He called my bluff. It’s not that I don’t want to have sex with him. But some issues take precedence, and what’s the point of being intimate if he can’t be comfortable enough to leave a flashlight on.
After we were freed from the car, we both pretended nothing ever happened. It worked out well since we both went to bed right away.
Except now, after a restless night of sleep, my skin heats from the memory of his lips on mine. Hell, of his lips on other places of my body, bringing about sensations I could only dream of. Brooke would be beside herself because it turns out Santiago really does have the skills to back up those ridiculous articles.
Overwhelmed doesn’t cover how I feel at the moment. Bandini mechanics, crew, and reps run around the car garage. Santiago, Maya, and his mom hang around Noah’s race car and chat together. I keep to myself, offering very little conversation.
For once, I don’t know what to say. It’s like all the words I learned in my short life have escaped my brain. Santiago pretends to be unfazed, but I read his body language like a book. His spine is straighter than a rod and his jaw remains permanently locked. He offers about as many words as me, which at this point is zilch.
“What do you think of the race scene?” Daniela looks in my direction.
“Oh, it’s umm…a lot.”
Santiago’s laugh catches in his throat. “That’s one way to describe it.”
“What do you know about F1?” Maya moves her attention from Marko to me.
“Oh, tons. Santiago loves to chat about his race days.”
Santiago stiffens beside me. Shit. Wrong thing to say. Oh, God. Is it too late to fake a sore throat?
“Oh, does he now?” Noah raises a brow. “Did he tell you how he beat me for the World Championship title once.”
Santiago rolls his eyes.
I grin, praying he doesn’t get too mad at the shitstorm I started. “Well, he didn’t have to share much because he showed me the reruns. I’d say he’s sorry about the crash, but then I’d be lying.”
Noah and Santiago laugh together. A few crew members’ heads snap in our direction. I can see why. Noah and Santiago enjoying themselves is quite the sight.
Someone calls Noah away for a pre-race interview with a local news channel. Santiago grabs Marko and throws him in the air, switching between helicopter noises and a speeding jet.
Ugh. Why does he have to be so perfect all the time? It’s hurting my self-restraint.
A teeny tiny part of me is tempted to call off my stupid bluff and give into our attraction. But then Santiago bristles when a crew member walks by, noticeably checking out his leg as if the worker has X-ray vision to see past his jeans. The way Santiago scowls and shields himself from more scrutiny has me solidifying my choice.
If Santiago wants to have a more serious relationship with me, whether sexual or otherwise, he needs to accept himself. Because at the end of the day, no one who looks and acts like he does should hide themselves from the world. It’s such a damn shame right up there with Brad Pitt leaving Jennifer Aniston and ABBA breaking up.
I can’t let Santiago cloak himself in darkness and secrets when he’s meant to shine, even if it means putting my own agenda aside. Plans don’t always go accordingly, and I refuse to give up on helping him. Priorities change and revealing my identity to my dad isn’t the most urgent thing in my life anymore.
I’m officially an F1 addict. Today couldn’t be any better, with our own private room to watch the race. There’s free champagne and exclusive access to Noah’s team radio. I’ve never been one to lap in luxury, but Santiago had me convinced the moment he passed me a mimosa. A race day is like brunch minus the pricey bill.
Massive TVs play the footage from the F1 cameras and drones. The crew sets the racers up in a crisscross fashion throughout the grid, with Noah’s car leading the pack.
Santiago shakes his head. “No one can beat him off his pedestal, even after all this time.”
“There’s only one man who has the best chance, and he’s standing in this room.” Maya sips her mimosa.
Santiago scowls at his sister. “Are you trying to get a rise out of me?”
“If I’m getting a rise out of you, that means something about this situation still bothers you. Ever thought of it that way?”
“No. I’m thinking my annoying little sister forgot her manners for a second.”
“Santiago,” I hiss under my breath. “Cut it out.”
Maya waves me off, shooting her brother a glare. “You belong out there.”