“Mind your own business, Romana. This has nothing to do with you,” Jonathan barks, but the eighteen-year-old Monegasque steps between us anyway, placing a careful hand on my rival’s shoulder.
“Well, you see here, it is my business because you’re upsetting my friend, and I don’t fucking play around when it comes to my friends.” Damn. I take a surprised step away, anger leaving me completely. “Now, why don’t you go crawl back to whatever hole you came out of and leave Leonard and Chiara alone before I follow through on whatever alleged threat she made.” I fucking like this kid. Not just for defending me, which already is a huge thing for me to happen in this sport, but he’s protecting Starling.
“You should be careful what side you’re picking here, Romana. There is no going back once you’ve made your choice,” Jonathan warns, but Adrian starts laughing at him.
“There is no going back once you’ve made your choice,” he imitates Jonathan before bursting into more laughter. “Get the fuck outta here, man. Nobody likes you,” Adrian adds before placing his hand on my shoulder and leading me away from my rival. “What a fucking garbage bag.” I fight back a chuckle. “Seriously, what the hell is his problem? He’s just pissed because you’re the better driver. Petty jerk.” If Quinn wasn’t already my best friend, Adrian sure as hell would be working his way up there.
“He’s quite the jerk, yes,” I agree while Adrian leads me to where Chiara and Quinn are. I notice worry resting on my little demon’s face, so I wink at her to assure her everything is fine. I didn’t expect a blush to settle on her cheeks in response though.
“What did Chiara threaten to do to him anyway?” I can trust him, I know I can, but I hesitate anyway. “Sorry, I meant, what didn’t she threaten to do to him?” I shift my head in his direction to see a mischievous smile spreading across his face.
“She most certainly didn’t threaten to break multiple of his bones using her years of competitive fighting skills,” I reply, and his face lights up from humour.
“That woman is badass,” he says, and I glance her way, finally smirking a bit.
“Yeah, she is,” I whisper before hardening my features and giving Adrian my attention again. He’s offering me a knowing look I’d very much like to slap off his face. Nothing’s going on between Chiara and me. He doesn’t have to grin at me like there is. “Anyway, thanks for helping me out, I appreciate it.” Because if he hadn’t shown up, I would have done something that would have cost me my career in Formula One, and I just found my passion for the sport again. I don’t want to give it up.
“Anytime, mate. If you need an alibi, I got you too. I’ve never liked Jonathan. The first time we met, he told me not to bother trying to do well because he’s working on getting one of his friends to take my seat next year.” My eyes widen in response. “Yeah, I don’t know why he’s such a dick, but, oh well. I’m already in talks with my team to keep my seat for next year, so I’m not worried, but damn, he’s unbearable,” Adrian says before giving my shoulder a squeeze and nodding his head in Chiara’s direction. “It’s none of my business, but I wouldn’t wait too long if I were you. If she wants a partner, she won’t have to look long. Gorgeous, badass, and a heart bigger than most isn’t a combination you will find again, at least not easily.”
More like never again.
“Didn’t you want to leave?” I ask as I cross my arms, and he starts grinning at me.
“Not a feelings-talking kind of person. I understand, but if you change your mind, I’m a great listener. Always here for you, mate,” he adds before walking away and leaving me with a small smile.
“Leonard,” Chiara’s soft voice fills my ears, and I briefly close my eyes as if it could help me savour the sound, allow it to keep filling my ears.
“Yes, little demon?” I ask as I turn to her, but before I know what has hit me, her arms wrap around my body in an unsure hug.
“You did amazing today, congratulations,” she says, and I place my cheek on the top of her head, my arms flinging around her to return the hug and let comfort run through me. I’ve never been a big fan of affection, but for some reason I can’t explain, touching Chiara in any way fulfils a part of me I’ve been keeping locked up for too long.
“I think that’s the first compliment you’ve ever paid me,” I reply, and she steps back, smacking my chest lightly.
“Untrue. I’ve been calling you an asshole for years,” she says, and I give her an amused look.
“And that counts as a compliment?” A challenge lingers in her eyes, and, God, I just want to kiss her. I want to plant my lips on hers and feel the way they’d fit with mine as perfectly as I know they would.
“Of course it does.” She doesn’t offer me an explanation, but I don’t ask either. I’m fighting every instinct in my body not to close the distance between us and finally give in to what I want the most.Bloody hell, when did I become this attached to Chiara?
“You’re a puzzle, Starling,” I point out, and she grins at me. She grins, and everything else vanishes. She grins, and I become the luckiest man on the planet for seeing it when she doesn’t offer it to most people.
“Yes, a puzzle you’re having a fantastic time trying to solve,” she replies and steps out of the hug to walk back over to Quinn. My best friend wiggles her eyebrows at me, and I glare at her. A silent laughter shakes her shoulders, so I decide to ignore her.
“Chiara, would you like to go out for dinner or rather have me cook?” I ask because, apparently, I’m only on this planet to please this woman now. Good God, I’m so fucking gone for her, it isn’t even funny anymore.
“Oh, I would love a home-cooked meal from Leonard,” Quinn chimes in, standing up with Benz’s leash in her hand.
Starling takes it from her and leans down to kiss my daughter on the top of her head. I don’t like the warmth spreading through me every time Chiara reminds me just how much she loves Benz, nor do I enjoy the way my heart flutters when my dog proves she loves my little demon the same.
“Leonard?” Quinn asks, and I remember we were talking about dinner.
“Sure, I’ll cook,” I say absentmindedly, still trying to collect my thoughts.
“Great.”
My best friend hooks her arm through mine, and it’s the first time since we’ve become close that I want to step away from her, but only to get to Chiara.
“Great indeed. Leonard makes the best food,” Starling blurts out before realizing she paid me another compliment. I’m about to point it out when she raises a violent finger at me. “Say it, and I will deny it with my fist.” I shouldn’t like her ability to wrestle me to the ground as easily as putting on her socks, but, here we are.
