The Heart's Victory by Nora Roberts Page B

love to you?” he supplied. In a quick move, he stripped off her sunglasses, leaving her eyes vulnerable. Even as she blinked against the change in light, he closed the slight distance between them. His hand came to her arm, warning her not to back away. “No, I didn’t, though we’re both perfectly aware that I could have. Let’s say I had a whim to play by the rules last night.” His smile spread lazily, packed with confidence, while his voice became low and intimate. “I don’t need champagne to seduce you, Foxy.” His mouth lowered to brush lightly over hers before she could move. It was a kiss that promised more.
    Infuriated by his calm arrogance, incensed that her pulses had responded instantly, Foxy snatched the glasses back from him and jerked away. “Stuff your seductions.” Her suggestion was drowned out by the noise of the second lap. Foxy threw an annoyed glare over her shoulder at the line of cars. Temper sparked in her eyes when she turned back to face Lance. “Just remember that last night was a lapse of intelligence on my part, that’s all. And all that—that stuff I talked about . . . ” To her greater fury, she felt her cheeks grow warmer. What had possessed her to confess that foolish crush? “All that business about that night in the garage was just as ridiculous as it sounded.”
    â€œHow ridiculous was that?” Lance asked with an ease in direct contrast to Foxy’s agitation. She barely resisted stomping her foot.
    â€œI was sixteen years old and very naive. I’m sure it’s not necessary to go into it any further.”
    â€œYou’re not sixteen anymore,” Lance commented with a slight inclination of his head that reminded her of the elegant man of the evening before, “but you’re still naive.”
    â€œI am not,” she blurted out indignantly, then saw his brow lift and disappear under his fall of hair. Knowing her dignity was threadbare, she drew herself straight. “That’s hardly relevant and strictly a matter of your own opinion.” He smiled at that with quick charm, and Foxy hurried on. “I’ve got work to do, and I imagine you can find something to keep you busy for the next ninety-eight laps.”
    â€œNinety-seven,” Lance corrected as the leaders sped by. “Kirk’s in third position,” he noted absently before he looked back down at Foxy. “My opinion, Fox, might be to your advantage as it should induce me to continue playing by the rules for a while longer. It makes an interesting change.” He grinned, a crooked, challenging half grin, and she was instantly wary. “There’s no telling when I’ll stop being a nice guy, though.”
    â€œNice guy!” Foxy repeated and rolled her eyes at the thought.
    Still grinning, Lance took the sunglasses from her and perched them back on her nose before walking away.
    ***
    Over the next three months, Foxy used all her skill to avoid Lance Matthews. From Monaco to Holland to France to England to Germany, she made certain to stay out of his way. Whenever possible, she coupled herself with Pam. She felt if she was not alone, Lance would not find the opportunity to approach her for a personal conversation. Her pleasure with her success was slightly marred by the fact that he did not appear to be fretting for lack of personal conversations. Their schedule since Monaco had been tight. For the racing team there had been little time for anything but work and travel, meals and sleep. It was a hard, demanding circuit, packed with qualifying heats and practice runs and races. Away from the track, the hotels all began to seem the same. But each grid had a separate identity. Each was different, with its own problems, its own dangers.
    With the end of summer came Italy and the Monza circuit. The grueling months in Europe had taught Foxy an important lesson. When the season was over, she