Life in the Fastlane (Sebastian Vettel)

3. New Year (2)

"Mollie!" Seb called, as he followed her up towards the house. "Wait, please!"

Mollie stopped and turned to look at him.

"Mols, of course I want you. If this is the only way we can be together then I'm in. I love you, and if this how you want it, then let's do it."

"It's not how I want it, it's just easier this way. For both of our careers."

He took a step closer to her, until they were nearly touching. They stared into each other's eyes, their breath showing in the cold air.

"As long as I get to do this, I can live with it," Seb said, as he claimed her mouth in a kiss. Mollie kissed him back, their tongues duelling for control. Finally, they broke apart, both of them wanting more. "Shall we get out of here?" Seb asked. Mollie nodded.

"My place is closer than yours. Follow me there. Let's just skip out. There will be questions if we say goodnight."

"They'll guess anyway if we both disappear," Seb replied.

"I've just got to grab my bag."

They headed inside and Seb went straight to the front door, slipping out unnoticed.  He went straight to his car and got in.  A few minutes later he saw Mollie come out of the front door and head straight to her BMW.  He flashed his lights at her so she knew where he was. 

He pulled off, following her. When they reached her apartment she signalled to Seb to follow her into the underground carpark. They parked up next to each other. When they got out of the car Seb took her hand as they headed towards the lift on the far side of the car park. He squeezed it gently.

"We can have our own party now," he said, cheekily, grinning from ear to ear.

Once inside the lift Mollie wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest.

"Hey, are you tired?" he asked.

"A little," she replied. "My head's hurting a bit too."

Seb looked at his watch.

"Thirty five minutes until midnight. Nearly time to ring in the New Year."

"And then my contract officially starts.  I'll be an official Formula 1 driver."

"And I'll officially be sleeping with the enemy."  Mollie snorted with laughter. 

The lift doors opened and they exited and headed to Mollie's apartment at the far end of the corridor. 

She got her keys out of her bag and opened the door.  Once inside she headed to the kitchen and got a packet of painkillers out of the cupboard.  She ran some water into a glass and used it to take the tablets. 

"So, do you want a drink?  I don't have any alcohol, for obvious reasons. I've got tea, hot chocolate, blackcurrant squash, fresh orange juice or 7up?"

He slid his arms around her waist from behind and started pressing featherlight kisses to her neck.

"What are you having?" he murmured.

"Going to have a hot chocolate I think."

"Sounds perfect."

Mollie reached a hand out and switched the kettle on. Seb's hand snuck into her jeans and began lightly stroking the outside of her underpants.

"Seb," she gasped. " I need to get the mugs out of the cupboard."

He withdrew his hand, winking at her. She got the mugs out of the cupboard and spooned some hot chocolate powder into each one.

After she'd finished making them they picked one up each and headed through to the lounge where Mollie switched the television on. 

Neither of them paid the slightest bit of attention to the old rock band playing away on the New Year show BBC1 was showing. 

Mollie stared at him , feelings of love filling her.  She knew the coming year, or maybe even years, were going to be difficult but she wasn't willing to give either him or her career up.  They were both too important to her. 

Seb stared at her feeling like the luckiest man on the earth.  Sure, they were going to be tested left, right and centre once the season kicked off but he had faith that their love for each other was strong enough to survive whatever fate threw at them. 

"Seb, I'm sorry," Mollie began.

"Hey, there's nothing to be sorry for. We'll make it work."

"Not that.  I'm sorry I never told you about my drive.  I was sworn to secrecy by Thorne, and also I was scared that it would come between us.  I should have trusted in you.  Maybe then we wouldn't have wasted time apart."

"I won't pretend that didn't hurt Mols.  It did.  But I do understand.  It's a big thing being offered a seat. Especially for a woman. You fully deserve it by the way."

"Thanks.  I'm terrified if I'm honest with you.  What if people don't think I do deserve it?   What if the other drivers don't like sharing the grid with a woman?  I mean you're ok, Scott and Luca are ok but I'm not sure about the others."

"I know Lewis will be fine.  He's often said to me how talented you are."

"Really?"

"Yes.  Now stop fretting and come here.  There's only fifteen minutes until midnight."

He took her in his arms and held her close, burying his nose in her hair and inhaling the scent of her shampoo. 

"How is this going to work?" she finally asked after several minutes of silence. 

"We're not going to worry about it right now meine liebling.  We'll take it one day at a time."

Mollie sat up and took a sip out of her hot chocolate,  and turned the volume up slightly on the television. 

Seb slipped a hand inside the back of her jumper and ran his hand over her back, making her moan. She relaxed back into his arms. 

They lay kissing softly when they heard the countdown begin on the television and then the unmistakable chimes of Big Ben ringing in the New Year. 

"Happy New Year Seb," she said, smiling at him.

"Happy New Year to you too liebling," he murmured, as he claimed her mouth again.  He had a feeling that 2024 was going to be an eventful year and he was looking forward to what it had in store for them. 

The fireworks exploded outside but Seb and Mollie didn't even hear them as they lost themselves in each other.