Chapter 29 #2
I give a nod, but truth is I don’t want her to leave. “Okay, well just text me and let me know where you are.” I give her a wink then disappear into my shower room.
My cock is heavy and hard. I need a release, but I have about ten minutes before Nora is back to get me. Fuck it.
Peeling my sticky clothes from me, I leave them in a heap on the floor before I am pushing my boxer shorts to my ankles and kicking them off.
I twist the shower on, and it takes a few seconds for steam to fill the bathroom.
I step under the spray, the hot water hitting my aching muscles, but my God does it feel good.
I wash my hair and scrub my body. I like to take my time in the shower, but time is not on my side right now. Shutting the water off, I grab a towel and wrap it around my waist then reach for another and dry my hair.
Padding into the main room, I expect to see her there, but she’s gone. Disappointment surges through me. With a heavy sigh, I make quick work on getting changed.
Nora turns up right on time and I am dressed in the team polo and wide leg jeans with trainers.
“Ready?” she asks me and I walk towards her, grabbing my phone from the side and slipping it into my back pocket. “Where is Athena?” Nora asks whilst texting on her phone.
“Home, I think.” My tone is curt, for no other reason then I feel beat.
The post-race adrenaline has worn off and suddenly I am knackered. I feel like I could sleep for a week.
“Okay, so we have a list of questions that will be asked, want to take a look?”
I don’t reply and slide my phone out to drop her a message.
Me
Did you go home? x
“No, thanks. Is there anything I need to know about?” I answer her then turn to look at Nora when my phone beeps.
Athena
Yeah, wanted to shower and grab some food.
My gut twists. I hate that she’s left.
“A couple of questions are going to be asked about the whole Cowan-Athena-Opal Bloom and you issue,” she says, trying to sound blasé.
“There is no issue,” I snap.
“I know.” She furrows her brow. “Just letting you know.”
I sigh. “I’m tired, the buzz has worn off.” I give her puppy dog eyes. “I didn’t mean to bite your head off.”
“It’s fine.” She waves me off.
I turn my attention back to my phone just as Nora begins talking. I half listen.
Me
A shower? You getting ready for your lesson? ;)
The corner of my lip lifts in a smirk.
Athena
Maybe… maybe not.
Me
Wear one those pretty little skirts, nothing else.
Athena
I’m with Edel.
Me
You still have my room key. I should be done within the hour…
Athena
We’ll see.
I scoff, excitement teasing in my stomach just as Nora pushes through the door and I see the small room filled with rows of press.
“I hate this part,” I mutter, and Nora gives me a knowing nod.
“Keep to the point. Anything that comes up about Cowan and Athena, no comment it, do you understand?”
“Yes.” My tone is clipped as Cowan raises a brow and gives me a sly smile.
“He will be spoken to after this. Your dad isn’t happy.”
I grunt in response; my dad won’t fire him. We have no other driver to go into his seat, but hopefully he’ll get bollocked enough to not goad me again.
Walking into the room, I sit between Matt and Cowan. Matt says hello, Carlo gives me a smile and I smile back. Cowan just sits on the sofa, arms folded across his chest.
“How’s our pretty girl?” He leans over and says quietly.
I close my eyes, inhaling heavily. My dad’s words repeat in my head, don’t react, don’t react. He chuckles, shaking his head.
“My pretty girl is waiting at home for me,” I swiftly drop that in.
I could have been a cunt and said what she will actually be doing, but that’s not fair on Athena. I hear him mutter something under his breath, but I don’t catch it as the event begins.
As soon as it’s called, I push from the sofa and storm for the door. Nora is hot on my heels, Cowan not far behind. I did as I was told. I was professional, and to be honest, it was mainly about me and my win.
Once we’re in the corridor, I turn around and see Cowan. Nora’s panicked eyes settle on me as I push him against the wall, which only causes him to let out a slow chuckle.
“Don’t speak about Athena again, do you understand? Whatever you think happened between you is done.” I push against him again. “Okay?”
He rolls his eyes. “Taking the whole fake relationship a bit too far, aren’t you?”
“There is nothing fake between us.”
I hear Nora’s ‘what?’ in the background and Cowan stares at me.
“Whatever I agreed to all those weeks ago is no more. I’m done with the fakeness, done with it all.”
“Shit, man. I didn’t know.” His expression softens and I genuinely believe him. “I was only fucking about with you ‘cause she wasn’t actually yours.”
“Royce.” Nora’s tone is sharp and I ignore her.
“Well, she is now, so back off.”
I step back, and with one last glance, I walk away. The sound of Nora’s footsteps follow me, and I know she is going to go mental for what I just admitted.
“Royce,” she snaps at me as I push through the double doors, walking outside. “Have you broken the contract?” Her words make me stop before I turn to look at her.
“Is that all you care about?” I narrow my gaze on her.
“I do when this girl has been in our world for a few months, writing a book no doubt based on you. Who knows what’s in it. My priority is to protect you and to protect Saint Onyx.” Her voice trembles.
“You don’t have to worry about protecting me. What gives you that doubt?” I step closer to her, searching her face.
“It’s my job, Royce.” She lets out an exasperated sigh. “I really like Athena, but at the same time, I have to make sure I am doing what I have been tasked with.”
“Destroy the contract.”
She blinks at me as if she doesn’t understand what I am saying.
“If you don’t, Nora, I fucking will. Destroy the fucking contract.” I turn on my heel and head towards my car.
Excitement to tiredness, tiredness to rage, and all I can think about is getting home and seeing her.
I didn’t want to fall for her. Never in a million years did I want to let myself feel anything for anyone ever again. But here I am.
I have fallen so fucking hard, I never want to get back up.
The drive home is short, tiredness spreads across the back of my eyes but there is no way in hell I am passing up on this opportunity.
I toss the keys to Alexandre, as he calls a valet down to move my car.
“I hear congratulations are in order,” he says, his French accent strong.
“Merci, Alexandre.” I give him a soft smile before letting my eyes fall to my phone.
Me
Where are you?
I watch as the dots appear on the screen, my lips curling.
Athena
In my apartment… Why, is that Mr Lexington?
Oh, she’s playful. I move my legs, walking into the apartment block as I hover in the lobby.
Me
Thought I told you to go into my room.
Athena
Decided to stay in mine.
Pushing my tongue into my cheek, I shake my head. Locking my phone, I press the button for the lift and wait impatiently for it to arrive. The doors ping and I slide inside, pushing her floor and within seconds I am walking down the corridor.
Lifting my closed hand, the back of my fingers drum on the door. Edel answers, confused look on her face.
“Where is she?” I smile sweetly at her.
“In her bedroom,” she mutters, and I let myself in, walking past her.
I should knock, but I don’t. I push the handle down and see her laying on her back, scrolling.
“Royce.” She looks shocked to see me.
“Well, seeing as you disobeyed me.” I lean down, curling my fingers around her ankles and dragging her to the edge of the bed. Her eyes pinned to me. “I thought I would come to you, Lucky.” I wink then bend at the waist as I reach for her and throw her over my shoulder.
“Put me down,” she squeals.
My arm tightens around her body as I walk out into the lounge area, Edel’s lips twisting. “She’ll be back in the morning,” I say, my voice stern as I move for the door.
I carry Athena the whole way back to my apartment. She kicks her legs a few times, trying to squirm her way out of my grip, but it’s not happening.
“Stop fighting me, brat,” I say playfully.
I feel her body sag as we approach my door, and frustratingly I can’t grab my key.
“I’ll help.” She giggles, teasingly sliding her hand into the back pocket of my jeans as she slides the keys out.
I spin on my heel so she can unlock the door and within seconds, we’re through. Only then do I put her feet on the floor. Twisting the lock, her eyes burn into mine. She’s barefoot, wearing an oversized tee, with an old, faded picture of some band on the front.
“What happened with the skirt?” I raise a brow, running my finger back and forth over my bottom lip.
“I decided on this.” She plucks at the soft cotton.
“I see.” I scoff, placing my hand around the base of her throat. She tilts her face up to mine. “I will fuck you in that skirt,” I growl.
Lowering my lips to hers, I kiss her with a hunger, my tongue sliding against hers. A ghost of a whimper escapes; my large hand curls around her hip as my fingers dig into her skin through the tee.
I start walking, guiding her to my bedroom not coming up for air.
I fumble, kicking my trainers off. Her needy fingers grip the hem of my tee and dragging it up lazily, the back of her fingers teasing against my toned body as she continues lifting it.
Breaking away for just a second, I help her take it off my head and toss it to the floor.
My fingers glide up the back of her neck, entwining in one of her curls at her nape as I tug slightly, a playful grin on my face.
“Still stuck with your writing?” I whisper, my other hand slipping under the hem of her tee.
“Very much so,” she whispers.
A guttural groan vibrates in my throat. “Are you sure about this?” I want to make sure. I don’t want her uncomfortable.
She nods. Her fingers trail up and down my stomach.
“Words, Lucky, words,” I rasp. My cock throbs at the thought.
“Yes, I am sure,” she whispers, her curious eyes locked on mine.