“And your terms?” I ask.
“Dinner out.” He smirks.
“That’s not much for a win,” I reply, confused.
“It is for me.” He winks, then flips down his visor.
I smile behind the helmet and get into a starting position. Rayna is in the near distance, and counts down on her hand.3, 2, 1,and our bikes take off. He appears to have spun his back wheel, causing it to fishtail for a solid few seconds, sending me into the lead. I can see him in my side mirror, following me. While race bikes don’t have side mirrors, I am grateful to have jumped on a street bike. I head around the track, expecting Javi to overtake each corner. I am trying to keep my lines tight, but I’m no professional. We round out the end of the track and I keep a defensive line to ensure victory. The team cheers and we stop a fair distance away from them. Flicking open my visor as he stops near me, I say, “You let me win.”
He opens his visor in return and shrugs. “I told you I would follow your leathered ass around the track. I got my win.” He winks and takes off, leaving me speechless.Well, he did say that.I chuckle to myself.
The day wraps up and Rayna ushers the team into the shuttle bus. Javi sticks around for me to cash in on my win, and packs up all fifteen bikes into the trailers.
I busy myself in the pit, staring at my laptop, trying to distract myself from what happened this morning. The possibilities of what could have been followed through if Rayna didn’t arrive when she did. My mouth dries at my overthinking. Things have come full circle. Back in the pit. Against a bench. Am I no closer to a decision or letting myself enjoy this? Why am I standing in my own way?
I throw my head down into my hands.Stop thinking about it.
“Everything all good?” A concerned voice breaks up the multiple screaming thoughts in my head. I lift my head from my hands as Javi approaches.
“Yeah, all good here.” I shake my head, hoping to shake the thoughts out of it.
“Bikes are all done, in the trailer, ready for Rayna to arrange for them to go back.” He leans next to me, both of us resting our forearms on the bench. His face is instantly back to as it was this morning, in close proximity to mine. His breath hits my arm. “I haven’t stopped thinking about this morning all day. And following you on track…” He closes his eyes and exhales. “…did not help stop my dirty thoughts.” He opens his eyes and looks piercingly through my soul, desire awash his face.
“I’m just glad you were able to keep up,” I say breathy, giving my state away.
“Ohhh, you’re playing like that?” He smiles and closes in aggressively on my lips. His arms are around my waist and my hands tangle in his hair. His lips leave me and his forehead presses against mine. “Let’s get out of here. I’m in the mood for some…dessert.” His tone drips with salaciousness.
I can only nod as we untangle ourselves. Grabbing our things, we head out to make our way to the hotel.
31
Sophia
The cab ride to the hotel was comfortable and flirty. A familiarity has developed with Javi that I was not expecting to remain after our distancing. The time we have spent together on the motocross project has shown we both work together really well. We can pre-empt our moves and fall into a productive rhythm. Javi also showed me that he is capable of supporting and showing up for me when I need him to, or if something is important to me. But I keep battling my own hang ups to let myself be with him.
Javi pushes me up against the wall of the empty elevator as soon as the doors close. His hands are in my hair and his lips crash onto mine, making me breathless and insatiable. Teasing me, he breaks away and doesn’t seem to be as worked up as me all the sudden, driving my need mad.
“I have definitely worked up an appetite following you around the track today,” Javi says, winking and taking my hand. He locks his eyes with mine and kisses the back of my hand.
“I’m sure we can get some room service for you,” I joke, breathy.
Dropping my hand before the elevator opens and giving me a cheeky smile, Javi exits behind me. I retrieve my room key from my pocket, but stop dead in my tracks when I see Perry waiting at my hotel room door.
Perry looks at me and smiles. “Hey, Sophia,” he dares to address me.
“What do you want?” I spit out. Fuck being nice to him.
“I just wanted to come and talk, apologise for what happened,” he replies.
I can feel Javi step closer behind me. The stale air in the hallway feels dense.
“Bit late for that now. Should have been months ago,” I snip, standing up a little taller.
“I know. Are we able to go in to talk?” He motions to my door, but glances up at Javi.
“This is Javi, my rider this year. We are working on a project together.” I offer more information than he deserves.
Javi nods and then extends his hand to Perry.
