Chapter 52_ Strip!

The sun casts a resplendent morning light upon the racetrack as Arya and Lewis prepared for the race. As Arya engaged in a breathing exercise to sharpen her focus, an unexpected person approached her.

"Good luck, Arya. I'll be rooting for you," Martina said, gazing at her with a dubious expression. Arya responded politely, unsure if Martina's words held genuine sincerity.

"Thank you, I will give it my all," Arya replied, her tone composed. Martina nodded in response.

"It's time someone put that cocky bastard in his place," Martina commented, glancing at Arya who simply smiled in response. When she didn't get a reaction from Arya, Martina walked over to Lewis on the other side of the racetrack, whispering something in his ear.

Marco clapped his hands together and roared, "It's time to begin. May the most skilled driver emerge victorious."

Arya turned to face Marco, addressing her concerns. "Don't you think it's unhealthy to promote such intense competition between your team members?" she asked.

"Unhealthy? I don't see anything amiss. A car race is the ultimate team-building exercise," Marco retorted, his tone adamant. Arya nodded in acquiescence.

"I see... let's get this race started," Arya declared. Taking her place in the driver's seat, she connected her earpiece and spoke into it. "Are you there?" she asked.

"Yes, my love. I'm right by your side," Kane's voice responded, causing Arya to chuckle at his flirtatious words.

"Please, my dear, fasten your seatbelt, straighten your seat, and prepare to race like the wind," Kane instructed. As Arya looked over at Lewis's car beside hers, she tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

"Don't worry, Love. Just follow my instructions and you'll be perfectly fine," Kane reassured her, his soothing voice acting as a calming elixir. Arya took a few deep breaths, readying herself for the upcoming race.

Positioned at the heart of the racing track, Marco raises his hand in the air, commanding attention with his booming voice, "Ready?" The engines roar in response, a cacophony of "Vroooom, Vroooom."

"GO!" Marco declares, and Arya responds by pressing down on the accelerator, speeding down the circuit with Lewis bringing up the rear, giving Arya a full lap advantage.

"Release and shift! Gas, gas, gas! Release the shift....Yes!" Kane's voice rings in Arya's ear through the earpiece, guiding her every move. "Okay, first turn, gentle brake, shift down, cut from the outside in.... Yes! That was an excellent line."

"It's easy when you have a hand on the wheel with me," Arya boasts, with Kane whistling in response.

"Together to the finish, Baby," Kane purrs as Arya completes the first lap and heads towards the second. That's when Lewis starts to pick up the pace. As they reach the first turn, Arya can see Lewis in her rearview mirror.

"Shit! He's catching up," Arya exclaims, but Kane reassures her over the phone.

"Don't worry, Tigress. You have a full lap over him. Don't rush this turn. Moderate brake, shift down, stay in the center, and cut him off with the perfect trajectory.... Now! To the left! Yes!" Kane continues to give instructions as he munches on a chip, watching the race with a proud expression. That's his girl, Arya.

After that turn, Lewis passes Arya and begins to push hard, determined to catch up with her extra lap advantage. "Damn, he's fast," Arya mutters.

"Don't worry about him. Just focus on your driving," Kane advises through the earpiece, as Arya dominates the race, improving with each lap, with Kane as her guide.

On the last turn, Lewis appears in Arya's rearview mirror once again, causing her to panic slightly. "He's almost on us."

"Stay strong, Tiger. It's the final turn. Don't break this time. Push down on the pedal and countersteer your way through it. You can do it, Baby!" Kane encourages her through the phone line.

The wheels shrieked against the pavement under the strength of the revving motor as she sliced through the curve in a flawless drift to reach the final stretch, but Lewis rapidly caught up with her, with both of them now side by side, pushing their cars to the brink and crossing the finish line simultaneously. Finally, they both gave in and parked their vehicles in the pits, as Marco rushed over to them.

"Did we win?" Kane inquired over the line with a lighthearted chuckle.

"I don't know... and I don't care, but I believe I proved my point to him." Arya replied, her heart beating faster than her car just did. She had never felt this exhilarated in her life.

Stepping out of her car, Arya approached Marco as he neared her and remarked, "That was quite impressive. We'll need to review the photo finish to determine the winner."

"I don't think it's necessary." Lewis stated as he shut his car door and walked towards them. "She put up an amazing fight today, I couldn't be more impressed." Lewis declared as he held out his hand to Arya and grinned, "Isn't it a rush when the asphalt disappears beneath your tires?"

"Indeed. I had the time of my life." Arya responded, shaking Lewis's hand as they made peace. 'Maybe he's not as much of an arrogant jerk as I thought.' Arya contemplated silently.

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After the race and a long day at the office trying to get things in order, Arya entered their hotel room with a smile on her face. When she saw Kane sitting at the edge of the bed, as if waiting for someone, she closed the door and flung herself into his arms, catching him off guard. After a moment, Kane chuckled and adjusted his posture, holding her in his embrace.

"You should go shower, my love. I can't wait to claim my reward." He said, prompting Arya to make a surprised expression. She had completely forgotten about that. Looking up at Kane, she asked what he wanted, but Kane insisted on waiting until she stood up with a pout and headed to the bathroom. While Kane stood up as he retrieved a dress from a nearby drawer, placing it on the bed along with a devilish look gracing his features. More items joined the dress on the bed as he removed his shirt, revealing his toned abs and well-built chest. Only his pants remained as he sat on the couch like a majestic demon lord, waiting for his prey.

When Arya emerged from the shower with slightly damp hair and a towel wrapped around her, she took in a sharp breath at the sight of Kane lounging on the couch shirtless, his hair tousled. Her eyes trailed over his toned physique, and she couldn't help but imagine running her hands over it. And the look in his eyes? It left Arya wondering as she took slow steps towards the drop-dead gorgeous man, trying to decipher the intense gaze he bore.

"What?" Arya's brow raised in question as she glanced at Kane. When his gaze shifted to the bed, she followed his line of sight and was shocked to see a student outfit lying there. Why is that here? Does he want me to wear it? No, that can't be...right? Her thoughts were interrupted by Kane's seductive voice booming in the room.

"Put on those outfits, Arya. Right in front of me, slowly. I want to watch you wear them as I strip you with my eyes!" Kane's deep, husky voice demanded, sending a shiver down Arya's spine.