Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
TESSA
He did it.
He beat Beau.
He didn’t get into the top three, but neither did our rival.
Noah came in first, so Vanstone Racing won the race regardless, with Rome taking fourth. Beau came in fifth, and the end of the race was just as exhilarating as before the race–where I did something unthinkable in Rome’s tent.
I have no idea what came over me, but looking at him from across the paddock with his triumphant attitude, a gush of heat settles in my belly.
He’s mid-interview, fans surrounding him from every angle, yet his eyes meet mine.
My heart stops, but I quickly shake myself out of it and send him a thumbs up. He grins, still answering a question with his mouth lingering over the microphone.
Gia appears next to him and drags him off to a different journalist. Rome glances at me again, but this time, his eyebrow flicks upward.
I roll my eyes and suppress a cheesy grin.
I know, I know. You beat Beau.
Quinn elbows me. “Did you two just have a silent conversation?”
I rewind a few seconds, and oh my God, we did.
My cheeks warm, and I deny the accusation. “Absolutely not. That would mean Rome and I are on the same page, and that’s only happened during a race. Once.”
I know Quinn can see right through me, but she doesn’t press. All she says is, “Right,” in a curious way.
I distract myself by picking things up and helping the rest of the team get everything gathered since we leave early tomorrow morning for Italy, when my phone buzzes in my back pocket.
I expect to see “Dad” flashing on the screen, knowing he’ll want to congratulate us on the race, because there’s no way he didn’t stay up to watch it. Vivian probably tried to but likely fell asleep right beside him on the couch.
Instead, it’s Rome, and I don’t miss the way every sense becomes heightened.
Rome
368. 10pm on the dot, Princess.
I chew on my bottom lip, my heartrate instantly rising.
Me
Who said you raced well enough for me to come to your room?
Rome
I think the smile on your face after I climbed out of my car was enough of an indication.
Me
You think that smile was for you?
I search for him in the crowd, wondering where he is that he’s able to text me back and forth, but I come up empty handed.
Rome
It better be for me.
I grab onto my stomach to force the flutters away and quickly shut my phone screen off. I have to finish going over the data with Dylan and get things back in order before any of us turn in for the night to prepare for an early flight.
Or in my case, convince myself that going to Rome’s room is a terrible idea.
I pace back and forth in front of the bed.
Quinn left in an Uber an hour ago to catch her flight, and as soon as I was alone, I started mentally listing everything that should prevent me from walking three doors down.
We can’t do this.
We were rivals no more than a couple of months ago, and now we arguably work closer than anyone else in the business.
The head engineer and driver need to have a seamless relationship, and that does not involve crossing lines with each other.
I’m much more responsible than this. Tessa Halston doesn’t make impulsive decisions.
I was voted most responsible in high school by my graduating class, so what am I doing right now with Rome Pierce?
The clock reads 9:59.
My heart beats twice as fast with each second that passes.
I changed out of my Vanstone apparel and into my pajamas, hoping it’d make me crawl into my bed instead of toward the door, yet I stand gripping the handle with the little devil on my shoulder, encouraging me to open it.
Like Cinderella on the night of the ball, the clock strikes, and I panic.
I back away from the door with my heart in my stomach, but with every step comes disappointment. I rush back over, open the door, and stand there with one foot out in the hallway.
The polished marble floor shows the reflection of a flushed-faced woman, drawn to the very line she’s about to cross. I’m hungry for trouble, caught in the middle of a serious yearning for Rome Pierce and his irritatingly hot smirk and skillful hands.
A noise sounds at the end of the hall, and I quickly jerk backward, letting my door slam shut.
My phone pings.
Rome
You’re late.
I stare at the screen, the words blurry the more I read them.
Rome
Didn’t take you for someone who chickens out, Princess.
He strikes a nerve, and he knows it.
Rome
Bawk, bawk.
Did he seriously just bawk at me?
Me
I’m not a chicken.
I fight, tooth and nail, to ignore the way my legs want to move toward the door.
Rome
So, you’re just late? I guess every minute you keep me waiting is another minute I’ll tack on to not giving you that orgasm I owe you.
Heat settles between my legs.
I open the door again to let the hallway air wash over my warm skin.
Me
It’s funny you think you have control over when I do and don’t come.
Rome
I bet I can get you to come without even touching you.
Yeah, right.
Rome
Should we make a bet?
My bare foot unknowingly creeps out onto the glassy floor.
Me
Only if you want to lose.
The door latches behind me, and I open up the hotel key on my phone to escape back into my room, only to swipe it away when Rome’s next text comes through.
Rome
If you prove me wrong, I’ll give you my private jet. You can fly to all the races around the world, and I’ll be stuck on commercial flights with your brothers.
I freeze, my trek to his room abruptly stopping. He can’t be serious.
Me
What’s the catch?
Rome
If I can get you to come without even touching you, for the rest of the season, you accompany me on my private jet to every race.
A challenge brews between us.
I give in to the pull and stomp over to his room, ready to prove a point.
Or better yet, win a bet.
I raise my fist to knock, but the door opens before I get a chance.
Rome stands there in nothing but low-hanging black sweatpants, damp hair fresh from the shower, and a dangerously enticing smirk.
“I knew you couldn’t resist a challenge,” he murmurs.
I place my palm on the center of his bare chest and push him out of my way. “Hope you’re ready to part ways with that private jet of yours.”
His dark chuckle chases me all the way to the center of his suite, and the way my breasts tingle from the sound alone tells me this is going to be a little harder than I thought.