Page 21 of Sparks Fly
Humming softly, I wait for the lift and step in before it takes me to my floor. Pacing down towards my penthouse, I slip inside and dump my bag on the side table. A blissful sigh passes my lips as I lock up behind me and move towards the large bathroom. Peeling my clothes from my body, I let them fall to the floor before stepping into the walk-in shower. The warm water cascades over my tired body.
We had been on the move most of the day. Rue had shown me all the small and hidden Monaco gems but honestly, I still feel like I needed another day to really take it all in. Plus, I was desperate to go to Princess Grace’s Rose Garden.
Lathering the roots of my hair in shampoo, I massage my scalp. Letting the warm water rinse it off before smothering the ends in conditioner. I take my time, exfoliating my skin then rinsing off the suds before turning the tap of the shower off. I reach for one of the fluffy towels, I wrap it around my body andstand in front of the mirror, doing my skin care and brushing my teeth.
Moving towards the bedroom, I dry my hair then get dressed into my silk pyjamas. I walk towards the kitchen and grab a cold bottle of water from the fridge, swiping my phone from the side I move back towards the bedroom and tug the covers back on my bed. Settling down, I have a little doom scroll, then reply to some of the comments and messages. Things have slowed slightly as the days have gone on. The onslaught of concerned people in my inbox following my break from Royce has simmered right down and I am eternally grateful. Smiling, I lock my phone and place it face down on the bedside unit, I reach for the control and switch the air con off, the room is plenty cool and I am feeling completely satisfied and ready to slip into a deep slumber.
Creed
Placing my black AmEx on the table, the waiter swipe it from the dish it sits in and wander off to take payment. I sit back in my chair and finish my wine just as he returns and passes it back to me.
“Sir.” He nods, and I give him a warm smile before pushing to my feet and walking out into the warm air where the blacked-out car waits for me.
The driver hops out and greets me as I slide into the back and slip my phone out of my pocket. We begin to drive, and I find myself scrolling aimlessly through emails. I have so much to do but I also need to switch off and enjoy the break whilst I can.
I want a fresh mind ahead of our next race and I know I will get the escape here, hopefully. A couple of the drivers will nodoubt be out here for a little get away. The drive isn’t long and suddenly I feel exhausted. It had been a long day, woke up in Surrey and I will be going to sleep in Monaco.
Crazy.
Thanking the driver, I close the door behind me and pace the steps.
“Monsieur,” Alexandre greets me, his brows furrowing at me being here and I give him a big smile before clapping me hand into his palm.
“Alexandre,” his name slips off my tongue as I say hello to my old friend, then turn and walk into the apartment block.
The concierge gives me a nod but with the same confused look on his face. Now it’s my turn to furrow my brows at him before I shake it off. He meets me at the lift and passes me my luggage. I thank him and before he can say anything to me, my phone rings in my hand. I excuse myself and lift the phone to my ear and answer Royce.
“All okay?”
He sighs down the phone.
“Yeah, just wanted to make sure you landed okay.”
I glance at the lift lights and the doors ping as I step inside.
“Yeah, I am okay, just tired,” I admit as the doors close.
Silence settles over the line.
“Are you okay?” I ask him
“Meh,” he moans down the line
“Anaïs or?” I ask as the lift begins to move.
“Yeah, and the race…”
I sigh.
“Look, I get you’re disappointed. I was too, but you can’t hold onto it. It was a shit weekend; we can’t be perfect all the time.” The corner of my lips tug into a smile.
“True,” he grumbles.
“And the Anaïs thing…” I pause “Did you really want to break up with her to focus on your driving career?”
I am met with silence again.
“Sort of.” I sigh as he begins speaking again “I really liked her, more than liked really… but I dunno. I just didn’t know if I wanted that anymore…”
