“Rossi,” Carlos warned. “Come on. We know you’ll do the right thing. Stop stressing your tyres.”
I remained silent, refusing to acknowledge the team’s request. We were into the final ten laps and my lead sat at 5.7 seconds.
“You are using your tyres too much, Rossi, and so is Harrington trying to keep up with you,” Carlos muttered. “You’ve made your point. The way to win a championship is not by yourself. You are going to need Sophia and you’re going to need the team.”
Still I pushed on. There were only five laps left now. I could do this. I screamed over the line, sights focussed solely on my success, until my radio gear crackled in my ear.
“Bianca.” Kristian’s voice was in my ear. His tone was somehowfamiliar, and I shuddered. “Listen to me. You need to give the lead back to Sophia.”
“But—”
“Come on, be a good girl and do as I’ve asked.”
My face grew instantly hot. He was using his bedroom voice on me over the team radio! What was he thinking? The press and the fans could tune into this channel and given the drama I had started by refusing to give up my lead, it was a certainty thata lotof people were listening in right now.
I didn’t respond, but I took my foot off the accelerator along the main straight. The car slowed and I watched, feeling torn, as Sophia approached. Her car ate up the distance between us easily and she soared past me to retake first place.
“Thank you,” Kristian all but growled.
The last few laps of the race passed in a blur. Sophia crossed the line ahead of me, winning the Hungarian Grand Prix and I wasn’t sure how to feel about it, my thoughts well and truly fixed on the team principal.
We pulled the cars into the first and second place spaces and I took my time getting out of the cockpit. I watched the team running to Sophia’s car and my teammate hopped out, punching the air and celebrating. I heaved myself free, sheepishly accepting the congratulations from the mechanics that swarmed around me.
I tugged my helmet off, spotting Kristian beside Sophia. He was congratulating her, but his eyes were fixed on me and a shiver ripped through me. His gaze was so intense. What was he going to do? My thoughts immediately turned to Maddie Michaels and the end of her debut season in 2024. Her teammate, and at the time, secret lover, Nick Larson, had run to her during a moment just like this one. The world had watched as Larson had lifted Michaels into his arms and kissed her. It had become somewhat of an iconic moment within Formula One, and my heart pounded, wondering if I was about to receive my own with Kristian.
I held my breath, watching the team principal make his way over to me. He clapped me on the shoulder.
“Good job, Rossi.” He smiled. His words were mundane, but the heat behind his gaze was anything but.
“What were you thinking?” I hissed. “We are in so much trouble.”
Kristian simply shrugged. “Aren’t we already? I took a gamble on what the fans and press would want to hear… and I knew you wouldn’t refuse me if I asked in such a way.”
“You dick,” I laughed, flushing anew. “So, what now?”
“I guess we’ll find out, hm?”
“You mean you’re not going to emulate Nick Larson and sweep me off my feet?” I teased.
“Afraid not.” Kristian smirked. “That’s not really my style.”
“Shame,” I sighed. “I always wanted my own big television moment…” I felt an almost feral smile creep onto my face and Kristian faltered.
“Whatever you’re thinking about doing, don’t,” he warned.
“Forget a Maddie Michaels moment, let’s have a Bianca Rossi moment instead.”
“What are you—”
I darted forward, just as the television crews and journalists arrived. Before Kristian could stop me, I wrapped my arms around his body and tugged him close. My hands found their way to his arse, and I grabbed a vicious handful in each hand. The crowds in the grandstands went wild, the roars and cheers almost deafening. Cameras flashed all around us furiously, and I smiled brightly up at Kristian.
“For fuck’s sake,” he groaned before chuckling. “Are you trying to get me sacked?”
“Sacked? No. Into the sack? Maybe later,” I replied. “Let’s show Frank Matthews where he can stick his job.” I squeezedKristian’s behind harder still, stomach fluttering when he laughed.
“You’re so much trouble, y’know that?”
“Yeah, maybe,” I replied with a smile. “But don’t forget I’m also your good girl.”
