Chapter Fourteen

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I woke to the sun streaming through the windows and sat up with a jolt - I hadn't intended on spending the night here - I had plans for breakfast with the guys back at the hotel which I needed to get back for. Checking my phone, I realised it was really early - Lorenzo was still sprawled out beside me, his chest gently rising and falling and he showed no signs of waking.

I got up, tiptoeing my way through the apartment to find my clothes that had been discarded the previous night - I could not find my underwear anywhere though - had Lorenzo moved them I wondered as I dressed quickly without them in the bathroom. I picked up my bag and slowly closed the door behind me before creeping back down the stairs we came up last night and onto the street.

I quickly sent Lorenzo a message: "Left early as I have plans. Will see you in The Paddock later. x" - I didn't really know how to say goodbye after last night - after Lorenzo showed me his bedroom, we continued where we'd left off on the sofa - his stamina and prowess impressive, and we eventually fell asleep in the early hours, completely spent. I felt just a little tender as I began my walk back to the hotel enjoying the morning sun and fresh air and hoping that it would calm my nerves ahead of today's challenges.

I got back to the hotel with enough time to shower and change before meeting the guys. It was going to be a busy press day and I had a look through my schedule as I dried my hair and put on a quick bit of makeup. This was the first time i'd be there in person for it, so I expected to be doing lots of running about. I grabbed my comfiest trainers and padded down the corridor to the lift. James held the door open and I got in beside him, grinning widely.

"What's got you so smiley this early?" James asked and I turned my gaze away, my face flushing at his question.

"Annie...what's happened? Don't tell me Lor-"

"Shhhhh!" I say, quickly cutting him off. "I'll tell you later, but we've got a busy day first" his eyes wide and I knew I'd have a lot of explaining to do.

"I'm texting Max - he's not going to believe this!" James said, busy messaging as we got out of the lift and made our way to breakfast.

For the duration of the meal, I avoid looking at James - I know what he's like and he won't leave this until he's heard all the details. I busied myself by eating, chatting to some other team members and drinking several coffees in quick succession - after my late night and early morning, I knew I'd need as much energy as possible!

Travelling to The Paddock, James quietly continued asking questions - what happened, how, when, why. I silence him - telling him I'll give him all the details later, if he'd only shut up now! Matt looked quizzically at us but I made up an excuse and changed the subject to today's plan and what we needed to cover. Matt and James went off first thing to film some set ups whilst I stayed at The Motorhome, finding a quiet spot to catch up on the socials - sharing, reposting and commenting where needed, and checking out what the other teams were doing and making some notes.

Lost in my work, I didn't hear Lorenzo until he was just behind me - he bent down and whispered into my ear "Miss Annie - I was looking for you this morning. My bed, it felt very big without you" gently grazing my earlobe with his teeth and sending a shiver of lust through my body.

"Lorenzo!" I quickly turned, worried that someone would see us, before realising that we were secluded in this little spot I'd picked out.

"Sorry, I had plans this morning and I figured I'd tired you out last night so left you asleep."

"I'm well rested now, Miss Annie" - he winked at me, and I blushed.

"You might be, but I'm not, and I have a lot of work to do!" I laughed, quickly checking again that nobody could see us, before reaching out and pulling him to me, wrapping my hand around his waist before adding "Hey, do you know where my underwear went?"

"Ah, yes Miss Annie, I do" he said smiling seductively and patting his pocket. "I will keep them safe and they will be my good luck charm this weekend."

"You can't go round your interviews today with my knickers in your pocket Lorenzo!" I exclaimed, before bringing him closer to me and kissing him hard on the lips, just a little turned on at the prospect.

I heard voices approaching and quickly pulled away so that by the time Matt and James found me, Lorenzo was simply looking over my shoulder at today's schedule. I thought it looked perfectly innocent until I saw James' eyebrows raise behind Matt's back, and I flushed before turning back to Lorenzo "You've got Sky Italia and Sky UK this morning, and then you've got a Driver's Forum with Dion Dupont and Gareth James - you know, from Aerial Racing?"

Gareth was a rookie this year, and we were still getting used to him being on the circuit. "I'd like to schedule some time for you and Jono this afternoon, like 3.00pm?" I cross referenced their schedules "Oh, actually - can we make it 3.30?" I asked, looking up again at Lorenzo as he smiled across at me.

"Sure thing Miss Annie - i'll see you then" he winked and walked off and I tried to keep my eyes up and away from that delectable backside.

We all worked hard for the next couple of hours editing, planning and scheduling before James and I went for a coffee run - Matt had some things to tie up, so we left him at the desks. James was delighted and he linked his arm with mine as we strode through The Paddock - demanding all the information as I coyly began to explain what had happened last night. His audible gasps started to attract attention, and we were in fits of giggles as we got back to the Bianchi area. I noticed Jono sitting on his own, feet up on the chair in front of him and his head down under his baseball cap - I left James to take the coffees back to Matt and text Max all the details and went across to see whether Jono was ok.

"Hey Jono?" I tap his shoulder, anxious until he lets out a small snore before stirring and I realise that he was asleep.

"Uhmn? Annie? Hey!" As he comes round, he flashes me the widest grin and my heart flips - there is just something about his smile. "Join me, let's catch up! What's going on?" I laugh before sitting down and chastising him for sleeping on the job, only slightly taken aback that he wants to chat with me.

We discuss work and then what's going on at home - Jono worked with Uncle Joe and knows more than most what went on during his last season at Bianchi - I realise how much i've needed to speak properly to someone, especially someone who listens like Jono.

"Do you want lunch? I'm going up to grab some" he asks, his eyes kind and warm. I want nothing more than to have lunch with Jono and continue chatting, but I look at the time and realise that we've already been talking for far too long.

"I've got lunch plans actually, but i'll see you later, 3.30, right?" I confirm before I stand, that familiar nervous feeling encompasses my whole body, but this has nothing to do with these weird feelings I have for Jono, and more to do with my lunch plans. I know it's time.

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