Roaring Hot! (Contemporary Romance): A Billionaire Biker Romance (10 page)

The food was indeed awesome. The main dish was beef rouladen with dill spaetzle. The mustard-slathered beef rolls had just enough tang to compliment the brined pickles and smoky bacon it was stuffed with. Amy licked her lips. The spaetzle was tasty, tossed with onion, dill, and cheese. Comforting and calming.

The man across from her was anything but. Amy avoided his gaze and concentrated on the food. She’d been stupid of course, to offer herself to a man who’d basically paid her to be his companion. Who was she fooling? He was trying to get his money’s worth, but somehow even with that motivation, he’d found her lacking.

Maybe he didn’t like her taste, or she’d had body odor after the ziplining, or her private parts weren’t to his liking. When was the last time a guy decided to have sex with her and stopped? Never, ever happened.

Most men were glad to get it on with an actress, even if she were only an aspiring one. But Teo was the son of a billionaire, which meant he had access to hordes of women. Why would he fixate on her to pretend to be his girlfriend, unless …

Amy wiped her mouth with a napkin, not liking the implications. His grandmother was Japanese, and his motorcycle brand was Suzuki. Had she been hired solely as a token? A poster girl to improve his image with the Japanese sponsors or win over racing fans in Japan?

“Hey,” Teo said, gesturing to her empty plate. “Did you like it?”

“Yeah, it was good. Thanks.”

“Then why the serious look? You looked like you were concentrating on an algebra problem.”

“I-I failed, didn’t I?”

“Failed? In what way?”

“You don’t have to pretend you find me attractive. I’m just the hired actress. You don’t have to wine me and dine me and take me on romantic getaways. It’s all backwards. I’m supposed to convince you to pop the question.”

Teo reached across the table and took her hand. “This isn’t part of the reality show.”

She twisted from his grip and stood. “But is it wise to have these side trips? We’re supposed to be doing a show together. How is going on dates and spending the night with you going to help the show?”

His jaw hung open, and he turned his hands face up. “I’m not as good an actor as you. I need to feel things for you if I’m going to act like I love you enough to propose.”

“You’re trying to feel things for me? Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Very.” He stood and came around the table. “I really want this to work out. I want to get my big break into acting.”

Amy swallowed and leaned against him. “I got nervous back there. I knew you could tell if a woman’s acting like she’s turned on. I mean, last night at the hotel, I tried to put on some theatrics and you caught me.”

“So you froze instead.” Teo tugged her into his arms. “I’d rather you were real, even if it meant you weren’t ready to sleep with me. I shouldn’t have pushed.”

“But I want to. I mean, oh, I don’t know.” Amy wrapped her arms around his waist. Being around Teo was like being on a roller coaster. She didn’t know what was coming and what was going. Off-balanced and thrilling, but frightening. “I only know I should always tell you the truth. It’s the best I can do.”

“That’s all I want from you.” He kissed her forehead. “Honesty’s the best policy. That’s what my grandmother always says.”

* * *

Teo waited until Amy locked the bathroom door before pulling out his laptop. He booted it up and checked his email. What the heck? Ronaldo had used his bike and placed higher in the qualifiers, and the team manager had decided to let Ronaldo ride Teo’s bike for the race.

He dashed off an email to Claudio.
I do not agree to let Ronaldo ride my bike. The suspension on mine is adjusted to my riding style and weight.

Claudio replied almost immediately.
You missed the autograph session this afternoon. Ronaldo said you took off with your girlfriend. Wherever you are, you better get back or we’re cancelling your race
.

He typed back.
I will be in time for the pre-race meeting. My personal life is personal. You’ll have my bike ready for me in the morning.

Claudio:
Ronaldo placed higher than you.

Teo:
He’ll wreck my bike. My father will not be pleased. I will ride my bike
.

Claudio:
Ronaldo crashed his bike.

Teo:
Too bad, so sad. Which is exactly the reason he can’t ride mine tomorrow.

Claudio:
Fine. We’re overnighting another bike from the factory. I’ll speak to the owner.

Teo:
Who’s good friends with my dad. So long.

He closed his email app. He hated to throw his father’s weight around, but it was necessary. Teo wasn’t going to play second fiddle to anyone, and no one should have touched his bike. He was happy for Ronaldo to qualify with a good time, but not at the expense of his bike. They’d better have the new one ready by tomorrow morning.

Teo pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a ripped tank top to get comfortable. Amy was still in the bathroom and knowing females, she’d be soaking in the tub for a very long time, at least until the water went cold. He made a video call to his grandmother.

“Oh, it’s you.” Oba-chan’s voice crackled. She pressed her silver bun and popped her knuckles. “Got the pictures of you and Amy. What was her last name again?”

He hadn’t told her. Did she think he was that stupid?

“I didn’t say. You think I want you googling her?”

“I can do an image search. Google does facial recognition these days. I have my ways.”

Which was exactly why he’d kept the images dim without her frontal view. He’d also bribed his sister to stay quiet about the reality show. Fortunately, Tasha was also irked by Oba-chan’s frequent intrusion into her private life.

“Don’t waste your time. Amy’s not on social media. By the way, I called to see if you’ve been taking your medicine.”

“You think I’m stupid?” Oba-chan shook her head, laughing. “You’re trying to find out if I’m sick or not. On my last legs.”

“Yeah, what did Dr. What’s His Name tell you?”

“Sorry, nothing’s going on. I’m as healthy as a horse. But I’m warning you. I demand a meeting with Amy in Indianapolis. One on one, no place for her to hide.”

“Uh, Oba-chan?” Teo put on his most sweetest grandson face. “I’m really serious about her and how can I put it? You might scare her away. She’s a very independent woman.”

Oba-chan’s lips thinned. “You better not be pulling my leg.”

“Oh, no, truly. You’ll see. Amy’s not after marriage or kids. She has her own career and she’s determined to succeed.”

“Then you better get her interested in you. Is she using you to enhance her image? How do you know she’s not after your money?”

“You think I’m after your money?” Amy’s voice sailed from the bathroom door behind him. She appeared on the video screen wearing nothing but his oversized T-shirt with the Suzuki emblem.

Crap. Her surname was right on the shirt. Hopefully Oba-chan wouldn’t pick it up.

“Amy,” Teo said. “Say ‘hi’ to my grandmother.”

Amy gave his grandmother a finger wave, then pressed both hands on his shoulders, massaging them, as any proper girlfriend would do. Teo couldn’t help the triumphant smile grazing his lips.
Thank you, Amy, for showing Oba-chan you’re mine.

“Another time, Oba-chan.” Teo raised his cursor to click on the hang-up button. “We have to go, sorry.”

“Is she really your girlfriend or did you hire an actress?” Oba-chan’s voice sounded strident.

What? How did she guess? Sweat dampened Teo’s nose, and Amy pushed away from him.

“Of course she’s really my girlfriend.” Teo flipped his laptop around and caught Amy darting for the door. “There, satisfied? Now she’s going to break up with me because you accused her of pretending.”

Oba-chan wagged her finger and grinned. “I have my sources and I know everything about your Amy Manami Suzuki, so stop the theatrics and woo her like the gentleman I raised you to be.”

“I will, Oba-chan. Bye.” Teo heaved a sigh and hung up. Oba-chan had raised a playboy, namely his father. Teo was her second shot at being a mother. Now she was old and possibly stricken with illness. She was his closest relative, the one person in the world who cared about him with no strings attached. He had to grant her dying wish for him to have a proper girlfriend, someone to love and love him back.

His best chance was Amy. Perhaps she would agree to stay with him until Oba-chan’s death, which hopefully would be many years away. Many, many years.

His breath caught. It would mean holding onto Amy and extending her contract. Would she go for it? What if her acting career took off and she no longer needed this deal?

“Ahem,” Amy said from the bedroom door. “Are you finished with your video call?”

She was back. Teo sprang from the bed and rushed to Amy’s side. He wanted to pick her up and hug her, twirl her around and around. She was the answer to his grandmother’s happiness. It could still work.

He led her to the bed and put his laptop on the table.

“So, I’m seriously going to sleep here with you?” Amy’s nose wrinkled. “What’s this about hiring an actress to be your girlfriend?”

“My grandmother doesn’t believe I can get a girlfriend on my own.” Teo rubbed the back of his neck. He was stiff and could use a massage.

“Seriously? You’re being humble.” She pulled the covers down and slid her legs underneath them. “How many girlfriends have you had? Do you have one now?”

“Whoa, that’s a barrage of questions. If I answer you, will you answer mine?”

“That depends.” She flicked her hair on the pillow and stretched. “Aren’t you going to snuff out the candles?”

“Let them burn out,” Teo said. Besides, he wanted to feast his eyes on her expressions and catch if she was playing a role.

“Go ahead, then. Answer my question.” Amy’s face was so close to his he could almost taste her minty breath and feel the softness of her skin. He reached over to touch her, but she blocked him.

“No distractions. How many girlfriends?”

“None.”

“Seriously? Why?”

“Why?” Pain gripped his heart as he thought about his mother leaving. “It’s easier that way. I’m a racer and I travel the circuit, every two weeks for most of the year. It’s too hard to stay close to anyone.”

“You’re really being honest, aren’t you?”

“It’s easy being honest with you. I guess it’s because you’re not real.”

“I’m not real? As in not a real person?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Meaning, I’m an actress you hired for the reality show. Sure. But don’t you care what I think about you?”

“I do.” Sweat prickled on Teo’s forehead, and his pulse thumped. “I do, but at the same time I know you’re here because we hired you for the show.”

“Is that why you’re tacking on the fake girlfriend thing for your grandma? You have me, a captive actress, and you might as well flaunt it to her?”

Actually she had it backwards. The reality show was the cover up. Teo thanked the stars Amy had jumped to a false conclusion. For a moment there, when she’d overheard Oba-chan and the actress hiring, he’d worried she would back out of the deal and figure out there was no reality show.

“You okay with it?” He pressed her palm to his mouth and kissed it. “The show won’t air until next year. You won’t mind if my grandmother thinks you’re my girlfriend until then?”

Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight like black onyx jewels. “I don’t mind pretending to be your girlfriend. It’s the least I can do since I’m costarring with you on the show. You care about your grandmother very much, don’t you?”

He wrapped her in his arms and rested her head on his shoulder. “I do. She took care of me after my mom left. She never hired a nanny, even though my father would have paid for one or more. That’s because she regrets letting nannies raise my father and my uncles and aunts.”

“How old were you when your mother left?” Amy’s fingers drew soothing circles over his chest.

“Three.” His throat tightened. “I was only three.”

“Where did she go?”

“Back to her country to be a nun.”

She was silent, not asking the question that logically came next. Why? Why did your mother leave? Instead she snuggled closer to him and held him. Her comfort lapped around the edges of the gaping hole in his heart, but he couldn’t let her in. She’d rip a bigger one when her contract was over, leaving him emptier than before.

The need to talk about his mother burned in his chest. His entire family hated her, called her all sorts of names, but he didn’t believe it. His mother hadn’t gotten a dime.

“All my dad’s other wives stayed and got a big divorce settlement. But my mom. She didn’t care about money. She wanted to serve God. God was more important to her than her son.”

Stroking Amy’s sleek straight hair comforted him. His mother also had straight black hair. That much he could remember.

“Don’t say that, Teo. Don’t ever think that. You might not know why she left. She must have had a good reason.”

“If she did, why doesn’t she answer my letters? Why won’t she email me? Let me visit? Why? Do you know I went to the convent and asked for her? She refused to show her face.”

“Wow … That really sucks.” Amy moved her head until it was over his chest, right on top of his heart. “Which convent?”

“San something or other. I don’t remember.”

“You do remember.” Amy crouched over him and kissed his cheek. “And I’m sure she remembers you too.”

Amy stretched and cracked her eyes open. It was still dark, very early, but the side of the feather bed Teo had slept on was rumpled and empty.

A sliver of light shone under the bedroom door. She tiptoed to it and opened it, peering into the living area.

Teo knelt on a cushion with his feet tucked underneath him. His spine was straight and he was shirtless, wearing only a pair of white karate pants. His eyes were closed, and he held himself perfectly still.

His breathing was steady, and his well-proportioned body was relaxed. The planes of his chest were smooth and mostly hairless except for the faint trail of dark hair between his abdominals leading down to his crotch.

His image flickering in the candlelight was hypnotizing and strangely sexy. Not that she’d ever thought watching a guy meditate was a turn on. Usually they looked weird, cross-legged, with their fingers in circles intoning nonsense phrases. But Teo kneeling on a pillow, his back ramrod straight was different, like a Japanese warrior, a samurai, ready to spring with coiled energy at a moment’s notice.

His eyes opened and rested on her. A smile crept on his face. “I’m glad you’re awake. We have to get back to the racetrack before the pre-race meeting.”

“You’re not in trouble, are you?” She sidled up to him and knelt.

“No trouble.” He tangled his fingers in her hair, ruffling it. “Did you sleep well?”

“I did. Very well.” She kissed him. It was so natural and so easy. This beautiful man who was always concerned about her. “Someday, will you teach me to meditate?”

His eyes were calm, full of inner peace as he drew away from her lips. “It will be my privilege.”

“Uhm, about last night?” She hated that her voice quavered. “I kind of froze up, didn’t I?”

“Don’t worry about it. You don’t owe me anything.” His entire demeanor was peaceful, sweet, unfeigned. She could sink into the depths of the dark pools of his eyes, fringed by lush eyelashes and strong, dark brows, and never emerge.

“That’s not what I meant.” For some reason, she felt the urge to explain. “I was trying not to act excited, and I must have turned you off.”

A faint grin raised the corners of his lips. “You’re a funny girl. Trying not to act is acting. You’re conscious of your behavior. Outside of yourself observing and evaluating. Didn’t they teach you in acting school to internalize your character and live it?”

“They did. But it’s easier to get into the part if it’s closer to your own experiences. For example, if I have to play at being sad, I try to remember a situation where I had profound sadness and replicate it.”

“But the act of acting or not acting is acting.”

“You speak like a zen koan.” Amy tapped her lips on his, eliciting a soft kiss.

“Man is a thinking reed but his great works are done when he is not calculating or thinking. D. T. Suzuki, a philosopher.”

“Wise, so wise.” She breathed into his lips and extracted another kiss. “How do I lose myself to the moment? Is this what meditation does?”

“Yes and no.” He took an even breath. “Be fully present, attentive, not running this way or that. Mindfully aware, but not concerned with the impression you’re creating.”

“But how?” Amy’s mind spun between here and there. “I can’t sit still and just be me.”

“That’s exactly it.” Teo pecked at her lips. “Just be.”

“Just be.” She closed her eyes and angled herself for a long, slow kiss.

His cell phone rang, disturbing the harmony and quiet. They held each other, not responding at first. Just being. But the insistent rap of his ringtone was too strident to ignore.

“Sorry, about that,” Teo said. “It might be the team manager. Ronaldo borrowed my bike yesterday for the qualifiers, and I have to get back and make sure all the settings are adjusted correctly.”

“Oh, I didn’t know.” Amy jumped to her feet. “Let me shower and get dressed. I’ll be ready in no time.”

She retreated toward the bedroom to fetch her clothes.

“Amy?” Teo’s voice sounded behind her, strained and tight. “Is your cell phone off?”

“Why? What’s up? I think the battery’s dead.”

“Your mother wants to speak to you.” He handed his phone to her.

“Me?” She took his phone, her stomach twisting with jitters. Her mother never called when she was working. That role was played by her nagging, berating father.

“Mom? Is everything all right?” Amy held Teo’s phone and walked into the bathroom. She shut the door. Teo didn’t need to know about her family problems.

“No, not okay. Your father’s in the hospital.”

Amy closed her eyes and sank onto the ground. “What happened?”

“They don’t know. He was seeing double and getting dizzy. I hope it’s not a stroke.”

“Stroke? Oh, no! I’ll fly home right away.”

“Can you get away? Aren’t they shooting your show?”

“I’ll talk to the director. They shot some portions of it yesterday in the mountains.” Dang. She should have gone with the script Friday evening. Then they would have had more footage. “Is he conscious? Can I speak to him?”

“He’s conscious yes, and there’s no numbness or loss of movement. He didn’t pass his angiogram though.”

“Heart attack?”

“No, not yet. Thankfully. They’re scheduling him for a triple bypass. I’d like you to be here in case anything happens.”

“Oh, gosh, yes. I can’t believe this.” Amy clutched her chest and blinked back tears. “I’ll be on the next flight home.”

Amy wasn’t sure how long she remained nestled on the hard stone floor. Her father was always the strong one, a disciplined man who got up at four in the morning to lift weights, a punctual, responsible man who never let anyone down.

“Amy?” Teo tapped lightly at the door. “Is everything okay?”

“No, not okay.” Her voice came out choked. “My father’s in the hospital.”

Teo opened the door, squatted in front of her, and swept her into his arms. “You must go to him.”

“I know. I can’t believe it. He’s never been sick a day in his life. Never took off a day of work.”

He kissed her lightly on the side of her head. “I’ll call my pilot and take you to the airport.”

“I can’t do this to you. You’re going to be late for the team meeting. You should be relaxing in the hotel room or warming up.”

“I’ll be fine. Come on, let’s get you up and going.”

With no time to shower, Amy brushed her teeth and gathered her things. She’d already had a bath last night, so she wasn’t too worried she’d disturb anyone’s nose.

The ride to the airport was silent, but somehow comforting. She couldn’t even calculate what the true costs were to fly an empty jet, but for her, at short notice to San Francisco.

Dawn was breaking when they arrived at the airport. The co-pilot met them curbside. Teo put the car on park and held the door as she exited. He insisted on seeing her safely into the jet, despite the upcoming race.

“You take care.” He kissed her. “Can I call and text you? Come see you in California?”

“You don’t have to. Your next race is Indianapolis. Don’t you have to be there to practice?”

“My grandmother lives in San Francisco. It won’t be out of my way. Besides, I want to keep in touch. I’ll pray for your father and your family.”

“Thanks.” She hugged him, melting into his embrace. Since when had this bad boy billionaire turned into a sweetheart? “I’m going to miss you.”

“Same here.” He gave her one last kiss.

“Stay safe, Teo-chan.”

* * *

Amy’s mother and brother were at the airport, waiting in the international arrivals hall. Even though Teo’s pilot had called for a limo, her mother insisted on taking control.

Amy thanked the driver and texted Teo.
Arrived at SFO. The limo was special and appreciated, but Mom’s here and taking care of everything. <3 <3 <3 [heart symbols]

“Who’re you texting? Your boyfriend?” Amy’s fifteen-year-old brother, Joe, sneered.

“How’s Dad?” Her heart lurched at his absence. Even though he was a busy doctor, he was usually the one who met her at the airport. He’d take her bags and lecture her about her goals in life and how she was headed for failure, but he had always been there to greet her.

Meanwhile her mother hadn’t said two words to her—a frown at her arrival, and then she marched to the kiosk to pay for parking.

Joe snagged Amy’s carryon and jutted his jaw like he was anointed to carry an important message from her father. “You’re in trouble with Dad. He found out you’re in a stupid reality show, not journalism like you told him.”

“Urgh, I didn’t mean that. Is he going to be okay?”

He shrugged. Of course it was useless to ask her brother anything. The guy still acted like a bratty kid. When was he going to grow up?

A text message jangled her phone. It was Teo.

Glad you arrived safely. I’ll call you when you get settled. Give my regards to your parents.

A warm feeling settled over Amy’s shoulders, as if Teo’s arms were locked around her. Could this man be real? No matter. She loved the feeling.

She whipped back a text while trying to keep Joe from snooping.

Thanks for everything. How did the race go?

Amy stifled a yawn. She’d traveled backwards in time. It was midnight in Germany and only three in the afternoon in California.

Teo:
I finished third. Got some points on the guys leading the series when Salvadori and Rampini tangled with Ronaldo. None of them finished.

Ice shot through Amy’s veins. Another accident involving Ronaldo?

Amy:
Are they okay?

Teo:
Yes, thankfully. Ronaldo smashed up the replacement bike, not mine. The press is saying we set up Ronaldo to take out the leaders.

Amy:
You guys be careful out there. Congratulations on your win. I wish I could have been there to see your moment of glory.

“Hey, Mom’s waving at us,” Joe cut in. “Stop texting your boyfriend.”

Teo:
I missed you at the party.

Amy:
Same here. Gotta go.

Teo:
See you soon, matakia mou.

Amy:
???

Teo:
My little eyes, means sweetie in Greek.

Little eyes? Is he poking at her Japanese eyes? Grrr … It wasn’t like his eyes were so round, although if she had to admit it, they were only slightly slanted. His Greek nose and strong eyebrows made up for the smaller eyes on his decidedly handsome face.

“Amy, get off that phone,” her mother yelled, swinging her arms. “There’s going to be so much traffic getting to the East Bay at this time.”

“You know how Mom gets road rage,” her brother added unhelpfully.

Gotta get to the car
, Amy texted before she strode to her mother’s side.

Sure enough, traffic was on a stand still, even on a Sunday afternoon. Amy couldn’t help texting Teo since her mother wasn’t in a mood for conversation. Cuss words and fist shaking along with sudden braking and jerky lane changes peppered their car ride. Fortunately, Joe was ensconced in his headphones and sacked out in the back seat.

Amy:
How was the party?

Teo:
So, so. The girls kind of got crazy on me.

She suppressed a groan. Was he begging forgiveness for some indecent pictures or acts she was sure to see if she logged into a gossip site?

Amy:
Girls? What happened?

Teo:
Since you weren’t around, they thought they had a green light to invade my room, jump on my bed, and hide behind the curtains.

Amy:
I’ll bet. Glad you had fun.

Teo:
Nothing happened.

Amy:
You don’t have to sugarcoat. I’m not really your girlfriend, remember?

Teo:
I’m only telling you the truth. Anyway, as soon as my jet returns, I’m coming to see you.

Wow. How sweet. He sounded like a real boyfriend. Warm feelings creamed over her and she couldn’t help smiling. However, she couldn’t appear overeager for him in case he was acting.

Amy:
I’ll let you know. I’m sure your grandmother will keep you busy.

The brakes screeched and the car lurched. Pow! The sound of crunching metal thudded as an airbag slammed her face.

* * *

Teo packed his bags and glanced at his phone. Amy hadn’t returned his last message nor picked up his calls. Had he said anything to insult her? Her last message had sounded like she didn’t want to see him. Maybe he should back off. He wasn’t one who needed to chase women, since they came on to him in droves.

He rushed to the steps of his jet and settled into a leather lounge chair. He’d told the staff he didn’t want to be disturbed by the other passengers, especially Mia who was on her way to set up adventures in Indiana for the next segment of the show.

Right before they closed the door, Ronaldo ran up the stairs and pounced in. “Teo, buddy, let me hitch a ride.”

“Sure, dude.” He turned the volume louder on his headphones.

Ronaldo strapped himself into the seat next to him and ripped off Teo’s headphones. “Listen to me. We have to replace Amy.”

Mia sidled from her seat and sat across the aisle from him. “I agree. Amy has to go.”

“Her father’s in the hospital. She had to go home.”

“That’s not the only reason,” Ronaldo said. “She likes you too much. There’s no tension, no conflict.”

“And you like her too,” Mia piped in, making a slashing motion across her throat. “No audience wants to see you two making lovey dovey so early in the series.”

Teo raised his seatback for the takeoff. “You guys have it backwards. The only reason for
Romancing the Racer
is for me to have a fake girlfriend for my grandmother’s birthday party. I’m paying for it, so Amy stays.”

“Uh, no, we’re splitting.” Ronaldo tapped his arm. “This is my project, too. My big debut into reality TV. Amy’s screwed up already. I want her off the show. You can tell her it was all a ruse for your grandmother, but I’m hiring another actress.”

“I don’t want another actress.” Teo fixed Ronaldo with his harshest glare. “I put up half the funds for this.”

“Sorry, bud.” Ronaldo glared back at him, his nose flaring. “Amy doesn’t have talent. She’ll never make it in Hollywood.”