May 5, 2000 – Richmond, Virginia

Noelle looked at the stands from where she stood behind the wall on pit row and watched the fans filling the seats. She pulled Junior’s jacket around her tighter as the wind picked up. She could see Junior talking to one of the other drivers further down on pit row. Cars whipped by on the track, trying to get their best time for qualifying for Saturday night’s race.

“Don’t you look all cozy in his jacket.” A familiar voice said from behind her. Noelle looked over her shoulder and saw Kevin walking toward her. “You two an item now?”

“No.” Noelle looked back at the track as Dale Sr. zoomed by for his qualify. “What do you want Kevin?”

“I wanted to say I was sorry and possibly talk about what happened.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.” Noelle sighed. “I told you I didn’t want to see you again.”

“Kinda hard not to see me since your boyfriend and I work together.” Kevin sounded irritated. “Oh look…here comes loverboy now.” They watched as Junior jumped the wall and headed toward them. “I’ve got a beef to pick with you.”

“And that would be what?” Junior asked watching Noelle cross her arms and glare at Kevin.

“Stay off my ass tomorrow night. You’re not your daddy and you never will be.” Kevin turned and walked away. Noelle shook her head and glanced at Junior.

“I mean to ask you why you were riding his ass like that last weekend.” Noelle said as another gust of wind made her shudder. Junior put his arms around her to shield her from the wind.

“No real reason.” Junior kissed the top of her head. “I have to go qualify. Why don’t you go back to the coach and get ready for the party. I should be back in a half hour.” Noelle nodded.

“Good luck qualifying.” She smiled at him as he kissed her quickly. “I’ll see you in a bit.” She left him and went back to the coach to get ready for the party they had to attend that night.

******

The party was more of a fan oriented meet and greet than a party. The majority of the fans had been there all day enjoying the free beer and having a good time. Junior did a quick interview and then sat down at a table with a few of the other drivers and the fans walked the line, getting things signed. Noelle hung out in the back and watched from a distance. Jade hadn’t told her what exactly she should be doing, so she just took everything in and realized that the PR department is not something she wanted to continue doing. It was too hectic for her.

“You here alone?” a guy stopped in front of her and looked her over. “Oh a Junior fan. Why aren’t you up there trying to get his autograph?”

“I don’t have to try and get an autograph from him.” Noelle said shortly. The man smelled like a brewery.

“You think you got the goods to get him?”

“I don’t have to think either. I work with him. Now if  you’ll excuse me, I have some business to attend to.” She moved past him, sighing with relief. Sometimes she just wanted to be alone and watch things and not be bothered.

“Hey Noelle.” Tony Sr. slung his arm around her as she caught up to him. “How you doin’ girl?”

“Good. And what about you?” She smiled at him. “Having a good time?”

“Free beer and hot chicks…what more could a man ask for?” He laughed. Noelle rolled her eyes.

“You get free beer anyway and you better watch it…or I’ll tell your wife about the hot chicks.” She patted his shoulder and then winked at him. “I’m gonna go see if I can find Junior now that the drivers are done signing. I’ll catch you later.” Tony Sr. nodded as Noelle disappeared into the crowd.

Noelle found Junior surrounded by a group of women. She stayed back and watched how he reacted with them. He was laughing and joking, but she noticed that he kept scanning the room. She decided to go sit down and see if his eyes ever met hers.

“Need a beer?” Tony Stewart walked up to her and handed her a bottle. “Being part of DEI, you shouldn’t be caught without a bud.” He smiled as they sat down at a table.

“I don’t see you drinking bud.” She nodded at the bottle of Busch beer in his hand.

“I’m not part of DEI either.” He took a long a drink. “What are you up to?”

“Checking this place out. I’m surprised you drivers don’t get mobbed.” She glanced around the room and noticed that the drivers were just mingling with the fans and the fans seemed to be pretty calm. Every once in a while you’d hear a woman shriek when she saw her favorite driver, but other than that it was a really laid back atmosphere.

“Guess they made the psycho ones stay home.” Tony laughed. “Where’s your man?” Noelle pointed to where Junior was. “He behavin’?” She shrugged. “Go piss those women off and run up and kiss him or something.”

“Now why would I do that?” she asked with a slight laugh. Tony looked at her and raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Oh don’t give me that shit. Junior told me.” Tony leaned his elbows on the table. “He told me everything.” Noelle tilted her head to the side and gave him an inquisitive look. “I mean everything too.”

“You are so full of shit, Tony.” She decided and took a drink. The beer was hitting her quickly since she hadn’t eaten anything that day. “Junior wouldn’t tell you anything.”

“Have it your way, darlin’” Tony laughed. “I’m going to walk around. I’ll catch up with you later.”  She nodded and watched him head toward Junior and the women. Noelle drank the rest of her beer and threw it in the garbage on her way outside.

The night was brisk and she was glad she still had on Junior’s coat. She walked to the coach enjoying the time to herself. Being alone was a rarity it seemed since she was put on the project with Junior. From sunrise to sunset, she was around people. The thought of spending evening a half hour by herself was comforting and that’s what she intended to do. Go back to Junior’s coach and just be alone.

******

Junior looked around the tent for Noelle, but couldn’t find her. He asked some of his crew and the only person that saw her was Tony Sr. and she had left him to go find Junior.

“Are you sure she went to find me?” Junior asked crossing his arms and looking around the room. “When was it?”

“Hell, a good two hours ago.” Tony Sr. shrugged. “Only saw her for a few minutes, if that. Go ask some of the guys…maybe she’s hanging out with their girlfriends or something.”

“Good point.” Junior scanned the room and saw Kevin with his fiancée’, but he knew that Noelle wouldn’t be anywhere near him. “Hey Tony….you were with Noelle earlier, where’d she go?” Tony started walking toward him. “You seen her?”

“Nope.” Tony said as he walked up to him. “Why you so concerned?”

“I haven’t seen her in a while…I was gonna see what she was up to.” Junior shrugged. “I guess I’ll just go back to the coach and get some sleep.”

“Uh huh.” Tony laughed and elbowed Junior. “You’re trying to get some from her, aren’t ya?”

“Trying isn’t the word.” Junior laughed. “Sometimes I feel like I’m begging.” Both men started for the door. “I don’t know how to read her sometimes. Not that you care.”

“Women problems, Junior?” a voice came from behind them. They stopped and looked to see Matt Kenseth jogging to catch up with them. “Not you…Mr. Ladies man. Who’s the lucky woman?”

“Noelle.”

“That girl hanging out with you?” Matt asked. Junior nodded. “She’s not bad.”

“Actually, she’s pretty hot.” Tony said, causing Junior to look at him. “Hey, I have eyes. I’m not moving in on her.” Junior and Matt laughed. “Anyway…she’s into you.”

“I don’t know. We’ve talked, we’re gonna work on things. It’s just she runs hot and cold. Like today…she was fine during qualify, she goes back to get ready for this party and then we come here, she disappears.” Junior kicked a stone as they walked.

“What is going on between the two of you?” Matt asked. “I saw you two today at the pits.” Junior shrugged. “Well you either know or you don’t know, there Jun.”

“He’s not sleeping with her if that’s what you’re trying to ask.” Tony laughed. “Boy…just come out and say it.” Junior felt himself blushing and was glad that it was dark out.

“Don’t know…” Junior sighed as they stopped in front of his coach. “I’m going inside. Catch you guys in the morning.”

Inside, Junior found Noelle sitting on the floor with his laptop, typing away. He smiled at her and locked the door. She smiled back, but kept typing.

“So this is where you disappeared to.” He knelt down beside of her and kissed her cheek. “Whatcha doing?”

“Responding to an email.” She glanced at him. “How was the rest of the party?” Junior sat down on the couch and kicked off his shoes.

“Fine. Signed autographs, talked to fans, hung out with the guys. Not really a party.” He leaned back and flipped on the TV. “Why’d you leave?”

“You were busy and I didn’t want to interrupt. Plus I was getting tired and wanted to be alone.” She leaned her head back on his lap and looked up at him. He stroked her face then bent down to kiss her. She surprised him by getting up and straddling his lap and kissing him forcefully. Junior grabbed her head and met her kiss with just as much force.

“What’s gotten into you?” he whispered when they stopped for just a moment. She smiled and kissed him again. He wasn’t complaining, but it made him wonder if she was going to stop him if he tried to go further. “Noelle.”

“Quit talking….” She murmured as she kissed his neck.

“I don’t want to do this.” Noelle sat up and looked at him. “That is if you’re going to regret it in the morning and that ends whatever we’re working on.” They looked at each other for a moment, not saying a word. “I guess that answers that.”

“What is it with you putting words in my mouth? I didn’t say a fucking thing.” Noelle got up and went to the fridge to get a beer. “I initiate sex…you turn me down. Usually it’s the other way around.” She opened the bottle and drank half of it. “I wouldn’t have started anything if I was going to regret it, Junior.” He sat there and looked at her, not knowing what to say. He had gone and ruined the mood by asking something stupid.

“Noelle…I….” he said as she walked out the door, letting it slam behind her. “Damn it!” He took a deep breath and waited a few minutes before going outside. “Noelle!” He looked around. “Where the fuck are you?”

“Junior! It’s one in the morning, shut up!” Dale Sr. yelled from the coach next to his. Junior cursed under his breath and started walking. She couldn’t have gone too far.

He walked toward the garages, noticing that the lights were still on in each of the bays, but no one was around. As he got closer to his garage, he saw her leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette.

Walking up to her, he grabbed her hand and led her into the garage. Once they were inside, he pushed her up against the car and kissed her. She tried to pull away, but he had her pinned to where she couldn’t move.

“Junior.” She whispered breathlessly as he stopped only long enough to catch his breath. Junior’s hands moved down her sides, gathering her t-shirt at the bottom and pulling it up. They separated long enough for him to get it over her head. Junior’s hands went right for her breasts, cupping them in his hands and running his thumbs over her hardening nipples as he kissed her.

“I’m going to keep going.” He nipped at her neck, causing her head to tilt back, giving her more access to the soft skin. He bit harder, knowing full well he was going to leave a mark. “Well?”

“Don’t stop.” She whispered. Her head was spinning, her mind was racing. The chance of getting caught was high and it had her blood pumping through her body. Junior picked her up and moved her to the hood of the car and laid her down. He leaned down and flicked his tongue over her nipples, smiling as her body trembled under his touch.

“Maybe I should stop….” Junior’s voice trailed off as Noelle grabbed a handful of his hair and brought his face up to hers and kissed him. “Or not…” He looked around to make sure no one had suddenly appeared and when he was sure no one was around, he unbuttoned her jeans and slipped them down. He winked at her as he undid his as well. “Ever done it on a race car?” He asked as he wrapped her legs around his waist.

“Can’t say that I have.” Noelle closed her eyes as he slid into her slowly. His fingers dug into her hip as he quickened his pace. “Have you?” He shook his head and leaned down and kissed her to keep her quiet.

“Noelle….” He cried out as he felt his body tensing up. He thrust into her harder as his body released all the pent up desire he had built up during the cat and mouse chase with her. Noelle mumbled something, but he couldn’t hear what she said. He felt like his heart was beating in his ears.

“Junior.” She said again as he rested his head against her shoulder trying to regain his breath. “Get off me, I can’t breathe.” He stood back up and she laughed and propped herself up on her elbows. “Thanks…”

“Sorry about that.” He kissed her and helped her stand up. They dressed quickly and hurried out of the garage. “C’mon, I have about a five minute refractory period…and I want to go again.”

“Gotta catch me first.” Noelle let go of his hand and took off running toward the coach. Junior laughed and ran after her.

Chapters: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20/21/22/23/24/25/26/27/28/29/30