Oh god, please don’t let this be the only time.
Moving slowly so as not to wake him, I roll out of bed and tiptoe to the bathroom to wash up. Our clothes are lying everywhere, having been flung off unceremoniously. I pluck up Enzo’s white dress shirt and slip into the garment, absolutely swimming in it. Just wearing his shirt makes me feel all cozy and protected, as if he was still embracing my sleeping form.
I pad toward the washroom, and let out a little gasp as my foot slips on something sleek and shiny. Glancing down, I see that I’ve accidentally stepped on Enzo’s cell. Scooping up the device, I check to make sure that I haven’t cracked the screen. Examining the phone, I’m relieved to see that it’s in one piece. But my fateful stomp jostled the cell out of sleep mode, it would seem. Before I can look away, a new text message pops up on the welcome screen.
Thank you again for coming all the way out here this week. I’m so glad you’re as committed to this as I am. I knew you’d be an amazing partner, but I have to say, you’ve outdone yourself this time. I’ll never forget this, Enzo.
My stomach lurches as I stare down at the message. I haven’t bothered Enzo for details about where he spent this last week. I just assumed he was off being outdoorsy and blowing off some steam. But the text I’ve stumbled onto tells a very different story. There’s no name attached to the number, and my imagination immediately runs amok. What exactly is Enzo committed to? To whom has he proven himself an amazing partner?
I know I have no right to be jealous. It’s not like we asked after each others’ relationship statuses before hopping into bed. But after having felt so connected to Enzo, intercepting this text is a real punch in the gut.
Don’t jump to conclusions, I tell myself, setting the phone back on the floor. And mind your own business, while you’re at it.
I turn on the shower until it’s piping hot and step under the scalding stream. Images from last night come swimming back into my mind’s eye as I wake up, little by little. I’m so absorbed in my own dirty reminiscences that I don’t even hear the bathroom door open. It isn’t until I feel a cool draft nipping at my bare skin that I turn around and see Enzo easing into the shower beside me, stark naked.
“Morning, Ace,” he smiles. “Mind if I join you?”
It only takes me a second to notice that Enzo’s hard and ready to go at it again. At once, any lingering concerns about the text I saw on his phone evaporate. Why waste our fleeting time together worrying about something as insignificant as a text? I let my troubles wash down the drain as Enzo steps toward me, sweeping me into his arms. Though I have every intention of scrubbing myself clean, we might as well get a little dirtier first.
By the time we step back out of the shower, we’re satisfied, wide-awake, and more than a little waterlogged. We get dressed in happy silence, stealing glances at each other as we prepare for the day. When we’ve gathered our things and put the room back together, it’s time to return to real life. Though, these days even my real life is feeling more and more like a dream.
“I guess I should walk out ahead of you?” I suggest.
Enzo raises an eyebrow at me. “What is this, a spy novel? I don’t think that’s necessary.”
“You never know,” I shrug, “What if someone’s tipped off the tabloids?”
“Ace,” Enzo laughs, “You’re totally paranoid. No one has any idea we’re here. Besides, I don’t want to rush off just yet. Let’s grab some breakfast, at least. There’s a great little cafe around the corner. Do you like espresso?”
“Love it,” I allow.
“Then come on. Live a little,” he says, taking my hand.
“Whatever you say, Prof,” I smile, lacing my fingers through his.
Hand-in-hand, we make our way down to the lobby to check out. As Enzo settles the bill with the concierge, I glance around at the sunlit space. It looks to be a gorgeous day outside. It’s like Rome knew we were coming.
“I’ll wait for you outside,” I tell Enzo, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.
“But aren’t you afraid someone will see you?” he replies, playfully mocking my worries.
“Ha, ha,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Such a joker, this one.”
Wandering away from him across the lobby, I walk out through the gilded doors of the hotel. I step out into the piazza, soaking up the feeling of this new city. I’ve barely seen any of the world, save my hometown of New York. I can’t wait to take in the sights with Enzo.
I feel his hand settle on my shoulder and spin around to tell him how excited I am about today, and last night, and this whole crazy adventure. But where I expect to find Enzo’s dark eyes staring at me with all their warmth, I find a pair of cool gray eyes instead. Taking a startled step backward, I suck in a quick breath when I see a familiar figure standing there—just not the one I was expecting.
“Nils?” I exclaim, my heart jackhammering in my chest.
“Hey, Ainsley,” he replies excitedly, clearly happier to see me than I am to see him. “I thought that was you.”
“What, uh, how—?” I sputter, “What’re you doing here?”
“Me and some of my pit crew buddies decided to stick around after the party,” he says, nodding to a couple of guys a few yards away. I look over and see two other guys looking down at their phones—a redheaded man and a platinum blonde with spiked hair right out of 2003. “Rome is a great city, yeah?”
“Yeah,” I say, smiling weakly. I need to wrap up this little chat before my cover is blown. “Well, it was good to run into you, Nils. I’m sure I’ll see you—”
“Hey, congratulations, by the way!” he goes on eagerly. “Last time we spoke, you mentioned that you were working for Team Ferrelli, but I didn’t know you meant as a driver! That must have been quite the challenge, keeping that secret.”
I’m getting a lot of practice at keeping secrets, I think to myself.
“It’s very exciting,” I allow with a cordial smile. Nils is a sweet guy and all, but time is running out, here. “An excellent opportunity.”
“You don’t have to use corporate talk with me,” Nils smiles. “It’s fucking awesome, is what it is. Listen, I know you’re probably way busy being F1’s newest star, but would you like to do something here in Rome this weekend? I’ll be here for a few more days, and I’d love to get to know you a little better.”
Good lord. Is Nils asking me out...with Enzo just a few feet away? When it rains it pours, I’ll tell you.
“Oh...You know what, Nils? I think Ferrelli’s got me all booked up for the next few days,” I say vaguely.
“Over the weekend?” Nils asks, “I’m sure they’d grant you a few hours to kick around the city. We could do some hokey tourist thing, get some gelato—”
“That sounds great, but I’m spoken for,” I insist hurriedly.
Nils is about to reply when his gray eyes flick upwards, going wide as dinner plates. I follow his gaze over my shoulder to find Enzo striding out into the piazza toward us. Nils looks between Enzo and me, comprehension dawning on his fair features.
“Spoken for, huh?” he says to me, his tone unreadable.
“All squared up, Ace,” Enzo says, walking over to me. He looks at Nils, raising an eyebrow. “Who the hell are you?”
“Enzo, this is Nils. Nils is...a friend,” I say, my face glowing red.
“We’ve met before, actually,” Nils says coolly. “I’m Sven Landers’ younger brother.”
Enzo’s expression softens at once. “Oh, of course. Sorry, man. I thought you were over here trying to pick up my teammate. Do you see much of Sven these days?”
“Of course. He is my brother after all. He’s doing better and better,” Nils replies, ignoring the bit about picking me up. “In good spirits, overall. Though of course he misses the sport. Every time I see him now, he spends hours picking my brain about everything that’s going on. I’m still on the Team Hendricks pit crew, you see. He was very intrigued by the new addition to Team Ferrelli. But then, it seems
everyone is interested in Ace these days.”
I lift my chin defiantly at his insinuation. Nils isn’t working very hard to disguise his displeasure in seeing Enzo and I here together. Not that it’s any of his business—we barely even know each other—but I still feel like I have to cover.
“Enzo and I had a press event that ran pretty late last night,” I improvise, “We decided to crash here, rather than risk driving home tipsy.”
A glimmer of uncertainty rises in Nils’ eyes. I can tell that he wants to believe me. “That was probably a good idea,” he allows, “I’d imagine you play it pretty safe with drunk driving, given your family’s tragedy.”
I feel Enzo’s eyes snap my way. He doesn’t know anything about my parents’ death. I feel like a terrible person, bringing them into my phony alibi. But if Nils walked away from here knowing the truth, it could disastrous.
“That’s right,” I nod, “Always better to be safe than sorry. Anyway, your friends look pretty anxious to keep sight seeing, and Enzo and I are heading back home in a hurry.”
“Are you two...living together?” he asks, baffled.
Enzo lets out a bark of laughter. “Don’t look so scandalized, Landers. Ace is staying in our guest house while we train for the season.”
“Oh. Right,” Nils frowns, glancing at me. “Well...See you two around then, I guess.”
“Give my best to your brother,” Enzo says, clapping Nils on the shoulder.
“See you,” I offer, searching his light eyes for understanding.
“Yeah,” he says gruffly. “Maybe we can take a rain check on the gelato, huh?”
“Maybe,” I offer, feeling Enzo’s spine stiffen from a foot away.
Tension is thick in the air as we all part ways—Nils back to his buddies, Enzo and I around the corner to retrieve our cars. Enzo keeps his hands to himself as we walk away, and I feel myself holding my breath until we’re safely out of sight. But before I can say a word, Enzo’s fingers close around my wrist. Instead of walking around to the valet station at the back of the hotel, he turns off the piazza and leads me into a narrow alley, hardly more than a crack in the wall. There’s barely enough room for the two of us to walk together, but he pulls me further into the passageway. Is this a shortcut? I wonder, as shadows swallow us up despite the bright morning sun overhead.
“I’m so sorry about that,” I say to Enzo’s raised shoulders. “I had no idea—”
But my words cut off as Enzo stops short and spins around to face me, pushing me hard against the brick wall of the alley. His lips find mine at once, his tongue sweeping forcefully into my mouth. I scramble to wrap my arms around his shoulders, steadying myself against the intensity of his embrace. He’s ferocious, fearless, as he grabs my wrists and pins them up over my head, opening my body to his.
With his spare hand, he pops open the button of my corduroys and slips his hand between my legs. I stare up at him in amazement as he parts my pink lips with two expert fingers, stroking against my most tender, intimate flesh. His thumb finds my clit at once, and he zeroes in on that bundle of raw nerves as his strong fingers thrust deeply into my body. I moan into his ravenous mouth as he rubs and kneads my clit, working me into a state of amazed passion.
My knees begin to tremble as shockwaves of pleasure roll through me, emanating from that throbbing, pulsing place between my legs. I don’t think I can remain standing much longer as the bliss builds inside of me. Enzo releases my arms, catching me around the waist. He opens my mouth to his with his powerful jaw, his tongue and fingers inside of me all at once. I dig my fingers into his back as he slides his two fingers back to my clit, rolling them over that hard, aching nub. With one masterful, powerful stroke, I’m a goner.
I come right there, my back pressed hard against the wall of the alley, my legs turning to water beneath me. Enzo holds me up with no effort at all, burying his face in my neck as his fingers continue to work me over until my crashing orgasm has passed. I let my head fall back against the bricks, panting like mad. Enzo pulls back to look me in the eye, a devilish grin spread wide across his face.
“Couldn’t resist,” he says, brushing the strawberry blonde hair off my forehead.
“Christ Enzo,” I breathe, smiling, “You gotta warn a girl if she needs to pack two extra pairs of panties before meeting you.”
“Take them off,” he commands.
“W-what?” I stammer.
“No one can see us here,” he says, planting his hands over my shoulders on the wall. “Take off your panties and give them to me.”
I stare at him, my stomach fluttering with the illicit thrill of all this. He’s totally serious. Well, two can play at that game. Keeping my eyes locked firmly on his, I step out of my loafers. I slip my thumbs into the waist of my pants and lower them, slowly. Enzo’s eyes are boiling over with lust as I stand before him in just my panties. Trying to keep my cool despite my furious blush, I glance around to make sure we’re alone. And then, in one quick gesture, I tug down my wet panties, bunch them up in my fist, and quickly redress, albeit commando-style.
“Here you go, Professor,” I grin breathlessly, slipping my panties into the pocket of my jeans. “I know an apple would be a more customary gift for a teacher, but for you...”
“You’re fucking incredible, Ace,” he growls, running a hand through my hair.
I watch in silent wonder as he raises my panties toward his face, letting the fabric brush against his lips. His eyes close as breathes in deeply, relishing the scent of my desire. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything sexier in life. And I’m saying that even after last night.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep these safe,” he grins, slipping the panties back into his pocket. “Think you can drive after that, kid?”
“I can sure try...” I say, shaking my head.
“It’ll be good practice,” Enzo says, leading me back toward the sunlit piazza. “For the season, I mean. You’ll have to be driving all the time then. And I’ll certainly be fucking you dirty as often as humanly possible the whole while.”
I stop short in the alley, arrested by longing and something a little less sweet, too. “Enzo...do you mean that this is going to be more than a one-night thing?” I ask, willing my voice to stay even.
He turns around to face me, looking sincerely shocked. Even a bit hurt. “Of course it is,” he says, grabbing hold of my hips. “I mean, I want it to be. Isn’t that what you want?”
“Sure it is,” I say, laying my hands on his chest. I bite my lip, remembering the women he was entertaining by the pool the first day I got here. All the “leggy model types” he’s dated in the past. And especially the smitten text I saw on his phone this morning. “I just...I figure you must have other, um, friends out there who’ll miss your attention. Which is fine, of course, we never discussed any—”
“Ainsley,” he says, his voice clear and earnest. “I know I have a reputation. I know what it must look like, from where you’re standing. It’s true, I’ve been with a lot of women. Tons of women. But I don’t want you to think you’re just another face in that crowd. What you’ll come to know about me, Ace, is that I’m a man of my word. And I give you my word that my feelings for you...Well. They’re bigger than a one-night-stand. I want so many more nights with you. And days. And as much time as you’ll give me. What do you think?”
“I think...” I reply, moved by his fervid promise, “That sounds like just the ticket.”
Happiness, real happiness, blooms in his eyes as he draws me to him, giving me a hard, close-lipped kiss. A kiss that feels sacred, even chaste, after the night we’ve had. Without another word, he takes my hand, and draws me back into the piazza. The sunlight breaks across my face, and it truly feels as though a new life is opening itself to me. To us.
We’re an us.
Chapter Thirteen
Enzo agrees to take the scenic route while I head straight back to the Lazio villa. I’m probably just being paranoid, insisting that we arrive home separat
ely. But if there’s anything I’m sure of after my wild night with Team Ferrelli’s crown prince, it’s that I don’t want this to get messed up. We have to tread carefully, here.
I roll up to the sprawling villa, check to see that my lipstick isn’t smudged all over my face, and head into the main house to say hello. I’m feeling unaccountably jittery, as if Siena and the gang will know exactly what I’ve been up to the second I step inside.
You’re being crazy, I assure myself, slipping in through the terrace door. What are they going to do, smell the awesome sex on you?
“Ace!” I hear Siena cry the moment I sidle through the door. “There you are, finally. We need to talk.”
My heart plows into my ribcage as Siena takes me by the elbow and leads me to the kitchen table, pushing me down onto the bench beside her. Her gaze is excited and a little frantic, her fine olive skin flushed. She totally knows about me and Enzo. She found out somehow and she’s about to fire me from Team Ferrelli. Oh god. This can’t be happening...
“Siena,” I manage to say, taking her hands in mine. “Listen, before you say anything, I just want you to know how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“Great, great,” Siena says, waving my earnest thanks aside. “Look, something’s come to my attention that we really need to discuss. I should probably wait until Enzo gets here, but I can’t help myself.”
“What’s, uh, going on?” I ask with bated breath. Here it comes...
“I’ve just received a very interesting tip,” she says, holding my hands on the table. “I think you’re going to be pretty intrigued by it.”
“Yeah?” I say, swallowed hard.
“Yeah,” she nods. “I know we’d decided that you would spend the off-season focused solely on training and start attending events when the next world championship kicks off. But it turns out, there’s a special, stand-alone F1 race happening back in the states this coming weekend. And I’ve managed to get Team Ferrelli in on it. You and Enzo will go together. And get this—the race is happening right outside of New York City. Your home turf!”
Faster Dirtier (Take Me...#5) (A Team Ferrelli Novel) Page 12