his hand out of his pocket to grasp it tightly. “For the next few months, I’m proud as your woman. Once our arrangement ends, I hope I can be proud of you as my friend.”
Canaan swung my hand playfully. “You think we could ever be just friends?”
“I don’t know. But . . . a moment of honesty?”
“Of course.”
“I hope so because I already miss you.”
Canaan’s head jerked back slightly.
