CHAPTER 6 #2
Isaac looked over to the camera crews. They didn’t care about him anymore, but the top three were giving TV interviews.
Then there would be trophy presentations and another set of autographs, at least for the winners.
Taking Anna’s hand, they followed Angel to join the rest of the team in the area on the track below where the podium presentation and celebrations would be.
Everyone spilled out of the boxes, the track becoming crowded with Honda crew—three of the top four riders today had ridden Hondas.
He kept ahold of Anna’s hand, making sure not to lose her in the crowd.
If his brother had noticed his marked preference for Anna’s company before today, he hadn’t mentioned it.
He might have seen them holding hands again, so Isaac would bring it up tonight.
Tomorrow at the latest—before they arrived home.
He couldn’t bear the idea that he might create bad blood between them for stealing the girl Vince had claimed, though there’d been no sign that Vince was still interested in her by the time they’d flown to Qatar.
Isaac watched Anna as the Spanish anthem played and his pride swelled. Her small hand seemed the perfect fit for his. His fingers laced together with hers seemed right, satisfying.
After their duties and the crush of celebration with the crew, Isaac’s head swam from drinking champagne.
He hadn’t overdone it, but the bubbles had gone straight to his head, and his skin tingled all over.
Anna had been quiet but nearby. The room narrowed once more to a single focus, the way it had during the race, but this time, to the beautiful woman at his side. It was almost time to make his move.
“When’s the bus back to the hotel arriving?” he asked Angel.
“The boys are getting ready right now,” the older man said. “You want to say a few words now, so they won’t be looking for you later?” Angel was no dummy.
Isaac grabbed another glass of champagne from the table and raised it in the air, and Angel banged a wrench against a metal table to get everyone’s attention.
When they’d turned to Isaac, he said, “A toast to my fabulous pit crew.” Cheers erupted.
“Thanks for finding the perfect set-up this week. This was my best race in years, and I couldn’t have done it without all of you.
” They cheered. He took one sip and put the glass back down.
He didn’t want to lose what clarity remained.
“Ready to talk about the book,” he whispered to Anna on the bus ride back to the hotel. He hadn’t relinquished his hold on her hand and didn’t want to. His thumb traced the back of her hand as if getting her used to the feel of him.
“You want to talk about the book tonight?” Her eyebrows arched.
“I’m not ready to say goodnight,” Isaac half-whispered.
“I want an excuse to see you to your room.” His fair skin flushed with warmth.
It might be the alcohol or residual heat from the exertion of his race.
Or it could be from being near her all night.
She rested her cool fingers against his lips, and his skin broke out in goosebumps.
Did she know how desperately he wanted to kiss her?
“You can make sure I get to the right place.” The sweet candy scent of her seemed intoxicating. He couldn’t wait much longer for a taste.
Once the door to her hotel room closed and they were alone at last, the daring feeling subsided.
He didn’t want to mess this up. “Will you go out for dinner with me later this week in Cervera?” He wanted a plan in place for the future.
So, she’d know this wasn’t about just tonight—that he wanted more.
Her hand caught his again. “Of course.”
He tugged her closer with light pressure on her lower back.
She offered no resistance and looked up at him with trusting eyes.
“Can I kiss you?” He struggled to keep his voice lighthearted and moistened his lips, shuffling one foot. He hadn’t been this nervous about the race.
Anna put her arms around his neck and looked him straight in the eye, something she seldom did. “Please.”
The one word was all he needed.
His thumb brushed against her jaw and her breath caught, which was nearly his undoing.
Her skin was so sensitive. The first touch of his lips to hers was soft, but sure.
He’d thought about this for days. She seemed more certain of this than he’d given her credit for as she kissed him back, teasing his lips as the kiss deepened, her tongue darting to meet his.
A groan escaped his throat, and she kissed him harder.
He tangled his hand in her soft hair, clasping the back of her head as he tugged her closer.
His body seemed electrified from their contact.
He had no idea how long they stayed together, but when they stopped, he rested his forehead against hers.
He’d never experienced a kiss like this—one that emptied his head and took his breath away.
“I don’t want to scare you. But I’m really hoping I can get to know you better.” His chest constricted. What if she didn’t want something serious?
She rested her palm against his chest, the heat seeping in while his heart thumped. “I’d like that.”
“Until tomorrow, then.” He swallowed. If he didn’t leave her room now, he would try to stay all night.
It might be fantastic, but he wanted to be the kind of guy that got to know someone first. He didn’t want her to think this was purely physical and that he just wanted to get her into bed.
He wanted to be the kind of man who had a relationship.
“Tuesday?” she said, lifting her eyes to meet his gaze.
“Tuesday is perfect.” Monday they’d travel home.
Date on Tuesday. Unable to resist, he cupped her face between his hands.
She quivered, and he kissed her again. Long and slow, enjoying her lips, showing her he considered her precious.
He pressed his lips to her forehead as he wrenched himself away. “Goodnight, Anna.”
“Goodnight, Isaac.” With messy hair and swollen lips, she was stunning.
He walked out, unable to wipe away the grin that stretched across his face. He still knew nothing about her past, but he wanted to take the time to find out everything.
. . .
Isaac fidgeted in his seat next to Vince on the plane, his palms sticky. They were due to land in Barcelona in less than an hour. He’d waited until they were almost home before saying something.
He drank some of his ice water before turning down the volume on Vince’s TV and breaking the silence. “Anna and I spent a lot of time together this weekend.”
“I noticed.” Vince didn’t look away from the superhero movie he was watching. “I take it she still isn’t interested in going on a date with me.”
Isaac shook his head. Swallowing. It really shouldn’t be this difficult. “We’re going out for dinner on Tuesday. A date.”
Vince turned, his face expressionless. “I was wondering if you were going to tell me what was going on.”
“I really like her.” Isaac kept his voice steady. No pleading.
“She might be a distraction.” Vince’s voice was flat. “You know that, though.” He paused, then shrugged. “Lots of other fish out there for me.”
His brother wouldn’t put up with a distraction of that kind, but Isaac didn’t care. He’d been plenty focused on race day. “This is probably my last year in MotoGP. I have to look out for what comes after.”
Vince nodded. “That makes sense.” His eyes flicked back to the screen.
They seldom talked about life after racing or settling down, but since their dad had passed, Isaac got the impression that Vince was determined to race for as long as possible.
Another championship would ensure a contract extension.
Isaac’s life might look drastically different without racing, but he wanted to figure out what it could be.
For Vince, the idea was unfathomable. Racing was still everything.
“You aren’t surprised?” The conversation didn’t seem done.
“It surprised me you volunteered to walk her to the Inn that first day. And you started a book club. In English. Now, I’m just surprised it took you so long to ask her out.” Vince nudged his shoulder. “She seems more your type than mine, anyway.”
Isaac shook his head. “Thanks.” He didn’t need permission or Vince’s blessing, but it didn’t hurt.
Vince waggled his eyebrows. “You think the red-headed flight attendant is staying over in Barcelona? She mentioned her shift’s over when we land. You might need to arrange your own ride home.”