“But for the record,” I said, unable to stop myself, “you leaned in first.”
Her jaw clenched. “I was half-asleep.”
“So was I. Didn’t stop you from giving me fuck me eyes.”
Her throat bobbed. “I didn’t.”
“Right.” I smirked. “That why you’re sitting there looking like you’d rather jump out of the plane than spend 12 more hours with me?”
She turned toward the window, avoiding my gaze. “You’re exhausting.”
“And you’re lying.”
“No, I’m just done with this conversation.”
“We haven’t even started.”
She shot me a look. “And we’re not going to.”
I shook my head. “Alright, Princess. Have it your way. We’ll pretend it didn’t happen.”
For now.
I bit back a grin as her brows knitted together, suspicion flickering behind her tired eyes. Like she thought I had some grand plan, some calculated move she hadn’t figured out yet. As if this was a game she could beat me at.
It was almost cute, really. Her digging her heels in, convincing herself that ignoring the chemistry between us would make it go away. She could keep pretending. For now.
But if this was nothing, she wouldn’t be gripping her own arms like she needed to physically hold herself back. Wouldn’t be looking at me like I was the problem when we both knew the real issue was that she didn’t trust herself not to want me.
I knew what it felt like to chase something worth having. To feel it in my gut, the certainty of it, the way it pulled me in and refused to let go. Women had come and gone, quick, easy distractions that burned fast and faded faster.
But Violet had gotten under my skin without trying, settled there before I even clocked what was happening. And if racing had taught me anything, it was how to close the gap.
And once I did?
Game over.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
VIOLET
The first thing that hit me was the heat. Thick, humid, the kind that clung to skin like a second layer of clothing and made you instantly want a second shower.
We rushed from the jet to the air-conditioned car, Griffin sliding in beside me with a contented sigh like he’d just been handed a pint. The doors shut with a solid thunk, sealing us into blessedly cool air, and for a moment, I just breathed.
“God, that’s good,” Griffin murmured, tipping his head back against the seat, eyes closing.
“Aren’t you meant to be acclimatizing?”
He cracked one eye open, smirking. “Yeah, I’ll start tomorrow.”
“Maybe you should walk to the hotel.” I grinned. “Get a real head start.”
His smirk widened. “What, and let you have all this luxury to yourself?” He gestured vaguely to the car, stretching his long legs out.
I shook my head, looking out the window as the city lights blurred past. Neon against glass, everything sharp and bright, like the entire place was buzzing with adrenaline. It had that pre-race hum, the kind that crept under your skin, winding tighter by the hour.
Or maybe that was just me.
