Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Athena
I feel like my feet haven’t touched the ground since Monday morning. I have followed Royce around like a puppy dog and it wasn’t even the race weekend yet. Collapsing onto my bed, I let out a heavy sigh. I feel wrecked. Tapping my phone, I call Edel and she answers almost instantly.
“I am so sorry,” I mutter as I roll onto my front.
“Why?” I hear the concern in her voice.
“I’ve been a crap friend,” I admit, chest heavy.
“You’re working, I don’t expect to hear from you every minute of every day.”
“I know,” I whisper, “it’s just been non-stop, and I haven’t even told you what Royce and I have agreed to do.”
The sound of an incoming video call rings in my ear and I pull the phone away and answer.
“What have you done?” Her brows are raised, her eyes wide as she stares at me through the screen.
“It’s not a big deal.” I wince.
“That means it’s a big deal,” she rambles, lowering herself down on the sofa.
“We’ve agreed to fake date,” I rush out. There is no point even trying to sugar coat it. Better to just tell her straight.
“You what?” Her voice is barely audible, and I put it down to shock.
“Yeah.”
“Athena!” she whisper shouts. “What are you doing?”
“Just to help him out. We had a heart-to-heart and things kind of got a little deep and yeah, next thing I know I am signing NDAs and contracts.” Hearing myself say it out loud, I can see the red flags being waved.
“You’re an idiot.”
“I know.” I nod before face planting the duvet.
“Actually, you’re a knob.” She throws in for good measure.
“Mmhmm.” The sound is lost in the bed.
“What is in this for you?”
Lifting my face, I rest my cheek on my hand. “A good book, hopefully.”
“Fuck my life.” She puffs her cheeks out. “The sooner I get out there, the better.”
My ears prick. “You’re coming to Australia?” Excitement laces my voice.
“No, I didn’t mean Australia, just meant with you, in general. Next thing I know you’ll be married in Vegas.”
I ponder the thought…
“Don’t you dare!” She laughs.
I laugh, poking my tongue out.
“Seriously though, what if you catch feelings or he does?”
“We won’t.” I nod confidently.
“Athena—”
“Look, I have been single for what, ten years? Even if I did catch feelings as you put it, I wouldn’t know what to do anyway. I would be so awkward that I would cringe him out and he would dump me quicker then he signed the contract.”
“You’re not awkward, you’ve just forgot what it is like.” She gently reminds me.
“I don’t think so.” I shake my head and move onto my back.
“Stop that.”
I roll my eyes.
“Anyway, how’s the research coming along?”
“Really good.” I smile at her. “I am learning so much. I mean, I was a little hesitant because I had no interest in writing this book. I just wanted to make Maria happy. She pushed it and I agreed. I still don’t have any urge to write the words down, but researching is going well.”
“You can’t force it. No matter what your agent wants you to write, if the words aren’t there then…” Her voice trails off.
“I know.” I sigh, just when I hear a knock at the door.
“Ooo who’s that, lover boy?” she sings, giggling.
“Bye,” I respond and cut her off.
Moving for the door, I open it and see Royce standing there.
“Busy?”
“I wanted to nap but I am assuming you being here means I am needed somewhere.”
“That’s right, baby, I need you dressed and ready to meet me in the lobby in thirty minutes.”
I shake my head. “You must know about these plans in advance, you can’t just spring it on me.”
“My bad, it’s on the schedule.” He bats his lashes.
“Really?” I scrunch my nose. “I didn’t see it.”
“Yeah, I added it twenty minutes ago.” He winces.
“Royce!” I slap the top of his arm and he chuckles loudly.
“It’s a last-minute sponsor thing; we’ve got to have dinner. Ana?s and my dad will be there, Cowan and some unfortunate soul he has dragged along…” He trails off and beams at me. “I need you there, kid.” He steps closer, wrapping his arm around my back as he pulls me towards him.
“I know,” I whisper, my eyes dancing with his.
“You’re a saint.” He lets me go and moves past me as he walks into my room.
“What are you doing?” I follow him as he pulls my wardrobe doors open and starts rooting through the rails.
“Trying to find you something to wear.” He turns his face to look at me, giving me a look.
“I feel offended.” I stamp my foot and cross my arms over my chest.
“Don’t.” He pulls out a light pink dress and holds it out for me. “This, wear this.”
He paces towards me and I eye the dress he is holding. Sweetheart neck. Fitted to the waist. Full skirt that sits mid-thigh. I don’t even remember packing it.
“Is it not too…” I pause, flicking my eyes over the dress.
“We’re going for food and drinks, it’s perfect.”
“I’m not sure,” I admit.
“You have nothing else.” His voice is deadpan.
“Well, I didn’t think I would be fake dating a racing driver and having to go out for dinners.”
“Did you think you would just be rotting in your hotel room?” A smirk pulls at his lips, but he is trying to fight it.
“Yes, basically.” I tighten my arms across my chest.
He sighs, throwing the dress to the bed and my brows furrow. He steps closer to me, his eyes burning into mine as his hand folds into his back pocket and pulls out a red cherry leather wallet. My eyes widen.
“I’ll send someone out right now to buy you a new outfit, but you need to tell me what you want.”
Opening my mouth, I slam it shut again.
“Come on, kid, otherwise I’ll get them to sort it instead.”
“I don’t know.” My voice is small as the pressure builds and I feel myself getting flustered. I watch as he holds his phone up to his ear.
“Sylvie, it’s Royce.” She says something back and he laughs.
“Yeah, good, thank you. I need an urgent favour.” He locks his beautiful blues on me.
“I need a cocktail dress.” His eyes sweep over me in one heated gaze and my cheeks burn pink.
“Tanned skin, dark hair, amber eyes. Yes,” he groans, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth.
“Me?” he answers then glances down at his watch “I’m going to be wearing a black oversized tee, wide leg jeans. ”
I watch on, unsure what the hell is happening.
“Perfect, I need it here in ten minutes.” He glances at his watch again. “Do you need my card details?” The black AmEx flips between his fingers. “Perfect, thank you, Sylvie.” He cuts her off, taking a photo of his card and sending a message.
“What the hell just happened?” I whisper, walking towards the bed and sitting next to the pink dress.
“We’re getting you a dress.”
I blink at him as he slides his phone and card into his pocket. “But I have one.” My voice has no confidence as I let my eyes slowly gaze to the pink dress.
“You clearly didn’t like it.” One of his brows raises.
Sighing, I flop back on the bed, my hands in my hair as my eyes focus on the ceiling. The mattress dips between my legs and he is hovering over me. I freeze.
“Have I stressed you out?” he asks, eyes volleying between mine.
“A little.” I wince, sliding my hands over my eyes. “Can you just stop springing things on me?”
“Sorry.” His warm breath dances across my face and I ignore the way my skin puckers before splintering in goosebumps.
“It’s fine,” I mutter just as his fingers link around my wrist and prise my hands away.
“No.” He shakes his head, his floppy dark hair hanging. “It’s not.”
My breath catches at the back of my throat, and my heart is bolting in my chest.
“I think we need to get to know each other a bit more.” He hovers still; I blink up at him.
“Makes sense.” I can just about manage to get the words out on a whisper.
He pulls himself back, a boyish smirk on his lips as he looks down at me. “Get yourself ready, your dress will be here soon.” He paces towards the door.
“What if I don’t like it?” I perch myself up on my elbows.
He gives me a slow and teasing glance. “Sylvie is my personal stylist. Trust me, she’ll do good.” He winks before walking out of the room.
Once he is gone, I flop down on the bed, but not for long as there is a soft knock at the door. Pushing up, I open it and see a stunning brunette holding a black dress bag up and shoes.
“Hi, I’m Sylvie.” Her smile is wide, and before I step aside, she walks into my room.
“Hi,” I mutter.
It feels slightly awkward as she looks at the pink one on the bed and then lays the new one next to it.
She unzips the bag and pulls out the dress.
It’s black, with a scooped neck and has cuffed straps that wrap around the upper arm.
Soft rose detail is scattered over the body of the dress, and a tulle skirt sits above the knee.
The shoes are black velvet, a chunky heel and wedge with a large bow.
“Wow.” I roll my lips. “It’s… beautiful,” I admit, and it’s the truth. It is.
“Really makes a statement, if I do say so myself.” She shimmies on the spot.
I nod.
“Okay, well that’s everything.” She moves towards me, kissing me on the cheek and seeing herself out.
Placing my hands on my hips, I look down at the dress and run my fingers over the soft tulle skirt. It’s so pretty. Sighing, I take myself into the bathroom and begin to get ready.
Finally, I am dressed. The dress fits like a glove, the shoes look amazing, and I feel every bit pretty. My hair is down, makeup done, and I am ready in record time.
Walking towards the door, I pull it open to see Royce standing there and hovering his hand in the air, clearly about to knock.
“Athena,” he breathes, his eyes dance over my body and I feel the way the heat rises through me. “You look… Wow.”
Dropping my eyes to the floor, I try to hide the blush that is creeping onto my cheeks. My hair hangs down, delicate gold jewellery finishing off my look. Finally allowing myself to lift my face, my eyes lock on him. I can’t read his expression; his gaze is pinned to me.
Grabbing my clutch of the side table, I step forward. “Ready?”
He nods, moving aside as I close the door behind myself.