Chapter 20 #2
She smothers a laugh and straightens, looping her arm through my offered one. “Don’t worry, there won’t be any super embarrassing questions.”
We start walking towards my team’s garage, her hand clutching my arm, nails digging into my skin every time she puts pressure on her left foot.
We successfully make it to the opening of the garage and I throw a look over my shoulder, zeroing in on the Frenchman who was mistaken to think he ever had any kind of shot at what’s mine.
“Oi, Dubois. You may be in the big leagues now, but you don’t get to have what we do overnight just because you think you’re owed the shot. ”
I turn and walk us farther into the garage as Sydney looks up at me. “What was that about?”
“Just reminding the boys of their place.”
When we make it around the back wall, giving us a bit of privacy, I swoop down and lift her off her feet. She squeals, looping her arms around my neck. “What are you doing?”
“You’re hurt. Walking around in those death traps is only going to make it worse.”
“Careful, darkling. You’re starting to sound more like a knight right now.”
“Would you rather I drag you to my dungeon and forbid you from leaving until I allow it?”
“Add in some of the growling and you’d be the perfect beast.”
I huff a laugh, using my shoulder to push open the door to my changing room. Kicking it closed, I walk over and carefully set her down on the small table.
I feel her eyes on me as I move around the room, gathering my supplies. When I settle on a chair in front of her, she hisses quietly as I try to gently remove each of her heels. Her left ankle is a bit red and swollen already, and I wipe my thumb over the angry skin.
“I’m going to wrap this for you so it’s a bit more stabilized.”
She watches me silently as I pull out some ACE bandage and tend to her foot. After I make sure the tape is secured and it isn’t wrapped too tight, I slip a sock onto each of her feet. She sucks in a breath when I pull out a pair of pink trainers and unlace them.
“How did you—”
“I didn’t.” I look up into her sparkling eyes. “But I don’t take any chances with you.”
She smiles, eyes darting over to the wardrobe. “What other surprises do you have in there?”
I dip my head as my face suddenly goes hot.
Do I want to let her in on my dirty little secret? Where for years, I’ve been carrying an extra luggage with me everywhere we raced, packed full of things she may or may not need at some point?
After her first season with the team where she kept forgetting a hair tie here, or sunglasses there, I made it a point to have at least one extra of everything I know she loves and needs. Just in case.
Where she thought the metal straws to replace the paper ones she hates, or the sunscreen she swore she kept in her bag, or the endless supply of screen protectors came from, I don’t know.
But as I finish tying the never worn tennies on her dainty feet, I have the fleeting thought that maybe it is finally time to show her I can be more than just the beast for her.
Only ever for her.
Smirking up at her, I lay my hands on the sides of her legs and squeeze. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
She giggles, eyes darting to the side. “Yeah, I really would.”
When she looks back at me, my face slowly drops as the effect of being the center of her attention takes hold. “We’ve got time.”
Her lips part and a flash of something heated passes over her the longer she watches me. I swallow as the air suddenly becomes suffocating and she leans ever so slightly towards me.
The moment her soft lips meet mine, everything around us fades and all that’s left is the feeling of her in my arms again.
Our soft moans fill the room when our tongues touch and her hands dart up to clutch my shoulders. I shift to stand, my hand sliding up her neck to tilt her head back with my fingers running along her jaw.
“We should talk,” I rush out between kisses and she mumbles her agreement before her mouth is on mine again.
I groan when her nails dig down my back, not enough to leave any marks through my race suit, but enough to leave me begging for more.
I grit my teeth and rip my mouth from hers, settling our foreheads together. Our heavy breaths mingle and her hands drift to my chest.
“What’s happening?” I ask.
“What do you mean?”
“We set rules, and last time I checked there wasn’t anyone else in this room with us. We don’t need to be doing this.”
She hesitates, nibbling on her lip. “But what if I want to be doing this?”
“It was your rule, Sydney.”
“I know.” She sighs and shakes her head. “But…”
“But what?” I ask when her words drift.
There’s a sharp knock at the door and Sydney jumps in my arms. Pulling back, I trace my thumb over her swollen lips.
“Uh, mate, they’re calling for us at the big house for the breakdown meeting.” Jace’s voice filters through the wood.
I groan. “I’ll be right there!”
There’s a beat before he speaks again. “Oh, and Sydney? Blake came by looking for you. She said she was finally able to convince Ryder to do some dance you two were talking about?”
“Okay!” Sydney cries out, a whole octave higher than usual.
We listen as his retreating steps quickly fade.
I lean forward, resting my head against Sydney’s and she slips her hands onto my sides. “This conversation isn’t over,” I whisper.
She nods, giggling. “We’ll have the time one day. No interruptions.”
I huff a laugh and rest my lips on her forehead.
One day can’t come soon enough.