Page 43 of Sparks Fly
“Oh.” Her lips pull into a smile.
I smile back.
“Want some?” She holds out the spoon and I laugh softly, declining as I shake my head from side to side.
“Your loss.” She shrugs before dipping the spoon into her mouth and I rub my lips together. She walks towards me, peanut butter still in hand, her auburn hair pulled into a messy bun. “Night, Creed.” She waves me off, spoon back in her mouth as she does.
“Night, Anaïs,” I murmur as she closes the door.
Smirking, I turn my back on the kitchen and go back into my room.
The morning comes too soonfor my liking and I groan as I roll over to see the sun streaming through the blinds that aren’t quite closed. Grabbing the pillow next to me, I pull it over my face and sigh into it.
I contemplate trying to go back to sleep, but once I am awake, my brain won’t switch off. Thoughts constantly ticking over.
Work. Royce. Cowan.Anaïs.
I have a meeting with Glenn, our team principle, and Pascal, our technical director, tomorrow morning. I need to know what the plan was for the car this season, need to know what to expect.
I know we have the car, but there are certain elements out of our control. One of our rivals, I am sure, has illegal upgrades, but who am I to say? The FIA turn a blind eye and all we can do it bring it to their attention.
Reluctantly, I pull myself from my pit and move towards the kitchen. I’m in desperate need of coffee. Black. No milk. No sugar.
Turning on the coffee machine, I yawn, rubbing the sleep out of my eye as I twist. My lower back sits against the worktop and that’s when I see her, sitting there with her headphones on, knees bent, back against the arm rest of the sofa, laptop nestled into her lap.
My lips tug into a smile.
The coffee machine beeps, and I reach for two cups, grazing my sights across my shoulder to see an empty coffee cup next to her.
Filling the two cups, I pull a small milk jug out and top it up before reaching up for the sugar pot and placing it down. I have no idea how she takes her coffee so I’ll let her make it herself, then I’ll make a mental note for future reference.
Searching through the cupboards, I find a small tray that I place her cup, milk jug, and sugar on. I pace towards her cautiously and stand next to her. It takes her a second or two to notice me, and when she does, her green eyes rake up my body. I am only wearing low sitting pyjama shorts. Not the most appropriate attire, but I packed for being alone… not with my son’s ex.
Same for her in her skimpy set.
“Oh.” Her eyes lift to mine then fall down to the tray. “Thank you.” She smiles as I lower the tray down onto the small side table next to her then swoop her old cup up.
“You’re most welcome.” My dimples dig into my cheeks. “Still okay for today?” I ask, stepping back out of her space and I watch as she adds two small scoops of sugar into her black coffee and a splash of milk – noted.
“Yeah, sure.” She brings the coffee to her lips and takes a mouthful.
My eyes narrow in on the soft pillow creases that still sit on her cheeks, her eyes a little hazy as she swallows her mouthful.
“Eleven work?” I glance at the time on the clock in the kitchen. It gives us a couple of hours.
“Works for me.” She turns her face towards me as she places the cup back down.
“Perfect, we will grab a late breakfast and then I’ll take you around some of my favourite places.” My smile widens, a toothy grin appearing.
“I’m looking forward to it,” she replies softly, and I can tell it’s genuine.
“Might see a couple of drivers on our travels.” Her eyes widen, mouth popping open.
“Not Royce, his feet are still firmly on British soil.” I chuckle and turn my back to her as I move away from where she is sitting and go back to the kitchen to grab my coffee.
Pacing towards the front door, I unlock it and see my newspaper sitting there waiting for me. Crouching, I scoop it up and close the door before I settle myself down at the dining room table and lose myself in the news for a while.
Lazy mornings are my favourite.
