It was a simple moment and yet the hottest thing I’d ever seen. When she walked out of her hotel room, I couldn’t tell her that her footwear was inappropriate for being on a boat. She looked too damn sexy in those heels, her tight-as-sin jeans, and her black halter top that showcased her breasts in the best way possible.
I knew that if I asked her to change her shoes, she’d probably end up coming up with an excuse and stay back at the hotel while I suffered through this boring as hell dinner.
Holding my elbow out for her to hold, I kept my steps unhurried as we followed the line of people making their way to the yacht owned by Galaxy energy drinks, which was the main sponsor for our team.
“You should have told me these were not boating shoes,” Aspen hissed as we walked up the ramp onto the boat.
“And miss how hot you look in them? Not a chance.” I smirked down at her by my side. “But if you need to take them off, I’ll carry them since I didn’t tell you to change.”
“It’s the least you can do since you failed to mention how difficult it would be for me to walk.” She narrowed her eyes at me but then gave me a shy smile. A smile I found way too endearing and wanted to see more of.
“How was I to know how hard it would be? I’ve never worn a pair of heels in my life.” I laughed at the annoyed look on her face.
Aspen’s hold on me tightened as she muttered. “Why are they looking at me like that?”
I took my gaze off her and turned to notice that almost everyone was looking our way. “Probably because I’ve never brought anyone to one of these.”
“Never?” she questioned with tight lips.
“Why would I? I’m not into prostitutes or escorts, and I don’t have time for a girlfriend.”
Stepping into me, Aspen whisper-yelled, “Are you saying the women here are prostitutes?”
“Some.” I placed my hand on her waist and was about to pull her closer when I saw Colton staring at me from the other side of the room. Taking a step back, I answered, “It’s pretty common for the guys to hire a woman for the night at events like these.”
Aspen looked down at herself and then at a few of the women that were affixed to their men. “These heels were definitely a bad idea,” she mumbled to herself. She chewed on her bottom lip before she narrowed her eyes at me. “They think I’m a prostitute,” she gritted out.
“That’s not it. It’s all me. They think it’s funny that I don’t have any friends, and now here you are on my arm.”
“You can’t know that,” she said with a downturn of her soft pink lips.
Lifting one shoulder, I responded with my own frown. “That’s what I think. All of these guys are assholes, and they’re always trying to get a reaction out of me. Don’t pay them any mind.”
Placing her hand on my arm, Aspen looked up, and her eyes searched my face. “Neither should you, you know.”
Someone rang a bell and announced it was time to eat. It was then I realized I hadn’t offered to get Aspen a drink. I mentioned I wasn’t going to have anything, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want something. Hell, if I was her, I would most definitely want a drink or three.
“Do you want a drink before we sit down?”
“Oh no,” she hid a yawn with the back of her hand. “If I have anything to drink, I’ll likely fall asleep at the table. I’m sorry I’m such a party pooper.”
She was far from what she described. Aspen would be what made my night tolerable.
We sat down at a table next to each other with Colton and Rylee across from us, and a couple of others I didn’t know. Luckily, Udo and Eduardo were at a different table.
“Ms. Belle, I’m Rylee Donavan.” She leaned over the table and shook Aspen’s hand with a wide smile on her pretty face.
“It’s nice to meet you. Mr. Donavan, it’s good to see you again as well.” Aspen nodded formally at her new employer.
“It’s good to see you as well,” he answered back and gave me a nod.
Aspen
Rylee stood and moved around the table until she was behind Callum. “Would you mind trading seats with me for a moment while I talk to Ms. Belle?”
He looked at me questioningly, and it made me appreciate his kind heart even more. I gave him a small nod and nervously waited as Rylee sat down beside me. She moved her chair closer and gave me a reassuring smile.
“These things can be a little intimidating when you first go to them, so I applaud you for coming. Especially on your first night here. Was your flight good?”
A bitter laugh bubbled out of me. “It had to be about the worst flight I’ve ever been on.”
“Oh, no!” She placed her hand on my arm. “I’m so sorry to hear that. What happened?”
“There was a terrible storm through most of the flight, and I thought we were going to crash. Callum, though,” I tilted my head toward him, “he was a trooper and believe it or not, helped me through my panic.”
“It’s not hard to believe if you know him. Most of the teams and drivers, ours included, think he’s an asshole, but once you get to know him, you’ll find out that he’s a real softy. And a charmer.” Her red lips grew. “He’ll definitely keep you on your toes.”
I didn’t want to mention how he’d flirted with me. Maybe that was his personality, but I didn’t want him to get reprimanded, nor did I want to hear about how I was supposed to be the doctor helping him, and he was my patient. I knew that fact very well and didn’t need the reminder.
“What I really wanted to come over here for was to thank you for essentially dropping your life to help Callum. Racing is his whole world, and for that to be taken away from him would have been heartbreaking.”
Her eyes darted toward said man and her husband. When their eyes locked, my heart both swelled in my chest at seeing the love they had for each other and ached because of my lack of love life.
“I’m happy to help. I can’t really say much to you because of confidentiality, but after what he’s been through, he’s done amazingly well.”
“I’m shocked as well. I’m a counselor, and I’ve seen how long it can take someone to have a breakthrough. Hell, even to get help.”
I nodded, agreeing with her one hundred percent. “If it was anyone else and someone who wasn’t as dedicated to their craft as he is, I’m not sure they would have done nearly as well.”
“I’m just so glad we found you, and he opened up to you. I was worried that he’d be out for the rest of the season or permanently. Sadly, we can’t attend most of the races.” Her face fell, and her eyes started to sparkle with tears. “When I found out the entire crew packed up and left without visiting him, it broke my heart.”
It broke my heart, knowing he was alone. That he was by himself while he traveled the world year after year. If anything happened to me while I was in Barcelona, I’d have no one. Maria would probably come to visit me out of obligation, but that’s not the same as having a friend or a loved one being there to worry or to make you feel better.
Servers poured into the room and started to place our plates in front of the guests.