He waves a hand and people clap and cheer. The car is in the middle of the track, where everyone can see it. Tazen gives the nod of approval and four men go over and lift the cover, sliding it off the sleek, blue-and-white racing car with all the sponsor stickers covering it. The crowd cheers and whistles and I can’t wipe the massive smile off my face as I watch with pure joy the amazing work created by Tazen and his crew.

As the announcer takes back over, and introduces the car and driver, Tazen makes his way back over to me. He’s got a beautiful big smile on his face, he looks happy, but most of all, he looks proud. So he should be. It’s a beautiful car. When he reaches me he leans in and kisses me hard, then pulls back. “You going to tell me what’s wrong now?”

I study his face, and then sigh.

“That girl gave you her number.”

His brows go up. “And?”

“And you kept it in your pocket.”

He gives me a half smile that I don’t want to admit is fucking adorable. Even for him. “And, baby?”

“You kept it,” I whisper.

He takes my hips in his hands and brings me closer. “I wasn’t about to throw it on the floor. You learn one thing when dealing with fans, you do whatever to keep them happy in the public eye. If it means keeping her number and letting her think she’s going to get a call, I’ll do it. If I had handed it back, she would have lost it and I would have looked like an ass.”

Dammit, he has a point.

“Okay, but when they were leaving I heard one of them saying … she had fucked you.”

He squeezes my hips. “Sometimes you’re going to hear about my past. I had somewhat of a reputation, but that was then, angel. This is now.”

Dammit, he is right again.

I nod and look up at him.

“Besides, you’re all the woman I can handle right now.”

I glare at him, and then slap his chest.

“We good?”

“Yeah,” I say. “We’re good.”

“How do you think it went?”

I grin at him. “They love you.”

“Yeah,” he says, turning us towards the crowd. “It’s a good feeling.”

It most certainly is.

*   *   *

“Stop fidgeting, woman.”

I snort and keep fidgeting. The dress I’m in is the nicest of the three Retro had picked out for me. It still looks like she went into a hooker shop and picked the three classiest dresses there. In other words it’s short, it’s black and it’s tight. I don’t do dresses on a good day, but tight dresses that show this much skin … definitely not.

“I think everyone can see my butt,” I complain.

Tazen, dressed in a tux and looking heavenly, smirks at me.

“If they are, they’re going to be able to die happy.”

“That’s not funny. You should have warned Retro that I don’t wear, well, Retro.”

Tazen bursts out laughing. “I thought she would get the whole charity dinner thing and realize it wasn’t time for short and tight. Not that I’m complaining.”

“You better donate some seriously good cash tonight or I’m going to pop a cap right in—”

“Tazen Watts!”

I’m cut off when a tall, elegant black man comes striding over. He stops in front of Tazen and me with a wide, beautiful grin.

“Hello, Jeremy,” Tazen says. “Good to see you.”

Jeremy takes Tazen’s hand and they shake. “You too, long time. How’s the building going?”

The two start jabbering about building and I stand, like the pretty sidekick and listen. When they’re done, we make our way over and enjoy dinner. I join in some conversation, but mostly Tazen speaks and I just smile. My lips begin shaking after a while, I’m doing that much of it. After dinner comes the charity donations’ recognition ceremony. Tazen and his company ended up donating one million to children’s hospitals around the state.

My heart melts.

When that’s done, Tazen leads me out onto the dance floor and takes me into his arms. It feels amazing being here with him, experiencing his world and seeing the side to him that makes me truly understand why I love him. Tazen Watts is a good, down to earth, kind and loving man. He’s what every man should be. He’s exactly what I need.

I look up into his eyes as we move across the dance floor and my heart expands with raw, unadulterated love.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” he asks, as we move.

“I’m having a great time. I love seeing how you live and work.”

He smiles, running his hand up and down my back. “It’s always a good experience to see a car being revealed and then being able to give back to the community through these functions.”

“You did a really great thing. Those hospitals could use some serious donations.”

“Nothing better than helping kids.”

I reach up, touching his cheek. “I think there’s a big softie in there, Tazen Watts.”

He grins. “Don’t tell anyone, it’ll ruin my reputation.”

I chuckle. “Your secret is safe with me.”

He reaches up, running his fingers through my straightened hair. “I’m glad I found you, Quinn. I’m sure whatever reason you were sent to me, it was a good one. Even if you did drive me up the wall.”

I laugh and lean in, kissing his lips.

“You have plenty more years of me doing just that. Better get used to it.”

His eyes twinkle with love, humor and admiration. “I plan on it, baby.”

I look forward to that.

EPILOGUE

I smile at my father who is sitting on a lounge chair across from me. He’s wearing a white tee and a pair of grey sweats. His hair is washed and has life back in it, and he no longer has dark rings under his eyes or sunken cheekbones. He looks healthier and resembles the man I remember. He’s been in rehab now for three months, and he’s doing really well.

“That’s wonderful, Quinn,” he says, as I tell him about rebuilding my new car.

“It’s been a long road. The girl that was driving it was a hard racer, but it’s finally starting to come back to life.”

“It’s nice when you see a car coming together. How’s Tazen?”

“He’s doing really well. He just signed a five-car contract for a major racing mogul. That’s going to keep us busy for a good long while.”

“That’s great. Is he thinking of moving into racing?”

He is. Tazen is making more money and expanding his career with the racing industry.

“Yes, it’s getting bigger by the day and he gets better contracts.”

“That’s great.”

“It is. How are you doing, Dad?”

He smiles. “Well. Some days are harder, but I’m finding it’s getting easier and easier to cope.”

“And how do you think you’ll do when you get out?”

His face loses its happiness and he stares at me. Really stares. There’s so much guilt and shame behind his eyes. I know he’s seeing the very best counselors and therapists, to help him through, but I also know he needs my forgiveness to truly heal. That’s why I’ve been visiting each week now, because I want him to know I forgive him.

“I won’t go back to it, Quinn. Every time I even think of having a drink, my stomach twists in pain over what I did to you. That memory will forever be linked to my drinking, so the very thought of it is gut wrenching.”

My eyes soften too, and I say in a gentle voice, “Dad, you were very sick and I don’t blame you for what you did. I know you have to work through that at your own pace, but I want you to know I forgive you. I love you and I’m so happy you made the choice to get better, because I know you did it for me.”

His eyes sparkle with tears. “I would do anything for you, Quinn. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that.”

I beam. “I hope so, because I want you around for it.”

He smiles and I stand, rushing over and throwing myself into his arms. He holds onto me tightly, and we sit like that for a long time. When I pull back, he kisses my forehead. “I don’t say it enough, but I’m so incredibly proud of the woman you’ve become, Quinn.”

“And I’m proud of you.”