Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Lara shoots me a quick smile. “I’ll be right back.”
I nod and watch them go, lapsing into a discussion with Lex and the other guys. I consider getting a drink, but before I can slip off, someone taps my arm. I turn to see two women—both stunning, both very aware of it—standing a little too close. One’s blond and tall, the other brunette with legs for days and a neckline that’s probably in violation of at least three dress codes.
“Reid Hemsworth, non?” the brunette says, her French accent lilting around the edges of each syllable. She smiles like she already knows I’ll say yes to whatever comes next.
“That’s me,” I answer, polite but edging toward guarded.
“We watched you in Melbourne,” the blond adds, her accent even thicker, flirtation fused in every word. She places a hand lightly on my forearm. “C’était incroyable. That last lap? You were unbelievable.”
“Thanks,” I say, offering a small smile as I glance toward the bar.
Lara and Posey are still chatting, but Lara’s eyes are on us now. While she stares at me without judgment or fault, her smile is dimmed. I know her well enough to see it—the shift. The flicker of discomfort as she stares at the brunette’s hand still lingering on my arm, all while keeping an ear on something Posey’s saying to her.
“Maybe you come have a drink with us?” One manicured thumb strokes my arm.
I shake my head and take half a step back, gently disengaging. “I appreciate the offer. Really. But I’m here with someone.”
Her pout is exaggerated—performative—but she gets the message and both women drift off without another word. Although not totally unexpected, Ronan moves off to intercept them.
I turn back to Lara and decide to address this with her. She’s getting a slap-in-your-face dose of high-profile sport celebrity in one of the wealthiest destinations in the world. I know this has to be tough on her, so I head her way.
My eyes stay pinned to her as I approach and she covers her expression well, even putting on a welcoming smile. But I know her. I see the subtle tightness around her mouth, the guarded look in her eyes.
“Hey,” I say, brushing my fingers lightly along her lower back. “You good?”
Posey nudges Lara with her shoulder. “I’m going back over to Lex. Join us later?”
Lara nods and I smile at Posey, thankful for the exit so I can have a moment with my girl. Once Posey melts into the crowd, my gaze returns to Lara and I ask again, “So… are you okay?”
“Yes, of course,” she says too quickly. Then, after a pause, she levels a sheepish smile and a disgruntled sigh. “Just… learning what comes with dating a ridiculously attractive race car driver.”
I huff out a laugh, relieved she’s seeing the humor in this. “You jealous?”
“Maybe a little,” she admits, nodding toward the two women who are now fully engaged with Ronan. “That one had claws.”
I turn to face her fully. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. I didn’t even learn their names.”
She tilts her head, studying me. “Is that normal? Women just walking up to you like that?”
I wince internally, hating to divulge this to her. “Unfortunately, yes.”
Her gaze cuts to Ronan. “Some would say fortunately.”
“Some… but not me.” I lean closer, lowering my voice. “I’m here with you. That’s the only part of tonight that matters.”
If I thought that would ease her discomfort, I’d be wrong. Her eyes look even more troubled. “But before me…”
“Lara,” I say, interrupting the thought before she starts obsessing. “I hope it doesn’t matter what I did before, just as I know you had a past with Lance and maybe others. We can’t visit that.”
I hadn’t meant to sound so chiding but for whatever reason, it works. Her eyes flare slightly and then she blushes. “Oh, wow… I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I actually went there.”
I laugh, pulling her into me with an arm around her back so I can press a quick kiss to her mouth. “Don’t worry about it. I know you’re curious. I know you want to understand things. I’m an open book, Lara. I’ve got nothing to hide from you, but I won’t pretend I was a monk either. If you want to know, I’ll tell you, but I think we should leave it alone.”
She nods effusively. “Yeah… right. Totally. I don’t want to know.”
I grin at her, and she levels one right back at me. The tension in her face is gone and I press a kiss to her temple just as fireworks explode over the harbor, coloring the night sky in silver and gold.
“We’ll figure this out… how we navigate our worlds,” I assure her. I put my arm around her waist and pull her into my side as we watch the show.
But as confident as I am that Lara and I are meant to be, my brother still hangs over us. I know we’ve got stuff to resolve and until we do, we can’t be free to do all this figuring out I’ve just promised her.