My Only Rule

Part Eleven.

As I entered the bustling paddock to leave for my comfy hotel bed, I saw Daniel was leaving with a few other Mclaren members when he spotted me. He turned apologising to the others before turning back, his cute small grin lined his lips as our eyes met. I felt a small grin on my own lips as he pulled up to walk along side me.

As we walked, Daniel turned to me "Marilyn, that race you had back there, going head-to-head with Pierre, Youve got a real set of ball yeah know."

My face lit up with small laugh. "Thanks, Daniel, It was definitely a battle out there. Pierre didn't make it easy, but I definitely had the bigger balls out of the two of us"

Daniel chuckled loudly, nodding in agreement. "I can tell you're not one to back down."

We continued to walk, the atmosphere between us was easy. Daniel's gaze turned thoughtful, and he scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "Hey, speaking of battles and celebrations... I was wondering, what are you up to after this?"

My eyebrows shot up in surprise with a playful grin "Daniel Ricciardo, are you asking me out in the flesh? Not over text?"

Daniel let out a laugh again, it was so contagious, I felt everytiime I was with him there was never a moment where laughter was absent. With a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. "Yeah, I guess I am. I mean, it's just that I thought it'd be cool to, you know, I really enjoyed the other night in Australia"

My playful grin dropped slightly, with the memory of Max catching me leaving the hotel the other week playing in my mind. I think he had noticed the shift in my presences as his gazed seemed to be fixated on other things.

"I think that sounds like a great idea, Daniel. Just maybe if we did something lowkey you know?"

Daniel's face brightened with my answer, "Yeah! There's no need for like anything super fancy"

I nodded in agreement. "Sounds perfect, room service kind of night then?" I suggested not wanting to be out in public especially on a GP weekend.

As we exchanged details for which hotel I was staying at, the paddock lights flickered, casting a soft glow over our conversation. The busy world of Formula One seemed to fade away for a moment, leaving us to just enjoy the others company.

...

Later that evening, we found themselves at my hotel room having the best room service I had ever had, laughter and stories never ending. There was a level of comfort between us, like just hanging out simply made us relax.

The soft glow of the hotel room lights casted a warm ambiance as I settled onto the plush bed, a tray of room service dishes laid out before us. Daniel had sat himself on the lounge chair which was just next to the hotel floor to ceiling windows, he looked comfortable in a grey sweatsuit and slightly dampened hair.

"Room service is for the true champions post-race" he exclaimed, reaching for a fork and digging into a particularly tempting plate of olives.

I chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Absolutely. After all the intensity, a quiet dinner in is just what I need."

As we chatted about the race, our conversation flowed effortlessly, Daniel's vibrant energy was as contagious as his smile, his presence lifting my spirits in ways I hadn't anticipated. I had know that he was a bright person but not to this intensity.

As we flicked through the movie selection on the free to air channels one particular movie caught my eye.

"You know I have actually never watched Jaws"

"Marilyn Deprez, racing superstar, has never watched 'Jaws'?"Daniel began, his eyes widening with mock astonishment.

I laughed, shaking my head at his mockery "I know, I know. It's a classic, I've just never really gotten around to it."

Daniel dazed in shock, a playful gasp escaping his lips. "Well, we'll have to change THAT".

He had reached over the bed trying to take the remote from my hands as he did he feel into a more comfortable position closer to me. I was sat cris cross and his head had just reached near my right knee with the rest of him reaching diagonally. "Watch the food!" I said trying to save the olives from falling all over the bed and onto the floor.

My smile faltered slightly, and I shifted back towards the headboard "Actually, funny story... I've got this sort of fear of the ocean. Can't really explain it, it's just always been there."

Daniel's head turned to look up at me from the tv, his eyes softened, "Hey, it's cool. We cant be whole without our quirks and fears, right?" His words were oddly comforting, his genuine empathy melting away any hint of embarrassment I felt.

With a skillful segue, Daniel shifted the conversation to lighter topics not bothering to turn the movie on. The atmosphere was relaxed, the tension of the race day replaced by an easy connection.

And then, with impeccable timing, Daniel slipped in a joke, a clever quip that sent me into fits of laughter. As my laughter subsided, I looked at him, a mixture of amusement and genuine affection.

"You know, you really have a talent for making people laugh."

His grin turned mischievous, our faces only felt a foot apart as I saw glint of something more in his gaze. "I try my best"

A moment of silence hung in the air, the tension between us palpable. And then, with a confidence that surprised even myself, I leaned in closer, my voice soft but determined. "You know, your best is working"

His eyes locked onto mine, and for a breathless second, time seemed to stand still. And then, with a slow, charming grin, the air between us crackled, our connection so opaque. As our laughter faded and the spark lingered, with a gentle, yet electrifying energy, Daniel leaned in, his lips meeting mine in a tender, sweet kiss. In that moment, the world seemed to fade away, and all that remained was the soft touch of his lips against mine and the undeniable chemistry.

As the kiss ended, we pulled back, our eyes locked, and a shared smile of understanding passed between us. The hotel room was filled with a newfound warmth and intimacy.

"Well, that was unexpected," Daniel murmured, his voice laced with a hint of surprise.

I chuckled softly, my heart racing when my eyes saw something move across the bed.

"Damn olives went everywhere"

I turned to the now turned over bowl of olives laying across the bed to the floor. We chuckled at the mess we made while distracted.

I felt so comfortable with him, having these calm moments away from the light felt special. I felt myself falling for the man in front of me, the goofy man. But it felt wrong at the same time as I promised myself to not be with anyone in F1 while achieving my dreams.

Maybe he could be that rule breaker...