Book 2: Beginning Again -Carlos Sainz

Chapter 3

"Wow, she's hot," Carlos thought to himself as he shook her hand. She had a firm handshake and didn't even bat an eye when Carlos' eyes met hers.

"She looks kinda familiar," he continued thinking as he sat back down into his chair.

He stole a glance at the girl seated across from him, but she seemed rather uncomfortable now, having turned her body away from him. Usually Carlos didn't pay much attention in these meetings, but he was very interested now that this petite blonde was a part of it. He stared at her, willing to make his brain search through the files of women he had slept with to find out why she looked so familiar. He came up empty, resting on the conclusion that she was not on the long list of women who had enjoyed his company in bed. He leaned back in his chair, stealing a glance every so often. He noticed how she avoided eye contact with him for the rest of the meeting when her eyes flipped back and forth between Charles and her father for the better half of an hour.

"This one will be easy. She's already so attracted to me that she can't even look me in the eye," he thought to himself, letting a smirk cross his face.

The meeting finally broke and Charles was already halfway through the door when Carlos stood up. He lingered about, letting Marie's father leave before he grabbed her arm and lightly pulled her back into the meeting room as she tried to leave. He felt her body stiffen at his touch.

"Hey, I just wanted to say welcome to Ferrari and if you need anything, I'm always here," he said with a smile and his arm still around hers. He forced her eyes to meet his, holding the gaze intensely. He flashed his most dashing smile at her, knowing that it usually sold the deal. She pulled her arm from his grasp with a certain force, not hiding the look of disdain that was all over her face. She furrowed her brows at him, only able to muster a small word;

"Thanks."

Marie turned on her heel and exited the room, letting her fingernails dig into her palms as she balled her fists. She wasn't 18 anymore, and this time she was fully aware of his flirting attempts. And it only made her more enraged.

"How dare he try to hit on me! After a business meeting no less. Good to know that he hasn't changed and that he's the same arrogant ass of a man that I met 6 years ago. I can't believe I have to spend time with him and pretend that I can stand to be in a room with him and his ego. Men like that are the worst," she thought to herself, feeling her blood at a boiling point.

She grabbed her phone, knowing who to share her anger with at the moment.

You will not believe what just happened to me: Marie

Erin: I have no idea, spill.

Remember our girls trip to Spain 6 years ago? Before university?

When we went to that afterparty? :Marie

Erin: Uh, barely. But I do remember how some prick kissed you and then asked you out and stood you up.

Precisely that. Guess which prick is now a driver for Ferrari F1 team?: Marie

Erin: NO WAY? The same guy? Are you sure?

100%. He doesn't recognize me but it's definitely him. And better yet, I have been tasked with working with him for the next few months.:Marie

Erin: That's wild. What are the chances? And he doesn't recognize you?

Nah, but I'm not surprised. It was six years ago, i'm sure all of the booze and partying has destroyed enough brain cells to make his memory dull at best.:Marie

Erin: Glad to see he's still a prick <3

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to spending endless time with him now. And he pulled me aside after the meeting and told me 'he's there if I need anything.' He had the balls to flirt with me, again.:Marie