Page 45 of Formula Freedom
I chuckle, then lean in to kiss her cheek. “Damn right, you are.”
“I have an idea,” she says, a gleam in her eye that makes my heart pound. If she wants to get naked and christen this bed in a way I used to dream about, I’m down for it. “Let’s go surfing.”
Not nearly as enticing as sex, but a surge of excitement courses through me. If I couldn’t be a professional race car driver, I’d have taken a shot at surfing as a career, and it’s been a hot minute since I’ve been out. “I’ll have to run home and get my suit and board.”
“You’ve got ten minutes,” she says, shooting off the bed. “I’m thinking we only need spring suits.”
That’s a good call. It’s going to be in the mid-twenties Celsius today and the water temps are probably still mild enough to not warrant a full suit.
“I’ll be back in ten,” I say as she dives into her closet, searching for her wetsuit, but she’s not even paying attention to me.
She’s in surf mode.
♦
The water iscolder than I remember. Or maybe I’m just not used to it anymore. I wish I’d gone with my full suit but seeing Lara dive in with just her spring suit, her arms and legs bare and letting out a delightful shriek, I suck it up and don’t complain.
It’s been a couple years since I surfed, but the rhythm comes back fast—paddle, pop up, glide. Lara’s already out there, bobbing on her board, her long braid wet and draped over one shoulder.
“This was a good idea,” she says, splashing me with a grin.
“You have them occasionally.”
We float for a moment, letting the swells lift and drop us gently.
“Where are you headed when you leave here?” she asks.
We haven’t made any specific plans other than for me to take a few days off, mainly to be with her. I did invite Carlos however and he’s coming tomorrow.
“Gotta get back to Monaco to deal with some sponsor stuff. But I’m yours till then.”
“We’ll make the most of it,” she assures me and then catches sight of an incoming wave that she intends to catch. I watch her ride it in, the loss of her by my side palpable. I bypass my own wave that comes through and wait for her to paddle back out to me.
“What are you waiting for?” she teases. “Afraid you’ve forgotten how to get up?”
“Never afraid of that,” I promise her. “But I was thinking… why don’t you come home to Monaco with me?”
Lara blinks a few times, her gaze casting out to the ocean and then back to me. Her gray eyes look almost blue in the sunlight. “And do what… just hang?”
“Well, your work is remote. You could work there, and yeah… we’d hang. I’d show you around. You could then come along to Zurich where I’ll need to do some stuff at headquarters before the Suzuka race.”
Lara’s teeth press down into her lower lip as she considers the offer. It’s sexy as hell and I want to kiss her. “What would our parents say?” she asks.
I shoot her a censuring look. “In case you didn’t realize, we’re both adults. And friends. And you’re sort of hiding from your crazy ex-fiancé. I’d imagine they’d think it was a cool idea.”
“Or they’d think something was going on between us and be disapproving because it’s way too soon.”
“You’re looking for problems before they arise,” I say. “Come on, Lara. Have some adventure. Besides… I don’t want to leave you behind.”
Not ever again.
Her face softens and I see her hesitation melt away. “Okay… I’ll do it.” Our eyes lock onto each other from across the boards. “You’re kind of perfect, you know that?”
“Nah,” I say. “I’m just finally getting it right.”
CHAPTER 14
Lara
