The Fire Inside (Sebastian Vettel)

11. Mixed Signals

The next time Emily saw Seb was on Media day in Imola. She was sat on the pitwall talking to Joe, Seb's engineer, when she heard his voice close behind her.

"Good morning Joe, Emily. How are you both"? She didn't bother turning around. She was mad at him still. He hadn't even bothered to contact her once since their date. She'd sent him a text the day after thanking him for a lovely evening and saying she'd really enjoyed spending time with him. He hadn't even replied.

"Good here thanks Seb, how are you?" Joe answered.

"Yeah I'm OK. Knackered, had the kids for the last week. They've run me ragged. You ok Emily?"

"Yes," she answered, not trusting herself to say anything else. She kept her back turned to him and carried on testing all the equipment. If he was expecting anything else he had another think coming.

"Good, well I've got to go for my seat fit. I'll catch you later guys." Emily sensed he was waiting for her to say goodbye but she just ignored him. Then he turned and left.

"What's he done?" Joe asked her.

"What makes you think he's done anything?"she told him. "The world doesn't revolve around Sebastian Vettel you know."

"Emily, I've known you for a few years now and you are one of the friendliest people on the team. You have never ignored anyone like that."

"Was it that obvious?" Joe nodded.

"Yeah, kinda. Have I got to sort him out buttercup?" Emily laughed at the nickname. Joe had named her that on her very first day with the team and it had stuck.

"Joe, it's OK. It's fine. I'm just tired and grumpy."

"If you say so Buttercup," he said, obviously not convinced. The rest of the day passed without seeing him again, thankfully.

Soon it was time to head back to the hotel. An early night was needed.

Fortunately, she'd been paired with someone else this week instead of Francesca. She was sharing with a young girl who worked in hospitality, called Demi.

Heading back through the paddock she heard her name being called. She turned around and saw Joel jogging to catch up with her.

"Hang on Ems. You got a rocket up your arse?" She laughed.

"You heading back?"

"Yeah, just waiting on Harry. He's busy trying to chat Kara up again." Emily quickly looked down as she felt something brush against her leg.

"Aww hello Formulino." She bent down and began fussing over the famous Imola cat. He seemed to enjoy all the fuss. "What a beautiful boy you are."

"What a lucky cat he is. If I get down on all fours can you stroke me?" said a voice. Emily turned to see Fernando Alonso grinning at her. She scowled at him.

"Errr, let me think about it. No." He laughed.

"Sure I can't change your mind babe?"

"Fuck off Alonso and leave her alone," said Joel.

"Who are you to tell me what to do?" the Spaniard said. "I was talking to her not you. "

"Back off Fernando," came a familiar German accent. Seb appeared from behind Emily.

"I don't need you to fight my battles Mr Vettel. Both of you just fuck off," Emily said, turning on her heel and storming off. Seb followed her.

"Hey Emily, wait up!" he called after her. He grabbed hold of her arm.

"Don't touch me," she spat. He let go.

"So I'm Mr Vettel now am I? I thought after the other night I was more than that." Emily looked at him, the anger evident on her face.

"The other night? You've got a nerve! You went all cold on me, can't even be bothered to answer my text the day after. Then you get all macho when Alonso starts flirting with me. Well, you can sod off."

She set off walking again. Seb kept up with her, once again taking her arm. This time he pulled her into the gap between Red Bull and Mercedes motorhomes.

"Emily, please. Listen to me. I'm sorry ok. I was an arse I know. I don't even know how I can explain when I don't even really know myself. I really like you Emily. It's just....I can't give you what you deserve. I'm still scarred from the past. I can't get into a relationship Emily. I want you in my bed. I'll be honest about that, but that's all I can offer you."

"Hasn't it ever occurred to you that that's all I want? When have I ever said I want a relationship? Now, I don't even know if I want anything. I can't be doing with the drama and indecision Seb. I'll make it easy for you. It's not happening."

She tried to leave but Seb blocked her way. He pushed her up against the Red Bull motorhome and crushed her mouth beneath his. She tried to resist but it was pointless. She gave in and kissed him back, furiously. He pinned her wrists to the wall on either side of her head, pushing his body up against hers. He slipped his tongue into her mouth. She pulled away, gasping from breath.

"Seb, we can't. Not here."

"Yes, here," he growled, taking her mouth again. She pulled away again.

"Someone might see. Do you want us to be the talk of the paddock?"

Finally Seb began to see sense. He let go of her and took a step back.

"Emily, I'm messed up. All I know is I want you so badly."

"Seb, I really don't know what to think. You say you can't give me what I deserve but then you kiss me like that. I'm fed up of these mixed signals. You're confusing the hell out of me. And again you still haven't asked me what I want! Look, I have to go. Joel will be waiting for me. When you know what you want you know where to find me."

She disappeared around the corner leaving Seb alone. He leant back against the wall. He wanted her, he knew that. But he wasn't ready to risk his heart. Emily wasn't the kind of girl for a casual fling. Emily was the type of girl you cherished and devoted yourself to.

She was right about him giving her mixed signals. He had to stop that. And what exactly did she want? He needed to know. Maybe all she wanted was a fling. He could live with that even though he thought she deserved more. But a relationship? That was definitely not going to happen.