Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Athena
MONACO - RACE DAY
Paddock Hot Goss here, rumour has it Royce and Athena are back on after her secret rendezvous with his rival and teammate Cowan Pierce… Keep your eyes to the track Paddock Hotties, all does not seem well in RoyThena Land xoxox
Walking into the paddock, Edel is a few steps behind us, and Royce’s fingers are linked through mine. The cameras are flashing; the Saint Onyx social media team are hovering, waiting to step in if needed.
Nerves drum in my chest. I have no idea why I am so nervous, I’m just here for support. I think? Royce brings the back of my hand to his lips, pressing delicately as we walk towards the hospitality units.
“Royce!” a reporter calls out just as we’re climbing the steps. I look over my shoulder at her, short brown hair, round opal eyes. “Royce, can we get a minute?” She tries again and his steps falter.
“We see you and Athena are back together. What were the photos we saw between her and your teammate which, may we add, looks like they’re extremely close?”
My heart drops from my chest, fear pricks at the base of my neck. Nora rushes from the unit and tries to usher Royce inside. I thought this had been squashed. Royce looks down at me, his jaw wound tight, his grip on my hand even tighter.
For just a moment, a flicker of fear runs through my eyes. Not that I am scared of him, but more concerned how he might retaliate. He gives me a sliver of a smile before turning and my eyes dart to Nora who looks at me. She is already wincing.
“They were just that…” He trails off, side-eyeing Nora. “Photos.”
“Cowan seems to think a lot more happened behind the scenes…”
Royce’s nostrils flare, his jaw ticking.
“Babe,” I whisper, and I swear that’s the first time that word has passed my lips.
He looks at me, eyes soft as they settle. My racing heart steadies as he looks to Nora, and I watch the blood drain from her face.
“Cowan is a cunt,” Royce says blasé.
The reporter’s lips pop open, shock evident all over her face.
Her mouth opens and closes like a damn guppy as Royce turns on his heel and pulls me into the hospitality unit, Edel following as the doors slide open.
I can hear Nora trying to pacify the reporter, begging her not to go further with this.
Royce continues to walk us through, his long legs taking bigger strides with each step and I find myself trying to catch up.
Once we’re in a quiet corridor, he drops my hand, his eyes pinned to me.
I glance over my shoulder at Edel and give her the most subtle nod.
She hesitates for a moment before she nods back and disappears.
Silence bounces off the walls, and as time ticks on, I find myself getting more angsty. “Are you okay?” I ask him and after a beat or two he lets out an exasperated sigh.
“I’ve been better,” he admits, looking down at the floor, his hand folded into his pocket.
“I’m sorry,” I squeeze out, feeling terrible that he has had to deal with that before his race.
His blue eyes meet mine, his floppy hair sitting against his forehead as he looks up at me through his lashes, his hard expression softening.
“Baby,” he coos, stepping towards me and cupping my face in his hand.
“You don’t need to say sorry. I’m not mad at you, at all.
” He blinks, his thumb brushing back and forth over my cheek.
“I’m mad at Cowan playing stupid fucking games.
” He shakes his head, dropping his gaze from mine and I miss him in an instant.
“I shouldn’t have agreed to the drink.” I sigh, feeling my own disappointment biting at the base of my neck.
“Nah.” He smirks. “You shouldn’t have because trust me when I say…” He trails off, pressing his lips at the corner of my mouth. “If he had laid one”—he kisses again—“fucking”—he edges closer, his kiss against my lips—“finger”—his tongue teases mine “on...”
Another kiss and I feel myself melting into him, his spare arm tucking behind my back, pulling me close.
“What is mine,” he rasps, his eyes on my mouth the whole time; my tongue darts out as I trace it across my full bottom lip. “I would have fucking killed him.” The corner of his lip lifts but I don’t have a chance to question him when he kisses me.
“How’s he feeling?” Ana?s asks me as we stand shoulder to shoulder in the garage.
“Okay, I think. He hasn’t said much.” I shrug.
“Ah, he’s nervous.” She smirks, her hand delicately rubbing her lower stomach.
Nora appears, cheeks puffed out as she stares me down. “Royce wants you.” She gives a soft smile and I nod.
“How bad was it with the reporter?” I mutter quietly as she places her hands on her hips.
“Not great, but I managed to get her to not print anything he said.”
“That’s good.” I give a heavy nod. “I’m sorry to have caused any issues.”
“It’s not your fault. Royce is to blame as much as Cowan.
They both have massive egos and seem to be out for each other.
” She shakes her head. “It’ll calm down.
It’s like the whole alpha dog situation.
They’ll keep showing their teeth and pissing over each other until one comes out on top.
” One hand drops from her hip as her phone buzzes from her over body bag.
“I’m sure they’ll sort it out soon.” I give a promising smile just as Edel walks in. “I’ve just got to go and see Royce,” I say, placing my hand on the top of her arm before walking away.
Seeking him out, he is tucked in his room, standing as he bounces a tennis ball against the wall. I rest against the door frame and check him out. His race suit hangs from his waist, black underwear covering his toned body. His dark hair is messy, and I swear it’s my favourite when it’s like this.
“You wanted to see me?” My sink my teeth into my bottom lip.
He stops throwing the ball and holds it tightly in his grasp as he turns his body to look at me. Eyes skate up and down my body like this is the first time he is seeing me. I’m not wearing anything special, a skirt and tee with trainers, but a wicked glint swims through his ice blues.
“Fucking love those skirts, Lucky.”
“I wore it just for you.” I wink, feeling playful. I’m awful at flirting, don’t have a clue what I’m doing, but I give it a good go.
“Is that so?” he rasps, voice like gravel and it makes my skin pebble.
I nod and I am so grateful I have the door frame to prop me up because the way he looks at me, dressed in that suit… well, it’s doing things to me. We’re standing toe to toe, his neck slightly craned as he looks down at me. A boyish grin flicks against his lips, and I smile back at him.
“How are you feeling?” I ask him.
His arms wrap around my waist and tug me forward. “Good, you?”
“Nervous,” I mutter, my fingertips trailing across the soft, silky material of his underwear.
A soft laugh vibrates through him, his head tilting back and it’s such a beautiful sound. “Why are you nervous, Lucky?” He tilts his head to look at me, he isn’t being funny, he is genuinely asking.
“Because it’s you,” I say, and he furrows his brows.
“I care about you, and the thought of you driving that fast…” I pause, dropping my eyes as I focus on the logo that is printed on his underwear, my fingertips delicately trace the outline.
“Well, it scares me. I am excited for you, and want you to win the race, but at the same time, I don’t want you leaving this room… ” I whisper, vulnerability echoing.
“Baby,” he says, his own voice quiet. His large hand cups my cheek as he tilts my face upwards, so I have no other option but to look at him.
“I love that you’re nervous but never be scared.
” His forehead presses against mine. “I promise I’ll be okay,” he whispers before his lips press to mine, my cheeks pinkening.
He gives me a playful grin. “I feel like a high school boy with his first crush with all this kissing.” He looks away for a moment, and I watch his own blush creep onto his face.
“Yeah?” I nibble my bottom lip.
“Yeah,” he mutters, gripping my chin, his smile widening as his lips hover over mine. “And I’m not mad about it.”
“Me either.”
The sound of a throat being cleared pulls us out of our moment. Cowan is standing there, arms crossed against his chest dressed and ready for his race.
“Great,” Royce mutters, reluctantly dropping his grip and placing a kiss on my forehead.
“Hey, pretty girl,” Cowan goads, waiting for a reaction from Royce.
Panic creeps up my throat as I watch Royce ball his fists by his side and walk by me, his hand wrapping around me as he tucks me behind him.
“You don’t get to speak to her, and you sure as fuck don’t get to call her pretty girl.” His voice lowers as the last two words roll off in a growl.
“I can do what I want. You don’t own her, plus, only two days ago you left her on her own…”
Royce glares at him. My heart is pounding in my chest.
“So, I did the right thing, taking her with me, buying her dinner… kissing her.”
That’s what pushes Royce over the edge. He runs for Cowan, his arms wrapping around his teammates waist as he knocks him to the floor.
“Royce!” I scream, not sure if I should try and pull him off.
“Hey, hey!” Creed sees the commotion from the top of the hallway, picking up his pace and tugging Royce off Cowan.
“Don’t even fucking look in her direction.” Royce points at Cowan who has a stupid grin on his face, jabbing his finger again towards his teammate.
“What you going to do about it, eh, Royce?” Cowan steps forward and Creed glares at him.
“Don’t,” Creed warns.
Cowan shakes his head, twisting on his heel. “She must have some fucking good pussy to have you as whipped as she has.”
Royce screams, fighting against his dad as Cowan flips him off. I shrink backwards, my back hitting the door and I watch as Cowan disappears into the distance.