Yes! Almost there…
“Last lap! Finish this, Rossi!”
I made short work of the final lap, eating up the tarmac and held my breath as I screamed across the finish line in first place. I screeched with elation.
“Viva Las Vegas,”I sang down the radio as I brought the car to a halt, rolling into P1, my chest bursting with pride. I hurriedly unbuckled myself and leapt from the car into the arms of the McLaren crew as they crowded around to celebrate with me. I saw Sophia pull into P3 a short distance away and I ran to greet her, wrapping her up in a tight hug as the team jumped and screamed all around us.
“Well done!” I shouted. “Great job out there!”
“You too!” Sophia beamed. “What a race!”
We didn’t have long to relish our success. A car pulled up beside us to collect the top three drivers and taxi us over to the podium which was located right beside the fantastic Bellagio hotel fountains. Sophia, McCarthy and I all clambered into the back, and I allowed the Red Bull driver to wrap his arm around me, giving me a squeeze.
“Fuck, you’re one hell of an adversary, Rossi.” He grinned. “You absolutely demolished that race.”
I laughed. “ Don’t I always?”
“Well, yeah, but you were like a woman possessed. Winning Vegas sure meant a lot to you, huh?” he replied.
I felt my cheeks flush. “You could say that, yeah.”
Chapter six
Kristian
It turned out threatening Rossi’s career wasn’t the only way to light a fire under her arse. She was perfection, and I knew I wasn’t alone in being impressed at how well she had done. It had been thrilling to watch her making mincemeat out of the competition, and even more so knowing what was to follow. I fully intended to see my promise to Bianca through, but when her car screamed across the finish line a full five seconds ahead of her competition, I felt suddenly nervous. I knew I wanted to investigate this attraction, but I couldn’t silence the sensible part of my brain that urged caution. We both had a lot to lose here, but I had no doubt in my mind it was going to be worth it.
“What a race,” Carlos crowed beside me, slapping his hand against my shoulder as we made our way back to the team cars that were awaiting us. There were people everywhere, all the teams mingling together as everyone tussled to get in line. Despite it being after midnight, the atmosphere was alive, and everyone was very much looking forward to heading to the after party that had been arranged at the Bellagio.
I hadn’t had a chance to catch up with Bianca since she had finished her race, outside of brief, professional congratulations. My eyes scanned the crowds, eager not to let her out of my sights for too long. I needn’t have worried though as a pair of fingers dug into my ribs from behind and I leapt forward with a yelp. I spun on my heel, pleased to see Rossi standing beside me. She had changed out of her racing gear, dressed in jeans and a team polo. Unlike most after parties, Las Vegas was a casual affair as everyone arrived straight from the track. I was a little disappointed I wasn’t going to be treated to one of the short, sexy dresses I had seen Bianca wearing in some of her Instagram posts.
“There you are,” I muttered. “I was wondering where you’d got to.”
“You’re not shaking me off that easily,” Bianca replied, her eyes bright with excitement. “You’ve got a promise to uphold. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”
I grinned. “No, I haven’t forgotten. I would argue you deserve it after that performance.”
My pulse quickened as Bianca’s tongue darted out and licked her bottom lip. “Can’t wait.”
Fuck, I was in trouble. Before I had a chance to consider it further, a black, sleek car pulled up and I gently took Bianca by her elbow, steering her towards it.
“Come on,” I said, waiting for her to clamber in ahead of me whilst I tried desperately not to ogle her arse. “We’ve got a party to attend.”
I slipped inside the car, slamming the door shut. The driver pulled off and we buckled ourselves in. I saw Rossi fluff her hair.
“How disappointed would you be if I said I didn’t want to go to the after party?” she said.
I looked across at her, her beautiful face illuminated by the bright lights of Las Vegas as our car edged through the traffic.
“Not disappointed at all. I can’t stand the after parties, even when we’ve won,” I laughed.
“Fucking fantastic.” An almost feral expression crossed Bianca’s face, and she unbuckled herself. Just as I worried what she was going to do, she shuffled to the edge of her seat and rapped her knuckles on the partition between us and the driver.
“Yes, Ma’am?”
“Change of plan. Take us back to the Wynn.”
“Of course.”
