Apex | Charles Leclerc

Chapter 18

Songs for this chapter:

Do I Wanna Know by Arctic Monkeys

Into It by Chase Atlantic

Call Out My Name by The Weeknd

Talk to My Skin by Stalgia

Warning: a bit of mature content 🤪

I highly recommend listening to these songs because these were what I was listening to while writing this. Enjoy!

*****

February 14, 2025 - Monaco

My thoughts were loud as Charles drove his car to the direction of my hotel.

I expected him to bring us to his place but he asked me where I was staying as we walked out of the club, hands clasped together. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow when he stopped walking in front of a black Ferrari, opening the passenger's door for me. He didn't utter a word but showed me a smirk when he saw my look before I went inside the car.

Should I be going home with someone who I've only spoken a few words with? No. Should I be worried that I'm going home with a stranger? Yes. Am I worried? Absolutely not.

I found my need for being occupied weighing over the practical thoughts of being alone with someone I just met. Before we left the club, we had to pass by the bar to get my jacket and purse and I took this opportunity to check my phone. There was already a text from Gabby saying she was heading back to the hotel with the guy from earlier so I replied that I was going home as well, purposely not mentioning the fact that I was doing the exact same thing.

I watched Charles as he drove, not bothering to be subtle. I knew he noticed because the corner of his lips was slightly lifted, the fingers of his left hand lightly playing with his bottom lip while the other was placed over the steering wheel. He was definitely good looking and it was obvious by his physique that he regularly worked out. He wasn't muscular but lean which was what I preferred. I always believed that someone's masculinity wasn't with their physical features but by the way they carried themselves.

And he was very much intact with his.

When we reached the hotel I was staying at, he headed for the underground parking and luckily found a vacant parking space not even a few minutes later. Just like earlier, he opened the door for me, left hand held out. When we got inside the elevator, it felt like all the tension I felt back in the club had risen to an all time high.

We both stood on opposite sides of the elevator, his arms crossed over his chest while my hands held on to the metal railing behind me. "So Nadia," He began when the elevator doors closed. "do you have any preferences?" He asked and I couldn't help but huff in amusement.

"Is this your way of telling me your kinks?" I asked and he chuckled, stepping forward.

"Everyone has them." He shrugged, stopping right in front of me. He was so close, arms down by his sides but I could feel one of his fingers lightly brushing against the hem of my dress.

I tilted my head to the side, my eyes briefly moving to the moving red numbers by the elevator doors. We were nearing my floor. "What's yours then?" I asked and a smile formed on his face. He leaned closer, nose slanting against mine and making our lips brush for just a second.

My eyes flitted to his lips and I felt him do the same but before I could close the gap, the elevator doors opened and he stepped away. His hand moved to my hand to pull me out of the elevator before it moved to my hip, arm wrapping around my waist. I didn't even realize I was holding my breath until I felt him flush against me.