Gasoline ~ Daniel Ricciardo

08| Portimao

Sunshine burned my skin the minute I stepped out of the car Ricciardo had driven us to the track in. Though it was still early morning, I could feel the sweat prickling my armpits as I strolled through the parking lot in my shorts and swimsuit, hiding my face with a Red Bull racing cap and my sunglasses. I smelled of suncream and anticipation, wanting nothing more than to dive straight into the track and tackle qualifying today.

Realistically, we had FP3 left to complete. Having completed both of the first practice sessions in the top five, I was aiming to finish this one in the top three, maybe even in first. We had a good car, that much I was certain. But I know Mercedes are an elite team, and that their strategy would prove to be extremely competitive in these circumstances.

"Ryan!" The journalists shouted over as they sought out my attention for a photograph, and that's when I decided to make a B-Line straight for the pits. There was nothing more I wanted than to hide in the safety of my car, waiting for the green light before running wild on the new circuit and claiming it as my own. There was absolutely nothing I wanted more than for that to happen.

Yet Daniel Ricciardo had other ideas.

He shoved me towards the nearest group of journalists, enjoying the look of dismay on my face as each of them flung a camera into my face and took a shot they'd hope to get a raise for. I loathed him, and I hated getting my picture taken.

"Ryan! What's happening between you and Ricciardo?" The nearest journalist asked, shoving his audio recorder towards my face. In different circumstances, I would consider him attractive. Greying hair, dark beard kept close to his face, square jaw and beautiful blue eyes that looked like water I just wanted to launch myself into, yet I found myself blinking at the man before me. The question he asked was bordering on heresy and it was, quite frankly, insane.

I laughed, pulled my sunglasses of and kept them in my palm, "There was a mix up at the car rental place that's meant we have to share the same car," I told the half truth. I didn't find it necessary to mention the hotel room at all.

"And what about your sleeping arrangements?" He asked smiling these perfect, punchable white teeth at me. God, this asshole was about to drive me insane.

I smiled venomously, "Well," I bent down and read the name on the lanyard around his neck, "Richard, we're adults and we're just sharing a hotel suite, nothing more than that."

"Are you sure? Because everyone knows Ricciardo's a bit of a playboy... and, well, with your history-," Before I could react and punch him in the perfectly shaped nose, Ricciardo swooped in and accidentally knocked the audio recorder from the man's hand. Letting it drop to the ground before he crunched the plastic and metal under his boots.

Ricciardo laughed nervously, "Shit sorry mate, send my agent the invoice and I'll get you an exclusive interview with Miss Bradford to make up for it," he looked down at me and winked this annoying ass wink that caused anger to bubble in my throat. I wanted nothing more than to stand on his toes right now.

"Yeah, I'll get back to you on that one, Richard, mate," I politely procrastinated and allowed Ricciardo to sling his arm around my neck. He lead me towards the Red Bull Garage and turned so that he was looking down at me.

His eyes twinkled in the formidable heat of Portugal, a light sheen of sweat blessing his features, "You look flustered whenever I'm around," he flirted.

I tapped his chest hardly, "It's because hitting people is classed as assault, and assault is illegal," I replied through nearly gritted teeth. He laughed down at me, his right hand on his hip as his laugher bubbled throughout my entire body.

"Only thing you want to assault me with is your kisses," he flirted and pouted his lips as though he was about to kiss me.

It was my turn to laugh as I swiftly grabbed his wrist and twisted it before pinning it behind his back. I perched on my tip-toes and allowed my chest to hit his shoulders before I rested my chin on his shoulder and whispered into his ear, "You'd like that, wouldn't you, darling?" I teased and let go as quick as I had grabbed him.