Chapter Nine

Carmen sat in a chair outside of the M & M's hauler talking to Robert about some possible paint schemes for the car, occasionally glancing over her shoulder to see how much longer it was going to be until lunch was ready.

She'd forgotten about dinner the previous night, too tired to keep her eyes open much less eat something and all she'd had for breakfast was a donut and a glass of orange juice. Now it was pushing 2 and it didn't look like they were going to be eating any time soon.

Elliott was around somewhere talking to his friends, doing interviews and signing autographs. He'd disappeared almost immediately once they'd gotten to the track and she hadn't seen him since.

One thing about Daytona that surprised her was the number of people that were already there and it was still 3 days before the Shootout. Of course as far as she knew, that was the case with all tracks. All she knew about Nascar was that cars drove really fast in a big circle.

After wrapping things up with Robert, she put her bag in the back of the hauler and decided to look around. Making sure she had her credentials in full visibility she pulled her black M & M's hat low on her head and walked towards the garage. She stayed a good distance away not wanting to be a bother but still curious enough to see the cars, see what kind of paint schemes they had and really what was going on. This was just weird for her. She hadn't been to a track since before she went to college, back when she and Elliott had still been together.

Lost in her thoughts, she wasn't paying attention when a little girl jumped out of nowhere and grabbed her. "Hallie Dru!" She smiled and pulled the girl into her arms which was getting harder and harder. "You're gonna be bigger than me soon."

Hallie just laughed then hid behind her mom. "Hey Car."

Carmen hugged Angie and stepped back to see her smiling. "I know that smile and there's absolutely no reason for it."

"There's not?" Angie pried. "I see you here. I know Elliott's here and I don't see Frank anywhere around." She laughed thumping the bill of Carmen's hat. "I also see where your allegiance lies."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Give it up Angie. You're reading entirely too much into this. Anyway, I work for M & M's I'm gonna wear the hat."

They began walking towards a large group of haulers near the end of the Busch garage. Hallie slipped between them grabbing their hands to swing as they walked. "Uh-huh. Then tell me why this seems so right to you."

"What are you talking about? I'm just here to work. That's all," Carmen said a little too defensively.

Angie stopped walking, stepping in front of Carmen so she'd look her in the eye. "Look me in the eye and tell me that you don't miss him." She smiled smugly when Carmen didn't respond and began to kick at a rock. "I thought so."

"Ang, what does it matter? I'm engaged to Frank. It doesn't really matter how this trip makes me feel or anything else."

"Angie!"

They both turned to see Hermie jogging towards them. He smiled as he stopped and kissed his wife.

"You're an ass," Carmen said sternly receiving a shocked look from both of them. Angie's look soon disappeared when she realized what she was talking about.

"Hey I was doing it for his own good," he argued.

She just shrugged and said goodbye then started back towards their hauler. Maybe lunch would be ready. If not she was stealing some of Elliott's money and going to get herself a hot dog.

---

Elliott was there when she got back. He smiled at her but continued his conversation with one of the other drivers.

Again she checked the food, happy to see it was being pulled off of the grill and onto a platter. "Time to eat guys," Robert called taking the food inside and sitting it on the counter so everyone could get to it without knocking everything on the ground.

Carmen quickly got a burger, chips and a back of cashews before the pit crew got to all of them and headed towards the back of the hauler to sit down and eat.

"Who ya hiding from?" Elliott laughed seeing the startled look on her face when he sat next to her.

She smiled. "A ravenous pit crew and your sister-in-law," she added dryly.

"She cornered you already huh?"

"You can say that. Seems to be everyone's thing to do to me. First my brother and Megan, then Phoebe, now Angie. If I didn't know any better I would think they all know something I don't."

*They do* Elliott thought biting his tongue to keep from letting things out. He still had to let Frank come clean in front of her or she wouldn't believe it. Of course, he didn't know why. She seemed to be waiting for the perfect reason to break things off, maybe she just didn't realize it yet. The tricky part was Frank.

He'd kept this from her for nearly ten years, why spill it now? To anyone not involved it was no big deal, but to Elliott it was and to Carmen it was huge. It had changed their lives and the lives of their families and things had to be set straight soon because he honestly didn't know if he could hold out much longer where she was concerned.

"So we're going out tonight, do you wanna go?" he asked quickly feeling shy all of a sudden.

She gave him a curious yet cautious look. "Who's we?"

"Um, me, Jr., Ryan and Krissie, Matt and Katie, and Martin. So are you up for it?"

She shrugged. "I don't really know who any of those people are but I guess so. It's not like I'll be a third wheel or something."

"Very true…You'll actually even us out quite nicely."

"How's that? I'm the only extra girl with three extra guys. That's not evened out."

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. "You've just gotta make me feel stupid don't ya?"

"Of course. That's how things work…" she smiled and threw a peanut in his direction. "That goes in your mouth, not your nose."

---

Carmen lifted her hair off of her neck, trying her best to cool off. She should've worn it up that night but as chilly as it was outside, she didn't consider how warm it would be in the club, of course she hadn't really cared when she'd worn a skirt that barely covered her ass and a top that barely covered her breast. Not to mention she'd had more than enough drinks to get her hot and she was absolutely burning up.

Somehow they'd managed to find a club that played all kinds of music and she was having a great time. She'd danced with Elliott a couple of times when they first got there but the more she drank the more she avoided him, not sure she would be able to control her hormones if things got physical between them.

So she was currently throwing her head back and forth as her body swayed and rocked to the music, Martin Truex Jr in front of her and Dale Jr behind her, both more than happy to dance with her partially because she was hot and also because they knew if she was dancing with them Elliott wouldn't freak out.

He'd introduced her to them earlier as an old friend but Dale knew better. He'd heard about her when he'd first met Elliott years ago and this wasn't just his friend, Carmen. This was his CJ.

He glanced over at the table they'd confiscated in the VIP section and noticed Elliott watching them. Motioning for Martin to look in the same direction. They just laughed and shook their heads. They knew Elliott had it bad but seeing him around Carmen, they realized it went beyond that.

As the song came to an end, exhausted and thirsty Carmen leaned back on Dale for support and he helped her towards their table, happily depositing her in the closest chair before going to get her a glass of water.

Elliott sat next to her, afraid she would fall to the floor if given the opportunity. He'd never seen her drunk before and it scared him. Normally after a drink or two she was sleepy so to see her raring to go after 5 drinks had him a little disconcerted. He thanked Dale as he handed him the glass of water and passed it to Carmen. "Here Ceeg. Drink this because I don't want to have to hold your hair back in the morning, although I will if necessary," he said loud enough for her to hear him over the music.

She took the glass and took a long drink, not bothering to stop when a drop of water spilled out of the side of the glass and made a lazy trail down her neck into the low v of her top. "That was great…" she mumbled, taking a piece of ice out and running it along her throat and collarbone before stopping to dip in between her breasts. "I'm so hot…"

Elliott swallowed hard tearing his eyes away from what she was doing only to look into the amused faces of his friends. They all knew exactly what was going through his mind and body for that matter and all he was ready to do at the moment was leave. "You ready to go CJ?"

"I love you Peanut…" she slurred, caressing his face as she leaned in and pressed a firm kiss on his lips.

Dale and Martin started laughing, receiving a glare from Elliott. He coughed and stood up. "Let's get you back to the hotel, okay."

"Yup," she laughed, popping the p as she finished the word. She nodded and stood up, falling back on the edge of the booth when her balance failed her. "Help…"

He shook his head and pulled her to her feet, wrapping his arm around her waist and somehow managed to get her down the stairs and through the crowd and out the door.

Holding Carmen against him, sure the she'd collapse if he let go, he managed to hail a cab. He helped her get in the car, then slid in next to her, groaning when she slid over, practically crawling in his lap.

Telling the driver what hotel to take them to, he stared out the window trying to think about anything except what was happening right then. She rubbed her hands over his chest, kissing his neck as her fingers wandered lower, slipping beneath the waistband of his pants.

"Stop it, CJ," he growled harshly, pushing her hands away from him, but it did little to deter her. She continued peppering kisses along his neck and then his jaw before finally coming to his mouth.

She turned his face towards her and teased the seam of his lips with her tongue, a moan of satisfaction escaping when he opened to her and their tongues met. Taking his hand, she placed in on his thigh, smiling against his mouth as his hand slid beneath the hem of her skirt to grab her ass, kneading it with his fingers.

"Your stop sir," the driver called smirking as Carmen shot him a very pissed of look for interrupting them.

Elliott paid him then got out of the car. He rushed through the lobby with her tight at his side, wanting nothing more than to put some distance between them.

By the time they reached the suite, the effects of the alcohol were beginning to wear off and sleep was starting to take over. Opening the door he stepped back and scooped her into his arms, kicking the door closed and went to her room, gently placing her on the bed.

After grabbing a large t-shirt out of her suitcase he sat on the bed next to her, pulling her into a sitting position to help her change, knowing she was going to be absolutely no help in her current state. He pulled her top off trying with every ounce of self-control that he had not to take advantage of the situation. He may be a gentleman but there was only so much he could take when it came to Carmen.

He slipped the shirt over her head and laid her back, then lifted her hips to pull off her skirt extremely shocked to find she'd forgotten underwear when she'd gotten dressed earlier.

He neatly folded her clothes and put them back in the suitcase before walking back over to pull the covers over her.

"What are you doing to me, CJ?" he mumbled as he knelt next to the bed, holding her hand in his, absently rubbing his thumb against her palm. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

She snaked her arms around his neck as he tried to stand up and pulled him down so that he lost his balance and ended up on the bed. Rolling them over so that she straddled him she pinned his hands over his head and bent to kiss him, her mouth crushing his, nearly bruising their lips with the pressure.

Elliott watched through dazed eyes as she sat up and unbuttoned his shirt, only to grab his undershirt by the neck and pull him up. She pushed the shirt down his arms and pulled his t-shirt over his head, biting her lip as she ran her hands down his chest lightly scratching him with her nails as she went. "CJ…" he whispered breathlessly, knowing that they needed to stop but lacking the willpower.

"Shhhhh…" Pressing a finger to his lips she then reached down and pulled her shirt over her head leaving her naked and ready.

Elliott laid back and Carmen got on her hands and knees, crawling over him, running her tongue up over his stomach and chest, stopping at the hollow of his throat. "I want you El…"

Unable to take anymore he grabbed her arms and flipped her over, pinning her between his body and the bed. His hands roamed over her body hungrily, kneading her breasts as she arched into him, purring with pleasure.

He slowly moved his hand over her stomach stopping at the juncture of her thighs as he dipped a finger inside of her, smiling when her body bucked against his hand. "You like that Ceeg…" She nodded, gazing at him through heavy eyes as he moved between her legs and down her body, kissing the inside of her thigh then slid his arms under her and lifted her to his mouth.

He flicked his tongue over her already swollen center then circled it while his hands softly gripped her hips. Smiling against her as her head whipped back and forth, he thrust his tongue inside of her, tasting her heady scent.

Carmen writhed against his mouth as he fucked her with his tongue. She reached down, grabbing his hair with both hands has he made her crazy bringing her to the edge over and over backing off when he felt her release near. "Please Elliott…" she moaned as he began sucking her clit.

Elliott looked up at her, his eyes taking in the sight of her thrashing body as she came with one last swipe of his tongue, her juices spilling into his hungry mouth.

She pulled him towards her, attacking his mouth as he again rested on top of her, tasting herself. She pushed him onto his back and smiled wickedly. "Your turn…"

"No…" he groaned, wanting so much for her to do so. He knew that things had to stop right then or there would be no stopping. He'd already done something he shouldn't have. She was going to have a fit in the morning when she woke up and realized what happened. "No… let's just go to sleep now okay…"

She stuck her bottom lip out, making Elliott groan. "But you're still…"

He kissed her, sucking her lip into his mouth. "I'm fine. I just wanted to take care of you. Now come 'ere." He pulled towards him, cradling her in his arms as she lay next to him, resting her head on his chest and wrapping her arm around his waist.

"I love you Elliott…" she whispered, as she finally drifted to sleep.

He laid there, brushing her hair with his hands waiting until her breaths evened with sleep. "I love you too CJ…"

Somehow, he managed to get out of her hold and off of the bed. He covered her with the sheet and grabbed his shirts off of the floor then walked out of the room, turning off the light as he went. When he got to his room he locked the door and fell onto the bed, not bothering to undress. His body still aching with want, he moaned and rubbed his face with both hands. "What the hell did I just do…"