Exes

Chapter 1

Since Daniel has moved to Ferrari it seems the only person he sees more than Michael is MacKenzie Lane. He knows Kenzie is working for Carlos but the way they laugh and touch and talk with each other seems almost too familiar. He starts to wonder if maybe she's more than just Carlos' press officer. He's never really paid attention to the pair before, but for whatever reason, he's drawn to her when she's around. It's distracting and Daniel has told himself over and over again that he won't be distracted. He still has a championship to win.

During a break between races Daniel invites Carlos to Monaco during the same weekend Lando happens to be there looking for a place to rent. Carlos brings Kenzie and Daniel can't complain. Everyone stays at Daniel's place instead of a hotel and it's an odd grouping to say the least.

On the first night, the group goes to dinner at a nice restaurant in town. Kenzie is on Carlos' arm as they walk to the restaurant. Daniel feels a flood of jealousy when he sees Carlos put his arm around her waist and lean in to whisper something in her ear. She laughs at whatever he said and leans her body into his, resting against him like it's the most natural thing in the world. Daniel wishes he was the one making her laugh.

Carlos can't help but notice Daniel watching Kenzie. He's not being very subtle. He's noticed it in the paddock as well. He pulls Kenzie to him by her waist and whispers in her ear, "Daniel can't stop looking at you."

Kenzie laughs and leans into Carlos. "Yeah, sure." She wants to believe that, but doesn't.

The next day Kenzie wants to go to the beach, so they do. The only one complaining is Lando. Daniel has a hunch it's because he's young and doesn't see the benefit of going to the beach with a beautiful woman. Plus he's supposed to be looking for a rental even if he doesn't have an appointment until later.

"Mac. We can go to the beach anywhere. We're in Monaco! We should be doing more fun things!" Lando whines as they walk.

"Yes, but usually when we are here, it's the race weekend and it's too crowded to go anywhere at all. No one is forcing you to come along." She turns and loops her arm through his. "Just give me a few hours of the beach, huh?" She pinches his cheek like she would a small child and he pushes her away.

"She has a point, Lando." Carlos chimes in and of course he is on Kenzie's side. Daniel needs to get his jealousy under control.

They arrive and put down their blankets. Kenzie immediately goes down to the water and when Carlos and Lando sit down, Daniel sees his opportunity to spend time with her alone.

"So, is it everything you imagined?" He asks her smiling.

"Mhm. It's perfect. I haven't met a beach I don't like yet. It's why I worked for the surf team for so long. I couldn't leave the beach. It really was like an endless summer." She turns to look at Daniel. "Wanna go in?"

Daniel nods and they swim together for a while, talking and just enjoying the company. Daniel eventually bites the bullet and asks what he's been wondering for months.

"You and Carlos are really close. I don't remember you like that at Torro Rosso." He tries to sound casual and not obvious to what he's actually asking.

"We weren't. He was intimidating actually. He's so intense and attractive, it was a lot for me. But when I left, I did some stuff for Red Bull rallying and his dad is sponsored by them, so we started keeping in touch. Once we talked more and spent some time together, I found out he's least intimidating of all. He's one of my best friends." She smiles and turns to float on her back.

Daniel stays quiet. He would reply, but he's not sure what to say. She didn't say if they were together or not. The pair get out of the water soon after and return to their blankets. Carlos and Lando have figured out how to put up the umbrella's and while they're very crooked, it is providing some shade.

Carlos rubs sunblock on Kenzie's back after she has dried a bit from the sun. Daniel can't help but think Carlos is lucky to be able to touch her like that. She relaxes under Carlos' touch. Daniel watches her. She's pretty in a natural way and her body has amazingly feminine curves. Like the little, black bikini she has on right now. He notices she has a tattoo just under the string of her top in addition to the one on the outside of her wrist. He likes the dark ink on her body. He takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, and relaxes.

Kenzie looks over at Daniel as Carlos rubs sunblock on her back. He's facing her but he looks asleep behind his dark sunglasses. Anyone who says he doesn't look handsome is lying. He just is. She lets her eyes wander over him. She takes in his muscles and tanned body. She looks at each tattoo. She has a strong urge to trace them with her fingers – especially the ones on his thigh.

The next few days are spent doing the 'fun' things Lando mentioned and following a realtor around town. On the last night they are all sat in the living room watching tv. Lando is in the arm chair curled up. Carlos is at one end of the couch and Daniel is at the other. Kenzie has taken the space between the two men to lay down. She has her head on Carlos' lap and her feet are pushed into Daniel's thigh. He doesn't mind. He puts his hand on her calf, rubs a little and she giggles.

"Sorry." He says. "I'll stop." He pats her calf and removes his hand.

"NO!" She replies too loud and too quickly. Lando and Carlos laugh.

"Kenz loves having her legs rubbed." Carlos says.

Daniel thinks it's so annoying that Carlos just knows that about her.

"Well then, I'll make it my job tonight. Official leg rubber." Daniel winks at her and starts rubbing her legs again. He feels more at ease around her after spending the last five days together. He feels brave, or foolish depending where you're looking from. He lets his hand rub from his ankle all the way up to the bend of her knee then back down. "Good?"

Kenzie hums and nods, smiling at him. Meanwhile, Carlos is rubbing her scalp and she's in heaven.

Lando makes an annoyed sound. "All you're doing is spoiling her more. She'll be impossible if you two don't stop." He laughs though he's happy to see her relax. He thinks she's always so tense.

Daniel is sure to get Kenzie's number before she leaves the next day and he's also sure to text her later that night. They continue texting randomly during the next few weeks and when they're in Austin, he asks her if she would like to spend a night out with him and some friends. He's psyched when she agrees. He ignores the fact that she is his teammates assistant and best friend. He'll deal with it later.

They meet outside Kenzie's room and walk down to the main street with bars and restaurants. No one pays attention to Daniel here and they're able to walk into a small bar where a man is on stage playing his guitar and singing.

Kenzie struggles to get up on the high bar stool and Daniel puts his hands on her waist to help her up. He doesn't move his hands and instead uses them to spin her a little to face him better.

"All good?" He asks with his killer smile.

"Yeah." She looks around. "I love live music."

Daniel does too and he loves it even more in the company of a beautiful girl. They order food and talk amongst themselves. Kenzie thinks it's funny that Daniel would go out on the town like this during the race week, but he looks so relaxed in this atmosphere that she almost understands.

Daniel enjoys his time with Kenzie and he walks her back to the hotel when they're through. It's awkward, like in the movies and he decides to just hug her. He can get away with that, he's a huggable guy. Before she pulls away, he kisses her cheek and doesn't miss the blush it causes.

"I'll see you later, yeah?" He says and smiles when she nods.

That week, he qualifies better than Carlos.