Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 21

Lando 

The morning sun peeked through the blinds, casting a soft glow across my bedroom as I finished packing my bag for the trip to Saudi Arabia. Today was the day, and I felt a familiar rush of excitement mixed with a touch of nerves. But something else had been occupying my thoughts lately—Lily.

Yesterday, I asked her if she wanted to fly with me in my private jet, and to my relief, she agreed. Now, as I headed to her apartment to pick her up, I couldn't help but think about how much she meant to me. She made everything better, more manageable, even the chaos of race week.

When I pulled up in front of her building, I quickly texted her to let her know I was there. A minute later, I saw her stepping out, looking effortlessly beautiful in a comfortable yet stylish outfit. She had a small suitcase in hand, and as soon as she spotted me, a warm smile spread across her face.

I got out of the car, meeting her halfway to help with her luggage. "Morning, beautiful," I greeted her, my voice soft.

"Morning," she replied, her eyes sparkling as she stepped closer. Without thinking, I leaned down and kissed her, a gentle but lingering kiss that sent a warmth through my entire body. When we pulled back, her cheeks were slightly flushed, but she was smiling, and that made everything feel right.

"Ready for another race?" she asked, her voice teasing as she handed me her suitcase. "Always," I replied with a grin, placing her bag in the trunk before opening the passenger door for her.

As we drove to the airport, the atmosphere between us was light and easy, filled with soft laughter and comfortable silences. Being with Lily made everything better, and every glance I stole in her direction made me realize just how lucky I was.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I asked when I noticed her gazing out the window. She turned to me, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Just thinking about how much things have changed recently. It's a lot to take in."

"Yeah, I get that," I said, reaching over to take her hand, intertwining our fingers. "But we'll figure it out together, right? No matter what."

"Right," she echoed, squeezing my hand gently. "No matter what."

The drive to the airport seemed to pass in no time, and soon we were boarding the jet, ready to take off for Saudi Arabia. As we settled into our seats, I couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over me. No matter what the week ahead held, I knew I had Lily by my side.

Once the jet was in the air, she rested her head on my shoulder, and I wrapped an arm around her, holding her close. We didn't need to talk; the silence between us was enough, filled with unspoken understanding and shared warmth.

"Do you think we'll be able to keep this up?" Lily asked quietly after a while, her voice laced with concern. "The hiding, I mean."

I sighed, knowing exactly what she meant. "I don't know," I admitted honestly. "But we'll figure it out together, like we always do."

She nodded, but I could see the worry still lingering in her eyes. I pressed another kiss to her temple, hoping to reassure her. "I won't let anything come between us, Lily. Not Zak, not the PR stuff, nothing."

"I know," she whispered, her voice soft and filled with trust. "I just don't want to mess things up."

"You won't," I said firmly. "We won't."

She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine for a moment before she leaned in, capturing my lips in another soft kiss. This time, it lingered a little longer, filled with all the unspoken promises we had made to each other.

When we broke apart, she settled back into my embrace, her hand still holding mine. I couldn't help but smile, feeling an overwhelming sense of contentment. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew we could handle them—together.