Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Royce
MONACO
“He does it again, Royce Lexington on the podium in Bahrain!”
“Triple header, P3 in Jeddah for Royce. Saint Onyx are going to be celebrating tonight.”
“Oh my God, P2 for Royce Lexington in Miami, he is on fire. If he keeps this up, that World Drivers’ Championship may be his!”
“Will his luck run out as we approach Monaco? I hope not, impeccable driving from Royce as he finished P2 in Emilia-Romagna. I’m excited to see where this goes.”
Every fucking race I had dominated. The car was better each weekend, and honestly, I think my confidence was getting a little too strong.
I knew I had a P1 finish under my belt. Cowan was finishing in top five, which was helping with our points massively. Could we get the constructors? Maybe. But me… my championship was getting closer. The weeks had passed quickly, and like promised, Athena and I had left that one night behind us.
Sighing, I glance over at her, sleeping on her front and her soft breaths filling the room.
I wanted her. Every fucking night I have to fight with myself not to start something. But things are good, we’re working; I was out of the headlines, and she was lost in her book.
I glance at the time; it’s past ten and I decide to take a walk.
Pacing towards the hallway of our suite, I jot a quick note telling her I’ll be back with coffee and pastries.
Strolling back into the bedroom, I place it on my pillow and focus on her, dusting my fingers across her face as I tuck a strand of hair away.
My heart jolts in my chest. I can’t cope.
I’m starting to wonder when this went from fake to what it now is. This doesn’t feel fake. I knew as soon as she agreed to let me show her, showed me her vulnerability... she had me in a chokehold.
Turning on my heel, I close the door softly and walk out of the apartment block, greeting Alexandre as I do.
“Bonjour.” I tip my head, my hands fisted into my pockets. Before I can even step outside, Dane and two security guards are beside me. “Damn it.” I sigh, slipping my glasses on.
“Not sure why you thought it was a good idea to walk the streets of Monaco on race weekend.”
“No one is going to be out, and if they are, they’ll be hanging around where Charles is staying.” I huff, moving down the cobbled streets.
“Where are you going?” Dane asks, looking down at me.
“To get coffee, and to see Rue.”
His brow raises.
“I’ve ordered a couple of Athena’s paperbacks in. I want to read them whilst we have some down time.”
“Royce.” He chuckles. “It’s race week, you don’t have down time.”
Flipping him off, I cut down the small alley and see Rue’s book shop, now spanning over three units. I peek through the window and see her standing behind the till, her head propped up by her hand, elbow resting with her nose in a book.
“Wait out here, lads.” I nod to my security guards and Dane, and they all give a heavy nod.
Pushing through the door, the small bell jingles and her head lifts, her opal eyes settle on me.
“Oh my God, Royce!” She runs towards me, throwing her arms around my neck.
“Hey you.” I step back and she gives me a wide smile.
“When did you get here?” she asks, stepping back towards the counter.
“Last night.”
“Ah, so you’ve got a day or two before you’re in full race mode.” She closes the book she was reading.
“Yeah.” I push my hand into my pockets. “We’ve missed you around the paddock,” I admit. “Obvs, the girls have missed you more.” I laugh and she rolls her eyes.
“Yeah, yeah.” Her hand is on her hip. “I’ve missed you all too. I have really wanted to get over, but what with all of this”—her hand glides around the room—“I just haven’t had the time.”
“We get it, you’ve forgotten about us.”
She laughs. “As if I could ever forget about the Saint Onyx crew.”
“You’re coming to the race, right?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Good.” I nod. “Have you arranged to meet Ana?s and Nora?”
“Yeah, tomorrow I think.” She wakes up her laptop and checks her diary. “Yeah, tomorrow. They’ve said about Athena coming.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, that all right?”
“Course it is, she’s amazing.” I nod, a stupid smile pressing onto my lips.
“I bet she is.” Rue taps her fingers on the book.
“What you reading?” I lift my chin and look over to see if I can work it out.
“Actually, it’s one of Opal Bloom’s.” Her cheeks turn pink.
“Oh yeah?” My brow raises as I stalk over to her desk.
“Yeah, it’s sooo good. I ordered a couple in with your order.”
“Glad you’re enjoying them, I’ll be sure to let her know.”
Her eyes widen and glisten. “Do you think she’ll sign a few of the copies I bought?”
“She would love to.”
“Amazing.” She claps excitedly. “Let me go and get your books.”
“Thank you,” I mutter, as I walk around her shop. It looks amazing in here. “Rue, the place looks so good,” I say as she steps back into the room with a small box, a loud thud echoing around.
“Thank you.” She beams with proudness.
“Has it been busy?” I ask, facing her as she slices through the sealed box.
“Ebbs and flows, you know.” She looks up at me, eyes glistening.
“I’m glad. I’m sure it’ll be busy in the next few days.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” I lick my lips.
She pulls the protective paper from the box then reaches for the books. “Here we go.” She smiles softly, walking towards me and handing me them.
“Thank you.” My heart blooms with pride looking down at Athena’s books. I’m not sure why—she wrote these before me, after all—yet I am in awe of her.
“This one is amazing.” She taps her finger on the cover.
“Yeah?”
“Only one flaw, though… maybe.”
My ears prick. “What’s that?”
“The… y’know…” Her cheeks flush.
“Oh.” I laugh. “Yeah, we know.” I nod.
“Oh, good, they just feel a little…”
“Yeah.” I look down and flick through the pages.
“But apart from that, they’re so good.” She swoons slightly and I wish Athena was here with me now so she could see how much people enjoy her stories.
“Make sure you ask her about signing at your shop tomorrow when you see her.”
“Yeah, I will. Do you think she’ll do it?”
“Yeah,” I say, but the truth is, I have no clue. I would try and persuade her to, though.
“Thanks, Royce.” Her hand rests on the top of my arm.
“No problem, I’ll post a little something on my socials too saying that she may or may not be here… see if we can get some more readers in here.” I smile.
“Thank you,” she whispers. “Do you want a bag for your books?”
“Please.”
She takes them from me and steps back behind the desk. Grabbing a tote, I watch as she lays it flat on the counter. She wraps each book delicately, then slides them into the bag. My brows furrow when I read it.
I like my coffee icy and my books spicy.
“Really?” I scrunch my nose as I place it over my shoulder and sigh.
“Advertising.” She winks and I flip her off.
“How much do I owe you?” I ask, reaching for my wallet.
“Not a chance,” she scoffs and I roll my eyes.
“Tell me, Rue.”
“Nope, they’re on me.”
“Rue,” I say again, my tone sharp.
“You’ve done so much for me, plus, you’re going to get the Opal Bloom into my shop, so please, take them as a gift.”
I sigh, slipping the wallet away. “Thank you,” I mutter, making her think that I am giving in. Little does she know I’ll ping her money over later.
Walking out the shop, I head towards the small coffee shop a few yards down. Ordering myself a flat white, much to Dane’s disapproval, I look for the fanciest coffee that I can get Athena.
“Can you make me something sweet, extravagant, with thousands of calories?” I ask and the young guy laughs. I really did need to brush up on my French.
“Sure can.”
“Appreciate it, man,” I say as I tap my phone against the reader. “Oh, do you know anywhere I can grab a snow globe?”
“A snow globe?” He looks at me a little confused.
“Er, one sec.” I slide my phone out and search it, turning the screen and showing him.
“Ah, oui,” he says, then continues to tell me where I may find one.
Once I have the coffees and pastries, I make a mental note to pop out later if I can find a snow globe. I have bought her one at each stop, and I don’t plan on making this trip any different.
Walking into the suite, I see her sitting on the sofa, cross legged on a video call. Her eyes light up, that gorgeous smile and those fucking dimples. I hold my hand up and walk quietly towards her, placing her iced coffee down and her golden ambers widen with delight.
I duck out, kicking my shoes off and lying on the bed. Inhaling, her scent engulfs me. Everything smells of her. Sliding my phone out my front pocket of my wide jeans, I text Nora asking for Rue’s bank details.
She doesn’t question it and sends it straight through. Adding her details, I ping her ￡1000. Over the top, yes, but she wouldn’t take it, so she can have that and treat herself to something.
I scroll through my private social, each time I land on Athena’s socials, I like it. I know it’s not her per se, as Ana?s is dealing with it, but it’ll help.
The sound of her gentle footsteps dance across the tiled floor of the suite, leaning up against the doorframe as she looks at me.
“Thanks for the coffee.” Her lips purse.
“No problem. Sleep okay?” I leave my phone on my stomach, tucking my arms under my head as I stare at her.
“Slept like a log. I like it here.” She sighs blissfully.
I let my gaze trail up and down her body. She’s wearing similar pyjamas to the night when I tasted her for the first time. These are dusty blue with pink flowers.
“It’s not bad,” I mutter and she laughs. “Hey,” I ask, propping myself up, “fancy signing a few copies of your book at a local bookstore?”
Her eyes widen. “You serious?”
“Yup.”
“Where?”
“Rue, Nora and Ana?s’s mate, owns a little bookstore here just off the market road. She ordered some books in for me.”
She bounces towards me, kneeling on the bed next to me. “You ordered books?” Her voice jumps up.
“I did.” I nod. “She ordered some as stock, and she is loving your stories and well, she asked me if I would ask you…”