Secrets || Lando Norris

bonus 001

Lando

Restless nights were a normal occurrence for the past quarter of the year. Not this time. Turns out, the solution for all of it was a person.

As the dim sky slowly changed into warmer colours behind the curtain-covered windows of the hotel room bedroom, I opened my eyes and found out about my surroundings. Smile made its way to my lips when I spotted Elianna still sound asleep, her body curled up against mine, covered by the thick duvet we shared.

She was breathtaking - which in her case is at all times. Her pinky lips were slightly parted, a couple of freckles sparkled across her face, her eyes closed, still probably seeing dreams unknown to me. Yet there was a little detail that I haven't got used to yet, her hair, now changed into ombre, scattered across the pillow under her head, transitioning seamlessly from deep brunette to sun-kissed blonde, each strand an epitomised blend of twilight and dawn.

Last night's - technically this night's - events and conversations came back to me and all I could think of is how relieved I felt. My head still hurt like hell, a reminder of me facing the consequences of not taking any painkillers, but that was the last thing I thought of. Most important thing for me was that we found each other again.

Elianna and I are back. She is mine and I am hers. For real this time.

I moved my hand from under my head and brushed a stray strand of her hair from her face, careful so I wouldn't wake her up. The need to touch her was probably just a sign of me being so deprived of being able to have her by my side. Well, that will happen no more, I'm never letting this girl go.

My fingers made their way to her cheek, delicately tracing the pattern of her freckles, eyebrows and her lips. How can a human be physically so ethereal?

Continuing back to her hair, I started brushing through the long locks again, which was always my favourite thing to do whenever we were together.

Suddenly Elianna's eyes opened, their brown depths capturing the first light of morning. There it was - her eyes - warm and rich like autumn leaves, sparkling with glow. She gazed at me, a soft, sleepy smile curling on her lips, and in that moment, time seemed to pause. I was utterly captivated by her beauty, her presence, and the way she epitomised love and serenity.

We stayed there like this for a time unknown to me, just gazing at each other and taking in each other's presence, leisurely waking up.

Slowly making a way down her arm to her waist with my hand, then tracing it under her t-shirt, drawing nonsensical patterns across her back where her tattoo was placed. An amused smile made its way to my lips when I felt light goosebumps on her bare skin. She closed her eyes with an embarrassed expression from the way she was so responding to my touch.

Deciding to tease her about it even more, I leaned my head to her to a point our noses were touching, "You can't hide the fact that you missed me."

"Shut up," she whispered, opening her eyes again, looking at me through her lashes. She suddenly moved her hand under my shirt to my chest and basically followed my pattern that I did on her back. And of course, shivers went down my spine as well. A triumphal smile plastered on her lips, "See, you missed me too. Can't hide it, buddy."

"I'm not embarrassed to admit it, in fact, I will scream it out to the world," I challenged with raised brows as she pouted.

"Poor Zoe."

"She's like a mum, she will go along with it eventually," shrugging, I moved my hand to the nape of her neck and back to her lower back.

Elianna shook her head at me but her eyes stayed glued to mine, her hand still on my chest. And just like that, taking the opportunity of the close proximity, I leaned in and connected her lips with mine. A feeling that I missed so much and that I'm never going to get tired of.