She looked up at him a little sadly. There were no rest days in P1, certainly not on race days. ‘Is this a request from management?’
‘No,’ he said quietly. ‘We both know you’re not one hundred percent. Come back fully refreshed after the break.’
‘Thanks, Shane.’ She hesitated then looked at him directly. ‘I’m really sorry.’
She didn’t have the heart to tell him she wasn’t likely to be returning at all.
In the change room she slipped out of her uniform and into a loose summer dress. She hadn’t the right to wear the team gear; she was a failure. Afraud. She wouldn’t stay in the paddock with the VIPs and celebrities. She would go into the main spectator area and watch the race alongside thousands of passionate, ordinary fans. She would message Massimo in the morning. Deal with everything after the race as they’d agreed. But she’d only made it a few hundred metres into the fan zone when a heavy arm landed across her shoulders.
‘Going somewhere?’
Lily stopped. His hand squeezed. He had a cap tugged very low and she couldn’t believe she’d been such a blind fool on that cargo plane. His dazzling cornflower-blue eyes were so unique.
‘How did you know where I was?’
He jerked his chin to her left.
She followed his glance and saw the tall man a few feet from her. ‘You put security on me?’
‘For protection, not imprisonment,’ he murmured dryly. ‘Keep walking. We wouldn’t want to createdrama.’
He was mocking her, but at the same time had a point. He would be recognised any second.
‘I wasn’t going toleave,’ she muttered. ‘I was just going to look around.’
‘I’ll go with you. This way.’
There were so many people around them it was impossible not to move in the direction he was guiding her. She realised the tall guy to her left wasn’t the only bodyguard. There were four of them barely blending in as they carved their way through the crowd.
‘I’m not needed in the garage for the race. I’m free to spectate.’ She couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her voice.
‘We’ll watch it together.’
But he led herbehindthe main grandstands, to the waterfront. She knew some VIPs arrived at the circuit via boat. She’d seen the beautiful launches crossing the harbour, taking them from their luxury hotels to the elite spectator suites. So she wasn’t all that surprised when Massimo took her to a gleaming wooden boat waiting at the jetty.
Lily didn’t bother trying to argue; she just stepped on board with a sense of fatalism. The immaculately poised stewards didn’t blink at the sight of her flushed, overheated self and the bodyguards fell back. Lily sat at the rear; she hadn’t the strength to resist Massimo’s wishes. They needed to talk; this needed to be sorted. Yet, she felt a pang as they pulled away from the vibrant noise.
‘You shouldn’t miss the race,’ she finally spoke.
She’d not missed one since starting with Hearnshawe.
‘I prefer to watch in private anyway.’
He’d not said it suggestively yet temptation smoked through her. She gritted her teeth. So much for thinking she’d be better off not working. She needed more focus than ever just to stay sane around Massimo.
It took only minutes to cross the water and dock at the hotel. With an elegant sweep of his arm, he helped her to disembark. His courtesy made her discomfort prickle.
They went straight into a gleaming elevator and were whisked quickly to the sky. The doors slid open to reveal an enormous suite. Lily moved to the large windows to take in the fascinating skyline—so many skyscrapers, brilliant, unique feats of architecture. She heard Massimo murmuring and glanced back to see him welcoming room service in. She watched them unload a trolley onto the gleaming dining table with amazement. He must’ve ordered it while they were on the boat. Dumplings, skewered meats, vibrant salad and a colourful array of sliced fruit. All tempting, nibblish things.
‘Come and eat.’ Massimo pulled a chair out for her as soon as they were alone again.
She shook her head as she sat. ‘You don’t have to—’
‘Be polite?’ he mocked gently.
‘You weren’t like this on the plane. Don’t change just because the circumstances have.’
‘Actually, I was like this. I fed you chocolate almonds and let you lean on my shoulder.’
