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Song of the chapter
Fresh Out The Slammer by Taylor Swift
❝ Fresh out the slammer, I know who my first call will be to ❞
✮ ⋆ ˚｡🏁🏎💨⋆｡°✩
Isabella Clarke navigated through a pulsating crowd, her heart racing with the excitement of the post-race party. She moved with purpose, her gaze scanning the room in search of familiar faces amidst the sea of flashing lights and swirling bodies.
As a Sky Sports reporter, Isabella was no stranger to the glamorous world of Formula 1. But tonight felt different. Tonight, the air crackled with an electric energy, charged with the thrill of victory and the promise of celebration.
The post-race party pulsates with life as vibrant neon lights dance across the walls, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the polished floors. The air is thick with the heady scent of champagne and the sound of laughter fills every corner of the room.
Glittering chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting a soft, warm glow over the elegantly dressed crowd. Isabella's eyes sweep over the scene, taking in the opulence and extravagance of the event. The room buzzes with excitement as Formula 1 drivers and celebrities mingle, their laughter mingling with the rhythmic beat of the music.
Isabella navigated through the throng of partygoers, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she made her way through the bustling crowd. Her eyes scanned the room, searching for familiar faces amidst the sea of flashing lights and swirling bodies.
But it was Charles Leclerc who caught Isabella's eye across the crowded room, his presence commanding attention as he mingled effortlessly with the crowd. He wore a smile that could light up the darkest night, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he exchanged banter with his fellow drivers. He stood tall and confident, surrounded by a circle of admirers who hung on his every word. He was engaged in a lively conversation in one corner with Lando Norris, their laughter ringing out above the din as they exchanged banter.
"So, Charles, how does it feel to be on the podium again?" Lando grinned, raising his glass in a toast.
Charles chuckled, his smile brightening as he took a sip of his drink. "Feels pretty damn good, mate. Can't complain about a third-place finish, can I?"
Lando nodded, his eyes alight with camaraderie. "Definitely not. But you know what they say, 'Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.' Maybe next time you'll be standing on the top step."
Charles laughed, a twinkle of determination in his eyes. "I'll drink to that. But for now, I'm happy to celebrate being on the podium with you lot."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Max Verstappen, who clapped Charles on the back with a hearty laugh. The group exchanged greetings and shared stories of their race day triumphs and near misses, the camaraderie of the paddock palpable in the air.
Isabella felt a pang of curiosity as she watched him from across the room. There was something magnetic about Charles, something that drew her in despite her better judgment. She couldn't deny the flutter of excitement in her chest as she considered the possibility of approaching him.
But before she could make a move, their eyes met across the crowded room, and Isabella felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her veins. His magnetic presence drawing her in like a moth to a flame.
Charles's lips curl into a charming smile as he waves her over, his eyes twinkling under the vibrant lights. She held his gaze for a moment, her breath catching in her throat as she felt the weight of his gaze upon her.
With a sudden burst of courage, Isabella made her way through the crowd, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt a surge of adrenaline as she drew closer to Charles, the anticipation building with each step she took.
As she made her way towards them, she caught snatches of their conversation, the warmth of their laughter washing over her like a wave. She felt a surge of excitement at the prospect of joining them, her heart racing with anticipation.
As she drew closer, Isabella felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach. What would she say to him? How would she even begin to strike up a conversation? But before she could overthink it, their eyes met across the crowded room, and Isabella felt her breath catch in her throat.
Finally, she stood before him, her pulse racing as she met his gaze. For a moment, they simply stared at each other, the world falling away around them as they were consumed by the intensity of their connection.
"Isabella!" Lando exclaimed as he caught sight of her approaching. "Glad you could make it.
Isabella returned his smile, her heart racing as she took in the sight of him standing before her. "You know that I wouldn't miss it for the world," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lando grinned mischievously, nudging Isabella with his elbow before gesturing towards Charles. "Have you met Charles?" His eyes twinkled with amusement as he awaited her response, his playful demeanor adding a touch of lightheartedness to the question.
Isabella's cheeks flushed as she met Charles's gaze, her pulse quickening at the sight of him standing before her. "I have actually," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of nervousness.
Summoning her courage, Isabella extended her hand towards Charles, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Hi, Charles. It's nice to see you again," she greeted, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her chest.
Charles grinned, extending his hand towards her. "Charles Leclerc, at your service," he said, his tone playful as he met her gaze.
"Isabella Clarke," she replied with a smile, her hand trembling slightly as she took his in hers. "Sky Sports reporter. It's good to catch up with you again, Charles."
Their conversation flowed effortlessly as they exchanged pleasantries, the tension between them palpable as they danced around the unspoken attraction that simmered beneath the surface.
"So, Isabella, how's life as a Sky Sports reporter treating you?" Charles inquired, his gaze lingering on her with genuine interest.
Isabella's heart fluttered at the sound of his voice, her cheeks flushing slightly as she met his gaze. "It's been busy, but exciting," she replied, a small smile playing on her lips. "Traveling the world, covering Formula 1... It's a dream come true."
Charles nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I can imagine. It must be fascinating to witness all the behind-the-scenes action firsthand."
"It definitely has its moments," Isabella admitted, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "But enough about me. How about you? How does it feel to be back on the track?"
Charles's smile widened, a spark of excitement igniting in his eyes. "It feels incredible," he replied, his voice tinged with passion. "There's nothing quite like the thrill of racing, the adrenaline rush of pushing yourself to the limit."
Isabella couldn't help but be captivated by his enthusiasm, her own excitement mirroring his. "I can only imagine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Their eyes locked in a shared moment of understanding, the air crackling with unspoken tension. Isabella found herself drawn to Charles in a way she couldn't explain, her every instinct urging her to lean in closer, to bridge the gap between them and lose herself in his embrace.
But before she could act on her impulses, their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Carlos Sainz, breaking the spell that had enveloped them. With a reluctant smile, Isabella turned away, her mind buzzing with thoughts of the man who had captured her heart in just a few fleeting moments.
"Hey, guys!" Carlos exclaimed, joining them with a wide grin. "Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Isabella, have I told you about the time Charles here tried to do a backflip off the podium after a race?"
Isabella laughed, her spirits lifted by Carlos's infectious energy. "No, you haven't! That sounds like quite the story."
Charles rolled his eyes playfully, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I was young and foolish," he admitted, shooting Carlos a mock glare. "Let's not relive that particular moment, shall we?"
Lando, who had joined the group, chimed in with a grin. "Ah, come on, Charles. Where's your sense of adventure? If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space!"
The group erupted into laughter, the tension from earlier dissipating in the warmth of their camaraderie. Isabella found herself swept up in the moment, her earlier nerves melting away as she enjoyed the easy banter and shared laughter with her new friends.
As the night wore on, Isabella couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected turn of events. Despite the interruption to her conversation with Charles, she had found herself surrounded by good company and infectious laughter, her heart light and her spirits lifted by the joy of the moment.
Before she could act on her impulses, Charles leaned in closer, his hand gently resting on her arm. "Isabella, would you mind if I stole you away for a moment?" he asked, his voice low and intimate.
Isabella's heart skipped a beat at his words, a rush of excitement coursing through her veins. "I would love that," she replied, her voice barely a whisper.
"Carlos! Would you mind if I borrow Isabella for a moment?" Charles asked, his tone light-hearted as he shot Isabella a playful wink.
Carlos chuckled, stepping back to give them some space. "Of course not, Charles. Go ahead. I'll catch up with you both later," he said, his gaze lingering for a moment longer before he turned to greet another guest.
With a shared glance and a silent understanding, Isabella and Charles slip away from the crowd. The dim light casts a soft, romantic glow over their surroundings as they find themselves alone at last. Isabella's heart pounds in her chest as Charles's hand brushes against hers, sending a shiver of anticipation down her spine.
And then, as if drawn together by some unseen force, Isabella and Charles found themselves alone in a secluded corner of the party, the sounds of laughter and music fading into the background as they stood face to face.
"I've been wanting to talk to you all night," Charles confessed, his voice low and intimate as he looked into Isabella's eyes.
Isabella felt her heart skip a beat at his words, her pulse quickening with excitement as she met his gaze. "Me too," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper as she took a step closer to him.
And then, in the hushed silence of their hidden alcove, their lips met in a heated kiss, igniting a firestorm of passion that consumed them both. Isabella felt herself melting into Charles's embrace, her body pressed against his as they lost themselves in the heat of the moment.
In that instant, nothing else mattered but the feel of Charles's lips against hers, the warmth of his touch searing through her like wildfire. The world falls away around them as they lose themselves in the intensity of the moment, their bodies pressed together in a desperate embrace. Every touch sends sparks flying, igniting a blaze of desire that burns hotter with each passing second.
As the night wore on and the party began to wind down, Isabella and Charles's conversation flowed effortlessly, their laughter mingling with the music as they lost themselves in the moment. But amidst the joy and camaraderie, a sense of reluctance crept over Isabella. She found herself unwilling to let the evening end, wanting nothing more than to savor every last moment with Charles by her side.
"I hate to say it, but I think it's time to call it a night," Charles said with a regretful smile, his gaze lingering on Isabella's face.
Isabella nodded, her heart sinking at the thought of parting ways with him so soon. "Yeah, I suppose you're right," she replied, her voice tinged with disappointment.
But as they made their way towards the exit, Charles paused, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Or... we could make a quick getaway and continue the party elsewhere," he suggested, a playful smile playing at the corners of his lips.
Isabella's heart leaped at the suggestion, her pulse quickening with excitement at the thought of spending more time with him. "I like the sound of that," she replied with a grin, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
With a shared glance and a silent understanding, Isabella and Charles slip away from the party, their hearts racing with anticipation as they make their way to Charles's hotel room their steps quickening as they made their way to the parking lot. And there, gleaming under the moonlight, sat Charles's pride and joy: a sleek Ferrari 488 Pista, its sleek lines and powerful engine promising an exhilarating ride.
Isabella's breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of the luxurious sports car, her pulse racing with excitement at the thought of riding in such a masterpiece. "Wow, this is incredible," she exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.
Charles grinned, a hint of pride in his voice as he unlocked the car door and gestured for Isabella to climb inside. "Glad you like it," he said with a wink, his heart pounding in his chest as he settled into the driver's seat beside her.
And with a roar of the engine, they were off, racing through the streets of Baku with the wind in their hair and the night sky stretching out before them. Isabella's heart soared as they sped through the city, the thrill of the ride washing over her like a wave.
Their footsteps echoed softly in the quiet corridor as they made their way inside, the plush carpeting muffling the sound. Isabella felt a flutter of excitement in her chest as Charles led her to the elevator, the air between them charged with anticipation.
As they ascended to his floor, Isabella's mind raced with possibilities, her imagination running wild with the promise of what the night might hold. She stole glances at Charles, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of what lay ahead.
When they reached his room, Charles turned to face her, his eyes searching hers for any sign of hesitation. But Isabella's resolve was unwavering as she met his gaze, her pulse quickening with desire.
Without a word, Charles reached out and took her hand in his, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her veins. And then, with a silent understanding, they stepped inside, the door closing softly behind them.
The room was bathed in soft, golden light, casting long shadows across the walls and floor. Isabella's breath caught in her throat as Charles turned to face her, his eyes dark with desire.
"Are you sure?" Charles whispered, his voice barely audible above the pounding of their hearts.
"Yes," Isabella breathed, her response echoing in the hushed intimacy of the room.
In that moment, there were no words, no need for explanations. There was only the two of them, drawn together by an irresistible force that neither could deny.
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Authors Note:
Hello everyone and welcome to Guilty as Sin?!! I'm so excited to start writing this book and for everyone to be able to read it. I'm so excited for Charles' and Isabella's journey and I hope you are as well. If you liked this chapter make sure to vote or comment and just know your support means everything to me! <3
Question of the chapter: What race are you most excited about this year?
answer - I would say I'm probably most excited for Silverstone because I just love the circuit and its so many of the drivers home races! I'm also excited for Vegas (even though it was a disaster last year lol) but I feel like the vibes were good so I can't wait for it to happen again this year!
