“I know.”My voice came out muffled against his team polo.“I can’t believe I just did that.”
His arms tightened around me.“I can.”
I pulled back enough to look at him, and the expression on his face made my breath catch.
“She’s your mum,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face.“That couldn’t have been easy.”
“It should’ve been harder.”I leaned into his touch.“But after everything… the lies, treating me like property, the control, it was the easiest thing I’ve done all season.Well, until I tell Felix about my suspicions on Ollie, at least.”
Henri’s thumb traced along my jaw, gentle and deliberate.“I almost can’t believe it.”
“I know…” I reached up, covering his hand with mine.“And to be honest, I don’t know if they’re all him, but it doesn’t matter right now.I told Felix I’d leave this with the team, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
He leaned down, resting his forehead against mine.“I don’t know if I’ve said it enough but I’m proud of you, Blackwood.”
I took a moment to look at Henri.He looked bashful, of all things.Henri Dubois, who could stare down journalists and rivals with equal intimidation, was standing in my hotel room looking almost nervous.His hair was more disheveled than usual, his hazel eyes uncertain in a way I rarely saw them.
“I should have told you about my visit with Felix—” he started.
I didn’t let him finish.Instead I crashed my mouth to his, pouring everything I couldn’t say into the kiss.All the pride, all the gratitude, all the anger I’d been holding onto, all the fear I’d been carrying.It all translated into this—into the way my hands fisted in his shirt, the way his arms wrapped around me like he’d been waiting for permission to hold me this close.
The kiss was passionate and messy and perfect, Henri stumbling backward slightly before catching his balance and pulling me tighter against him.His hand came up to cup the back of my head, fingers tangling in my hair, and I made a sound against his mouth that might have been his name.
When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Henri’s eyes had gone from uncertain to smoldering.
“I read the article,” I managed, my voice rough.
“Lily, I—”
“You beautiful, brave, absolutely reckless idiot,” I said, cutting him off again, but this time with a smile.
A slow grin spread across his face.“Is that your way of saying thank-you?”
“Thank you,” I said, more seriously now.“For what you did.For being honest.For…” I swallowed.“For caring enough to do that.”
“Always,” he said simply, his thumb tracing the line of my jaw.“And Lily, I’m so sorry.I just… After Silverstone, I had to tell Felix.”
“I know,” I agreed.“God, I should have said something when you told me to.I was such an idiot.”
Henri leaned in closer, his lips grazing mine ever so softly.
“We’re going to remove this stupid fucking relationship clause,” I said, watching his eyes widen.“We don’t have to hide anymore, Henri.”
“What do you mean?”
“Felix is going to get rid of it.Luca doesn’t have one, and Rennen doesn’t care.”I leaned up to kiss him again, softer this time.“So, this—us—we can actually do this… if you still want.”
Henri’s laugh was quiet, almost disbelieving.“That might be the best thing I’ve heard all week.”
“Better than your article going viral?”
“Infinitely better.”He rested his forehead against mine, his hands settling on my waist.“Though, I have to admit, the response has been overwhelming.”
“You knew it would be,” I said.“Now it’s my turn to be proud of you, Henri.”
“You know, I thought I’d feel more shame about all of this, but instead?I feel relief.Like I’m Atlas, but I’ve finally been able to put the weight of the world down.And the team?God, they were so kind and thoughtful.And just happy to hear I’d gotten help.”
“We’re going to be okay,” I said, and I wasn’t sure if I was telling him or myself.
