Page 40

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA

This was the best way to wake up. Legs tangled with Miles’. His cheek resting on her chest, his steady breathing fanning across her bare skin. His body pressed into hers like he needed her to be as close as possible. Like he needed her to be able to breathe.

Indy basked in the warmth and utter comfort of his embrace, keeping her eyes closed and letting her fingers tangle through his messy locks.

She sighed happily.

The golden boy of Formula 1 was finally hers.

The man that the world had deemed unworthy of good things outside of racing.

The man the public had claimed as untouchable, unattainable, uncaring.

The man who’d been abandoned when he was just a boy and who simply needed someone to hold him.

And she would love him his entire life. Would love him enough for the both of them, until he’d catch up with his feelings and the way he felt about her. But deep to her core, she knew that Miles loved her fiercely—his actions had always spoken louder than words.

He stirred, interrupting her thoughts. “Good morning,” he rasped, snuggling closer. His hoarse voice made a shiver roll down her spine. “Man, I love waking up next to you.”

“Morning,” she whispered, her smile uncontrollably spreading across her lips.

His gruff voice tickled her ear, then she felt his lips skim over her jawline. “Wanted you to be asleep.”

She frowned, watching him prop himself on an elbow. His eyes were still glazed with sleep, but there was something shining around his pupils that made her pulse thunder. Lust. Desire.

“Why?”

He crawled under the blankets, pushing her legs apart as he peppered kisses inside her thigh. “I wanted to wake you up with my tongue buried inside you.”

A silent gasp brushed against her lips, but she opened her legs further for him. “Huxley?—”

“Unless you don’t want this, you better keep your moans quiet or else you’ll wake the whole damn hotel.” His fingers were already collecting her arousal, coating her clit with lazy strokes.

She nodded eagerly, pushing a rebellious strand of hair away from his brow. “I want this.”

His smirk was a thing of savage beauty. “Thought so.”

Then, he went to work, and this was definitely the best way to start the day.

“Thank you, Charlie.” Indy beamed at the driver, completing the post-free practice interviews. He’d set the fastest lap, his car having a good pace during both sessions of practice. Miles had finished in second place, and it seemed like Imperium Racing would dominate all weekend long again. “Best of luck for tomorrow.”

Charlie winked. “Thanks.”

This had been the last interview of the day. Wrapping up with Scott and carrying her microphone along with her notes to the office, she soaked in the warmth of the late afternoon sun, enjoying how busy it was in the paddock.

She truly felt in her element.

Like she belonged here.

Like she was meant for this.

And nothing in the whole wide world could compare to the joy this job provided.

Learning to believe in herself again had been a challenge, but having friends—family—who kept reminding her how deserving she was and how great she was doing, had helped her forge her confidence into something unbreakable.

She smiled at Thiago who was rushing after his physical trainer and Alex.

Returned the fist-bump Rowan aimed at her when they crossed paths.

Winked at Ava who managed to catch her eye between walking through the paddock and typing on her phone.

Then brushed her fingers to Miles when he passed by her whilst he was chatting with Enzo.

The moment their skin touched, it felt like the entire world came to halt. All that mattered was him. All there was was them. In a world alone. In a world where, despite the challenges and obstacles, they knew they could rely on each other to findlight. Solace. Love.

Miles smiled at her—broad and unrestrained—then disappeared into his motorhome.

“So you’re really dating Miles Huxley? Finally secured your spot in motorsports and got what you wanted?”

Indy halted, brows slowly rising as she turned to look at Tara. The latter was sitting down at a table in front of the building dedicated for media, not even meeting Indy’s gaze as she pretended to type on her laptop.

Indy had managed to avoid her coworker the best she could, save for team meetings and mandatory interactions at the office. It was obvious that Tara was ashamed of what she’d done as her general behaviour had improved, but Indy hadn’t forgotten about the way she and Miles had been treated.

Indy took a calming breath and sat across from her colleague. “Look, I don’t know what your problem is, and not that I should justify myself, but I landed this job long before Huxley and I were a thing.”

Tara glared at her.

“If you still think that I’m dating him just to make sure I’m keeping my job, then you need to look around, Tara. I hate to brag, but I’m appreciated around here. I do a damn good job at what I do. I’m a woman working in motorsports. You are, too. You know how hard it is for us to forge a place in this industry, how much we want to be seen as an equal to a man walking through this very paddock. If you think that we’re here to look at the drivers or try to get them between our bed sheets, then I’d suggest you sort out your priorities.”

“All I did was ask if you and Miles are a thing.”

“And all I heard was jealousy. It’s unnecessary. I don’t know what I did to you, but ever since the season has started, you’ve just been downright rude to me. But I get it. You want my job. You want my man. And look, I want you to achieve your dreams and become a presenter one day, but with your mindset? I’m sorry, honey, but it won’t happen. We’re a team. Not enemies.”

There was a beat of silence, but when Tara didn’t seize the opportunity to say anything, Indy continued. “Also, it’s really bold of you to talk to me, knowing I hold evidence of what you did. I wouldn’t try to mess with me if I were you. I should have gone to HR, and you should definitely be fired for violating my privacy, but guess what? You deserve a second chance, and I’m not going to hold grudges. Just don’t talk to me, all right?”

Indy stood up.

It was only when she was almost inside that Tara’s wavering voice echoed. “I’m jealous of you because it’s so easy for you. You have everything you want with the snap of your fingers.”

“I don’t think you get the point. I don’t have it easy—I never have. I just work hard and I don’t give up, and I certainly don’t try to hate those who don’t struggle. Everyone’s journey is different.”

She entered the building, a certain weight being lifted off her chest.

People had told her she couldn’t do it. That she wasn’t capable. That she wasn’t enough. But slowly, yet surely, she was proving everyone wrong.

Slowly, yet surely, she was reaching the mountain’s peak.