Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 73568 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73568 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
I walk to the door, my heart racing as I push through the crowded pub and into the cold night air. I don’t get far before I hear footsteps behind me.
“Posey, wait!” Lex yells, jogging to catch up.
I stop, arms crossed as I turn to face him. “What?”
He draws up short of running me over, throwing his arms out to the side. “I didn’t hear what they said, but obviously it upset you. I’m sorry.” He seems sincere, but I don’t say anything. It prompts him to add, “You’re seeing the shitty side of racing. People can be… like that.”
I shake my head, some of my anger melting away. “You’re not like that, though.”
He smiles, and for a moment, he looks boyish and only twenty-four years old without a care in the world. “I would hope not. My mother would box my ears.” He throws a thumb over his shoulder, back toward the pub. “Ronan was raised by wolves though, so he clearly has no manners.”
“And the women?” I ask.
Lex has the grace to look a bit abashed, but he shrugs. “They sort of come with the territory.”
I wait for him to deny that they’re not part of his territory, but he doesn’t. Implying… that’s part of his lifestyle and I don’t know why that disappoints me so much, but it does. I mask the letdown with a polite smile. “It’s fine. You should go back to hang out with your friends. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He looks unsure, glancing toward the pub but when he turns back to me, he motions with his hand down the block. “I’ll walk you back.”
“There’s no need,” I say, looking around. While the streets aren’t by any means busy, there are a handful of people strolling.
“I insist,” he says.
I shrug and start the short journey to my hotel.
We walk in silence for a moment, the chill in the air biting at my skin. I left my coat in my room since it was a short walk.
“So,” he says, followed by an awkward beat as if he can’t quite figure out how to talk to me. “Did you find an Airbnb?”
“I did,” I admit. “Nice little house at Goldsworth Park Lake. It will be the perfect place for me to base out of for the next few weeks.”
“One or two bedroom?” he asks.
“Three, actually.”
“Perfect,” he says, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Then I can stay in one of the extra bedrooms and not have to drive back and forth.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Nice try, but you’re not crashing at my place.”
“Why not?” He’s persistent, that’s for sure. “I’ll pay half.”
“Why would you want to stay in a little Airbnb versus what I’m sure is a very posh place in London?”
Lex frowns, pondering the question before giving me a sheepish smile. “Too much temptation here.” Another pulse of disappointment hits my gut. I think of the beautiful women back there and know that I’d never be that type of temptation. “Ronan has a distinct way of getting me to push the limits.”
Hmmm… odd that he doesn’t mention the women. I can’t help but poke at him. “Aren’t you strong enough to say no to him?”
Lex snorts with derision. “I’m my own man. I can say no well enough. But also, the next weeks are going to be intense as we make final adjustments to the car and I have to admit, not having that commute will be nice.”
“Then get your own place,” I say as we walk along.
“But yours is already gotten. And it’s on a lake, and that sounds peaceful.”
I stop walking, my brain calculating. “Pay for it all, plus groceries.”
“Deal,” he says with a wink. “I’ll pick you up in the morning.”
I didn’t think he’d accept. I had thought—mistakenly, of course—he was teasing about the entire situation. But all I can think to ask is, “You’ll pick me up in the morning?”
“Yeah… no sense in both of us having to drive there.”
“But I’ve got a rental car.”
“Well, we’ll take it back. Why rent it when we’ll be living together and you’re basically supposed to be glued to me. That will save you money, right?”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. This might not be so bad after all. All-access pass and besides… I like hanging with Lex. “Fine. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Perfect.” He grins, and we reach my hotel.
I have no illusions there will be a good-night kiss, or even a friendly hug. As I expect, Lex lifts a hand. “Cheers. See you in the morning.”
I wave in reply and watch him walk away, standing there marveling at how quickly things have changed. My heart races a little as I head up to my room, my thoughts a jumbled mess. I pull out my laptop, and with a few quick keystrokes, I write down the scene that just played out, pouring my emotions into the words.