Chapter 3
LONDON, ENGLAND
“ A re you sure this is a good idea?”
Putting yet another pair of high heels in the luggage she had dedicated for shoes, Indy looked up to connect her gaze to her best friend’s perplexed one. Kamari was leaning against the wall, hands in the pockets of her trousers, ankles crossed. Perched on stilettos, dressed in regal black, and an eyebrow arched, Kamari was the perfect portrait of disdain—yet absolutely beautiful.
“It’s just for a few weeks,” Indy said—as if she hadn’t repeated those words over four times. “Until I can afford my own flat.”
Indy was broke to say the least. All the money she had spent to simply move to Monaco was appalling, but she was ready to make the change.Deep to her core, she could feel that this new journey was made for her. That it was going to open doors to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Indy could see the wheels turning in her friend’s mind, the questions ready to be voiced, the uncertainty etched on her face.
“There’s a spare room in Thiago’s penthouse,” Kamari suggested. “It’s yours if you want it.”
“And listen to you and Tito go at it every night? No thank you. I’m horny and single enough as it is.”
Amusement sparkled in Kamari’s eyes.
Indy blew out a breath. “Why do you think it’s a terrible idea for me to live with him ?”
“Because things are kind of weird between you two.”
Indy winced. She couldn’t even deny it. Things had been quite awkward for a while now, and she wasn’t entirely sure why. Maybe because they’d been toeing a forbidden line for years. Maybe because her attraction for him had bloomed into something unfathomable, and she still had no clue about the way he felt.
Obviously, Indy was grateful for her brother who had suggested she took the bedroom he’d once used. She was also grateful that Miles had accepted this last-minute scheme, but she wasn’t sure if it would work out. The last time they had spoken was at an after-party where they had ended up sneaking out to be tangled in bed sheets.
“Please, don’t fall for Miles,” Kai had asked the day he’d called to announce that Miles was okay with her taking the spare bedroom.
“Why?”
“I love him, he’s a great guy, truly. But he doesn’t know how to commit. Doesn’t think he can settle down, and well, I know casual isn’t your thing. So don’t fall for him, ‘kay? Just trying to look out for you. Also, don’t take it personally if he struggles to open up. He has a hard time trusting people.”
Her thoughts were interrupted when a tall figure appeared in the doorway. Thiago, Kamari’s boyfriend and another Formula 1 driver who raced alongside Miles, pulled the hem of his white t-shirt to wipe his brow.
“Seriously, Indy,” he started, letting out a heavy sigh. “Do you need all that shit to go with you to Monaco?”
Kamari had arrived just now due to obligations at work, but her boyfriend had kindly offered to help Indy pack and move out. Indy had always known that Thiago Valencia bore a soft heart behind the facade he’d come to show as the F1 driver—ruthless and heartless on the track. He had spent the entire day loading the moving truck, helping her pack boxes, and scoffing at her outrageous belongings.
“Yes. Thanks for your help, Tito, but you should go and enjoy the rest of the afternoon with Kam. I’ll manage just fine.”
“You’re family, Ind. I’m not letting you move out on your own. You don’t need to bring your bowls and mugs, though.”
“They’re handmade.” She waved her fingers. “By these magic hands.”
“Wow,” Thiago droned, his brows lifting in mockery. “Pardon me, then. That’s impressive. Bet the coffee tastes better if you drink from these.”
Kamari glanced at her boyfriend. “Maybe Huxley can dedicate a shelf amongst his trophies to display her mugs. They’re valuable.”
“You two are so funny,” Indy drawled, grabbing a pair of Louboutins to add to her stack of shoes. “Made for each other.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.” Thiago grinned. “But Miles surely has those, right? A plate and a mug are, like, basics when you move into a place.”
Indy scoffed amusedly. “Should I remind you two that Huxley used to cohabitate with my brother? Have you met Miles? Have you met Malakai? They are boys?—”
“Whatever you’re about to say is not a generality,” Thiago mused.
“—and they slept on their mattresses for months before buying a bed frame. Months . I had to help them decorate and furnish the penthouse because, my gosh, was it pathetic.”
Kamari’s soft chuckle echoed. “I’m sure he’s delighted to have you move in.”
Indy threw a dirty glare to her friend whose response was a shrug of her shoulders.
Thiago entered the messy bedroom and plopped into the armchair by the window. “What are you two even gossiping about?”
With the back of her throat burning, Indy said, “I was just telling Kam how awkward it’s going to be. Living with Huxley, I mean.”
“Why do you say that?” Thiago grabbed the romance novel that was lying beside him, feigning interest so he wouldn’t gape at all her lingerie scattered across the bed.
Indy wasn’t embarrassed. Clothes were clothes. A body was a body. And she knew that Thiago only had eyes for his girlfriend.
“Well, to make it brief, let’s just say we sleep together. He’s phenomenal?—”
“Spare me the details.”
She grinned at Thiago’s disgusted face. “It’s always been quick and rough, but seriously, he’s the best sex I’ve ever had.”
“So, you guys are friends with benefits?”
Indy shrugged. “Yes.”
“Exclusively?”
Shaking her head, she put a pair of knee-high boots inside her overflowing suitcase. “No. I saw other guys, and I’m pretty sure he’s been with other people too. I mean, have you seen him? It was supposed to be a one-time thing, but then it happened a lot. Like, every time we saw each other. We agreed on keeping it casual, which I’m fine with, but I feel like moving in with him is going to mess everything up. Either we’re going to fuck like bunnies?—”
“Classy as fuck, Ind.”
“—or we’re going to stop everything just so it isn’t weird.”
“Yeah, I see why you’re dreading it. Are you okay with both options?” Thiago asked as Kamari took a seat on the bed.
“I guess so. But he’s been sort of distant. He didn’t want me to come live with him when Kai asked him, and I just feel like I’m ruining everything by imposing.”
But Indy knew he’d become this way—guarded, controlled, sometimes cold—with not just his friends, but with the entire world. As if becoming a three-time Formula 1 World Champion had changed him. Indy hated that. For the past few years, she had observed the way he kept putting on a mask whenever he was in the paddock, surrounded by cameras and reporters. Had seen the way he pushed everyone away to protect himself.
“You two could be just friends and see how it progresses,” was Kamari’s soft comment. “You’ll notice he’s just putting up an act to maintain his reputation. And maybe he said no to Kai in the first place so that your rule wouldn’t be broken. Living with your hook-up is definitely not the same thing as seeking her out after a party.”
“I can’t be friends with a man I’m attracted to.”
“Why not?” Thiago inquired, glancing up from the book.
“Because I don’t think I’ll be strong enough to handle the rejection when he puts me in the friend zone. How do you expect me to sit there and look at him whilst all I’ll think about is the way his tongue?—”
“Fucking hell, Ind.”
She chuckled, avoiding the pair of socks Thiago chucked her way. “Sorry. I just think it’s going to be weird, but I’m grateful he’s giving me the spare room.”
“When was the last time you two hooked up?”
“Like two months ago.”
He tilted his head. “Why did it end?”
Another shrug. “Who knows? I was in London, he was in Monaco. We texted for a bit, but couldn’t find a proper time to see each other. And that was fine with me.”
“Well, I’m sure you two will figure it out,” Kamari assured.
Indy knew that it was important to Kai that she and Miles got along. For her brother, she’d ruin herself, even if that meant not crossing any lines with Miles. Even if that meant pretending like nothing had ever happened between them.
“Right. Well, I’m moving to Monaco for the job of my dreams. I’m not going to let him distract me or ruin the perfect plans I’ve crafted for myself.”
Who was she trying to convince? She had no clue.
“Good for you,” Kamari said quietly yet fiercely, something like pride shining in her eyes.
Indy didn’t miss the tenderness morphing onto Thiago’s expression as he gazed at his lover. The flicker of envy crashing through Indy’s veins nearly made her combust. Nearly made her beg the stars to give her someone to love.
She clapped her hands, moving past the detrimental emotions invading her senses. “Do you guys realise that we’re going to be neighbours?”
Thiago grinned at that, and she knew he was already planning all the get-togethers either at his penthouse or at Miles’. “Why don’t you try and convince Kam to move in with me too?”
Kamari travelled back and forth between London and Monaco. Though she and Thiago had moved into his townhouse in England, he was evidently still intent on having her move in with him in his Monegasque penthouse. What mattered most was that Kamari was unequivocally happy with this sunshine man, and Indy loved that for her best friend.
“The cafés,” was all Kamari said. She owned two popular coffee shops in town—the second one being a sports bar which was cramped with happy patrons every single evening.
Thiago’s features hardened. Indy wondered if it was a recurrent subject that led to arguing—Kamari was a hardworking woman, with a head full of ambitions and goals she wanted to achieve.
Deciding this wasn’t the time nor the place to let those two argue about their future, Indy lifted two frilly nightgowns. “Do I take these negligees with me?”
Kamari chuckled. “What happened to staying away from Miles?”
“Who said it’s for him? I like feeling sexy. Especially when I sleep.”
Thiago threw his head back and rubbed at his temples. “Pete help me.”
??MONTE CARLO, MONACO
Well, maybe this was the worst idea in the entire world.
Standing in the lift and surrounded by two humongous pieces of luggage, Indy took a deep breath in. She was seconds away from arriving at his penthouse, and she didn’t even know why she was so nervous.
It was just Miles Huxley.
Her brother’s best friend.
The guy she’d had a crush on since she was fifteen.
And the man she’d been hooking up with for the last three years.
No big deal.
The soft ding echoed, bringing her to reality. She fixed her hair, then looked at the doors opening, revealing Miles standing across from her with his hands tucked in the pockets of his trousers. He stood there, crafted like a statue of a Greek God she could spend hours looking at, analysing and drawing.
She beamed. “Hi, roomie!”
He dipped his chin in a greeting gesture, his green gaze tracking her bags and belongings when a heavy exhale fled past his nose. “Are you moving in, or what?”
“Isn’t that what the whole deal is about?”
“I wish it wasn’t,” he grumbled loud enough for her to hear.
A scoff was about to erupt, but she only took a step into the foyer. “God, you can be such a bellend sometimes.”
He assessed her every move with an arched eyebrow. “Already told you, you can just call me Huxley.”
He was infuriating! And so good-looking. All Indy wanted was to leap into his arms and straddle his lap.
Was she supposed to hug him? Shake his hand? Smack a kiss on his cheek?
As if her body had moved of its own volition, her arms wrapped around his broad shoulders. Miles was stiff, but after a beat, he relaxed into her touch, letting his palm connect with her back.
“Don’t look so thrilled to see me,” she huffed, taking a step back.
“Damn it. I thought the joy was so clear on my face,” he deadpanned.
“Don’t worry.” She brushed his bicep, causing a muscle in his tight jaw to jump. The annoyance was so clear on his features that she hated herself for being the cause of his irritation. “I won’t overstay my welcome.”
The nerves were out of her control, and she despised this unrestrained feeling.
Indy watched a Doberman strut towards her, its tail wagging. Of course, Indy had seen Miles bring his dog to the paddock last season. This pair was the embodiment of confidence, of power.
“This is Rosie,” he announced, tenderness lacing his voice as he scratched his puppy’s head. “You’re not allergic or scared of dogs, are you?”
She smiled, and his expression softened. “I love them.”
Indy followed Miles into the penthouse, keeping her gaze on his muscled back as he pulled one of the baggages he’d taken a hold of. She couldn’t help but stare at the power exuding from his body honed by countless hours of training. The sheer dominance from his demeanour.
Seeing Miles had settled an uncanny feeling inside her chest, just because it looked like it physically pained him to welcome her into his home. The way he acted was unnerving, but maybe he had a reason for being so distant. Indy had decided she would keep being herself around him, and maybe he would eventually warm up to her. He’d always made an exception for her, so what was stopping him now that they lived under the same roof?
His spacious flat was exactly how she remembered it, although it felt more alive—with more pieces of furniture and decorations which were mostly all of his trophies and helmets aligned on a big shelf. Had it not been for the soft music in the background, Indy would have been able to hear the gears turning inside his head, or the grumbles he kept muttering beneath his breath.
Indy smacked her lips together. “Thank you again for doing this.”
“Sure.”
“I thought you’d be happier to have me as your roommate, though.”
She saw his body stiffen, yet he kept walking. How was she supposed to diffuse the tension? By being an absolute walking embarrassment? Even that didn’t seem to do the trick.
“You’re not big on words today, are you?” Instant regret crashed over her as soon as the words escaped. Huffing at the ceiling, she winced inwardly.
“Or maybe it hasn’t occurred to you that I’m not in the mood to make small talk,” he snapped.
Asshole . Really, really, handsome asshole.
“That was barely small talk. But okay, sunshine. You sure do know how to make a girl feel welcome,” she muttered, refraining the urge to roll her eyes.
“My pleasure. So, how was the drive down?” When he turned around and saw that she was gaping at him, bewildered, he shrugged. “What? You don’t like my small talk?”
Indy wanted to laugh. Throw a shoe at him. Pour a bucket of cold water over his oversized head. “You’re unbelievable. Just take me to my room, Huxley.”
“I like how straightforward you are. Skipping a date and immediately heading to the bedroom,” he blandly said, his rough voice making her cheeks tingle. “You know where everything is. Just make yourself at home.”
Indy nodded. “Did you end up doing something with all the spare rooms?”
With a jut of his chin, he motioned to the closed door on their left. “Sim room.” They passed another closed door. “There’s junk in this one.” And another door. “The gym.”
“Of course, you have a gym.”
“Feel free to use it whenever you’d like. This is your room,” he indicated by opening a door and scraping a hand over the scruff on his jaw.“Everything is all set for you, so… Yeah.”
Indy had already been inside this very room which had been occupied by her brother for a couple of years. All the decoration had been taken down save for the photo frame on one of the nightstands—a photo of the Bailey family. On the bed was a little basket with a blanket, a book from her favourite author, and her favourite candies. Her heart swelled, knowing that Kai was behind this sweet gesture.
Miles set her luggage by the door and turned towards her, hands finding shelter in the pockets of his loose jeans. Indy couldn’t read beyond his hardened expression, his scowl, his frown.
Still, she smiled, not wanting to hold any animosity against him despite his coldness. She’d have to get used to it, anyway. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
His response was a stiff nod before he took a step forward. “I’m going to get all your stuff up. Is Tito still downstairs unloading the car?”
“Yes.”
For what felt like an eternity, his stare was on her. Like he wanted to ingrain her portrait in the back of his mind.
“Alright.” He cleared his throat. “Just settle in. I’ll handle the rest of it with him.”
Indy knew exactly what was coming, causing a painful sensation to twist around her already aching heart.
As he brushed past her, she felt the sudden urge to catch his elbow, just to feel his skin—touch him. But she refrained from doing so by folding her arms beneath her breasts. “Huxley? I’m sorry for intruding.”
The muscle in his jaw ticced as he towered over her. Next to him, she felt so small, so powerless. The scent of his cologne was too familiar, too intoxicating, and it was at that exact moment that Indy wondered how she would survive his constant presence. She didn’t want her heart to be obliterated. “No worries. Happy to help Kai.”
Of course, he was doing this for Kai.
“Maybe we could sit down around dinner tonight and talk about rent and the rules you expect me to follow in your home.” She smiled up at him again. “I’m happy to cook.”
The indifference in his eyes would have sent any person running, but Indy wasn’t impressed by this cold mask. He wouldn’t make her yield, so she kept her chin high.
“The only rule we’re going to go by, Indigo,” he started lowly, “is that we’re roommates now. Nothing more, nothing less. Whatever you’re expecting from me or hoping to happen between us, you can forget it.”
“I—”
“I hope you understand that we have to stop what we’ve been doing. It can’t happen again, okay?”
He turned on his heel without glimpsing at her reaction.
Well, this was going to be harder than she thought.