Page 47 of Racing for Redemption (Backmarker Love trilogy #1)

“I want to lead for a bit,” he says, his voice both question and statement.

Before I can answer, he rolls us, pinning me beneath him. The new position drives him deeper, and I cry out at the sensation. I dig my fingers in his back, the pleasure too much to handle. His eyes lock with mine, seeking confirmation.

“Is this okay?”

“Yes,” I breathe. “God, yes.”

He begins to move, his thrusts controlled and precise. This isn’t the frantic sex I expected—it’s deliberate, focused, almost reverent. William watches my face with each movement, adjusting to find exactly what makes me gasp and arch beneath him.

“You’re amazing,” he whispers, pressing his forehead to mine. “So fucking amazing, Violet.”

His pace increases, and I wrap my legs around his waist, forcing him deeper. He finds one of my hands, pinning it beside my head and interlacing our fingers. The gesture feels oddly intimate, more so than the joining of our bodies.

“I’m close,” I warn, my orgasm fast approaching

“Me too.” His rhythm falters slightly. “Together?”

He presses his thumb against my clit again, circling with perfect pressure, and that’s all it takes. I shatter, waves of pleasure crashing through me as I cry out his name. William follows moments later, his body tensing above mine, a groan tearing from deep in his chest.

He collapses onto me, the warmth of his body a comforting pressure against mine as we both struggle to catch our breath, our chests heaving.

His heart races against mine, our skin slick with sweat, our bodies still joined, his warmth enveloping me in a way that I feel safe, cared for, and even… loved .

After what seems like an eternity, he rolls to the side, keeping one arm wrapped around me. He doesn’t withdraw immediately, wincing slightly.

“Too sensitive,” he explains at my questioning look. “Give me a sec. It's been a while for me, so…”

When he finally pulls out, he deals with the condom quickly before turning back to me. He traces lazy patterns on my stomach, his expression soft and satisfied.

“Well,” he says, a hint of amusement in his voice as he rests his hand on my face and starts softly caressing it. “Did we get it out of your system?”

I laugh, the sound startlingly loud in the quiet room. “I think we might have made it worse.”

“Worse?” He quirks an eyebrow.

“More intense,” I clarify. “Not a bad thing.”

His smile widens. “Definitely not a bad thing.”

He pulls me closer, and I let him, settling against his chest. His heartbeat is steady beneath my ear, his skin warm against mine. This wasn’t part of the plan—this cuddling, this intimacy beyond the physical act. Against my better judgment, I melt in his arms.

“I should shower,” I say eventually, though I make no move to get up. “And you should probably go back to your room.”

William tightens around me, and he lowers his voice. “Do I have to?”

“People will talk if they see you leaving my room in the morning.”

“Let them.”

I raise my head to look at him, surprised by the defiance in his tone. His expression is earnest, almost vulnerable.

“I want to stay, Violet,” he says softly. “Just for tonight.”

Something in his voice makes it impossible to refuse. “Okay.”

His smile is like sunshine breaking through clouds. I push myself up, wincing slightly at the pleasant ache between my legs.

“I really do need that shower, though. We worked up a sweat.”

William sits up as well, watching as I cross the room naked to retrieve the pajamas I’d laid out earlier for when I'd come to sleep. Alone. Formula 1 pajamas—an impulse buy that made me laugh in the store.

“Those are adorable,” William says, grinning. “I thought you were just going along with my joke of you having F1 pajamas.”

“Never joke about comfortable sleepwear,” I reply, heading toward the bathroom.

“Can I join you?” he calls after me. “Save water and all that? ”

I look back at him, sprawled naked on my bed, looking like some tattooed deity I've just sinned with. My body responds instantly to the sight, but I rein it in.

“If you behave.”

He rolls off the bed and follows me, taking my hand. “No promises.”

The shower is spacious enough for two, the water hot and plentiful. William pulls me against him under the spray, his mouth finding mine in a kiss that’s surprisingly gentle given what we’ve just done.

He slides his hands over my wet skin, appreciative, but not demanding. When he pulls back, there’s something in his eyes—a tenderness that makes my chest tighten.

“I’m getting hard again,” he admits with a rueful smile. “But I’m a gentleman, so I’ll do as the lady suggested and behave.” He tilts his head, and I swear this is the most adorable thing he's done.

We wash quickly after that, though William pauses when I reach for the shampoo.

“Let me,” he offers, taking the bottle from my hands.

“You want to wash my hair?”

“Least I can do,” he says, squeezing shampoo into his palm. “I did make you sweat quite a bit.”

His fingers in my hair are gentle, massaging my scalp with surprising skill. I close my eyes, enjoying the simple pleasure of being cared for. It’s been so long since anyone touched me with such attention, such focus on my comfort rather than their own desire.

When I step out of the shower, I dry off quickly and slip into my pajamas. William follows with a towel wrapped around his waist, his hair dripping onto his shoulders. He comes up behind me at the sink, softly wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing a kiss to my neck.

“You’re adorable,” he murmurs, nuzzling the spot below my ear. Then, he sighs with contentment.

I laugh softly. “And you’re getting my pajamas wet.”

“Sorry, boss.” He releases me, reaching for a second towel to dry his hair.

I find him a pair of plain boxer shorts in the hotel amenities drawer—generic but serviceable. He pulls them on while I dim the lights and climb into bed, exhaustion suddenly taking over.

William watches me for a moment before joining me, sliding under the covers and immediately pulling me into his arms. His skin is warm against mine through the thin fabric of my pajamas.

The furnace I felt when he side-hugged me at that concert wasn't just my imagination.

He's really cozy. He traces patterns on my arm, feather-light touches that make me shiver.

“So,” he says after a moment, his voice rumbling in his chest beneath my ear. “All of that was to get it out of our systems, but…” He pauses, tensing slightly. “I wouldn’t mind it happening again.”

I turn to look at him, his expression serious in the dim light .

“You're a busy woman. I know what you're going to say.

Maybe getting attached is not your thing.

And your main focus is having the team back on top, so I don't want to get in the way of that.

" He caresses my cheek with his thumb, small circles making my skin become increasingly warmer. He continues. “But—”

“You want more?” I interrupt, needing to clarify.

He smiles softly. "I do. But on your terms. If you want no strings attached, I can deal with that.

If you want something more serious, I'm your man." His eyes search mine. “I’ll agree to anything you want if it means being closer to you,” he says finally. “If it means sharing a connection that isn’t awkward—just slightly forbidden. If it means seeing you like this: beautiful, genuine and soft. Mine in these stolen moments.”

I consider his words carefully. The sensible part of me knows I should end this now, before it complicates everything.

Indeed, work is a priority, and I have so many things on my plate that it’s a surprise I haven't gone crazy yet. But the part of me that felt alive for the first time in years tonight isn’t ready to let go, even if there may be some consequences for him.

“William,” I say slowly, “I don’t want to hurt you. If this evolves into something more…” I trail off, unsure how to express my fears. “I’m not ready to commit to anything. My focus has to be on the team. I'm always traveling, I'm always in meetings. I barely have time—”

“I understand,” he replies, though something flickers in his eyes—hope, perhaps. “We can keep it casual. Indulge when we both want to, no pressure for more.”

“But we maintain our friendship,” I insist. “That’s important to me. I don't want this to ruin my first friendship in years."

“Of course.” He lightly traces my cheek. “And professionally, in the paddock, nothing changes.”

“Exactly. No one can know about this, William. It would be a scandal.”

“You’re really bossy, you know that?” he adds after a moment, a smile tugging at his lips.

“Part of my job description, you know?”

He laughs softly, pulling me closer and pressing a kiss to my forehead. He tightens his hold around me, and I nuzzle into his neck, breathing in his scent. He strokes his hand lazily up and down my back, and I relax into his touch.

This isn’t what I expected when I suggested getting our attraction “out of our systems.” But as sleep begins to claim me, William’s heartbeat steady beneath my ear, I can’t bring myself to regret it.

Whatever this is, whatever it becomes—it feels too good to stop now. Without the pressure of delivering points to the board, it seems I’m slowly, bit by bit, starting to want things.

Not for anyone else. For myself.