Chapter 18
ROWAN
We’ve barely stepped out of the lift when Damon stops.
“Wait here. There’s something I need to do,” he says.
I frown. “That’s cryptic.”
“I’ve had an idea I think you’ll love. Let me see if I can make it happen. Okay?”
“Okay, Daddy. I trust you.”
He smiles, kisses me, and steps into the lift. I watch the doors close and then join Abbey at the front desk. She’s adding tiny, sparkling gems to some of her nails.
“I don’t know how you have the patience to do that,” I say.
She shrugs. “I like having pretty nails, and it’s a lot cheaper to do it myself.”
“I bet.”
“I could do yours if you want?”
I chuckle. “No thanks. I’d probably chip the polish in record time.”
“Well, if you ever change your mind…”
“I know who to ask.”
She smiles. “What are you doing, anyway?”
“Waiting for tall, dark, and handsome. Nigel gave us the day off, so we’re going to hang out together.”
“Just hang out?”
I smile and twirl my finger over the reception desk. “We’ll see.”
“You look happy,” she observes.
“I am happy.”
She stares at me for a few seconds, lips pursed. “I guess Damon is your type.”
“Are you kidding? Of course, he’s my type! I’ve had a crush on him for ages.”
She laughs. “And now you have love hearts in your eyes.”
“Yeah, I probably do. Have you ever really wanted something, but were afraid it wouldn’t live up to your expectations?”
She nods.
“Damon is the exact opposite of that. He’s exceeded all my expectations. He’s amazing.” I sigh dramatically.
“You’re so smitten.”
I put my hand over my heart. “I am.”
“You’re like a love-sick kitten.”
“Are you trying to write poetry?”
She nibbles her lower lip for a moment. “Oh! I get it. You’re so smitten like a love-sick kitten. It does rhyme! It could be the start of a song.” She scribbles it down. “What could come next?”
“No clue. I’m not a songwriter or a poet.”
She taps her pen against her lips. “I’m sure I’ll think of something. But back to you and Damon. Are you going to keep seeing him?”
“I hope so.”
“Well, I’m happy for you. You’re chirpier than usual, and I didn’t think that was possible.
” She leans across the desk and drops her voice to a whisper, even though we’re alone in the lobby.
“And he actually smiled! I’ve never seen him smile before.
Well done.” She gives me a mini round of applause.
“Damon smiles.”
She arches one eyebrow.
The lift doors ping open.
“He does!”
“I do what?” Damon asks. “Assuming you were talking about me.”
“We were,” Abbey says.
“You smile,” I say.
Damon loops his arm around my waist and kisses me. “I smile more when I’m with you.”
My heart does a mini-loop-the-loop.
“Let’s go. Nigel is letting us use the McLaren. You’ll have to drive,” he says, almost apologetically.
I raise my eyebrows. “Where are we going?”
“London Motor Circuit.”
I open and close my mouth a few times.
“So you can drive a supercar.”
“The McLaren is a supercar.”
“On a track without a seventy-mile-per-hour speed limit.”
“Dad— Damon, I—” I shake my head. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Thank you?”
I grin and hug him. “Thank you, Daddy,” I whisper hopefully, quiet enough that Abbey can’t overhear.
He strokes my back. “Let’s go.”
It doesn’t take as long as I anticipated to get to the London Motor Circuit. London is still surprisingly quiet, considering the post-Christmas sales are in full swing. I guess most people wanted to stay at home, enjoying family time and the presents they received two days ago.
We’re met at the racetrack by an instructor. After signing a waiver, I bid goodbye to Damon with a kiss, then attend a briefing on safety and driving techniques. It’s a shame Damon can’t come in the car with me, but I understand why.
Next, the instructor takes me for four laps as a passenger, showing me the correct racing lines and familiarising me with the track. Then it’s time to choose a car.
“You can pick three cars,” the instructor says. “And drive four laps in each.”
“Three cars?” My voice comes out as a squeak.
I’m spoiled for choice. I choose an Aston Martin V8 Vantage first. It’s a sleek silver car. I slide into the driver’s seat, taking a moment to enjoy the feel of the luxurious steering wheel. The instructor comes with me. I have four laps. I intend to make the most of it.
Damon is in the stands, watching. I catch his eye, and he gives me a grin and a thumbs-up. He looks happy, even though he’s standing in the cold, watching me about to have the time of my life.
I take a breath, put the car into gear, and drive.
It’s so damn smooth. The engine purrs like a content kitten as I accelerate into the first bend.
I take the first lap slowly, getting to grips with the track and the car's handling.
Then I put my foot down, flying as fast as I dare around the track, following the racing lines the instructor taught me, getting the most out of the experience.
“You’re a good driver,” the instructor says as I bring the car to a smooth stop.
I grin at him.
“I’ll go and get the next car.”
I hop out of the Aston Martin and run over to Damon, pressing onto my toes so I can fling my arms around his neck and kiss him.
“Are you having fun, boy?”
“It’s amazing! Thank you, Daddy. But are you having fun?”
“Yes. You went fast.”
“I might go faster in the next car. I’ve asked to drive the Lotus Evora next.”
Damon presses his lips together into a chuckle.
“What?”
“Someone once told me that Lotus stands for lots of trouble, usually serious.”
I giggle. “I’m not sure that’s true.”
“Probably not, but I bet it would cost a bomb to get parts for any of these cars.”
“Yes, but if you can afford to own a supercar, you can probably afford to repair one.”
“Also true. Your next ride is here. Off you go, boy. Have fun.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
I run to the car, reaching it just as the instructor moves from the driver’s seat into the passenger seat.
The Lotus is electric blue with a sleek profile.
It has a more fun feel than the Aston Martin.
This time, I don’t bother with a warm-up lap.
I go for it straight away, getting everything I can out of the car.
It nips around the track like a gazelle escaping a cheetah.
I’m enjoying it so much that I don’t want to stop and almost ask to do my last four laps in the same car.
But there’s another car I want to drive, so, reluctantly, I stop.
My final car is a Nissan Skyline R34. It’s much boxier, lacking the sleek curves of the other two cars.
If anything, it feels like a sports car from the 1980s or 1990s.
The one I’m driving is white with blue stripes.
It handles very differently from the other two cars.
The suspension is firmer, and I need to manage the revs to get the best performance out of the twin-turbo engine.
It’s a fun drive and, by the time I complete the fourth lap, I’m breathless and giddy with excitement.
I remember to thank the driver before getting out of the car and dashing over to the stands.
“That was the best present ever, Daddy. Thank you! I love you!”
My heart stutters as I realise what I said. I falter, half-stepping backwards as I stare, wide-eyed at Damon. Is he panicking? Does he want to run a mile? I wouldn’t blame him. We’ve only been seeing each other for a few days, but I’ve longed for him secretly for so much longer.
“You…? He returns my stare.
I could wave my hands, laugh and tell him I didn’t really mean it. I’m excited, exhilarated, and carried away. Did I mean it? I’ve never been in love before. Or, if I have, I didn’t realise it. Damon makes me happy. He’s everything I want in a Daddy and a partner. We fit together, don’t we?
He takes my hand, and we walk on either side of the barrier until we reach the main building, where we’re able to reunite properly. Then he embraces me, wrapping me in strong, caring arms.
“Did you mean what you said?”
“I’ve been in lust with you for so long and now… now…” My cheeks become hot.
“Now?”
“I’m falling head over heels for you, Daddy.”
He strokes my face. “And I for you.”
I lean into his touch, my lashes fluttering. I want him so much.
We leave the building and walk across the carpark to the McLaren.
“I’m glad you had fun,” Damon says. “Which was your favourite car?”
“Don’t ask me that! I can’t decide. They were all amazing in different ways.”
He chuckles. “Fair enough.” When we reach the car, Damon hugs me. “I’m glad you enjoyed the experience.”
“I did. You’ve been spoiling me the last few days.”
“I’m your Daddy. It’s my job to spoil you.”
“And take care of me?”
He kisses me softly. “Yes. If you want me to.”
“I do! So much!”
“I feel the same way.”
We’re wrapped up in a whirlwind, and I’m enjoying the ride.
“We should do something you like,” I say.
“I like being with you.”
My heart flutters. “You know how to make a boy feel wanted.”
“I do want you, Rowan. So much.” He kisses me hard.
I grip his shoulder and press against him. “Then let’s go back to yours, Daddy. Make the most of your day together.”
“Gladly.”
I take the keys to the McLaren out of my pocket and dangle them in front of him. “Do you want to drive, Daddy?”
“No thanks. I’d scratch it, or worse, crash it.” My life wouldn’t be worth living if I damaged one of Nigel’s precious cars.
I laugh. “I doubt that, Daddy.”
“Besides, I’d rather watch you drive. Your eyes light up beautifully whenever you’re behind the wheel of a nice car.”
“They do?”
“Yes.” He pinches my chin gently and gives me another kiss. “Let’s go home.”