From the Past - Lando Norris

Twenty-Three: The Truth

--Ella's POV--

Watching Lando's car spin off the track and stop before the barrier was the moment I realized I've never stopped loving him. The strain and breathlessness in his voice as he told his engineer he was okay made every emotion flow out of my body as I clutched my camera strap. When he came back into the garage from the safety car his body language made my heart break. He's apologized a million times already for something that isn't his fault. When he walks over and sees me I give him a sympathetic smile before pulling him in for a hug. The moment didn't last long because of the small mark forming on his cheek from the way the cars touched.

He gets pulled away by a small medical team always on standby. I wish I could go with him but I have to get back to work. Oscar moved to P3 after the incident. The entire day is flying by with people wanting interviews from Lando about the touch between him and George Russell. There was a turn and everyone was closed in, unfortunately, Lando was the one who took the brunt of the impact. When I get out of the shower and hear a knock at the door I start to panic. I grab my shorts and quickly put them on, as well as an old T-shirt.

They knock again right before I open the door seeing Lando leaning against the door frame. I rush him inside and look outside the door making sure nobody sees him. He laughs as he stumbles a little watching me shut the door behind him, "How do you feel?" I ask walking over to him as his eyes read the eligible writing on my shirt. The washing machine has taken off most of the image.

"Is this the shirt you bought at the mall when we played hooky?" He asks as he walks closer. I look down and realize that's why I've been so attached to it. It's my favorite shirt to wear to bed and I bring it everywhere with me, "That was a pretty good day," He smiles.

"It was also the first time I ran from the police after you screamed how good it felt being free from school," I laugh remembering the look on his face when we turned the corner and an officer was sitting there. I never felt a thrill like that. He grabbed my hand and dragged me down the street as we both lost our minds laughing.

"I've never been the best influence," He teases as he rests his hands on my hips. It's his favorite place to put them I've found out. I drop my head again as he looks at my lips. I walk out of his arms and he sits on my bed with a sigh, "What's going on with you? Do you regret what happened the other night?" he asks making me turn around quicker than I've ever moved before.

"Of course not," I tell him as he lifts his head like he's nervous about what I'm going to say, "There's just...I don't know how to say this," I ramble as he grabs my hand and pulls me towards him. I reach up and graze my thumb around the small mark on his cheek that's gotten darker. It's moments like this that make me never want the night to end. The small touches and stolen glances.

He puts his hand on mine leaning into my touch, "Wings, you're making me nervous". He relaxes a little when I smile at the nickname. I drop my hand sighing wishing this stupid contract never existed.

"Last night I was pulled into a room with your bosses," I start as I rest my hand on his neck. He tilts his head looking into my eyes, "I signed a contract that says I can't date anyone who also works for McLaren," I finish seeing anger behind his eyes. His eyebrows knit together but I stop him from saying anything, "I know how much you love this company and driving for McLaren so I didn't want to say anything to change that".

"They can't stop me from being with you. It's been years and I don't want to waste any more time. This is ridiculous," He says as he stands up. I stand in front of him so he doesn't walk out of the room, "Why would you sign that without talking to me first?" he asks.

"Because I need this job and I didn't want to cause any issues for you," I tell him blocking him from the door, "Lando, please don't say anything," I plead.

"This is why you've been acting so weird. You invited Charles and Osc for dinner....and you kept avoiding me in the garage. You didn't want them seeing us alone together," he says piecing it together. I give him an apologetic look as he looks past my head.

"I'm sorry but I thought this would be easier. The last thing I want to do is stop whatever it is we are doing. It's still so new," I tell him hesitantly putting my hand on his arm. He finally looks me in the eyes, "I want to see where this goes and I'm not going to let some stupid contract change that. I know you might not want to hurt your career from this but," I continue before he leans down and presses his lips against mine. I gasp feeling his hand squeezing my side as I melt into his arms. His forehead leans against mine as he reluctantly breaks the kiss.

"I don't care what we have to do as long as you still want this," He says with a small laugh before I kiss him again. My back arches as he leans towards me, his lips devouring mine as a soft moan slips past my lips.

"This can be fun...keeping it a secret," I whisper watching him lick his lips and tasting the strawberry chapstick I put on after my shower. His arms wrap about my waist again picking me up from the ground. I immediately wrap my legs around him while he walks us back to the bed. I see him wince a little and drop my legs as he hovers above me on the bed. I whisper his name and lift his shirt seeing a bruise on his torso.

"Don't worry about me Wings, it's nothing I can't handle," he assures me as I flip us around so he's lying down, "How about that movie night I asked you about?" He asks seeing the nervous look in my eyes.

When I sit back down in bed after grabbing my laptop I open my arm and let him lean into me so I don't crush him. The last thing I want to do is put pressure on his chest. Halfway through the movie, he's humming through his half-hooded eyes as I run my hands through his hair. A small smile has been permanently on my face as he rests his hand on my lower stomach.