It was late by the time we returned to the hotel.

I was exhausted, and by the looks of it, so was Alessandro.

I walked silently beside him as we entered the hotel room. The faint sound of camera shutters reached my ears, but I didn't dare turn to look for them. Neither of us had said a word about what happened after the race.

My work bag was slung over a shoulder and in my hand was the silver second place trophy. I followed after him, letting him lead me to his room.

A pair of sunglasses still covered his eyes that were no doubt red and puffy.

"Do you need anything?" I asked hesitantly, placing the trophy on the bedside table in his room.

He shook his head, falling face forward onto the bed. I smiled to myself, turning on the small reading light by the bed.

I placed a bottle of water from my work bag on the table, along with the packet of supplements Aaron had given to me for Alessandro.

"Aaron wanted me to remind you the debrief will happen tomorrow. And Lando's texting asking if you're coming out to the club tonight."

Alessandro grumbled something under his breath, his voice muffled by the sheets.

"Well, in that case, I'll see you tomorrow," I said, moving to step away from the bed.

I froze when his hand reached out to grab my wrist.

"Can you stay?" he asked, opening one eye to look at me.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Please?"

"No, I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.

"Pleeease."

I let out a sigh, giving in to his request. I set my bag down by the door, removing my shoes.

I sat on the edge of the bed as Alessandro shifted to the other side to make room for me. I laughed quietly as his curly hair covered his eyes, but he was too lazy to move it out of the way. Without thinking, I reached out to comb his hair back from his face.

His hair was soft and smooth, still slightly damp from his shower.

Damn, what conditioner does he use?

He let out a quiet rumble of content as I ran my fingers through his hair.

"Does that feel good?" I chuckled.

He nodded snuggling into his pillow.

I was convinced Alessandro was just a big baby.

I'd hate to admit it, but I felt uneasy sitting in silence in his hotel room. Being around Alessandro made me hyperaware of myself- of the space between us. And right now, there was very little of that.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

I didn't realize I had stopped moving and my hand had dropped onto the pillow.

"Nothing," I sighed, lifting the sheets and getting under them.

He lifted the sheets, looking at me.

"Wait, let me get you a hoodie," he said, suddenly getting out of bed.

"No, no, it's fine."

But he was already on the other side of the room, rummaging through his suitcase.

He pulled out a dark hoodie and handed it to me.

"Thank you," I smiled, disappearing into the bathroom.

The lights were blindingly bright, making the front of my head hurt for a few moments as I pulled off my shirt. His hoodie smelled like his cologne and was soft as anything.

When I came out of the bathroom, Alessandro was fiddling with the thermostat. A rush of hot air came from the vents as the heating turned on.

He turned at the sound of the door shutting, his figure illuminated by the doorway light.

"How do I look?" I joked, spinning on my heels.

"Only you can look better in my clothes than I do," he chuckled, looking me up and down.

I looked away, walking to the bed as my cheeks burned.

Alessandro switched off all the lights before moving to close the curtains.

As soon as the curtains were drawn completely, darkness enveloped the room.

Taking my phone out of my pocket, I moved to place it on the table when I ran into something.

"Ow,"I muttered, rubbing my ribs where something point had bumped into me.

"Sorry," he whispered, a hand steadying me by the shoulders.

"I can't see," I whispered back.

"No shit, Kota," he replied, making me roll my eyes.

"Maybe we should turn on one light until we get in bed."

"Look at that, you actually used your brain for once."

"Oh sure, Alessandro. Suuure. Which one of us is smarter again?"

"Me by a long shot."

"Yeah, right. What a joke."

"I don't joke, princess."

"What ever you say casanova."

"You say you find me unattractive and then proceed to call me casanoava? How does that work?"

"It works because... you know what, fuck you."

"Took the words right out of my mouth. We can test if these walls are soundproof."

It was a good thing I couldn't see him in the dark or else I'd have slapped him by now.

"You've gone awfully quiet. Did I hit a nerve?" he taunted and I could almost see the smirk on his face.

"No. I just don't wanna talk to you," I replied, turning around to make my way back to the bed.

Suddenly, his arms wrapped around my waist, catching me off guard. A gasp of surprise escaped my lips as his chest pressed against my back. The smell of his shampoo engulfed my senses, my skin burned at his touch.

"What are you doing?" I whispered, my voice coming out breathless.

This is it Dakota. You're pathetic.

"Making you talk to me," he whispered, his lips brushing against my ear.

A violent shiver wracked my body, making him chuckle lowly. I could feel his biceps against my waist, butterflies appearing in my stomach.

"Alessandro, we can't."

"Can't, or won't?" he asked, spinning me around in his arms. I stumbled, my hands on his chest as he pressed my body against his. Even through the thick hoodie, I could feel the heat from his hands on my lower back.

I couldn't see even 2 inches in front of me. Yet I was hyperaware of every part of his body touching mine. The hairs on the back of my neck rose, my heart threatening to beat out of my chest.

His hand traveled up the side of my body, searching for my face.

His hand cupped my face and I suddenly panicked as his breath fanned over my skin.

Then he kissed me.

Everything went oddly quiet, like the moment of silence between lightning and thunder.

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Bang.

We kissed again.

The next kiss is the kind that breaks open the sky. It stole my breath before giving it back. It proved that every other kiss I had before was wrong.

The only right one, was Alessandro.

I felt dizzy from the way Alessandro's lips moved against mine, the way his tongue met mine every few seconds. His hand rested against the small of my back, emanating heat that seeped through the hoodie to my skin. My hands rested at the back of his head, threading through his hair. His skin was hot under my fingertips.

I tugged on his hair, an overwhelming feeling washing over me. A quiet rumble of sounded from him, sending heat rushing through my body. My heart skipped a beat at the sound, the butterflies causing chaos in my stomach.

All I could think about was Alessandro.

My legs hit the edge of the bed and I felt myself falling back.

We broke apart, desperate for some air. His figure loomed over me, the delicate chain with a cross dangling over me.

Purr.

"God, you're so beautiful," he whispered, gazing down at me.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly going dry.

"How many girls have you said that to?" I asked bitterly, sitting up

"None, only you Dakota. Because you're the only one who's truly beautiful," he replied, his green eyes never leaving mine.

Our lips met again, this time more urgent.

I could feel his hands sneaking under the hoodie, causing goosebumps to rise on my skin. My mind was urging me to stop, but my heart had other ideas.

I let him gently pull the hoodie over my head, a cold rush of air hitting my exposed skin. His lips trailed down my neck, gently nipping at my skin.

I gasped as he sucked on the skin below my ear, my nails digging in to the back of his neck.

He hissed, pulling away for a moment.

"If we don't stop, I won't be able to control myself," he rasped, his voice low.

"Okay," I whispered, letting my arms fall from around his neck. He rolled over and lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling.

My chest rose and fell rapidly as I tried to catch my breath. A small smile formed on my lips and I turned to look at Alessandro.

I couldn't really see him, but I could feel his presence and that was enough.

But as I lay there in his bed, I realized something that left a sour taste in my mouth.

In all the chaos of the race and Alessandro's podium, I had completely forgot that it was my last race weekend.

By the time Russia came in a week's time, I would no longer have a job with the FIA.

Meaning I would no longer be present in the Paddock on race weekends.

What have I done