Wrecked (Dirty Air 3)

“I won mine fair and square, which means you’re taking a week off.”

Both her brows jump. “What? A week off from what exactly?”

“Work.”

She shakes her head. “I can’t do that—”

“Of course you can. I already asked Connor. And before you ask, I promised to be on my best behavior so you can enjoy yourself like Sophie and Maya do.”

“You can’t call in and use my sick days.”

“I can and I did.” I shrug. “You’ll thank me for it. We can’t have you working yourself into a shallow grave.” The idea hit me after Elena confessed to me during lunch one day how she has never taken a sick day off of work. Not even when she was seventeen and had to work during her birthday. That’s a bloody tragedy no one should experience in their lifetime.

I’m working to rectify her addiction to working. At least a little bit, so she can have enough free time to actually enjoy the life she works hard to provide for.

Look at me, all thoughtful and shit. Mum would be proud.

“I’m not seeing how this is a favor for you?” She scrunches her nose in the cutest way.

Cute. Adorable. Beautiful. Elena brings out the hopeless romantic in me that can’t help wanting to make her smile again. I’m tempted to grip my balls to make sure they’re still attached to my body, but I ignore the urge.

“I want you to enjoy a week by my side as my girlfriend. Galas, press conferences, race-day podiums. You know, actually enjoying the Mexican Grand Prix like a local, rather than an employee.”

She lets out a laugh that settles me. “You know, people would be surprised to know what a soft teddy bear you are underneath all those tattoos, muscles, and grumbly words.”

“It’s a good thing you’re good at your job, love, because I can’t let that secret get out.”

Elena hits me with a stunning smile that makes my skin grow hot. She walks away from the bed and tugs my shirt, pulling me toward her. “This is one secret I’ll guard with my life.”

“Oh, and why is that?” my voice rasps, my need for her becoming obvious.

“You’re famous, which means the world knows more about you than both you and I would like. But the man you are when the cameras shut off is someone I want to keep all to myself. It’s selfish…but I never claimed to be an angel.” Her smile changes to something devious, the sparkle in her eyes hinting at more.

“Be as selfish as you want. I never asked for an angel.”

Elena wraps a hand around the back of my neck and pulls my lips toward her. She shows me exactly why angels are overhyped and lust is the deadliest sin of them all.

37

Elena

My phone beeps, and I move to grab it off the nightstand of our hotel bedroom. Jax’s hand swoops in and steals it away from my grasp before I have a second to check it.

He stands over me like a shadow, shaking his head. “Nope. I’m holding this baby hostage for a week.”

“That’s pointless. I have an iPad.”

He smirks. “Confiscated as well, love.”

My smile drops. “What? Why?”

“No working means no working. And since you’re you, I couldn’t chance the favor with you breaking the rules. It’s only Monday, after all.”

“Says the guy who asked me to be a rule-breaker,” I mumble under my breath.

“Ahh. But that’s different. I reap the benefits of those broken rules. Anyway, you can smile instead because we’re going out.”

“Out?” Last time I checked, Jax had a gala tonight. A look at the hotel’s clock tells me he is running out of time to get ready.