One Day // Daniel Ricciardo

CHAPTER 10

"Is it bad I think I've always had a crush on you?" Tom asked, moving a strand of hair out my eyes.

Since returning home for winter break, we had spent a lot of time together, occasionally he came over to mine and we took it in turns to cook or we went out for meals together. He doted on Hallie, spending our time with her at the park and out on walks.

I didn't want a relationship; I was very adamant about that with Daniel but all I kept doing was telling myself with Tom it would be a fresh start. None of the fears from before could creep in this time and I could just enjoy dating someone new. I told myself that, whether I believed that fully or not was a completely different story.

"I've always known that." I teased, "You let me get away with everything, it was obvious."

He rolled his eyes and threw his head back on the couch laughing. "I get to kiss you now though, never got to do that before."

He leaned forward and planted his lips on mine. It wasn't the first time, we'd been dating for a while but every time he tried to bring up the boyfriend girlfriend chat, I found a way to completely avoid it, babies really come in handy.

The kiss was nice but that was about it. I can't say there was sparks or fireworks, I can't say I enjoyed it but I also can't say I didn't enjoy it. I just felt very neutral about the whole situation. He was great to be spend time with, I loved having him around and he really would make an amazing partner but there just wasn't a romantic connection there for me. I was holding back though, hoping it would improve.

I left him at mine and dropped Hallie off at nursery before going to the office. Preseason testing was in a few weeks and there was a lot of pre planning and meetings still to be carried out.

Head office was quiet, only a few people in so early in the morning so I was hoping it would stay that way. I had an extremely busy week coming up, Hallie had her first birthday and almost straight after was her adoption hearing. I was stressed and snappy so when someone knocked on my door, I snatched it open a little too abruptly.

"Sorry I didn't know if you were busy but I saw your car in the car park."

Danny held out a coffee and I hesitated, not knowing whether or not to take the friendly gesture. In the end I moved out the way and let him come inside.

"I just wanted to talk to you know we've had some time."

I nodded, still remaining silent and sat beside him on the mini sofa.

"You hurt me Jess, you really hurt me but being apart from you hurts me more."

"It's just the same story over and over again, I hurt you and you still come back. You have something good with Clarissa, you should just enjoy it."

"She's not you though, can't you see I keep coming back to you for a reason?"

"It must be nice with Clarissa though? A model? Super fun and young?"

"You're super fun and young."

"I'm not Clarissa." Her name rolled off my tongue, almost like I was saying it sarcastically.

"What Tom? Good sex?"

I choked on my coffee; he had caught on to the game I was playing here.

"Yeah, it's really good actually, almost constant."

He tightened one of his fists in to a ball beside him, the jealousy was like a rage but he kept his calm.

"Does he make you laugh?"

"Oh yes, I think he's possibly one of the funniest guys I've met."

"I find that very hard to believe."

"Oh, you do? He's actually great with Hallie, she also thinks he's the funniest guy ever. He's just so caring, I think I might l-"

"Don't you dare say it." His tone completely changed but I just laughed.

"I think I might like to make him my boyfriend."

"Wait he's not?"

I shook my head smiling as he edged a little bit closer to me.

"He really doesn't know what he's missing."

"And what is he missing?"

We were close by this point, so close when spoke I could almost feel his lips on mine. I really shouldn't, the sexual tension caused by that little game was so tight it was almost snapping.

Neither of us said anything, just lingered close to each other. My palms were sweating, I knew what he was about to do and I knew how I felt about it but I still never pulled away.

He pushed his lips against mine and immediately I felt what I had been lacking with Tom. The fireworks were there, as cliche as it sounded. I was still nervous when I kissed him even though I had done it so many times before.

I ran my hands through his hair as he pushed me on to my back.

"We can't do this... here."

His eyes lit up like he was expecting me to say no. I was kind of expecting myself to say no too.

"Why not? We're already half way there."

He wasn't wrong, our tops were already off and his jeans were unbuttoned.

I started stuttering and panicking causing Danny to laugh. He quickly got back to what he was trying before and before I knew it, I was having sex with Daniel in my office.