Counterpoints (Counterpoints #1) Read online

  The way Christopher was looking at her made her uneasy, like she was something so tasty, so delicious he wished he could get his hands on her. She touched her lips again.

  “You know I do” he said.

  What was it about this woman that made him so interested? She was so sexy, that his hands ached to touch her every time he watched her sway around him.

  Her beauty was one of a kind, so profound it reached her soul. But she was also smart and sassy, he loved the way they talked about things, how they flirted.

  What was happening to him, he had no idea. It wasn’t like him to chase around a woman like that. Truth to be told, it had always been quite the opposite. Maybe it’s all about the chase. That’s what’s making it all so exciting, Christopher thought.

  “Do you want me to play games with you, Signorina?” he asked moving closer to her. They looked into each other’s eyes and immediately Christopher knew what Isabella wanted. Exactly what he wanted.

  With a swift move, Isabella closed the distance, leaning forward, and kissed him. Immediately, one of Christopher’s hand was behind her head and the other one rested on her bare shoulder. She gripped at his arms tight and noticed her breathing had changed, as the kiss deepened.

  Isabella felt her legs shake, luckily for her she was sitting down. She returned the kiss, with all the passion she had repressed for an entire week. She moaned against his mouth, when his hands slid down to her legs, but they both jumped suddenly when they heard a loud knock on the door.

  The sound had startled them both. As they stood there, inches away from each other, both breathing hard and smiling, Christopher leaned his forehead on hers and made a frustrating noise. He then kissed her gently on the lips again and stood up. Isabella panted and felt her chest ache.

  When Christopher kissed her, she didn’t want him to stop. Ever.

  “Come on, time to get back in there, more obvious questions await” he took her hand and took her back into the kitchen and in front of the big door.

  “You go first” he said and, before she stepped into the room, he took her hand and spun her around, kissing her again and leaving her breathless. Isabella enjoyed every instant, every little detail of their closeness –his hands on her skin, his breathing, his scent. It was incredible how much she had missed feeling lightheaded, like only Christopher made her feel.

  It was so easy to be around him and yet she couldn’t help but wonder, how long would it take, how long it would take him to realize how normal, common she was. How long before he would get tired of her and move on to someone else.

  Two days later, Isabella was at a big sports store opening with Noah. Getting used to the jet lag had been easy – a little painful the first day but she had managed to stay awake, thanks to Cristina and her brother’s messages. Getting used to Noah, was a whole other matter.

  Since they had met, Isabella had always had that gut feeling that something was off but she had never managed to put a finger on it. Now, after spending more time around him, she knew exactly what made him so unpleasant.

  To some Noah might have seemed like a guy that kept to himself, always very serious, insecure maybe and at times embarrassed, too. The thing was, Isabella came to discover, that he was exactly the opposite. First impressions are usually misleading.

  He kept to himself because he thought that he was much smarter, more talented than anyone else.

  He never smiled because he was too busy judging or analyzing others.

  He seemed embarrassed, insecure but in reality he was just arrogant and detached.

  What a bitch. Isabella had thought of herself that way at the beginning. She had felt like she hadn’t given Noah really a chance, too busy counting on that silly gut feeling.

  Since when she trusted instincts? Never. Why had she trusted them now, when it came to Noah’s personality? She had accused herself of being the small town kind of girl she hated and so desperately had tried to escape all her life from.

  Isabella had dwelled on the fact that maybe she was really being a bitch to him and should have given him the benefit of a doubt.

  And so she did, she gave him just that, a chance.

  “I’m the fastest driver these days. I won last year, I am sure this year will be the same. The car is as good as ever and I am very fit. There is a reason why I’m considered the most talented driver on track nowadays” he had told her minutes earlier in the car, as they headed to the store opening.

  This had been Noah’s answer to a very similar question Isabella had asked Christopher that first night in Sidney. When we were kissing in the fire escape, next to the kitchens. Stop thinking about that.

  Christopher’s answer of course had been very different.

  “They know I am the man to beat. They all think they can, but you’ll see what I mean on Sunday” he smiled then and put on his jacket before stepping out of the car.

  Isabella rolled her eyes and followed him out, sick and tired of hearing him talk about him, his talent and how much he was being paid. Like she cared.

  What a beautiful evening this would be for her. Hillary was there somewhere too of course, working around the clock. Luckily for Isabella, her job would end in a few minutes.

  Her only task for the night was to take pictures and promote the event on the web and add a few of Noah’s comments on the opening. She would have to bite her tongue to write the sum up of the event.

  Unfortunately for Hillary, she would have to spend the entire evening, handling press and doing a little PR.

  Noah was now in front of the sport store, ready to cut the ribbon and shake hands. Isabella took out her camera and took pictures. She recorded Noah’s brief, emotionless speech – about how sports are important for young people, what an honor was for him to present the new store, the usual - and then she was off, back in the car, craving for a nice hot shower and a good night sleep.

  Since she had left Italy, her phone had been buzzing like madness. Texts from Cristina, from Emilia - who demanded to know how things were going down-under.

  She had even received a message from Salvo, which said that he hoped to see her next time she returned home, for a chat he said.

  Finally, he had texted her, he had broken the silence, after months of no communication, what’s so ever. Nothing from Angela.

  Sidney was very chaotic and people were everywhere, walking around town. The city was getting ready for a great Thursday night. Unfortunately for Isabella, she had a one hour deadline. She had to send the material to Mr. Jenkins in time, so he could approve – or more likely disapprove- and then she had to post everything online, blog and social networks.

  She had so much material to choose from. It had been a busy day. They had gone from one press conference - with the drivers - to another – with the team managers.

  Christopher had looked her way and smiled at her a couple of time. He had even tried to approach her immediately after the events ended, just to say hello and talk for a few minutes. But they had never been left alone.

  Hillary had joined them and their conversation had shifted to a more professional tone, but before she arrived, he had said exactly what Isabella had wanted to hear.

  “I’m suffering from a very serious mental disease” he had said to her, while shaking her hand and kissing her cheeks.

  “Which is?” she smiled amused.

  “I keep seeing you everywhere. Why is that?”

  “I don’t know, maybe because I AM everywhere lately. I am your shadow. Have you spoken to someone about it?” she teased.

  “Yes, a beautiful woman from Italy but she seems not to take me seriously” he gave her the slyest of smiles and moved a little closer. Isabella turned her head elsewhere, as he spoke next to her ear. “So, since I already see you everywhere, can I take you out? For real this time, not just in my head”

  “I don’t know” she hesitated. Deep down, Isabella had wanted to hear just that from Christopher. She wanted to go out again after Valencia.

  Ne
vertheless, after not hearing from him for an entire week, she had mentally prepared to take a step back in their ‘relationship’ – if kissing once or twice could have been considered a relationship at all- and just start off again like friends.

  Colleagues maybe, not even friends, friends.

  Instead she said “Our schedules are pretty tight this week” she looked around the room, afraid that someone was looking at them, afraid everyone could see on her face how happy she was to be talking to Christopher.

  “Are you free this afternoon?” he insisted, as cool as ever.

  “I can’t. I have to go to a sponsor event with Noah and then I have to send my report to Mr. Jenkins an hour after that, tops”

  Hillary was approaching them. She was walking from the back of the room, cell phone in hand, tablet under her arm, in control like an experienced warrior but stressed like only a woman in a men’s world could be.

  “How about Friday afternoon?” he pressed on, his tone calm as ever.

  “Cocktail hour with Hillary and some journalists she wants me to meet.”

  “Saturday then” he smiled to the side.

  “Don’t you have a race on Sunday?” she asked. It was more a rhetorical question. Of course he had the race on Sunday. Doh.

  “So? There is this thing I want to do with you… Say, pick you up at five?”

  “I don’t know. I have to check my timetable” she fidgeted a little.

  Even though she was really busy and had to seriously check her schedule, Isabella smiled a little in the inside, for how good it felt to play hard to get. Just for a little while, and to see Christopher wanting her. Well, actually he said there is this thing he wants to do with you…could It be something usually performed under bed sheets?

  She did her best to regain control of herself, as Hillary came through, stopping to talk to some people on the way. She felt her cheeks in flames as usual, as every time Christopher was inches away from her. God, get a grip you teenager.

  “Say yes Signorina Bresciani or I swear I’ll kiss those cherry lips of yours right here, right now and I’ll give the press something new, something real to write about, instead of the same old bullocks” he stepped closer and Isabella’s eyes widened.

  “You, you wouldn’t…” she stuttered.

  “I wouldn’t? You sure?” he smiled, a devilish smile. He was going to do it, she could tell that he had no problem doing it.

  Of course he hadn’t, he was used to the attention. Exactly what Isabella didn’t want right now. Attention. Especially from the press, particularly from Hillary. Right now she didn’t want to be the girl who dated famous driver Christopher Taylor. She wanted to be Isabella Bresciani, Hillary’s assistant and make a name for herself in the field, preferably with her name far, far away from any gossip magazine.

  I want you to kiss me, was what her eyes kept telling his, but not now, not here. Christopher knew that. The thing was that Isabella was still trying to impress Hillary, more importantly Mr. Jenkins, who seemed not to trust her at all. What good would it do to her career if their thing would become public?

  Her heart was thumping wildly in her chest.

  “You don’t play fare”

  “I never said I would” he smiled to the side, moving even closer.

  “You wouldn’t dare” she blurted out, laughing nervously.

  “Here it goes…” he touched her shoulder and moved closer.

  “Okay, okay, yes Saturday” her breathing had changed, she was almost panting.

  “Hey guys. Chris they want to do a piece on you for next month’s issue…” Hillary began to speak to Christopher, all business with not even the faintest smile on her tired face.

  After a small conversation between them- during which he had agreed to do the interview under Mr. Jenkins’ approval and surveillance - Hillary turned to Isabella.

  “Great job, Isabella. I read your last two entries this morning. Loved them. The pictures look great and people are commenting nonstop. I’m really liking your style. It’s fresh, it’s like a ‘behind the scenes’. Go girl!” she put a hand around her shoulder casually and hugged her a little.

  “Thank you, Hillary. Your appreciation means a lot to me” Isabella felt a little moved and proud of herself.

  Of course, her family and friends had already told her it was spectacular but coming from a professional like Hillary, it was all a different matter.

  Isabella looked outside the car. They had arrived at the hotel, she didn’t even realize. She paid the taxi driver and was out in the cool, fresh evening.

  Chapter 14

  “As you know, there are three qualifying sessions. I need you here for the third one because there will be a press conference soon after. So, I’d say you should go on track with Phil during the second round” Hillary was writing something down on her tablet and then on her agenda, as she spoke to Isabella.

  She looked up and Isabella saw that her eyes were sad again. Could it be just a coincidence that Mr. Jenkins and his wife had been around the track all Friday afternoon and again that morning?

  Ten minutes to the qualifying session and the drivers were all in their cars, waiting at their box. Some of them were drinking, others were just silent and concentrating, while their tires were being warmed up by the mechanics.

  Isabella was in the MB box with Hillary and from where they were standing – at the far end, all the way inside the box- they could see Christopher and Noah, both sitting in their cars, their backs to them.

  Christopher had been very quiet, very concentrated from the beginning. He had said hello to them with the usual warm smile on his face, then he had sat down to listen to music, his tracksuit unzipped and half off from waist up. Underneath, he was wearing a blue turtle neck shirt with the MB logo on it. It was so fitted, Isabella could see his sculptured torso. She did her best to keep her eyes off it. As much as possible, anyway.

  Noah had acknowledged them too, but his girlfriend was there in the box, clinging to him all the way through the picture taking process of the press, and once it was time to step in the car, she had backed away and found a seat next to Hillary and Isabella.

  “Okay, I’ll go take a few pictures” Isabella took one of her cameras from a chair – she had brought three, all of them set with different lenses so it would be easier for her- and walked over to the front. She checked if there were any cars in transit but of course they were all still in their boxes, waiting for the qualifying session to begin.

  Eight minutes to go.

  She stepped out in the sunlight -it was such a sunny, warm day - and positioned herself in front of Noah. Of course all she could see through his helmet were his eyes, but that was enough to tell he looked very serious.

  Isabella took a few pictures of him and his mechanics kneeling around his tires, then a close up for Noah and then she lowered a little and took a few pictures at the MB logo and sponsors on the front of the car.

  Five minutes to go.

  She moved on to the right hand side. It was Christopher’s turn. She walked to the front and took a few pictures of his car and his mechanics- which were all busy, moving around him. Then she decided to take one lying down on her stomach and to the side, taking a shot of the left front tire and his left side.

  Christopher looked at her then and his eyes were shining like fire. He waved at her and she took a picture of him again. Perfect.

  Two minutes to go.

  She backed away, her legs a little shaky after seeing Christopher smile at her, and rubbed off some dirt from her blue and gray t-shirt. That day she was wearing the MB uniform and It made her feel proud. She was indeed part of a great team. It was incredible how much she had learned in just a few weeks in the job. It was even more incredible how she had blended with the rest of the people working for MB.

  Yes, Isabella was proud of being part of the MB team and thus of wearing that uniform, and knew exactly how lucky she was, for getting along so well with her colleagues. A part from Mr. Jenkins, w
ho technically wasn’t even her colleague.

  The excitement on the track was palpable, the whole box was frantic and filled with enthusiasm. A new season was about to begin.

  The engines roared and the first cars began to leave the boxes. Noah was one of the first to go, but Christopher waited a few more minutes. So many cars were out, that there was a little traffic on track.

  Hillary and Isabella watched on the screen, next to Noah’s girlfriend who had been very quiet all along.

  As the minutes went by, the drivers finished their first lap and Noah was first, Australian Tommasini was second right behind him driving a very fast, black and white Chiellini car.

  Noah began his second lap, hoping to put a bigger gap between him and the others and Christopher decided to enter the game.

  He left the boxes with a roar and Isabella’s heart began to race. She had to admit it was all very thrilling. First qualifying session of the season, first qualifying session for her, first race on Sunday, but also first time ever she saw Christopher drive his car.

  She watched the screen maniacally and breathed hard, as the TV network showed Christopher coming out of the second turn, then sped right into the next turn and then he was out. His timing was great, he was ahead of Noah after only the first lap.

  Meanwhile Noah came back to the box and the mechanics helped him in. There were only five minutes left of the first session.

  “You should go now. Where are you and Phil going to take pictures?” Hillary asked. Isabella took her equipment but her eyes were still on the screen. Christopher was about to finish his second lap.

  “Phil told me the marshals granted us turn three. He said it’s a good place to take pictures. Turn three is a sharp one, so they’ll slow down a lot there and Phil will be able to take good pictures for us” Isabella smiled at Hillary, letting her know it was all under control. Hillary looked relieved and crossed something off her agenda with satisfaction on her face.

  Thanks to the MB official photographer Phil -a funny middle aged man, with the nicest Irish accent Isabella had ever heard - she could count on a professional for official pictures during races and qualifying sessions. She just wanted to make sure they got good ones for the blog.