“I'm glad you've had a happy upbringing since them, but I'm so sorry about what you must have had to go through when you were younger. Do you have any contact with your biological mum now?”
He shakes his head. “She died a couple of years ago . . . her body packed in.”
I squeeze his hand. “I’m so sorry.”
He shakes his head, “It is what it is, she didn’t do anything for us, except give us up, that was the best thing she could have done.”
“What about your brother and sister, what do they do?”
“My brother is a firefighter, he always wanted to do it. My sister is nearly finishing Uni, she’s going to be a Marine Biologist. My brother and I, we help out with the fees, so at least she won't be in loads of debt when she finishes. She's really talented. She's awesome. We’re all close.”
I'm stunned. He pays to put his sister through Uni - is that not the sweetest thing I've ever heard? That’s why he doesn’t live in a posh house and flash his money around. He gives it to his sister, and I'm betting he helps his parents out too. This man definitely has hidden depths.
“Wow. That is so sweet, guess there is a nice guy under all this façade then, huh?”
He nudges my shoulder again with his. “Told you. What about you? Have you always got on with your parents?”
“No, not at all . . . you’ve met my dad, right?” I laugh “When they found out I was pregnant, my mum was upset but my dad . . . he went berserk and he said some mean things - like I went and got pregnant on purpose - I was twenty for god's sake. They had a problem with the way it happened - I wasn’t serious with Bobby, I’d only been out with him a few times, and they were disappointed in me, I guess. I had nearly finished Uni, I just had one more year of work experience and study to go then I’d be able to teach - but I dropped out of Uni, not a decision I took lightly, and I decided to move away, bring up Elijah on my own. I knew if I stayed home that mum, dad and I would fall out - that they would try and control how I raised the baby. I mean, yes he was unplanned, but as soon as I found out I was pregnant I loved him, and he was mine. It's weird the strength you can find when you’re a parent, I found a strength in me I didn’t know I had, but I knew what was best for Elijah.”
“So you moved away on your own, without your dad's money, to start a life somewhere where you knew nobody?”
I nod “Sounds crazy when you put it like that. I did have a trust fund, but apparently, I have a stubborn streak, I refused to dip into it unless it was something I needed for Elijah. But I got a job, found good childcare and made it on my own.”
“God, I couldn’t have got it more wrong, could I?”
I look at him confused. “What do you mean?”
“Before I met you - rich bitch, stuck up, privileged. I am learning my lesson tonight to not judge a book by its cover.”
I give him a small smile. “See, I’m helping you grow as a person.”
He gives a short smile. “Maybe you are, or maybe I’m beyond that now.” He looks at me for a while and says quietly “I’m sorry.”
I nod “It’s OK, we're starting afresh remember?”
“Yeah I know, but truth is I’m surrounded by money all the time, with the job I do, people throwing it around as though its nothing, while mum and dad struggle, you know? That’s why I do this, I want to be successful for them. Don't get me wrong I fucking love racing, but I want to make their lives better just like they made ours - but that made me judge you because you have money, I presumed you’d be the same.”
“From what I hear of your racing you're very good, I think they’d be proud of you whatever.”
“Bet you didn’t think you’d be saying those words to me last week, did you?”
I laugh “Definitely not, I said a lot of nasty things about you in my head last week.”
“Hmmm . . . thinking about me a lot, were you?”
“Not like that.” I feel myself blushing.
“So you’ve not imagined what I look like naked?”
Shit, I’ve totally imagined what he looked like naked . . . many times.
We have a fun flight, the drinks flow, and we get on great now that apologies were out of the way. I get merrier and merrier as the flight goes on. There is flirting between us and looks between us are getting longer.
We arrive at the hotel, the evening is balmy, its ten pm now - the hotel looks nice, we go into reception to check-in, I'm sharing with Sophie and she text me to tell me they were all at the bar, so we make our way out there, even with our suitcases. I don't want to go to our room without Sophie, as she’ll already be settled in.
“Hooray!” Cheers break out around us as we enter the bar area. Obviously, these guys have had as much to drink as me. It's great to see them.
I hurry over as fast as my wheeled suitcase will let me. “Hey everyone.”
Sophie gets up and throws her arms around me, “Hey, so glad you're here, come on I’ll get you a drink, you have some catching up to do.”
I feel Jack come up behind me. “Oh, she’s had plenty, don't you worry about that.” He smirks
I turn my head to look up at him, jeez he’s tall. “Shut up, it's your fault, you were trying to get me drunk with that flask of yours.” I smack him on the shoulder.
“I was just trying to loosen you up.”
“You wish I was loose,” I smirk
I hear titters around me.
“Do I Danish?”
Denny pipes up “Dude, why do you call her Danish?”
Before Jack gets the chance to answer I say, “Because he wants to eat me.”
Jack laughs “Hell yeah I do.”
Sophie nearly spits out her drink. “Jack, how much exactly have you let her have to drink?”
He smirks “Enough.”
I sit down and grin at everyone. I can't believe I'm here on this mini holiday. I feel like I’m acting my age for once. It's going to be fun.
Chapter 9
Robyn
Oh my god, this is not fun. Nothing about this is fun. I feel so ill. Flashbacks to swigging whisky from a flask then drinks on the plane, then drinks when we got to the hotel. Way way too many drinks.
Sophie is up and walking around humming, buzzing around the room while I am slowly dying here. “Sophie, what time is it?”
“Oh, hello sleepyhead. Its 8 am, but we need to get breakfast before going to the track, it’s a beautiful sunny day and you haven't even unpacked yet.”
I look down, I'm sleeping in the t-shirt I travelled in and my underwear, at least I took my jeans off at some point.
“I feel so ill Sophie. I'm not used to drinking so much.”
“You were hilarious, the banter you had with Jack was so funny. None of us could believe you had it in you. You give as good as you get that’s for sure.” Oh shit, what the hell did I say? Beer fear now creeping in.
“Did I embarrass myself? Be honest,” I ask in a small voice.
“No way, you were funny.”
“That doesn't make me feel any better.”
She laughs “Honestly, you're fine and it's nice to see you and Jack getting on better.”
I sigh and turn over on to my back, the room spins a little. “Yeah we called a truce last night and we had a good talk on the plane, actually I had fun and I was stressing about leaving Elijah.” My stomach does a flip when I remember how much I'm missing him; I push it down. “He was really sweet, actually that’s where the alcohol came into play, you saw the result of that.”
“Come on, get a shower then come down to breakfast - you'll feel better. Here,” She hands me a bottle of water and two painkillers.
“You are my hero,” I say, taking a gulp and swallowing the tablets.
I do as she says and just unpack a few things, while she scrolls through her phone waiting for me. I step into the hot jets of the shower and try to wash away my hangover. It's hot already for so early, but I know we’re going to the track today, so I decide on some denim cut-offs and a long-sleeve
d white cotton gypsy-style top. I tie my blonde wavy hair up in a high ponytail and put on my converse. I want to be comfortable; I don't know how far I’ll have to walk. I put some tinted moisturiser on and a little eyeliner and gloss, that will have to do. It's as good as it's going to get today. I walk out of the bathroom “Ready.”
Sophie looks up. “Jesus, how can you look like that and feel hungover at the same time?” she shakes her head.
“Is what I'm wearing OK?”
“You always look gorgeous, you get that you're one of those girls I hate right? You have just rolled out of bed and look stunning.”
“Shut up - like you can talk.” She’s gorgeous.
We walk down together and spot the guys who are already sat down drinking coffee. Jack is just walking to their table with two cups in his hand. “Just in time.” He hands me one of the mugs. He seriously has to stop getting me coffee – what girl doesn't fall for a guy that gets her coffee all the time?
“Thanks.” I take it sheepishly.
“Morning Danish. Sobered up?”
I give a small smile and sit down in an empty seat and smile and say good morning to everyone. I turn to Jack “Yes, sobered up and suffering thank you.”
They all laugh, Denny says “You were so funny Robyn. We need to get you drunk every night, this trip is going to be fun!”
Jack is smiling and looking at me in a way that is making me want to squirm in my seat. I might have joked last night about him wanting to eat me, but right now he’s looking at me as though he wants to devour me in one go.
“Hmmm, I think I might take it easy tonight.”
“No, you can't do that.” Sophie says, “This is your first proper full night here, we’re going for dinner and then to a club later.”
“Oh my god, how am I going to keep up with you guys?” I put my head in my hands.
“We’ll look after you don't you worry,” Jack says. I look up at him and he’s looking at my legs, his eyes lift to meet mine - there’s no mistaking the desire in them. What, he wants a holiday fling? Well, he can look elsewhere, because as much as I would like to see what that would be like, I refuse to be just another notch on his bedpost.
We eat breakfast, its comfortable. They're a really good crew and they all seem to get on and watch out for each other. Dad had nothing to worry about with his investment. They're a tight team that do their best for Jack, for BMW and my dad. They just want to win.
We go to the track, I'm so surprised how busy it is, there are so many riders here today practising. All the men in their leathers - they must be overheating it must be over eighty degrees. We go to the section we’ve been allocated, and I watch Denny and his men check out the bike. I’ve not seen Jack ride properly yet, so I'm looking forward to it. I can see bikers speeding past on their practice runs and they're going to do a practice race at 3 pm this afternoon. No sunbathing for me today. The atmosphere here is contagious and as we wait for Jack to get his leathers on, anticipation and excitement starts to build that I'm gonna get to see him in action.
Sophie and I make our way to an outdoor stand bar type thing to get a drink. There are tables set outside, so while we're waiting for Jack we decide to sit in the sun and drink there. We can see our pit from where we’re sitting anyway, and I need an orange juice.
Once we’re sat down I check my phone, Sophie spots me doing this - probably for the hundredth time today - even though I know Eli is at school and doing fine.
“He’ll be fine honey, stop worrying, he’s in good hands and you deserve this - a bit of you time.”
I sigh “I know, and I know to everyone it looks like I'm being over the top, but imagine being with someone for six years with not one night apart - someone you love more than anything on this earth and needs looking after. I'm just passing all that on to my parents right now and I’ve never done that before. This is a really big deal for me. It’ll get easier leaving him I'm sure, it's just that I'm not used to it.”
“I get it. What you need is a vodka in that orange juice, especially now we all know what you're like when you're drunk.” Her eyes are twinkling.
“Stop, please, I'm dying of embarrassment here. How mean was I to Jack?”
“Oh, don't you worry about Jack, he was loving every minute, it was like watching a boxing match but with words.”
Just as I'm about to reply, four guys walk over to us, formidable guys; dark hair and tanned skin, they look Italian or Spanish. There are so many people from different countries here today.
“Hello, beautiful ladies.” One of the men says - they're all striking. One of them has bike leathers on, so obviously a rider but I don't know all Jack’s competition well enough yet to know who they all are.
Sophie sits upright, surprised but not annoyed by the interruption. “Hi guys, how are you doing?”
I just smile at them.
One of the other ones steps forward. “May we sit with you?”
I smile. “Sure, why not?”
The guy in the leathers is watching me. He’s good looking . . . incredibly good looking, what is it with me and men in leathers lately?
They all sit around and introduce themselves. Sophie seems interested in the guy that approached us, and it looks like the feeling is mutual. He introduces himself as Rocco and the other two introduce themselves, Lucan and Orzo - the guy in leathers still doesn't say anything, Rocco turns to him, “I will introduce you then, shall I?” He says in a very broken sexy accent. “This is Domenico Barone - the next world champion of Superbike racing.”
Straight away that puts me on the defensive. “Oh really?” I look at him. “We might know someone who would have something to say about that.”
He raises an eyebrow at me but doesn't say anything. Can this guy talk?
He suddenly moves and takes the seat next to me, he picks up my orange juice and takes a drink. “We will see on the racetrack, won't we?” He says in broken English. Maybe his English isn't as good as the others, and that’s why he doesn't talk as much. He just drank out of my bloody drink! What the hell?
“Sophie asks “Where are you guys from?”
“We are from Sicily, Italy. I don't need to ask where you are from.” Rocco says
I feel someone behind me and a hand on my shoulder. I hear Jacks voice. “Domenico, I didn't know you were going to be here.”
Domenico looks behind me at Jack and narrows his eyes on the hand on my shoulder, it is a proprietary move from Jack, what is he playing at?
He soon regains his cool and leans back in his chair arrogantly. “Jack, I will beat you today.”
“It’s a practice today dude, but we’ll see.”
“I’ve beaten you before.”
Ooh, he did not just say that.
“That was your one and only time, I hope you enjoyed it.”
Everyone is just watching the play between them in silence. I look up behind me at Jack and he meets my eyes, they look like steel. He squeezes my shoulder. “You coming Danish?”
I feel like it’s a test on where my loyalties lie. I don't have to think twice about it. “Of course,” I smile at him, he nods down to my drink “You bringing that?” Why do I get the feeling that he saw Dom drink my drink?
“No, I'm good I have water in my bag.”
He smiles at me a real soft genuine smile. I think I passed the test. I'm part of the team of course I am -no way I wouldn't show my loyalty. That’s all this was, right? Me showing loyalty to the team?
We get up and follow Jack, I say my goodbyes to everyone.
Dom speaks “See you on the track, English, where I will win, who knows, the prize today may be your woman.” He did not just say that!
“You stay the fuck away from her!” Jack barges past me and ploughs into Dom, still sitting down, grabbing him by the collar. The other two, Rocco and Orzo, stand up immediately and in a flash, Denny is on Jack.
He says something to us. Something only those two can here and jack just stares at Dom for a moment, thei
r faces only inches apart. Dom still looks so composed, even with a smirk curling his lips in a way I do not like. He wanted to get this rise out of him, that’s the only reason he said what he said. What an arsehole. Suddenly Jack pushes away from Dom and straightens up “Let's go!”
He looks around at me, I nod immediately.
He steers me away, he has his hand in the small of my back, I like it. He just pretty much defended my honour - or something like that - and did I mention what he looks like in his leathers?
We get to the pit, Denny is watching us both. “Dom is always trying to get to you – why do you let him get under your skin?” he asks Jack.
“He's gonna eat shit on the track today – I'm gonna make sure of it.”
We stand around while Jack gets ready, he chats to Harry and Denny - he looks so serious - so determined and focused. It's hot. I’ve never seen this side of him before. Jesus, this isn't even a race, it’s a practice, so what will he be like on race day? Although after his exchange with Dom I have a feeling that it’s a little more than just a practice. Obviously, some rivalry going on there. I need to google him later and look on YouTube to see where they've raced together before.
Jack straddles his bike and puts the helmet on. I feel things I haven't felt in a long time watching him straddle his bike like that. I'm turned on. Men don't seem to affect me in the way that they used to, but he is definitely affecting me. Those thighs . . . you can see how thick they are in his leathers. I know why he’s so muscly, on the bends their bikes tilt almost ninety degrees, it's their thighs that control it and stop them from sliding and falling off. I imagine my hand running up and down his muscly thigh . . . I look up and the helmet is pointed my way, he’s watching me. I hope it's not written all over my face what I was just thinking. I have a feeling he can read me better than most.
Rider Forbidden: An Enemies to Lovers Romance (Badger's Mount Book 1) Page 6