CHAPTER 31 32
“ She really knows how to drive!” Ryan said. Eddie nodded and climbed into his car. Justin waved for Ryan to follow as he stepped on the gas.
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Sam was setting up the digital display as the boys passed her. She indicated for Justin to take a lap with Ryan after seeing the young man had little experience driving. Ryan caught on quickly. The cars were very responsive and the wide, smooth, tires gripped the surface. The top end of these expensive toys was more than he could handle and found himself two laps down as Sam won with Eddie second and Justin coming in third and in hot pursuit. Justin wondered if the cars were as equally matched as Sam led them to believe. The track was wide enough for the four cars to sit side by side.“ Can we do that again?” Ryan asked.“ If me, Eddie or Tanya are not out here I only allow one car on the track at a time. I can set the electronic display for two lap time trials and you two can practice by racing the clock and each other. Approach the checkered line slowly on yellow. Stop on red and take off on green. The cars need to be fueled after you are done. My hands, arms and back get tired. I can’ t run more than one race per day,” Sam said, flexing her cramped hands.“ May we drive for another hour if we fuel and wash all of them?” Justin asked, looking for Ryan to go along with the plan. Ryan nodded, his eyes pleading for Sam to approve.“ Okay. One hour of driving only. We will be watching,” Sam said, pointing at the security camera atop the digital display.“ Close the doors when you are done,” Eddie reminded.“ We will meet you guys at the pool. My back needs the Jacuzzi,” he said, driving toward the garage.
The bag of swimsuits was in the back of Eddie’ s truck. He parked the golf cart, retrieved the bag and met Sam at the front door. She took the boys swimsuits and handed them to Maurice who half bowed, half nodded as Eddie went upstairs to change. Sam walked into his room carrying her swimsuit. Eddie was down to his briefs as she entered unannounced.“ I can help with that aching back of yours,” she said, stepping behind him and massaging his shoulders. He closed his eyes and rolled his head as her hands kneaded the tensed muscles.“ Lay down so I can work on your back,” she said, guiding him to the bed. Straddling him as he lay face down, she put some force into the rub down. After a while she stopped and tossed her shirt and jeans.“ My turn,” she said, laying on the bed and taking his place. He massaged vigorously until she rolled over.“ Racing with the boys always makes me hot. Maybe it’ s all that testosterone. Know what I mean,” she said, running her fingers over the bulge in his briefs.
Nicole pulled up to the gates and punched in the sequence she memorized last night. Four corners, center twice, then zero. The gates parted. Driving up to the house she saw her father’ s truck parked next to the golf cart. Maurice opened the front door as Nicole approached.“ Good evening Miss Nicole,” he said stepping aside.“ Where is everyone?” she asked.“ Master Justin and Master Ryan are taking care of the race cars. Ms. Samantha and your father are changing into swimwear,” he said.
Maurice stepped in front of her as she headed for the stairs.“ Miss Nicole, may I be allowed to explain my purpose here,” he asked as she paused.“ Of course,” she answered.“ My job here is too protect as well as too serve. I offer a hypothetical situation. Suppose you and a few other couples were enjoying the pool. Let us say things got a little heated and the other females left. If the gentlemen turned their unwanted attention towards you, I would step out side and shoot all of them dead if necessary. I am trained in the art of self defense,” he said plucking a cane from a stand nearby and moving amazingly quick and light. The metal cane in his hands became a formidable weapon. He showed her the cane housed a long thin blade as he separated the pieces and slid them back together.“ Why are you telling me this?” she asked, as Sam and her father came out of the bedroom wearing swimsuits. Sam carried her clothing and kissed Eddie before they saw Nicole.“ I already know about that, but thanks for not letting me barge in,” Nicole said to Maurice.“ Hi Daddy. Hi Sam. I wanted to drive my car on the track. I hope you don’ t mind,” she said turning and heading out the door, thinking“ Go ahead. Say no.”