Page 21 of Not So Fast
Five
Which of the four elements do you identify with? Explain.
Today, I identify with fire, because frankly I am a little pissed off. (And yes, I know I’m filling this out late in the day. I’ve been busy.) The race is tomorrow and I haven’t seen Xander once. I know now that his invitation to Italy had nothing to do with me. It was all his ego. Bright side: Monza is lovely, even when you’re by yourself. I could stay here and eat pasta forever, as long as I had someone to hang out with.
After a day of running around the paddock and the excitement of qualifying, Mia needed fresh air. And probably pistachio gelato. She checked to make sure she had her room key, then stepped out into the hall, only to run right into the man who’d proven himself elusive since she’d arrived—Xander.
He came to a stop, dressed like he didn’t want to be seen,wearing jeans and a plain black T-shirt, his glorious hair tucked into a baseball cap. “Oh. Hi.”
Don’t sound so fucking disappointed.“Headed out?” she asked, then started down the hall ahead of him.
“I am,” he said, walking behind her.
“Would you like me to wait for the next elevator? Or take the stairs? You’ve spent the last two days avoiding me.”
The elevator doors slid open, and she didn’t wait for an answer, scurrying onboard. To her great surprise, Xander followed and stepped to the back. She stayed to one side, away from him, while frantically jabbing the button for the lobby. What was she feeling right now? Her frustration with him was entirely self-made. He owed her nothing. Absolutely nothing. She closed her eyes and begged for strength.
“I’ve been busy.”
In the quiet confines of the elevator, his rich voice bouncing off the walls, it was as if he was wrapping himself around her. Somehow, she could feel his warmth and it made her want to experience it in real life. Just once.
God, he’d really wormed his way into her psyche.
“I have, too.” She made a point of looking straight ahead and not letting his presence get to her. “I’ve talked to quite a lot of the drivers. Got a few quick interviews, even. It’s been lovely. Everyone has been so nice to me.”
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. Part of her wanted to turn and confront him, tell him he’d hurt her by ignoring her for her entire stay. Part of her wanted to pin him against the back of the elevator and kiss an apology out of him.
“Congrats on qualifying,” she said instead. “I hope the race goes well tomorrow. If I don’t see you, have a nice life.”
She forced her feet to carry her forward. Meanwhile, herheart pounded at the base of her throat. Why in the hell was she having such a visceral reaction to him? She had no attachment to Xander Bishop. They’d been in each other’s company a sum total of twenty minutes. This wassolike her, running away with the circus because she’d built something in her head that wasn’t there.
She couldn’t be around him anymore. She needed to stay in reality.Herreality, not his. She hightailed it across the lobby, headed straight for the door.
“Mia. Wait.”
She came to a halt. Apparently, her determination to stay strong was no match for his voice.
“What?” She turned, confronted with his chest as he stepped right up to her.
“Where are you headed?”
“Out for some air and to walk through the village. My flight home leaves at the ass crack of dawn Monday morning. Whoever books travel on your behalf is a real wanker.” Why was she suddenly spouting British slang? Xander’s effect on her was ridiculous.
“The connection times are better on that early flight. Plus, it’s a much nicer plane than the one you took over here. First class will be like a trip to a spa. Trust me.”
“How do you know this?”
“I’m the wanker who booked your travel.”
“Xander!” A shout came from the far end of the lobby, in a British accent Mia recognized. It was that troll of a reporter, Reginald Huff.
Xander turned in Reginald’s direction and seemed to make a split-second decision to grab Mia’s hand and yank her out the door and into the night air.
“Hurry.” He rushed around the side of the building, then ducked through a narrow metal gate. They spilled out into the street behind the hotel.
“Where are we going?” She trotted double-time down the sidewalk to keep up with his long-ass legs.
“To get away from that man.” Xander employed his lightning-fast reflexes and turned down a narrow side street.
