And now I’m walking the streets of Monte Carlo in the early evening, taking in every bit of this unique spot of the world, bathed in beauty—and impossible luxury and wealth.
All for my job.
I still can’t believe I get to do F2 segments tomorrow for The Downforce Network website. Right now, I’m shooting some content for my channels. I set up my tripod and use my phone to get me standing at the entrance to Casino Square, explaining how this is part of the F1 circuit in Monaco, and drivers go right around this very square as part of the race. Then I talked about all the historic places here on the square. I plan to film myself having a coffee at Café de Paris next so I can clip that into my segment.
In addition to my content creation and assignments tomorrow, I have the Emilia Wentworth-Hay party, which I’m very excited about. Her posh boutique is on Avenue des Beaux-Arts, one of the most exclusive shopping destinations in theworld.
I’m loving every minute of this. I can’t believe it’s real.
But this whole time, something else is in the back of my mind. Something else I’m looking forward to, and something else I can’t believe is happening to me.
I’m having a late-night date with Caleb tonight.
In his penthouse.
My stomach flutters. He’s got meetings today and sponsorship activities tonight—a big fancy dinner. But we agreed to meet up for a date after.
I smile to myself. It’s an odd kind of a date, because it’s going to be around ten-thirty. He said he doesn’t eat at functions, so he offered me a late dinner. Maybe coffee afterward? Will we hang out and talk some more? I’ve been invited to his home, which makes me excited and nervous.
I’m excited because I’ll be in his personal space, which will tell me so much more about him. What’s his home like? What are his favorite possessions? How is it decorated? Is the room where his driving simulator is his favorite room in the house?
As I stand in the city that is Caleb’s home, looking up at the hillsides stacked with high-rise apartment buildings, I wonder where he lives. Does he have a view of the mountains? The sea? Of Port Hercules, with all those luxury yachts?
Then the thought that keeps running on a loop in my head appears, a thought that makes me blush, grow hot, and feel anxious all at the same time.
Will Caleb kiss me tonight?
I can visualize it so perfectly. His full lips on mine. I can feel the heat of his body, the lean muscle underneath his clothing, the black stubble shading his face, the sensual cologne lingering on his skin. I imagine what it’s like to have his hands on my body, sinking into my hair, Caleb drawing my lower lip between his teeth …
Sigh.
I love this daydream. LOVE IT. But it’s chased down with a bit of anxiety.
I don’t know what his expectations are as far as getting physical goes. I know a man like Caleb is probably used to having sex on the regular.
It’s not that I don’t want to have sex with him. I just don’t want to jump into a sexual relationship with him right away. I’ve thought hard about this. After all, I’ve had a lot of time in airports and on transatlantic flights to ponder what I want with Caleb. He’s different.
And I want us to be different, too.
I bite my lip. That’s why I’m nervous. Caleb has been incredible so far, but we haven’t been alone together outside of having coffee. I know Hadleigh is right—no man, especially Caleb Collings, would go to all this trouble for a hookup. He made me a friendship bracelet. Rented a conference room just to spend time with me. Sent me flowers.
But I’m sure he has his own expectations for tonight. Will they involve something like sex on the coffee table or something?
I furrow my brow. Coffee table? Good God, the man is tall, that would be awkwa—
Suddenly I’m picturing him naked. Like me peeling him out of his driving suit, getting those fireproofs off, and being all over him.
Wait a second. Why would he be wearing his racing suit at his penthouse?
To be fair, if drivers really wanted to turn their dates on, I think they totally should wear the driving suit around the house. Unzipped and hanging off the hips, of course.
My phone buzzes in my hand, and I jump, startled by the direction my thoughts went. I need to FOCUS. I glance down at it, and my heart leaps when I see it’s a text from Caleb.
Just arrived at the sponsorship dinner. What are you doing? Are you having fun?
I text him back:
I’m at Casino Square shooting footage for a social media video. I think I’m in love with Monaco. This place is BEAUTIFUL, Caleb. I’m looking at all the apartment buildings and wondering where you live.