Page 17 of Too Fast To Fall
It was time for Piper to own up to this one detail about herself, especially since Emilio sounded downright offended. “Mydad’s not the only F1 fan in our family. I am, too. We watch it together. And yeah, I’d have to be living under a rock tonot know about Vermillion letting you go. It was the biggest news during the off-season.”
“You and I are not talking about Vermillion. At all. Ever.”
Okay, then. Way to step in it, Piper.She had to change the subject. “Understood. How about a house tour?”
He picked up her bag with one hand while wheeling his own down the corridor. He gestured with a nod to his right. “Kitchen.Through the next door is the living room. Dining room off that.”
Piper followed, poking her head into each space as they went. The kitchen was nice and looked as though it had been recentlyrenovated, but it was tiny by American standards. The living room was similarly small but had a wide picture window with aview of the quaint courtyard in front of the house. The room was sparsely decorated, with nothing more than a couch and severalstacks of cardboard boxes. Clearly, Emilio hadn’t fully moved in.
“My room is on the second floor,” Emilio said as he started up the stairs.
Piper followed, trying in earnest not to watch his ass in the jeans that looked like they were made for him.Allparts of him sure were easy on the eyes. “Emilio, I can carry my own suitcase. You don’t have to do that for me.”
He did not stop. He and his perfect ass just kept on going. “I was raised to be a gentleman,” he said when he reached thelanding. “This is me being a gentleman.”
Piper smiled, hoping she could somehow break him down just a little bit. “That’s sweet.”
“Don’t read anything into it. It’s just the way I was raised.” He looked away and placed his suitcase in the doorway to whathad to be his room. “The extra bedroom is on the third floor.”
Piper sneaked a peek at his bedroom, which was in the front of the house and much like the living room—minimally decorated.Meanwhile, she tried to ignore the regular sting of his comments. They were not fun.
At the top of the stairs, Emilio carried her suitcase into the room. “The housekeeper comes once a week. I asked her to makethe bed for you. There should be towels in the bathroom. This is the first time anyone has stayed here. I’ve only been inthe house a few months. Still getting settled.”
“I saw the boxes.” Piper stepped inside, not saying more, lest she manage to trip into another uncomfortable subject likeVermillion. The room had all the necessities—a bed, a bedside table and lamp and a small bureau. But once again, there waslittle color or warmth. Doubt crept in once more. This place and the weather were depressing. Was it a mistake to come here?Emilio didn’t seem that excited for her to be here. Why had she let the lure of a big payday, an admittedly adorable dog anda distant, but handsome man get to her? Gabby often gave her a hard time about not going outside of her comfort zone, butin truth, Piper appreciated her comfort zone. She hoped she didn’t live to regret leaving it.
Piper twisted her lips. She could get super chatty when she was nervous or out of her element, but right now she was at atotal loss for words, even though being in the house of a Formula One driver in London meant that, by definition, she wasout of her element. “You mentioned expectations in the car.”
“Yes. As I said in Miami, you’ll be responsible for Gus at all times. But he likes to sleep in my room at night. Unless hechanges his mind, I will continue that.”
“Of course. No problem.”
“I’m often on phone calls with the team, and if you overhear anything, that is one hundred percent confidential. Saying anythingabout it is grounds for dismissal.”
“I understand.”
“I work out a lot. I often have to go to Mega headquarters for meetings and for working on the simulator. Otherwise, I’m studyingdata or race strategy or fulfilling my other obligations. My life is very regimented, and it will stay that way.”
“Absolutely.” She had to respect him for being so clear about everything. She wasn’t great at creating boundaries. Case inpoint: her sister’s wedding. She’d agreed to be maid of honor even though the best man was Kyle, her former fiancé. She simplycouldn’t bring herself to disappoint her sister or her future brother-in-law by saying no, so she sucked it up, and as a result,she was really dreading her sister’s wedding. Poor boundaries.
Emilio cleared his throat. “Gus’s schedule.”
Right on cue, Gus wandered into the room and went to the window to look out on the street.
“How early does he get up?” Piper asked.
“Around five. I will take him, but if I’m out with my trainer, you’ll need to do it.”
“You trainbeforefive? What time do you go to bed?”
By the look on his face, she’d crossed a line. “Don’t concern yourself with my sleep schedule. Only Gus’s.”
Piper pulled her phone from her bag and opened the Notes app and typed out the details, trying to ignore the bite of his attitude.
Emilio jammed his hands into his pockets “He eats twice a day, once in the morning after he’s been taken outside, and againat around 5:00 pm. I’ll take him for a run most days, but he’ll get enough exercise if you take him for a walk once or twicea day.”
“Oh. I love to run. I can take him for a run today if you want. Might be good for me after being cooped up on the airplane.”She rolled her head from side to side, working out the kinks in her neck. She wasn’t exactly a marathon runner, but she’dfound that for someone with excess nervous energy, it was a helpful pursuit.
Emilio shook his head. “No, no. I need some exercise. I’ll take him.”
