The anxiety has completely swirled away, like going down a drain. It has been replaced by excitement instead.
Caleb Collings is typing …
I just lied to you. I didn’t think about you all the time. I hope you won’t be offended, but I don’t think about you when I’m on the racetrack. All I think about there is how I’m going to keep my position when Xavier throws his elbows out and tries to overtake me. Or how I’m going to work harder so I can be the number-one driver over Mason, no nepotism needed.
I chuckle and text him back:
I’d be deeply offended if thinking of me caused you to end up in the wall during qualifying.
Then I send him another message:
Thank you for having that conversation with me. It was on my mind, and I wanted to be fair to you.
He replies:
One of the things that attracted me to you is that you don’t hold back. It’s incredibly HOT.
Ooh!
Caleb Collings is typing …
And you don’t make things easy. ALSO HOT.
I resist the urge to pick up my menu and fan myself. I decide to flirt back:
Well, your ability to have a conversation about this is the biggest turn-on EVER.
He responds:
Note to self. We are not having sex tonight. Right?
I laugh and tell him I’ll see him this evening. The server comes by, and not only am I in the mood for an iced coffee, but I decide to have the affogato fresco—a cold coffee with whipped cream and a biscuit.
I smile to myself, my worries about this evening lifted.
This conversation just reaffirmed that Caleb is definitely a man worth taking a chance on. I feel so lucky to be able to spend time with him tonight.
And I can’t wait to see what this evening will bring.
Chapter Seventeen
My heart is pounding as Caleb buzzes me into his building. I keep looking around on the street, wondering if anyone has recognized me. Or if people know that this is where he lives and are possibly putting two and two together.
I keep my head tucked down as I step inside the posh lobby. There are people coming and going, but I don’t feel anyone staring at me. I go to the private elevator at the end of the elevator bank and enter the access code Caleb gave me. I keep my gaze down, trying my best to blend into the surroundings so nobody notices me.
This is what dating Caleb will be like. Worrying about being seen. The feeling that I’m doing something … wrong.
But my heart tells me it’s not wrong at all.
The elevator chimes open, and I quickly step inside. The doors shut behind me, and I sag with relief. Nobody can see us now.
I turn around, and I can’t help but smile at the bench placed along the side wall, so you can sit if you prefer.
I could get used to the Monaco lifestyle, I think.
I take a calming breath and stare at the mirror at the back of the elevator wall. I’ve dressed up for Caleb tonight, and I’m so glad I got a bunch of stuff from Rent the Runway as soon as I knew I was coming to Monaco.
The elevator begins to ascend, and I study my appearance in the glass. It’s a black midi dress with a one-shoulder top, fitted bodice, and super-sexy asymmetrical cutout at the waist. The skirt hugs all my curves, and there’s also a high slit up the right side. I slipped into a pair of black strappy heels and put simple gold hoops on for earrings.