It's never as it seems [Lando Norris]

Chapter 9

The weather has been blessing the group of friends the last few days, not too hot and not too windy. They spent a lot of their days outside, going on hikes, golfing or just lounging around in the garden that's at the back of the house. Emilia has been feeling at home here, she fits into the group, and she enjoys hanging around with everyone. Lando had been around her every day so far, stealing kisses when the others weren't looking and holding her hand under the table or resting his hand on her thigh while they were eating. She enjoyed the little signs of affection, a blush creeping up on her every time it happened. She was wondering when he would want to tell his friends, especially since they had been here for a full week now and they would be here for another one.

Strokes of the sun make her lashes flutter, and Emilia groans before pressing her face into the pillow. The soft knocks on her bedroom door make her sit up a little, and she calls to the person on the other side that they can come in. She blinks a few times when she realises it's Lando, a shy smile playing on his lips before he walks further into the room to take a seat on her side of the bed. "Good morning pretty" he says, his hand stroking her cheek while he looks at her with a smile. "Hey handsome" she replies, a chuckle leaving his lips before he looks around the room. "Do you want to join us today? We were thinking of renting a boat and just going onto the water. Everyone else is down, and I hope you're too" he says, intertwining their fingers on top of the covers while he looks at her with a hopeful gaze. "Of course I'll join! I'll be ready and downstairs in a minute" Emilia answers.

After showering quickly she puts her hair in a bun, dressing herself in a dark green bikini before throwing a flowy dress over it. She grabs her sunglasses, dribbling down the stairs where she's greeted by everyone at the kitchen table. "Good morning sunshine" Max says, patting the chair next to him to indicate that she can sit down next to him. "Morning everyone! I heard we're going to rent a boat?" Emilia asks, smiling when Oliver excitedly tells her which one before showing a picture of it. "That looks awesome. Do you think they have equipment to go snorkelling?" she asks, clapping her hands excitedly when Oliver nods. "Yes! I'm calling dibs on that in case there's not a lot" she says, smiling brightly at Max who looks just as excited.

The boat is just as beautiful as on the pictures, and it sails calmly through the water while everyone is settling down and looking around. Emilia is hanging over the railing, looking at the passing waves while the wind blows through her hair softly. "Are you enjoying yourself love?" she hears Lando ask, and she turns around with a big smile while nodding. "I am, you know that I love being outside and this is exactly what I've been looking forward to. I can't wait until we can get into the water!" she answers excitedly, blushing when Lando wraps one arm around her to press her closer to his chest. He leans down towards her, his breath tickling the skin of her neck before he whispers, "I can't wait to see you in the bikini you're wearing underneath."

When they reach a nice spot they stop the boat, having a small lunch together before everyone goes to do their own things. Emilia immediately goes to look for the snorkelling equipment, grinning at Max when she sees that he joined her. "Are you ready to see the great underwater world mate" she asks him, chuckling when he rolls his eyes at her. "You're so weird, but yes. Is your boyfriend joining as well?" he asks, wiggling his eyebrows at her while he talks. "He's not my boyfriend" Emilia answers, a sad expression on her face before she recovers and smiles at Max. "Don't worry Emmie, let's get in the water" Max answers, stroking her hair before the two of them walk to the deck with the ladder that will help them down towards the water.

A blush forms on Emilia's cheeks when she sees Lando staring at her intently after she took her dress off. He's nibbling his lower lip while he drags his eyes over her body, his eyes widening slightly when he catches her eyes before he winks at her. She looks behind her when she hears Max calling for her, a giggle leaving her lips when he jumps into the water with a weird pose before he waves at her. "Come in! It's really nice! Jump Emmie!" he exclaims, his laughter the last thing she hears when she jumps into the cold water. "Fuck, Max! It's cold as hell" she sputters when she comes up for air, a big smile adorning her face while she tries to catch her friend who's swimming away from her. "Don't act like you didn't have to cool down" he chuckles, a yelp leaving his lips when she catches one of his legs. They play around in the water for a while before they put the snorkelling goggles on, swimming around together while observing the fish that swim underneath them.