“What are you doing tonight?” I haven’t thought beyond getting through this godforsaken press conference, and I’ll be exhausted by the time this day is done. But the promise of seeing Evangeline has my outlook flipping on its head. Spending the evening with her in my arms is everything I didn’t know I needed until this moment.
That is, until she gives me an apologetic half smile. “I have plans,” she states simply, tucking her hair behind both ears.
Disappointment crashes over me with a heftiness I didn’t expect. I remain silent, waiting for her to explain.
She doesn’t have a live stream tonight. By now, I practically have her schedule memorized, and this is an off night.
My disappointment transforms into embarrassment as she remains quiet. She’s not going to give me any details. Fuck, I’m actually jealous. Of what, or whom, I don’t know. Is she meeting up with friends? Or a person she recently met? She’s in a new city, surrounded by people her own age. What if she has a date?
I have no claim on this woman, and yet I’m filled with the carnal desire to know exactly what she’s doing tonight and who she’s doing it with.
My mood sours further, this sensation ten times worse than the lousy mindset that had me in a chokehold after today’s race.
“Right. Okay, then. Take care getting back to the hotel when you’re done,” I say. It’s pathetic. Am I really putting it out there to the universe that I hope she ends up back in her hotel room tonight instead of winding up in someone else’s bed?
“Alaric, I?—”
My phone dings, reminding me once more about this damn press conference.
Scowling, I hold it up by way of explanation. “I’m running late for a media event.” I release my grip on her side but pull my hand away with a gentle caress.
It takes all my strength to walk away from her for a second time today.
Regretfully, I tell her, “Have a good night, Evangeline.”
CHAPTER 29
EVANGELINE
The Even Better Eleven are meeting up in Shelby’s room tonight, which is a quick jaunt across the square from where I’m staying. Most of the team accommodations in Spain are in the Gothic Quarter, and Barcelona is extremely walkable, so I make the trek on foot by myself.
With an extra spring in my step, I enter the ornate lobby. I really am having the best day, despite Granata not doing well in the race.
Chalk it up to getting a great night’s sleep, which doesn’t always happen for me, and starting my day off with a soul-aligning orgasm compliments of Alaric Steele.
My social listening assignment for this race was digital, meaning I didn’t have to be in the grandstands or near the pit wall while the team struggled today. I watched from the roof of the Granata motorhome, nibbling on a spread of snacks the culinary team prepared and taking shelter inside when we got hit with rain.
I ended the workday studying gorgeous pictures of a surly Alaric from the press conference as I categorized my final batch of data. The man is even beautiful when he scowls.
I downplayed how happy I was to see him earlier when we bumped into one another. We were both working, and I assumed he’d had a shit day. But I wish I could have comforted him. I wish I could have given him a tight hug or taken him up on his offer to get together tonight.
Part of me even considered skipping Sweatpants and Chill.
Logic kicked in before I could go through with it, thankfully. I used to be the girl willing to ditch her friends or cancel plans any time a guygave me attention. I don’t want to fall back on old habits. There’s no rush or pressure where Alaric is concerned. His steady assurances made it easy for me to take a breath, refocus my priorities, and not lose myself in the rush of what’s building between us.
He wants more.
He can’t wait to be inside me for the first time, and he’s nowhere near done with me yet.
The man’s mouth is sinful. I blush every time I recall the delicious, dirty promises he whispered while he drove me higher and higher. I’m desperate to be with him again. But I also need to be cautious. Because of work. Because of Luca. Because ofme.
We both wantmore. But what does more look like, and am I even ready to jump into another relationship?
Keeping a level head is essential. It’s important I refrain from losing myself in another person’s world. Alaric is a busy, important man. He has a lot going on, so he can’t always prioritize me, especially during race weekends. It’s on me to not get so fixated on him that I bend over backward to experience even a modicum of his attention.
“Ev.”
Spinning, I find Mia and Ren cutting across the lobby to the elevators.
