That sounded like I was going to have to be patient, and I wasn’t known for my ability to wait obediently. I frowned, but at least it wasn’t an outright no. I’d read Kristian correctly – hewasinterested in me, I just had to do my utmost to be persuasive.
BIANCA: Alright then, but I’m not going to take it easy on you.
KRISTIAN: I wouldn’t expect anything less. Now get some rest – we’ve got a hectic weekend ahead of us.
BIANCA: Yes, Dad.
Just as I was about to lock my phone, another message came through.
KRISTIAN: Hey, I’m not THAT much older than you! Watch that smart mouth of yours, it’ll get you into trouble.
BIANCA: Why? You going to fill it up to keep me quiet?
KRISTIAN: Fucking hell, Bianca…
I cackled and shut my phone down, scrambling up the bed to plug the charger in. Winding Kristian up was quickly becoming my favourite thing to do. With a smirk still playing on my lips, Igot undressed and climbed into bed. My final thoughts weren’t of the race weekend ahead, but all the many, many ways I could provoke Kristian into action. He didn’t know what he’d started.
The race weekend was always hectic, but Las Vegas was on another level. The fans were so much louder and more boisterous than in some of the other cities we attended over the year, and I loved it. It was a night race that ran through ‘til gone midnight, which was exhausting yet exhilarating. The atmosphere was electric, and it hyped me up ready for a fantastic race.
We’d landed on Tuesday afternoon and whilst we’d all enjoyed our few hours of downtime after the long journey, Wednesday was straight back to work. I spent the whole day at the racetrack – which in Vegas was literally part of the road and along the famous strip – working with the McLaren team and checking the car had been delivered and reassembled correctly after transit. The afternoon and evening had been zipping from one interview to another, rounded off by a press dinner. Kristian and I had barely managed to find time to speak two words to one another, but I got the feeling the team principal wasn’t all that upset. It made it easier for him to pretend like our conversation the night before hadn’t happened, and true to my word I allowed my interest in him to sit on the back burner.
Thursday was all about practice sessions. I was glad to finally be back behind the wheel and get my head into the game as I prepared for Saturday’s race. Sophia and I worked tirelessly with the team, evaluating the set–up and performance of the cars via endless technical debriefings. Once we were satisfied that the car was as good as it was going to get, we headed out for thefirst of our qualifying sessions. All twenty drivers took it in turns to run a time trial around the track and depending on where you placed, that would be the deciding order for the following two qualifying races on Friday. McLaren was on point, and both Sophia and I found our way into the top three fastest laps. After yet another drawn out press conference, I was exhausted and gladly dropped into my bed when I was returned to the hotel.
Friday arrived, and the day was all about qualifying. Sophia and I attended two practice sessions and a warm–up ahead of the main event. The McLaren cars were looking good, and Harrington and I were feeling confident. We each went well – though I just missed out on pole position, losing it to McCarthy from Red Bull, and Sophia finished up in third. As much as we were thrilled with our result, unfortunately it meant we then had to attend an extra press conference, held specifically for those who finished at the front of the grid where we were grilled about our performance and what we were expecting from the weekend. It was another late finish, and we were graciously allowed to skip out on a sponsor function that had been arranged, enabling us to get an early night ahead of what was going to be an exciting afternoon of racing.
Saturday arrived and I was up with the sun, taking my time to get ready and completing a yoga routine designed to centre and focus your chakra – whatever that was. In truth, it wasn’t the yoga I enjoyed, I just loved the peace and quiet. It was the only opportunity I would get all day to be alone with my thoughts, and as the golden rays of morning sunlight shone through the huge floor to ceiling windows of my hotel room, I thought about the momentous day ahead.
I had mixed opinions on the Las Vegas racetrack. The atmosphere was top notch, and it was a fast and exciting circuit which played right into my skill set, however the grip on thetarmac could be sketchy in places and it was narrow, making overtaking risky.
My phone bleeped, letting me know it was time to get washed and dressed. I stripped out of my Lycra and hopped into the shower, drying off and dressing in my McLaren team kit. I’d be changing again later when it was time to get into my racing gear, but the branded clothing was great for the endless selfies I’d be posing for and autographs I’d be signing. I was just tying up my trainers when my phone rumbled beside me. Still down on one knee, I swiped the screen to read the notification.
KRISTIAN: Everyone meet in the hotel dining room for breakfast in 5.
The message was mundane, but it still excited me just seeing Kristian’s name in my messages. Neither of us had text one another since that first night where he’d given me his personal number, but that was no surprise. The whole team had been flat out preparing for the race. I hoped maybe we could resume some more risqué conversations once the race was done and dusted.
I made my way down to the hotel breakfast bar, helping myself to some fruit and a slice of wholemeal toast. The Vegas lights out was scheduled for 10PM, which seemed an eternity away, but I knew the day would be chock–a–block with meeting fans and fulfilling my media requirements with journalists and television crews. Las Vegas tended to attract a whole boatload of celebrities too, which was great but meant a lot more schmoozing and socialising. I was tired just thinking about it. The team ate breakfast together and much to my disappointment, Kristian was absent having been waylaid somewhere. Once we’d finished up, it was time to head to the track.
Outside the hotel was packed with screaming fans as they waited for us. Sophia and I took our time chatting with them and signing autographs whilst we waited for the cars to be pulledaround. With one last smile and a wave, I clambered into the car, breathing a sigh of relief as I did. To my surprise, I wasn’t alone.
“Morning,” Kristian greeted me, briefly looking up from a stack of paperwork that was balanced on his knees.
“Morning yourself,” I replied with a sultry smile. I sat myself down and the driver closed the door behind me. “Wait, isn’t Sophia–?”
“She’s in the car behind. I arranged for you to travel separately. I figured it would help you get into the zone to have a bit of quiet time.”
I was shocked, grateful for Kristian’s thoughtfulness. I pushed the complicated emotions away, hoping I wasn’t blushing. I stared at him and sensing my gaze Kristian glanced up at me.
“What?”
“Then what areyoudoing here?” I asked with a cocked brow. “Other than interrupting my quiet time.”
The smile Kristian treated me to had my heartrate rocketing and I was helpless not to return it.
“I didn’t think you’d mind me being here. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe you said you enjoyed flirting with me.”
This time I knew I was definitely blushing, but I ignored it and lifted my chin. “Andyousaid I’d have to wait until after the race.”
Kristian laughed. “I did, but I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since then. I’ll make you a deal.”
