“Probably like everyone. I’ve started as a karting driver when I was a teen and made my way through Formula 1 a few years later, but you probably know all that, that’s basic internet knowledge.”
I snort. “Then, do you like racing?”
He pauses. “It’s a part of who I am. Something I was born with.”
“And yet, you’re not like the other racers out there.” His gaze locks on mine, startled by my comment. “I mean, being in the spotlight is part of your job. The other racers care for their fans, they are friendly and let the public adore them. But you, you are—”Heartless. Fury. Enigmatic.“—different.” I’ve seen how the crowd watched over him, stuck between angst and deep admiration. Why does this man create such deep and contradictory emotions in everyone?
“I don’t like to put on a show more than I have to with the press conferences. Actions speak louder than words.” And on that, I couldn’t agree more with Wolf. Celebrities often leak information about themselves to gossip papers or post on their social media out of the fear of becoming irrelevant. As a columnist, I learned more about a person by their environment and daily actions, than by their press release.
He takes a step toward me and I’m sensing he’ll take control of the conversation. “What about you, Elle? Every time I’m trying to unravel who you are, you’re backing off.”
“Sometimes, it’s better to withdraw from the race.” Especially after crashing into Aaron’s game last night.
“Oh,ma belle, you aren’t withdrawing. You’re just too afraid to go full speed.” A ghost of a smile spreads on his face. And, just like that, I believe that’s the first real discussion we exchanged.
“You asked me what happened with Longfoard earlier?” I remain silent, waiting for him to continue. “Well, at the end of the season, I’m out of my contract.” He peers over me, his eyes sparkling as if he is having a revelation.
“I know.” It’s not a secret Aaron’s two-year contract ends this year, but he shouldn’t have a problem renewing it, being one of the youngest and most titled racing drivers of his generation despite his reputation.
“If you had billions, would you invest your money in someone like me?”
I frown my eyebrows in confusion. “I don’t see why not.” I won’t praise his ego, but he is hell-bent, I can’t possibly imagine someone able to refuse him.
“Well, I’m a risk. A risk that some sponsorships won’t allow. They can’t tame me, and a feral driver is a dangerous one. I can make them win big, or lose big. The way I race and my lifestyle don’t please them.” He studies my expression. “But I need to make them trust me, to show them some… humanity and engagement. If I give the media something about me, they’ll leave me alone. I want to race in peace without worrying about not getting a contract due to how the media paint me. That’s why I believe we could conclude a mutual agreement.”
“An agreement?” My eyes open wildly in surprise.
“Yes. I’ll do your interview if you come to the Canadian Grand Prix with me. By accompanying me, they’ll believe I’m settling down. In my world, happiness doesn’t sell. Once they see I’ve let someone in, they’ll get off my back.”
I open my jaw in shock as I chuckle, thinking it’s probably a joke. But when I see the glazed and fixed look on his face, I know he meant it. “You can’t be serious. I’m sure you have plenty of women who would like to keep you company and play the groupie.”
“They don’t care about who I am, they care about what I represent.” I hold on my breath at his statement. For a second, he sounded like he was almost… lonely? “You see, in order to care for someone, you need to get to know the person. And no one knows me. Plus, I’m not one to trust people.”
“But you trust me?”
“I don’t, but I believe it could be a mutual salvation, on every level.” He approaches me closely as I stare at him with bewilderment. “On a professional level, I save your job, you save mine.” He bites his lower lip seductively. “On a personal level, I can give you a good time.” He licks it slowly like a predator siccing his prey. “The best, even. Last night was a promise.”
Last night. Our heated exchanges. The chemistry radiating between us. Wolf is a danger, corrupting each of my cells under his power. I pull away from him, my breath getting heavier, not believing how my life took an unexpected turn.
“You need me as much as I need you, Elle,” he adds.
“You’re wrong, I don’t need you.” A lie. Without his help, I’d never have what I need—but I don’t want to need him.
“You do. You need someone who will awaken you, someone reckless. I know you have a fire inside of you—especially since I had a preview last night—but you are afraid. Afraid to live.” He takes a step closer. “Afraid to have pleasure.” A step closer. “Afraid to be imperfect. Afraid to exist as yourself.” His last words hit me. All my life, I’ve tried to reach perfection, to please everyone by being someone I wasn’t, until I forgot who I was to begin with. A woman with a dream, with a desire to escape her cage to fly free. “Plus, you need me for your article.”
Using each other.
That’s all it has been since the moment we’ve met. We both needed an escape until we trapped ourselves into a mess. “You don’t know me.”
“I do know that last night you were feeling pretty free and alive, and that’s clearly not in your habits.” His gaze burns me, and I know he’s probably right. The twenty-four hours spent with Aaron have been the most liberating ones. But that’s not the question.
“I can’t, Aaron.” I swallow. “Why are you even interested in me?”
“I’ve made it clear, I want you.” His lips curl into a confident smile. “And I know it’s not one-sided.” He contemplates each of my features like he is trying to understand me, to read me. “I take every ‘intimate relationship’ as an agreement between two parts. I have rules.This doesn’t have to be any different.”
“And let me guess, those rules benefit you and not your one-night stands?” I cock my eyebrow, I’m not as sweet and naive as he thinks I am. I know about his after-races conquests, about women who don’t last twenty-four hours of his interest.
“I’m always honest. Both parts know what to expect. Sex. Pleasure. Orgasms.” He accentuates every word. How come a man can be so cold, distant, and at the same time so sinful, undressing me every minute? How come he can act like a gentleman while being dirty? How come he represents the opposite of what I want, but I’m for some unknown reason magnetically attracted to him? He is a mystery.
