Page 7 of Driving the Billionaire Wild

‘What would have happened if you’d found me?’ he asked, noting the thrum of her pulse under his fingertips. His own heart beat just as fast, quickening when she looked up at him with pupils blown wide with desire. ‘Or did you think that far ahead? Did you wonder how different it might have been?’

She narrowed her eyes, not answering his cajoling questions, but not denying them either.

‘I know what would have happened,bellezza. You would have come to me and apologised for rushing off, and I would have made love to you all over again untilwe’d both had our fill. Only then would I have let you out of my sight. Instead, you’ve haunted me.’

She bit down on her lower lip and instantly he felt his body harden. He imagined claiming those lips with his teeth, soothing the sting with his tongue. The memory of her mouth, of her taste…it would pale in comparison to having her in his arms once again, in his bed. They wouldn’t leave it for days, if he had his way.

He allowed her a moment of retreat, seeing the wild look in her eyes. She was still here for Falco Roux as a professional, after all. She would be conflicted about pursuing this any further, given the prim and proper rule-follower that she was. He scoured his mind for all the things he knew about Astrid Lewis. She and her young son lived in London. She kept her home life very private, and race travel time to a minimum, since her son had started school there in recent times. She was a single mother…at least, he had been told she was single now. Had the same been true that night? Had her disappearing act been a necessity, due to a boyfriend or husband waiting for her? The thought sent a bolt of anger through him. He had never been able to abide infidelity, after his father’s had torn their family apart.

But, before he could ask that question, a knock at the door interrupted him, announcing the arrival of a helicopter to take him to his afternoon appointment.

‘What appointment?’ he ground out, half to himself, his mind still clouded with desire.

‘It’s the mentoring session for Falco Roux at the Milan racing track,’ Astrid said softly, her gaze imploring. ‘You know how hard those kids have worked, how big a deal this is for them.’

He pinched the bridge of his nose, knowing she was right. It had been the last item on his calendar planned for this week, before his grandfather’s death had changed everything. He never missed mentorship events; he knew how vital his presence was to the young teenagers who had earned spots on the programme. Torn between duty and desire, he met Astrid’s tentative gaze.

‘If there wasn’t a group of hot-headed teenage drivers relying on me, there is no way we’d be leaving this room without resolving this. How do I know you’ll still be here when I return?’

‘I’ll go with you,’ she said quickly, her fingers flying on her tablet as she took a few paces away from him. ‘Some coverage on socials will give us time to figure out your contract issue.’

He could practically see her erecting the walls around herself brick by brick, trying to shut down the frantic heat that had bloomed between them only moments before. As if that was even a possibility, now that he knew who she was.

‘You think just because we will be on the race track that I will forget?’ Apollo felt some satisfaction as she visibly inhaled a gasp before trying to hide her reaction.

She bit her lower lip again. ‘I won’t run away. We still need to talk, and I plan to do just that once we calm the media storm. Then I’ll tell you everything.’

‘Will you?’ he asked. ‘I think you can see why I might be a little unsure of that. I’ll give you this afternoon to resolve the relevant…professionaldetails. Then, once that’s off your mind, we’ll return to our previous discussion.Si?’

She waited a beat before nodding once in agreement,a pretty blush high on her cheekbones. He found himself unable to look away for a moment, his eyes greedy for every detail of her he’d not seen before. He hadn’t been lying; he would give her today to calm the PR mess he’d created. He owed the team that much.

But one thing was certain—now that he’d had another taste of his mystery woman, he had to have her in his bed again. Maybe even for the whole summer break, to rid himself of the spell she still held over him. He would have to be tactful, but he would convince her of the same truth. Until then, she wasn’t going to leave his sight.

* * *

The helicopter flight from Lake Como to the race track was quick but stunning, with the clear sky providing the perfect backdrop for views across the lake region and rural fields. Barely half an hour passed before the more built-up rooftops of Milan came into view, yet still, butterflies churned in Astrid’s stomach every time she looked up to find Apollo’s brooding brown eyes upon her. He’d been unusually quiet throughout their journey, a fact she’d appreciated as her mind wrestled with the events of the past few hours.

She still couldn’t quite believe she’d found the man she’d slept with once and thought of for almost eight years. She’d imagined this day so many times in her mind. She’d imagined finding Luca’s father and introducing them; she’d even imagined a kind of fairy-tale happy ending, like she’d seen in romantic comedies. She had a feeling that this…would not be so simple.

Part of her was terrified at the prospect of how the rest of their discussion would go, but the fact remained he was her son’s father and Apollo had a right to know,even if his wealth and status was more than a little intimidating. Even if public knowledge about her child’s paternity would have the potential to ruin her career. Shewouldtell him, once she’d got up the nerve and figured out how to get the words out.

The world-famous Elite One racing track in Milan was, unsurprisingly, named the Accardi Autodrome, and was located just outside the city in the rolling Lombardy hills. She’d been here countless times in her career, first as a young recruit, proving her worth, then waddling around pregnant or carting a wild toddler. That chaotic time had wound down over recent years as she’d transitioned into more senior leadership roles and left the majority of non-essential travel to her team.

The venue staff whom she knew from the previous racing weekend greeted them cheerfully as she and Apollo disembarked from the sleek silver chopper and made their way to the track.

She tried to calm her nerves as she walked alongside him, but found her heartbeat just wouldn’t behave. In the space of one morning she’d seen this world-famous racing driver naked, she’d had a life-changing realisation then she’d confessed they had once slept together. Her mind spun; everything seeming almost dream-like as she fought to figure out how on earth she should reveal the rest of the things she’d discovered today. Because she would tell him about Luca; she had to. She had never planned to keep her son’s identity from his father and, now that circumstance had given her that chance, she would take it.

She could only hope that Apollo would accept the news.

Would he even want to be part of her son’s life? He wasa busy man with a very demanding career; she couldn’t imagine him dropping everything to come and attend a morning show and tell. Would he be accepting? Her son’s autism diagnosis had been a welcome explanation for his differences, but she’d be lying if she said she hadn’t found it overwhelming to process at the start. They’d found an easy rhythm in London with some great teachers and strong routines these past couple of years. Now, the thought of bringing what would essentially be a stranger into his life filled her with worry.

Nerves coiled low in her belly as she took a seat in the viewing area, watching as Apollo appeared moments later on the track below. He had changed into one of his Falco Roux racing suits, a sleek maroon jumpsuit emblazoned with his name and racing number along with various sponsors’ logos. He held a helmet in his hands, one of many she knew he had designed specially for every race he’d taken part in. This one was jet-black, with white chevrons at the back.

The small crowd of teenagers in plain driving suits of varying colours quietened when Apollo approached them, their faces awash with nervous excitement as they were greeted by one of the world’s most celebrated racing drivers. She couldn’t hear what he said as he addressed them, but she knew it would be a balance of charm and encouragement. She’d seen clips of him at events in the past, and as far as PR training went he was a dream. Or at least, he had been…until whatever had got into him this week. He was a consummate professional who had never been part of any scandals, other than the usual on-track drama. His rivalry with Grayson Koh, one of herdearest friends, had been legendary, with the two almost coming to blows many times throughout their careers.

Apollo had been a legend himself, before his sudden unexplained departure from the sport. He’d come third place in his first ever Elite One Premio at the age of eighteen, racing for his family’s iconic team, tirelessly working year upon year until finally bringing them to victory in the drivers’ championship. Rumours at the time had been that Apollo’s fraught relationship with his controlling grandfather and airtight contracts had forced him out of Elite One and into the other leagues of motor racing, where he’d made a name for himself.

As Astrid watched some of the Accardi mechanics join the crowd, with smiles and claps on Apollo’s back, she wondered if it had been hard for him to leave.