we might be falling in love - patricio o' ward

lewis hamilton, the man you are

November, 2021 - Astraea's POV

2021-Abu Dhabi. The final rave of the season and Mercedes had absolutely dominated with Lewis Hamilton as their champion. And standing by his side through every twist and turn, both literal and figurative, was Astraea Castillo, his dedicated and brilliant race engineer. The Yas Marina Circuit was abuzz with celebration.

As the victory celebrations transitioned from the track to the vibrant nightlife of Abu Dhabi, Astraea found herself at a lavish club, the pulsating beats of the music vibrating through her entire being. The club was awash with the euphoria of victory, the dance floor teeming with jubilant team members and ecstatic fans.

Lewis, basking in the glory of his triumph, made his way through the throng of well-wishers, his smile wide and genuine. Spotting Astraea, he wove his way towards her, raising his glass in a toast.

"To the best engineer in the world!" he declared, his voice carrying over the music. "Couldn't have done it without you, Astraea."

Astraea, feeling the warmth of his words and the intoxicating joy of the moment, raised her glass in return. "To an incredible season, Lewis. You drove like a legend."

Lewis laughed, pulling her into a one-armed hug. "And you planned like a genius. Here's to many more."

As the night wore on, the music grew louder, and the crowd more animated. Astraea found herself surrounded by her teammates, each one offering their congratulations and sharing in the collective pride of their accomplishment. Toto Wolff, the team principal, approached with a broad smile.

"Astraea, your strategies this season have been nothing short of phenomenal. You've truly outdone yourself," he praised, his tone sincere.

"Thank you, Toto," she replied, her heart swelling with pride. "It's been an honor to work with such an incredible team."

Throughout the evening, the conversation flowed easily, the atmosphere charged with a sense of camaraderie and shared achievement. The team members recounted the season's most memorable moments, each story punctuated by laughter and applause.

As the night deepened, Lewis and Astraea found themselves on the dance floor, the rhythm of the music drawing them closer together. The dim lighting and the heady mix of victory and champagne created an intimate bubble around them. Lewis leaned in, his breath warm against her ear.

"You know, Astraea," he murmured, his voice low and husky, "this championship feels different. I think it's because of the bond we've built, the trust we've developed. You've been more than an engineer-you've been a partner on this journey."

Astraea looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the soft glow of the club lights. "It's been an incredible ride, Lewis. You've pushed me to be better, and I'm grateful for that."

He pulled her closer, their bodies swaying to the music. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you," he said, his voice barely audible over the thumping bass. "I've felt something growing between us these past few years. More than just a professional connection."

Lewis gently cupped her face in his hands, his thumb brushing lightly over her cheek. "I know this might not be the best time, but I can't keep it to myself any longer. I've fallen for you, Astraea. Completely and utterly."

"Lewis, I..." she began, but the words caught in her throat. Astraea felt a rush of emotions,
her pulse quickening. She searched his eyes, finding nothing but sincerity and longing. Slowly, their faces inched closer until their lips met, igniting a fire that had been smoldering for years. The kiss started tenderly but quickly deepened, becoming a fervent exchange of pent-up desire. The noise and chaos of the club melted away, leaving only the two of them in their own private world.

Their bodies pressed closer, the heat between them palpable. Lewis's hands roamed over her back, pulling her even tighter against him. Astraea's fingers tangled in his hair, holding him as if afraid he might slip away. The intensity of the connection surged, and the duo broke apart only to catch their breath, their foreheads pressed together.

As they pulled back, breathless and dazed, his hands gripping her hips, and hers wrapped around his neck, Astraea smiled, her heart full. "Do you wanna take this back to the hotel?" Lewis asked, voice rough with desire.

"Yes," Astraea breathed, her
answer immediate and
unequivocal.

They made their way out of the club, the cool night air doing little to quell the fire burning between them. Lewis hailed a cab, and as soon as they were inside, they were on each other again.

Astraea straddled him, her hands exploring his chest as their lips and tongues danced with a desperate urgency. The cab ride seemed to stretch on forever, each stoplight an agonizing delay.

"God, I've wanted this for so long," Lewis murmured against her lips, his hands gripping her hips.

"Me too," Astraea gasped, her body tingling with anticipation.

When they finally arrived at the hotel, they reluctantly pulled apart, not wanting to draw attention to themselves. They walked through the lobby with an air of nonchalance, but the smoldering looks they exchanged were anything but innocent. As soon as they reached Lewis's room, the door barely closed
behind them before they were at each other again.

Lewis backed Astraea against the wall, his mouth claiming hers with a hunger that left them both breathless. His hands roamed her body, finding the hem of her dress and tugging it upwards. Astraea responded in kind, her fingers deftly unbuttoning his shirt and running over the defined muscles beneath.

Their kisses grew more urgent, more demanding. Astraea wrapped her legs around Lewis's waist, his hands supporting her as he carried her to the bed. They fell onto the soft mattress in a tangle of limbs, their clothes
quickly becoming a forgotten
obstacle in their frenzied need to
feel each other.

"Lewis," Astraea whispered, her voice filled with longing as she looked into his eyes. "I want you."

He answered her with another searing kiss, his body moving over hers as they gave in to the desire that had been building for so long. In that moment, nothing else mattered. It was just the two of them, lost in each other, finally giving in to the passion they had denied for the years they had been working together.