“Please be a good pitstop,” Anaïs whispers and I am back covering my face.
“What a time! Now, he should be able to get back out in front without any problems.”
Peeking through my fingers, I see him pull back out front and the garage claps. Time seems to move so slow, yet the laps are slipping past like seconds. And my Royce is still out front.
My.
Mine.
My Royce.
Creed appears at the entrance of the garage, whistling to gain my attention, and I have to drag my eyes from the screen. I blink at him, brows slightly furrowed as he calls me forward. I give Edel a side glance before I walk towards him.
“He wants you.” His voice is soft, and my heart is thumping in my chest.
I give a delicate nod and follow him to the pit wall. My eyes widen as I look around, the atmosphere setting the butterflies loose in my stomach. He pulls the high stool out for me as I take a seat. I look at the team sitting here, giving them a weak smile. I knew a few of them from when I’ve sat in on meetings behind the scenes.
Creed hands me the headphones and everything goes quiet around me.
“Here we go, Royce, she’s here.”
“Lucky.” His voice vibrates in my ears.
I lose myself in the moment, and I feel the way the heat creeps onto my cheeks at his words. I was scared, but also excited and I know I am falling for him. I have never felt the way I do. These new feelings consume me,heconsumes me. He wanted me and all of me, and I know I wanted him right back.
Sliding the headphones off, I pass them back to Creed. I give the team an awkward look before scurrying back into the garage. I stand back, letting his words sink in.
Edel is beside me within seconds. “What was all that about?” she whispers.
“He asked me to be his girlfriend.” I try and fight my smile.
“For real?” She smirks.
“For real.” I nod and she pulls me into her.
“Well, let’s get ready to watch yourboyfriend…” She pauses. “For real”—she giggles—“win the Monaco Grand Prix.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Royce
MONACO - RACE DAY
My heart is drumming,sweat beads on my brow and I am so fucking close.
“Great pace, Royce. You’ve got a two second gap on the driver behind,” my race engineer says calmly.
We both know that neither of us are calm.
I check how many laps I have left, then my mirrors as I come into sector two. Fuck. Four laps.
“Get Athena, put her on the radio.” Silence echoes through my ears and all I can hear is my heart beating in my ears.
“Here we go, Royce. She’s here,” my dad’s voice floats through.
“Lucky.” My voice rumbles as I take the racing line.
“Hey you.” Her voice is so sweet and soft, my stomach coils.
