beyond the grid - max verstappen

chapter forty seven

I walk into the apartment elevator with my tote bag resting over my shoulder. max had left to get the few 'necessities' while I stayed at the apartment getting ready for our day out on the boat. when the elevator stopped in the garage max was just pulling the car around. he reached over the interior of the car opening the door for me.

I wrap my overshirt around my body at the change of temperature inside the car, my body not prepared to protect itself from the cold. he notices my movements, turning the air-conditioning slightly warmer. I slightly melted into his touch as his hand rested on my lap.

we didn't say anything on the quick car ride to the marina, just enjoying each other's presence. there was something about watching him drive that was so interesting. he was completely in his element. parking the car, he moved around the car to open my door, before grabbing his two bags from the boot of the car.

"what did you end up getting from the store?" I finally broke the silence that lingered between us

"you will just have to wait and see"

"you know I don't do well with that. can you please just tell me?"

he laughed and shook his head, not giving away anything. our hands grazed slightly as we walked along the marina not daring to actually touch. he led us toward a small boat not at all resembling the large yacht I knew he owned. it looked as if it was right out of a pinterest board. the dark mahogany hull contrasted against the blue and cream interior. the stern of the boat was covered with a sun pad I could imagine myself spending the rest of summer on. he holds his hand out for me, helping me on board.

"you've got to sit up front but when we stop, you can go lay down" he gestured to the sun pad already knowing what I was thinking. I take off my over shirt stuffing it into my tote before taking the seat next to him. ready for my skin to get some uv rays it desperately needed

I spend most of the boat ride watching as max expertly navigated his way out into the ocean. something about him this week seems different. not just with the recent change of our... I guess the only word is relationship. he seems calm... happy. I don't know if it was the hideaway I had created in my apartment or if it was just a week away from f1 pressures.

I feel my body completely relax as we make it out into the open water. I realise that I don't need to be in water to experience this feeling of relaxation just have to be around it. or well in the case surrounded by it. its refreshing. I feel smaller than I could ever on land and it washes all my worries away, none of them seeming important when my life is such a small part of the world.

he slows the boat down anchoring it to the ocean floor, ending my thoughts

"are you okay ace?" he looks at me slightly worried "you haven't said anything since we left the dock" he sat back down in his seat but this time his attention is focused on me

"im just happy" I stood from my seat, placing my hand on his cheek "genuinely happy"

his arm wrapped around my waist pulling my into his side "thats what I was hoping" was all he said before he pressed his face against my exposed stomach.

my hand found its place, playing with his hair as I took in the sights around us. his other arm wrapped around me and his body tensed slightly as he lifted me off my feet spinning me around. he lifted me over the back seats of the boat to where to sun pad was.

"this would be the perfect time to film" I let out a loud groan at his words, throwing my body down onto the cushions.

"I left my camera at the flat" my lips turned down into a sort of pout looking back over at him.