Riding into Love by Nicki Night Page B

insistent and presumptuous, two traits she did recognize as belonging to the Drew whom she’d always known. Cadence told her she’d be a fool to not go. Neither of them had taken time off since they had started their practice almost a year and a half ago. Time off was overdue.
    Alana was booked on the first flight out, giving her a full day when she arrived in Austin. Drew advised her that he wouldn’t be able to see her until later that day since he was going to be attending meetings with the Delgado team as well as completing the testing and qualifications that were required before each race. She planned to kick back during her free time. She’d downloaded several books on her e-reader and planned to get a massage.
    On her way to claim her baggage, she was met by a pudgy gentleman in a black suit holding a sign with her name scribbled across it. He seemed to have known who she was before she confirmed it.
    â€œPleasure to meet you, Ms. Tate.” The mature man smiled and nodded warmly. “I hope your flight was wonderful. Let’s get your luggage, and we will be on our way.”
    She nodded back. “Thank you—”
    â€œHarry, ma’am.”
    Alana noticed his heavy Texan accent, which was more obvious in those two words than it had been in the several sentences he’d said previously.
    She smiled. “Thank you, Harry.”
    Harry stepped aside to let her go first. Several moments later, a light flashed and the belt began to move bags of all shapes and sizes past them. Alana’s bag was one of the last to come out—possibly because it was one of the first to be loaded onto the plane back in New York. She’d arrived at the airport rather early.
    Harry grabbed her suitcase and led her to the limousine. Making sure she was comfortable, he offered water before driving off.
    â€œI recognized you right away, Ms. Tate. You’re even prettier in person.”
    â€œThanks. Did you see a picture of me?”
    â€œSure,” he sang. “Mr. Barrington told me to take good care of you too. I promised I would.”
    Alana closed her eyes and smiled. Their last kiss came to mind, and she could almost feel it. She moaned low in her throat. Her eyes popped open. Alana looked up front to make sure Harry hadn’t been watching. He was busy humming a jovial tune. He drove slowly onto the expressway. It was a good thing she wasn’t in a rush. Drew was slipping inside of her forbidden territory. Alana was supposed to be protecting her heart, using her rules as her security brigade. She needed to get a handle on herself before things went too far.
    After this weekend, she was going pull back from Drew. With his racing season in full swing and his father in the hospital, it wouldn’t be hard to avoid him. This weekend would be their grand finale.
    Harry broke into her thoughts, offering a history lesson about the city as he exited the expressway. The rest of the ride to the hotel was a guided tour, piquing Alana’s interest about the trendy city. Harry spoke affectionately of Austin, his hometown, as if he was beating his chest with pride. When they arrived at the hotel, Harry delicately handed her over to the accommodating hotel staff, bid her a wonderful trip and told her he looked forward to seeing her later. Alana wasn’t sure why she’d see him later but smiled politely as she thanked him and tried to put a tip in his hand.
    â€œOh no, Ms. Tate. All of that has been taken care of—quite handsomely, might I add.” He tipped his hat. “Enjoy your stay.”
    â€œThank you, Harry.” Alana could get used to this special treatment.
    Inside, she quickly checked in and headed to her room with a bellhop at her side. She opened the door and gasped. The suite was massive and elegantly decorated with an amazing view of the banks of Lady Bird Lake. In the center of a living room, there was a round, wooden table with an exotic spray of