Page 85 of Racing Hearts
It didn’t mean Luca wanted a commitment. Hell, Henri had basically just confirmed this wasn’t anything special.
I’d been the one to initiate last night, not him. He hadn’t done anything wrong. We hadn’t agreed to be anything but friends. Contemplating the sincerity of my brother’s voice and concerned eyes, I couldn’t dismiss the nagging feeling in my heart. I put on a brave face, forcing a smile.
Henri’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts. “Plus, Georgia, and I can’t believe I’m saying this to my biggest rival, but you don’t need any more distractions this season. You’re winning the championship right now; don’t let anything distract you from that, especially not Luca. You’ve got to put 100 per cent out there.”
I forced a hollow laugh. “Henri, It’s just some fun, okay? I’m fine.”
I knew my words fell flat. With each passing second, more disappointment started to creep in, and I hated myself for it. Being mad at Luca wasn’t fair because we weren’tactuallytogether. I was the one who had initiated sex, and I didn’t have a right to be angry at him. But deep down, I couldn’t shake off this feeling of frustration and stupidity, because I had started to let my heart wonderwhat if.
Henri was right. Between the championship battle and Luca’s history with relationships, I needed to keep my heart in check and my mind focused. The fake dating was enough of a distraction from the racing, I couldn’t imagine what real dating would look like. I needed to slow whatever it was Luca and I were doing down.
We had a two-week break after this vacation, during which we would both be completely absorbed in our respective training camps before the second half of the season started. While I was fucking annoyed Henri had butted into my business, he was right that after just a couple months of knowing Luca, I’d let my heart run wild with possibilities.
I’ll talk to Luca before the Austrian Grand Prix, I resolved.Tell him I need a little space. To slow down. He’ll understand.
Even if the thought left a bitter taste in my mouth, even if my gut twisted with something that felt a little too much like heartbreak, I knew what I had to do. Because I wasn’t going to lose the championship over a guy who might never be mine.
No matter how badly I wanted him to be.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Luca
A few hours after Georgia left, I finally crawled out of bed, quickly packing my suitcase. I moved slowly, still riding the high of last night and this morning. I was going to miss this trip more than I wanted to admit. Even with Henri’s permanent scowl, Lily’s meddling, and Edward’s nonstop commentary, the past week had been nothing short of perfect.
All week I’d been so worried about crossing the line between flirting and something more with Georgia, but the moment she stepped foot in my room last night, I knew she felt the same as me. Knew that she, too, couldn’t resist the constant pull and electricity that had been building between us for the last few weeks.
I left my case by the door and headed to the breakfast lounge, drawn by the sound of quiet voices and the scent of fresh espresso drifting from the galley. Georgia and Lily sat together in the corner booth, heads together as they chatted away.
Despite knowing I shouldn’t eavesdrop on their conversation, my curiosity got the best of me. Every part of me wanted to hear Georgia bragging about the incredible sex we’d had.
Because it had been just that:fucking amazing.
“So, have a good night last night?” Lily asked, leaning over the table in anticipation.
Georgia let out a soft groan. “Oh God, did the entire boat hear?”
After the text I’d received from Edward this morning, I was worried that Henri had heard. He wasn’t exactly thrilled with me right now.
Lily laughed, taking the cup of coffee from Georgia’s outstretched hands. “I’m just glad you took what I said to heart! I knew Luca was into you, but no one listens to meeee…”
Georgia put her hands up. “Whoa, getting ahead of yourself there. It was just sex, Lil. Nothing more.”
I took a step back, shoving my hands in my pockets.Had I heard that right?
“Oh, come on, Georgie,” Lily said, voice rising slightly, incredulous. “There’s no way it wasjustsex. The way you two loo—”
“Lily, for fuck’s sake, there’s nothing going on between me and Luca. We had sex, and it was fun. I wish everyone would stop making more of this than it is,” she snapped.
Lily blinked, stunned into silence, her mouth parted in disbelief. I stood just out of view behind the corner of the galley wall, the words ringing in my ears. My heart felt like it had just been thrown to the bottom of the ocean.
Fun. That was all it had been?
I stepped away, careful not to make noise, slipping out toward the front deck with my head down. Each step felt heavier than the last. I kept my gaze fixed on the teak wood planks beneath my feet, trying to ignore the burn spreading through my rib cage. Last night had meant something more to me. Having Georgia in my arms, laughing away with her as she joked and chatted about our day, it felt so different than any other relationship.
I tried to reason with myself, reminding myself that I shouldn’t be offended by her comment, that the intimacy of last night and this morning had been just two friends flirting, nothing more.
After all, I’d let her down before when I’d stood her up. I’d given her every reason to doubt that I wanted more, that this wasn’t more than a game. Especially with this reputation that I dragged behind me like a curse.
