PARTNERS || MAX VERSTAPPEN

XXII

"Thank you, Scarlett."

Scarlett POV:

It took me a moment to gather myself. Then I took a step back and broke eye contact. It's dangerous to stand close to him like that. His touch was addictive and his eyes compelling. I hardly moved, but my breathing was uneven.

I know that it was impossible, but at that I felt my pupils dilate. I could feel every single heartbeat of mine. And the way he smiled at me made me forget about every problem in the world. His eyes, so midnight blue, stared into mine and let me know that he was the man I'd sin for.

But before I let my intrusive thoughts win, I cleared my throat and blinked a few times before I could look into his eyes again. "We should head back to the hotel. You still need a bandage."

"Only if you help me."

What was that?

"You have someone to help you. Your girlfriend that is probably waiting for you already. I'm surprised that she didn't call you a thousand times by now."

He started grinning again. "Are you jealous?"

I rolled my eyes. "No. Why would I be jealous? As if." Then I just started walking and shortly after, he showed up next to me.

"I don't know. Because you like me."

I almost stopped walking for a moment but just continued then. I didn't look at him either. He doesn't have to notice how I react at his words. Think, Scarlett. Think. "Actually, I don't. You're both annoying, that's why you fit well together."

He let out a laugh and shook his head. "Wow, okay."

What's that supposed to mean? I glanced up to him, who still smiled. But I had to look away quickly because my intrusive thoughts didn't think about leaving my head.

The night air was cold, but for some reason, I felt warm. I was relaxed. My body wasn't tense. The street lights were bright, and even the sea was visible from here. I had the urge to go for a swim but I won't because he was with me. So, don't think about it. No sea.

"What are you thinking about? I'm used to hearing you talk nonstop, so what's going on?"

He snapped me back to reality. "Talk nonstop? Is that supposed to be an insult?"

"Maybe?" He grinned at me. Ah, the audacity.

"If you wouldn't be hurt, I'd kick your ass right here and now."

"You wouldn't."

"Don't dare me. I hit your little girlfriend, I'd do the same thing to you as well."

He suddenly put his arm around my shoulder and was closer to me. "Oh, I know that. Luckily, I was only joking. Now, tell me. What's going on?"

Why would he care? It's not like he was ever interested in what I was thinking or what problems I had.

"And you want to know that why?"

"Because you're scary if you don't talk all the time."

I stared at him and responded with a side blow in his rib area. To protect himself, he removed his arm from me.

Serves him just right.

I continued walking but he stayed at the same place.

"What's wrong?" I raised one eyebrow and glanced at him.

"My knee. It hurts." He looked down at the wound. I didn't know if he was lying or saying the truth, but I walked up to him.

"We still have a few minutes to the hotel. Do you need a break?"