Right.That. He’d forgotten that he wanted Millie away from the race this afternoon. Yesterday’s impromptu memorial service had been rough on her, and he suspected she was still dealing with the emotional storm. There were other races she would attend, but there was nothing she needed to do this afternoon. She did not need to watch the race at the track where Ben died.
‘Give us a minute,’ Taz told the kid and shut the door. Rubbing the back of his neck, he walked over to where Millie stood, clearly confused.
He pushed a long tendril behind her ear and hooked it behind her ear. ‘Go home, Millie. You don’t need to be here.’
She shook her head, her stubborn chin lifting. ‘I can’t, Taz. I have work to do.’
No, she didn’t. Not today. ‘There’s nothing that can’t wait until tomorrow, and I promise not to cause a PR disaster between now and then.’ He cupped her face, and she pushed her soft cheek into his palm. ‘I don’t want you watching the race. I don’t want your imagination working overtime, for you to think about what happened to Ben. Go back to the hotel, swim. Fall asleep in the shade on a lounger by the pool. Think about anything but this race.’
Her stunning eyes filled with tears, and a few ran down her cheek. Her hand covered his and she nodded, her bottom lip trembling. ‘Thank you,’ she said, sniffing hard. ‘I didn’t know how to watch the race and not watch the race, if you know what I mean.’
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and roughly pulled her into him, thinking how well she fit into his much bigger body, like a puzzle piece he never knew was missing. He turned his head to kiss the top of hers. Looking over her shoulder, he caught a glimpse of his watch-face and grimaced at the time. He needed to be down in the pit, at the coalface. ‘Mils…’
She pulled back and bobbed her head. ‘You need to get going,’ she stated, quickly wiping away her tears. ‘Of course you do.’
‘I’ll walk you to the car.’ He really shouldn’t. He was needed elsewhere, but this was…well, this was Millie.
She sent him a look of reproach, the sting removed by her soft smile. ‘And every reporter will wonder why I’m leaving and whether we’ve fought, whether I’m not feeling well, whether—’ she slapped her hands to her face and rolled her eyes ‘—I’m pregnant! No, let’s avoid the drama, and I’ll sneak out quietly.’
He didn’t like it. ‘Are you sure?’
Millie nodded. ‘I need a couple of minutes to get my stuff, so you go on.’ He didn’t move, and Millie released a quick huff. ‘I promise you that I’m not going to stay here and work, Taz. Iwillgo back to the hotel.’
She was the only person ever who could even remotely read his mind. And because he saw the sincerity in her eyes, he nodded, then swiped his mouth across hers. ‘Have a good afternoon.’
She smiled. ‘See you later?’ she asked.
He nodded. ‘I’m not sure when I’ll be back.’ But he’d be with her as soon as he could. He didn’t know where they were going or how they’d pan out, so he intended to spend all the time he could with her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Monaco
MILLIE ANDTAZleft Italy and arrived in Monaco the day after the race at Imola. Instead of flying, Taz bundled her into what she thought was a Bugatti (her knowledge about cars was abysmal) and they drove from Imola to Monaco. As they entered the heart of Monaco six hours later, Millie made a concerted effort to keep her excitement from showing on her face. It was the week leading up to the Grand Prix, and the city buzzed with anticipation and energy. The bright blue Mediterranean shimmered under the sun, and the luxury yachts in the harbour gleamed.
Locals and tourists alike were caught up in the excitement. Cafés were crowded and lively conversation punctuated the warm air. High heels clicked against the cobblestone streets. The city was a mix of sophistication and chaos, a place where the race was as much a reason for the world’s rich and beautiful to gather as it was a sporting spectacle. Monaco gleamed. And preened.
Millie noticed people pointing their phones at them and heard the buzz of excitement when gearheads and Formula One fans recognised Taz. They stopped at a traffic light, and the car was quickly surrounded by fans and paparazzi. Taz was mobbed by requests for selfies and autographs.
Taz leaned across to her, and on the pretence of kissing her cheek, murmured in her ear. ‘I’ve got to get you and this car off the street, or else we’re going to be mobbed.’
Millie nodded her agreement, and when the light turned green Taz revved the engine and inched forward. The crowd parted and they roared away, and a few blocks later reached their hotel.
Because Taz was Taz and a global sensation, they were whisked up to his penthouse suite with a minimum of fuss. The panoramic views of the Mediterranean and the iconic skyline immediately captured Millie’s attention. The penthouse was extensive, open and airy, its furnishings sleek and modern. An infinity pool ran the length of the suite, and Millie didn’t need to explore to know that it would include a huge bedroom with an oversize bed, a bathroom that could accommodate thirty people and, possibly, a private gym.
Millie stretched, her eyes on the breath-stealing view. It was after two, and since they’d stopped for lunch along the way, they needed to get some work done today. She’d lost time yesterday, and her to-do list was as long as the circuit snaking through the city.
‘Are you going to head down to the track?’ she asked Taz, who’d walked over to stand next to her. Instead of looking at the view, his eyes were on her face. ‘Why are you looking at me like that?’ she asked, a little self-conscious at his intense stare. ‘Why aren’t you admiring the view? It’s stunning.’
‘Because you are far more interesting,’ he told her, his voice becoming a little deeper, a tad richer. Gruffer. ‘I have an appointment with the team doctor in an hour, and the stylist is coming here with a selection of dresses for you to wear to the ball tomorrow night.’
It was the last event she’d agreed to attend as his fake girlfriend, and the most high-profile. Millie wrinkled her nose. ‘Why can’t he choose one? I’ve got so much to do,’ she complained.
‘You need to choose.’ Taz placed his hand on her hip and pulled her closer. ‘But since we both have an hour…’
His lips hit the spot on her neck where she was most sensitive, and she could feel him growing harder against her stomach. She didn’t have time for this, she had about a hundred emails she needed to respond to and calls to return. But Taz’s lips on her skin felt like heaven, and when he moved his mouth up her neck, across her jaw and onto hers, she sighed. She’d work harder later. Making love to Taz was all that was important right now…
‘Millie…’
