Page 33 of Pole Position

Eventually, Mr Thomlin and the rest of his cronies excused themselves. Kristian and I finally had a moment to ourselves and I chuckled as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Bianca,” he sighed.

“What?” I grinned. “I’ve had my body groped and grabbed more times than I’d care to count this evening. I was just balancing the scales a little.”

Kristian’s annoyance disappeared instantly. “What do you mean?”

I shrugged. “You know how these things are.”

“No, I don’t.” Kristian’s eyes narrowed, his mouth set in a grim line.

I felt suddenly flustered. “These events are always this way. I’m paraded around like a commodity and the men who fund our team’s success think that entitles them to invade my personal space.” I paused. “We need their sponsorship, so I just grin and bear it for the evening.”

Kristian stared at me for a long moment. He was livid, that much was clear, and I suddenly felt nauseous. I fanned myself with my hand, keen for some air upon my clammy skin.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned anything,” I muttered, turning away.

Kristian reached out and grasped me by my shoulder. “Bianca, you should have told me sooner. I didn’t know…” he trailed off and ran a hand through his hair. “This is my first time as a team principal for a female driver. It hadn’t even crossed my mind.”

I shrugged. “Well, now you know. It’s not your fault. It’s just how these events go. It’s always been this way.”

“Well, it shouldn’t be,” he snapped. “It’s a disgrace. Come on, let’s get you out of here.”

“It’s alright, Kristian. You don’t need to—” I faltered, taken aback by the seriousness of his expression. He took my elbow and steered me through the crowds, smiling stiffly as we passed swathes of sponsors and journalists. Soon enough we were at the exit and Kristian relayed instructions to the valet employees. It was quieter here and I finally felt as if I could breathe. We stood in silence, and I watched Kristian as he paced back and forth, clearly agitated.

“You really didn’t know?” I murmured.

“Of course not.” He scowled. “The next sponsorship event we attend, you and Sophia are not leaving my sight. I will not accept anyone disrespecting either of you.”

I blushed and looked away, crossing my arms beneath my bust. “We shouldn’t need your protection at all. Why does it take a man’s presence to stopothermen from thinking it’s alright to lay their hands all over a woman?”

“You’re right, it shouldn’t, but if that’s what it takes to make sure you’re comfortable and safe at these events, then that’s what we will do.” He paused. “Rome wasn’t built in a day. You and Sophia are my responsibility. I won’t stand idly by and allow this to continue. Not on my watch.”

“And they say chivalry is dead,” I teased, keen to lighten the mood.

“It’s not chivalry, it’s just common decency,” Kristian snapped. “You and Sophia are athletes at the top of your field. You deserve every ounce of respect.”

I blinked, surprised by the strength of Kristian’s feelings. Harold had always turned a blind eye at these events, even when I’d complained and grown upset, he’d dismissed me and acted as if this were just an extension of my job as an F1 driver. Kristian’s anger was refreshing and my heart fluttered.

The car arrived and we slipped inside, each buckling ourselves in before the car rolled off into the night. The atmosphere was tense, and I fought for something to say. When I sighed heavily, Kristian met my eye.

“Thank you. It means a lot to have your support.”

He frowned. “You always have my support, especially in matters like these. You really should have told me sooner, I could have—”

“You know now. That’s all that matters.”

We stared at one another for a long moment before Kristian rubbed the back of his neck.

“What happened between us… That wasn’t…?”

I laughed. “Absolutely not.Ipursuedyou,remember? Our relationship is exceedingly consensual, believe me. I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted anything as desperately.”

“Good,” Kristian sighed. A playful scowl returned to his face. “What were you playing at, groping me like that in public?”

I shrugged with a grin. “I couldn’t help myself. I’m tipsy and you have such a great arse.”

“Hm,” he muttered, unconvinced. “You’d better hope no one saw you.”

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