Twists and Turns in Monte Carlo: A Formula 1 Affair

{5.2}

Toto stood outside Joanne's hotel room, his heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway. 

Moments later, the door opened, and Joanne stood there, her eyes a storm of emotions—anger, anxiety, and hurried behind everything else, desire.

She was still wearing her dress from the event, but her shoes were off, leaving her looking slightly disheveled yet undeniably stunning. She wore her long hair in a messy bund and she already took her makeup off.

"Come in," she said, her voice tight. "But you stand over there," she pointed to a spot about ten feet from where she stood. "Apparently, we can't talk to each other if we're not at least that far apart."

Toto stepped inside, the door closing softly behind him. He walked to the designated spot and stopped, his eyes never leaving hers. The tension in the room was palpable, like a coiled spring ready to snap.

"Joanne," he began, his voice low and controlled. "I'm here because you said we need to talk. So let's talk."

Joanne crossed her arms over her chest, her fingers digging into her skin as if to keep herself grounded. "This... whatever this is between us, it's messing with my head, Toto. I can't think straight when you're around and that happens more often than I would like."

Toto nodded, his expression serious. "I understand. Believe me, I'm feeling it too. But we need to figure out what we're doing here. We can't keep going in circles." His eyes flicker.

She laughed, a short, bitter sound. "Going in circles? It's more like a rollercoaster, and I want off. You confuse me. You were meant to be my little distraction for that evening, now look at the mess you caused?"

He took a step forward, but she held up a hand, stopping him in his tracks. "No, stay there. We talk first."

"Fine," he said, his frustration evident. "but I did not cause anything. You kissed me on that beach."

She laughed again. "You kissed me tonight."

" You were not even capable to talk to me in a room full of hundreds of people."

"What was I supposed to say? Hello, Mr. Wolff, do you still kiss as well as you did in Monaco? Oh, are you wearing my present? How is your ex-wife who is here with you?" Joanne spat her words out, maybe without thinking about them beforehand.

Toto snorted indignantly. "Is that what this is about?"

"No." 

"Then what is it about?"

"Noting, I want you to leave me alone Mr. Wolff. I have so much to lose!"

"Don't you think I do?" He briefly surprised himself at the tone he struck.

"Oh, calm down. If this had come out, you would have gotten a warm handshake and a 'congratulations'," she said, her words cutting through the thick air like a knife through butter.

Toto's frustration bubbled to the surface. "Is that what you think? That this is easy for me? That I don't have anything to lose?"

Joanne crossed her arms, glaring at him. "That's exactly what I think. You're Toto Wolff. Everyone respects you. No one questions your integrity. Me? I'd be the one paying the price. I'd be the one dismissed, called a gold digger, slut-shamed. And you? You'd walk away unscathed."

Toto stepped closer, the spark between them igniting despite their anger. "You think I'm untouchable? You think my reputation isn't on the line here? I thought you were a pretty fling in Monaco, but now I'm standing here, arguing with you, wanting you more than ever."

She took a step back, her heart racing. "Wanting me? Or wanting the thrill of the chase? You think this is a game?" Her voice was as sharp as her mind.

"Maybe it is," he shot back, his eyes blazing. "But it's a game we both keep playing. You think I haven't noticed how you look at me? How you react when I'm near? And in your story I am the bad guy?"

Her anger flared. "Oh, so now you're a mind reader, Houdini? You think you know what I want?"

"I think you want this as much as I do," he said, stepping even closer, the space between them crackling with tension. "But you're too afraid to admit it."

She bumped into the chest of drawers behind her and Toto placed his hands on it next to her hips. He was so close again that she could smell his perfume. Her face was only inches away from his. 

"Afraid?" She laughed, a bitter sound. "I'm not afraid. I'm realistic. This thing between us is a disaster waiting to happen."

"Then why did you text me? Why did you ask me to come here?" he challenged, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous whisper, close to her ear. "Because you can't stay away any more than I can."

A shiver ran down her spine and she closed her eyes, biting her lower lip. She had to keep a clear head now, and it took her a few seconds but she was able to catch herself again.

Joanne's breath hitched, the truth of his words hitting her hard. "I texted you because I needed to make things clear. Because I can't have you standing in the way of my career."

"Then make it clear," he said, his eyes locking onto hers. "Tell me you don't want this. Tell me you don't feel the same pull I do, and I'll walk away." His lips softly brushed her cheek.

Joanne's breathing became heavy and her chest rose sharply with each breath, brushing his. Her lips trembled, the words refusing to come out. The tension between them was unbearable, the spark too intense to ignore.

Joanne closed her eyes, the weight of their situation pressing down on her. "I can't afford to lose everything, Toto."

Her eyes opened, meeting his intense gaze, her voice just a soft whisper: "This is a one time thing. We get it out of our system, and then we go back to our lives. No more distractions, no more risks."

Toto's smile faded slightly, but he nodded in agreement. He slowly takes a step back giving her a bit more space, but Joanne had already decided everything for herself and pulled him back towards her by his waistband.

His body bumped against hers and she looked up at him."I've already told you on the roof, fuck me."Her words demanding, he gave in.