“Talk to me,” I whisper, brushing my lips across hers.
She’s hesitant. I can see the conflict in her eyes.
“This.” She passes her finger between the both of us. “What happens next? We agreed to play a part, and I can’t work out what’s real and what’s fake.” She pauses for a moment, her chest rising and falling beneath me, her beautiful amber eyes locked on mine.
“I told you, baby…” I cast my gaze on her, and I can see the worry that is buried deep inside, see the way panic masks her face and I fucking hate it.
If I had to get into it, I would say she has never been loved, doesn’t know what it feels like to be appreciated. I bet she’s the kind of girl that does everything for everyone yet doesn’teverthink about herself. Always an afterthought.
But not now. Not with me.
“This isn’t fake.” My tone is soft but to the point—I need her to know I mean this, need her to know how serious I was when I said I wasall in. Because I am. I am all. Fucking. In. “Not anymore,” I whisper with a soft shake of my head. “Nothing about me and you, Lucky, is fake.”
I watch as she swallows, she isn’t convinced but I can prove it to her. I will prove to her how much I have fallen for her, prove to her that she deserves to be on a pedestal, with me at her feet, ready to burn the fucking world down for her.
Lowering my lips to hers, I kiss her, but this time I take my time. Pressing them ever so slightly harder, my tongue dips just past her lips, teasing her. My hand trails up to her face, my fingers grazing through the side of her hair, tilting her face up as we mould together, my kiss deepening.
My fucking heart is banging in my chest. I squeeze my eyes tight; my deep breaths escape through my nose. This feelsalmost painful, like if I don’t kiss her, if I don’t love her how she deserves, it feels as if I may just die at the thought of losing her.
My other hand slowly curls around her hip, lifting her body ever so slightly towards mine. Flicking my eyes open, I break from her and watch as her eyes flutter open, flickering as she focuses on me. Wrapping my fingers around her wrist, I place her small hand over my chest so she can feel how my heart is beating in my chest. How it’s beating forher.
“Don’t ever tell me this is fake.”
The breath catches at the back of her throat, her eyes almost misty.
“I meant what I said, baby, I’m done pretending.”
Her needy hands lock around the back of my head as she drags her lips to mine, kissing me as if I was the air she needed to breathe. Like this was our last kiss. A pain twists in my chest, my hands still firmly cupped around her face, holding her where I want her.
Pulling back, I rest my forehead against hers. My eyes fall, and her soft pants fill the room.
“As much as I want to spend all day kissing you, I have a race to win.” I smirk, and she nods, a sadness slipping across her lips. “I need you there, baby, I need you on the pit wall.”
Her eyes widen ever so slightly, looking at me as if I have said something she doesn’t understand.
“But,” she mutters and I kiss her, just to shut her up.
A soft moan escapes her lips and fuck, it does something to me. I want to hear the way I make her moan, record it, then get the soundwaves tattooed on me. Only for me. No one else will ever know what it means.
“No buts, I was a fool telling Nora to keep you away.” Her brow creases ever so slightly. “I want you there, watching me.” I scoff. “Fuck, Kai said something and it hit home.” I pause, my lips inches from hers.
“What did he say?”
“That you’re my lucky charm.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Athena
MONACO - RACE DAY
Paddock Hot Goss here, rumour has it Royce and Athena are back on after her secret rendezvous with his rival and teammate Cowan Pierce… Keep your eyes to the track Paddock Hotties, all does not seem well in RoyThena Land xoxox
Walking into the paddock,Edel is a few steps behind us, and Royce’s fingers are linked through mine. The cameras are flashing; the Saint Onyx social media team are hovering, waiting to step in if needed.
Nerves drum in my chest. I have no idea why I am so nervous, I’m just here for support. I think? Royce brings the back of my hand to his lips, pressing delicately as we walk towards the hospitality units.
“Royce!” a reporter calls out just as we’re climbing the steps. I look over my shoulder at her, short brown hair, round opal eyes. “Royce, can we get a minute?” She tries again and his steps falter.
