Chapter 15
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA
T he torrential rain splattered onto the concrete, the softer rumble of thunder nearly drowned out by the noise of the deluge.
Indy glanced skywards, grimacing at the sight of the dark, calamitous heavens. It was only early morning, and the race was set to start at three p.m. She hoped the rain would stop so that the Grand Prix wouldn’t be delayed. Still, a wet race was always exhilarating to watch, and she had no doubt that today was about to be chaotic.
In the shelter of the building, she braced herself for the gust of cold wind that would brush into her face the moment she’d open the door. She needed to cross the paddock to enter another building to attend a press conference.
What a stupid idea to wear a skirt when rain had been predicted all weekend long.At least she was wearing knee-high boots, but fashion before anything, right? That’s what her mother had always taught her. Dress like it’s your last day on Earth.
Despite the apocalyptic weather, the paddock was quite busy: car mechanics roaming around, drivers arriving at the circuit, journalists and photographers rushing towards shelter, and VIP members being guided into a team’s motorhome.
Checking the time again, Indy sighed and decided to leave the building. She stepped outside, and came face to face with Miles.
“Wrong building, Golden Boy,” she said, still standing below that tiny roof.
“Such a nice way of greeting.” He was holding a large umbrella with a to-go cup of coffee in his other hand, the tops of his cheekbones slightly rosy because of the weather. He took her in with a once-over—rapid and fleeting yet powerful enough to make her forget about the chilly wind. “Just the person I was looking for.”
“Me?” Her brows knitted together in slight confusion. If there was one thing she hated, it was her heart always skipping a beat at the mere attention he brought upon her.
“No,” he deadpanned. “Your coworker who’s staring at us.”
Tara.
Indy didn’t have to turn around to know she was the one watching them. She’d been hanging out in the lobby for a while, chattering quietly with other people, though always observing Indy from the corner of her eye. Indy couldn’t recall the amount of times she wanted to shift with uneasiness, wondering why she was being so blatantly judged.
“I’m sure she’d love to receive the tiniest bit of your attention.”
Miles’ expression didn’t break—like an unmovable mask he had slipped on that wouldn’t budge no matter what. “Do I look like I want to talk to her?”
“And you want to with me?”
Something in his gaze softened. “I always want to talk to you, Indy.” He held out the umbrella, urging her to step beneath it. “Come on, I’ll walk you.”
“What a gentleman,” she teased as they started walking.
“Only with you.”
She paused, the rain beating down on the umbrella they stood under, and shivered, not expecting it to be so cold.
Well, maybe that frisson jolting throughout her bones was caused by their proximity, by his presence. The memories from their late night at the club in Monaco were still vivid. They’d played pool for hours, laughing and getting to know each other without being interrupted. Then, they had joined their friends in the main area and had danced until fatigue took over (well, Miles sat with the boys whilst Indy had dragged the girls to the dance floor, but still, he looked like he was having a good time).
It had felt nice to spend an evening out of the flat with him. She’d found herself lying in bed later that night, wishing for more alone time with Miles.
“This weather is so shitty,” she muttered to diffuse the butterflies stirring inside her stomach. “You’d think we’re in Spa, or something, with heavy rain like this.”
“True.” Miles chuckled. “But I love wet races. Okay, so, hold the umbrella and the coffee for a sec.”
She did, rolling her eyes in pleasantry. “Remember what I just said about you being a gentleman? Forget it.”
“Just give me a moment, woman.”
The specific notes of ginger and nutmeg mixed with pepper danced in the air as he shrugged his jacket off, leaving him in a thick, black Imperium Racing jumper. He draped the warm piece of clothing around Indy’s shoulders, offering her a secret, soft smile as he did so, untucking her hair from under the collar.
“Wouldn’t want you to catch a cold,” he murmured, letting his perusal travel from the slope of her nose to her lips. “Who else is going to interview me after I win today?”
“First of all, there are tons of other reporters in the media pen. Secondly, who says you’re the winner of today’s GP?”
The glint in his eyes was pure arrogance and burning mischief. “I like to start my day being confident.”
“You’re such an inspiring person.” She grinned, and he huffed at the sarcasm woven into her tone. “Teach me your ways.”
As he grabbed the umbrella, their fingers brushed. She tried to give him the coffee, only for him to push it back towards her.
“Coffee’s for you.”
She guffawed. “Do you know my coffee order? It’s quite specific.”
“Double espresso with a splash of oat milk and brown sugar,” he said without missing a beat.
“How?” Her word was a simple whisper, blended in with all the noises booming around.
“Texted Kam,” he answered casually. So nonchalantly.
Indy could feel her heart expand, on the brink of bursting at the seams.
No one had ever taken interest in her favourite hot drink, let alone memorise its specific composition.
“Thank you,” she whispered, rapidly squeezing his hand. His thumb ran along the side of her wrist before letting the coaxing caress vanish.
Crimson tinged his cheeks. “You’re welcome.” When thunder cracked overhead, he flinched. Although it was barely noticeable, Indy saw everything in him and frowned with concern.
“What’s wrong?”
Finding the small of her back with his free hand, he urged her forward. “Nothing. Let’s get inside.”
As they stopped in front of the building she was supposed to go in, she smiled at him. “You really didn’t have to give me your jacket, or get me a coffee, or walk me here.”
“I wanted to.”
Ugh . Why did he have to be so…perfect? Even though they were finally getting comfortable with one another, Indy still felt like she was overstaying her welcome and bothering him with her constant presence. She’d been thinking of moving out as soon as possible, and she needed to give him a heads-up. Now was maybe not the time, but she decided to speak up.
“Well, thanks.” Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she inhaled. “I’m looking for an extra job for when we’re not travelling and back in Monaco.”
His expression was blank. “Why?”
“To save more money to find a place of my own. I don’t want to be a burden and invade your?—”
“Indigo,” he interjected. “Where is this coming from? You’ll never be a burden, and I refuse to let you take on an extra job to get out of my place. Unless it’s what you really want, but I like having you around, and I’m not kicking you out.”
She didn’t reply, because of course she didn’t want to leave. His place was a dream. And even though she was a hardworking person, she didn’t want to exhaust herself on days off.
“Let me pay my share of the rent.” It wasn’t a question. Until now, he had avoided every conversation revolving around rent and money.
“No. It’s my penthouse.”
“But—”
His jaw ticced. “Here’s a rule we can settle on. How about you just let yourself be taken care of without worrying about me?”
She was certain her cheeks had heated up. “Well, forgive me for being an independent woman who hates taking advantage of people.”
“Apology accepted. Your independence is so sexy, but stop trying to bargain because it won’t work. And for your information, you’re not taking advantage of me if I’m finding pleasure in helping you out.”
Indy huffed. “Will you watch chick-flicks with me?”
“Depends. What’s the first one we’re putting on?”
“ How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days .” Probably her favourite one.
The corner of his mouth quirked. “Deal.”
If she could just stand there, under the pouring rain, admiring the specific shade of green of his eyes blended with hues of gold and red, she would. If she could just stop time and take a photo of him staring at her like there wasn’t a world around them, she would. But reality struck when another thunder vibrated. “Good luck for today.”
As she handed his jacket back and entered the lobby, she blushed at his wink, trying her hardest to calm her racing heart. This was bad news. Trouble.
She was fucked. So much for wanting to focus on the new job and pretend like her crush on her roommate and brother’s best friend had faded.
“Fascinating,” a soft voice came from behind.
“What is?” Indy asked Carmen as the latter deposited a wet umbrella by the door.
“Miles Huxley. I’ve never seen him act this way with anyone before. Are you two…”
She frowned, understanding the question that lingered behind the thought.
“Oh, no. Friends.” The simple action of voicing this word pinched her chest.
Carmen nodded, studying Indy’s expression. “Well, I do think it’d be a good thing for him to be seen with you. It’d be good PR, and maybe the public would start liking him more when he’s off the track too. You’re showing them that he’s a good man.”
And he was. He was becoming the best man she’d ever met. She’d do anything to show how big of a heart Miles Huxley bore. He wasn’t heartless, or rude, or uncaring. Quite the contrary. He was golden, but that was something the world had yet to discover under the thick layers of his mask.