Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Lara blinks, startled, but she doesn’t understand how fast gossip can spread through a paddock. I’m sure it got everyone’s attention she was in the garage during the race and she was the first person I hugged after.
I shoot Ronan a look sharp enough to cut carbon fiber. “Mate.”
He smirks, unrepentant. “Relax. Complimenting her is just my way of being polite.”
“Try being less polite,” I mutter.
Lara presses her lips together to hide a smile, but I don’t miss the slight tension in her shoulders. I know her well enough to recognize the micro-reactions—when she’s overwhelmed, unsure, quietly bracing.
I lean in, my voice pitched low. “I promise he’s harmless.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” she says, soft but steady.
“I’ve got your back,” I promise so only she can hear.
“I know… just so many beautiful people. Loud energy. It’s … a lot.”
Before I can respond, a new presence is behind me and I turn to see Lex Hamilton approaching with Posey on his arm. Lara beams a smile at Posey and I’m so glad she’s here as they really seemed to hit it off the other day.
“Smooth operator,” Carlos teases. “Hamilton shows up looking like he owns a casino.”
Lex is dressed in a sharp, tailored black velvet jacket with satin lapels, paired with a crisp white shirt and slim black trousers. His shirt is open at the collar and a vintage gold watch gleams at his wrist. Lex knows fashion and his black loafers probably cost more than most people’s rent. Posey is radiant beside him in a sleek black dress and vivid red lipstick perfectly matched to the soles of her shoes that I know are designer, though which designer I’m not sure. Those are things I’m learning myself since my entry into FI and the wealth that’s attached to the sport.
“Glad to see you here,” I say, shaking Lex’s hand.
“Wouldn’t want to miss the free champagne and social posturing,” Lex replies dryly.
Posey pulls Lara into a hug without hesitation. “You look amazing,” she says, stepping back to admire her. “Seriously, the Monte Carlo set has nothing on you.”
“Monte Carlo set?” Lara asks, eyebrows knit in confusion.
Posey grins and lifts a shoulder. “It’s a term that refers to the elite, fashionable social crowd in Monaco.” She waves her hand around. “Think influencers, heiresses, models and high-society types who frequent places like Monte Carlo. At least… that’s what I read in my research. I’m going to set one of my novels here.”
Lara chuckles and nods down to the red-soled shoes. “You’re the one who looks amazing. Are those Louboutins?”
“Yes, and they’re killing my feet,” she says from the side of her mouth. “But don’t tell Lex that as he took great joy in buying them for me.”
“I’m standing right here and can hear you, love,” Lex replies drolly.
Huh? So that’s the designer. I’ll tuck that away, but I probably won’t buy a pair for Lara if they’re so uncomfortable.
Lex eyeballs the rest of the group. “So, this is it, huh? The annual meeting of the Fast and the Famously Single.”
“You’re decidedly not single,” I say, nodding to Posey.
Lex smiles at her, leans in and kisses her neck. “I’m definitely taken.”
I curl my fingers gently around Lara’s and pull her close to me. Yeah, I’m definitely taken too.
Ronan raises a skeptical brow. “You’ve fallen fast, Hemsworth.”
“Considering I was fifteen when I fell for her,” I reply, voice even. “Not so fast, so get your facts straight.”
Eyes sparkling, he throws up his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, I’m just here for the charity and the wine.”
But it’s Lara I’m looking at. We haven’t progressed to getting deep into feelings for each other, but there’s no sense in hiding the fact that she’s been my girl for a long damn time. Even if neither of us fully realized it.
The way she smiles back at me tells me all I need to know… I’ve been hers for a long time too.
As the group turns toward the bar, chatting and laughing, I let my fingers drift to Lara’s back. Her posture’s relaxed as she chats with Posey, but she’s scanning—taking it all in. And I know what she’s seeing… polished people, practiced charm, the way some women glance too long at me or Carlos or Lex.
I lean down and murmur into her hair. “You don’t have to play a part tonight. Just be you.”
She glances up, her eyes searching mine. “And if that version of me doesn’t fit here?”
I squeeze her hand. “Then you’ll break the mold.”
Posey loops her arm through Lara’s, grabbing her attention from me. “Come on, let’s get drinks and hide in a corner and judge everyone.”
I think that might be code for “We’re demanding girl time.” I’m happy for her to take it, because Posey seems so down-to-earth and she’s exactly the right person to introduce Lara to this jet-set lifestyle since she’s just learning to navigate it herself.