Racing For Love

Chapter Twenty One

There's another break before the next race in Canada, so we all have some time at Bianchi HQ for a change. Lorenzo normally doesn't spend much time in the UK - preferring to be in Monaco - but he suggested staying for longer so that we could spend some time together when we're not working.

Whilst he's been in the UK, we have got into a routine - he comes over around 8.00pm after he's been to the gym, and we have a walk before eating dinner together, usually ending up in bed soon after, or on the counter, the sofa or even once, the stairs. Our arrangement allows me to still visit Joe and maintain momentum at work. Spending time with Lorenzo has been a great way to distract myself from Joe's recent downturn in health - I've been to visit him every day since I returned from Monaco, but I doubt he'd remember any of them.

Lorenzo is in demand at the office and there are many internal meetings with the drivers and their teams - I barely see Lorenzo nor Jono which is great as I don't have to avoid any awkward situations with them at work. I've also seen Andrea Bianchi stalking through the corridors, no doubt making sure to give Jono an extra telling off about his performance at the Monaco Grand Prix. Seeing him makes me feel uneasy - I'm still unsure as to what happened in Australia, and I don't know how to address it when it could have been nothing but an overactive imagination.

The team fly to Canada tomorrow, but i'm not going this time - we've a busy few weeks with races in Europe after this one which are my priority. Matt and James are going so we have a meeting with Kate to go through plans before they depart - I've brought my laptop home and i'm completing some of the details ahead of tomorrow morning's meeting before I hear the door open and see Lorenzo come in. He looks sweaty after his gym session, which always makes him look more handsome, and he runs his hand through his dark hair as he walks over to me.

"Tonight is our last evening together, so I have brought you something." I notice a bulge in his shorts, but it's not where i'm used to seeing one and he gestures for me to reach into his pocket. I pull out a square box, emblazoned with a well known jeweller's logo. My heart races - the box is not that small but it's still exciting and I open it to see a white gold necklace inside with a round metal disc pendant. It is fairly plain with five small diamonds - three top left and two bottom right. Encouraged by Lorenzo, I turn it over and see that it is engraved with number 32 - his original racing number - the subtle pattern of diamonds on the front now making sense. "So that you don't miss me, whilst i'm gone." he says as he reaches out and places it around my neck.

The disc jangles against my locket, so I take it off, holding it tightly in my hand before putting it onto the kitchen counter behind me - I already feel odd without it. "Lorenzo, you shouldn't have" I say as I reach up and pull him into an embrace. "I would say i'll miss you, but since my week will be taken up with posting content about you and my weekend will be watching you racing, I don't think i'll have much chance!"

"Ah, but I will miss you and I think you will miss this" he says as he picks me up and takes me across to the sofa, kissing me as we move. As places me down, lips still on mine, he moves his hand lower and rubs me through my trousers, immediately making me wet and wanting.

We have both been pretty insatiable this week, perhaps him leaving tomorrow has increased our desire, knowing that we have such a short amount of time together. I moan in pleasure as Lorenzo's mouth finds my neck before brushing against my nipples and then kissing my stomach and moving lower, pulling my trousers as he does so. I can smell the lightly pungent scent of his sweat mingling with that of my sex, and feel more aroused, enjoying the sensation of his tongue exploring me. He makes me come, and i'm sure it won't be for the last time this evening. I suggest a shower and then we order in some food - I want to make the most of Lorenzo before he travels and I won't see him for a while. We break from each other's bodies only to eat - refuelling before the night continues.

Knowing that this is just a casual thing between us makes it easier to see Lorenzo leave in the early hours - he has a flight to Monaco to collect up some necessary belongings before travelling on to Canada and I sleepily kiss him goodbye as he leaves. I think i'll need these next few weeks to recover from last night's marathon session and I enjoy stretching out and having the bed to myself before falling back to sleep, staying awake just long enough to hear the click of the door behind him.

***

I wake a few hours later and get myself ready for the day. The office will be busy this morning with people getting ready to travel and making last minute checks. It feels strange not to be going, but I'm glad I don't have to be in such close proximity with Jono or Lorenzo. Jono and I have barely spoken since we spent the day together after Monaco - we've both been busy.

He's been especially busy if the press is anything to go by. He's been pictured with Charlotte most evenings - at sporting events, out to dinner and even at a fashion show. Jono looked wholly out of place - his casual style not suiting the glamour of the catwalk, but since Charlotte is in the fashion world, I guess he's just being supportive, and I wouldn't expect anything less from him. Not that I've been checking up on him, it's just my job to look across the social media platforms and he's been all over them...

Conversely, nobody's seen much of Lorenzo, but after his comments at the driver forum about a "special person," the media speculation has been going into overdrive - trying to find pictures of him with any woman, ready to mark her as his new girlfriend but to no avail. The only person who has seen us together this week has been an elderly lady who was walking her dog along the same path we had begun to frequent, so I wasn't worried about that.

I reach the office at the same time as Matt and we walk up together, discussing his plans whilst in Canada. Matt had been seeing one of the race engineers from Aerial Racing and I knew he was excited about seeing her again in Canada - despite the HQs of our two teams only being an half an hour away from each other, he had been too busy to see her this week. I was excited for him - Matt deserved to find someone, and I was happy to focus on his love life and not mine for a change. We're still talking when I reach my desk and put my stuff down, before walking over to greet James.

James looks up from his desk when he sees me approach, he greeted me, but then looked at me, confusion on his face. "What's that?" He asked, noticing the necklace glinting in the sun. "Oh, um...it was a present...look" I turned it over to show him the 32 and he immediately understood who it was from. "I thought it was just a casual thing Annie? This doesn't seem that casual?" He asked. The realisation dawning on me as I fiddle with the pendant. The last week has felt normal and relaxed - Lorenzo and I actually enjoying each other's company. I think perhaps I'm ready to share my life with someone...I just need to decide whether that someone is Lorenzo.

Matt and James leave for their flight with a group of others from the office, and I settle back to work for the rest of the day. I've been ultra focussed during this week, wanting to make sure there was no question about my commitment to my job - despite nobody knowing about Lorenzo and I, my plan was still to work hard and prove that I was earning my position. Kate asked me in to see her late in the day as I was just packing up to leave, a panic rising as I wondered if she'd found out what I had going on with Lorenzo.

"Hey Annie. How are you doing? I just wanted to say how amazing you've been this last week - you've been on fire! I'm pushing Andrea to make your position permanent, and I just wanted to let you know." My face must look as confused as I feel, because Kate looks at me quizzically. "Is everything ok - I thought you'd be thrilled? Is it your Uncle Joe?" Her face showing a kindness which I didn't deserve given I was lying to her.

My confusion came from the conflict I feel at the moment - I want this permanent position, but I don't know if I can accept with what's going on with Lorenzo. Certainly Kate not knowing about it adds extra stress as I'm constantly panicked about her finding out. She's provided the perfect alibi and I reply "Yes - he's not been well lately and it's just a lot to deal with. Sorry, I am excited. Thank you."

There was certainly truth in the statement and Kate and I talked about her mum - a similar situation which found her empathising with the challenges I was dealing with. I really enjoy speaking with Kate, but I make excuses to leave - the guilt growing inside of me with every kind comment she makes, know that she would definitely not agree with what i've been doing with Lorenzo.