( NOT EDITED/ PROOFREAD )

It was about an hour since Charles and Juliette settled into the bed, the air was thick. It was tense.

But they both chose to ignore it.

Juliette continuesly tossed and turned around the bed. She couldn't find a comfortable postion, and she couldn't sleep.

Charles was aware of her problem, but decided to stay silent, as he clacked away on his laptop keyboard. His eyes danced across the sets of data displayed on his screen, before switching tabs to Gmail, where he wanted to write an email regarding those data sets.

Juliette was now faced towards Charles, her eyes fluttered closed. She was awake - obviously - but was attempting to let herself doze off into slumber.

But it just wasn't possible.

Charles glanced at her briefly, his eyes lingered on to her for a few moments, before turning back to his laptop. He felt her soft, coursing breaths fan against his shoulder.

He shuddered.

Charles typed in one last email, before clicking send, and closing his laptop. He finally finished his work.

The room was now pitch black dark due to the lack of brightness from Charles's laptop screen.

Charles grabbed his phone from the nightstand on his right, he turned the brightness down, before mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, reading a few tweets, answering a few messages.

Juliette shuffled once more, a small sigh leaving her lips. It was very obvious that she couldn't sleep, and Charles realized it now.

He wanted to take it in his own hands.

He paused, before glancing at her. A twinge of hesitation filled his face, before he spoke up softly.

"Can't sleep?"

Juliette nodded tiredly, her eyes heavy. "I'm tired, but not sleepy-tired." Charles nodded in response.

He put his phone back onto the nightstand, before boldly turning to face her. Juliette's cheeks burned, but gladly, since it was too dark, so he didn't notice.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Charles questioned softly, his eyes glazed over her delicate face.

She hummed. "In all honesty? Not really." Juliette paused. "I don't think I'll ever be ready. I guess I'll just have to go out there, head first."

Charles nodded.

The silence that rippled upon them was deadly, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The two did nothing but gaze at one another, their stares were drenched with their unspoken thoughts.

Charles's eyes glazed upon her as a whole. His heart clenched as he realized how much she actually was struggling.

Don't get him wrong. He knew she was struggling quite a bit. But, her not being able to sleep was a whole 'nother thing.

Because growing up, he knew that whenever Jules was heavily anxious, he often neglected his sleep and would often have sleepless nights.

He guessed that probably was in the Bianchi genes, as Juliette was seemingly dealing with the same thing as well.

Charles hesitated, his expression softened ever so lightly. As his eyes lingered onto her worn out face.

"Come here." He stated softly, opening up his arms, inviting her into his embrace.

Juliette stared at him through her lashes, her lips parted, before she nodded.

His heart drummed at her submissiveness. It was unusual, he thought she would've denied and make up some

She laid her head on his chest, his bare skin touched her face, as she shuddered. Charles wrapped an arm around her. She snuggled herself into his torso more. Her brown locks sprawled over him, he smiled softly. Boldly pressing a soft kiss on her head.

Her cheeks burned once more, which Charles could see she was hiding. He smiled softly at the girl, before bringing his fingers to lift her chin up, his eyes meeting hers, her blushed cheeks now more visible due to the close proximity.

"You know." Charles started, his tone sincere. "The photos of me and the girl-"

Her face dropped ever so slightly.

"Leclerc." She warned softly, pulling away from the fingers that grasped her chin. "Can we talk about this later?"

Charles knew it was bad timing to bring the subject up, but he thought that since they were being so intimate in that current moment, it could've been his chance to explain.

But he was wrong. As usual.

He sighed in defeat, nodding gently. His grip around Juliette tightened, as she leaned into him more.

Juliette felt his heart boom against his rib age.

He was nervous.

Although, he didn't show it. Instead, a ghost of a smile lingered onto his lips, as he cherished the moment as much as he could, taking it in.

TW: MATURE SCENES.

That was until his thoughts got interrupted by the feeling of pressure -

against his crotch.

His breath hitched, as he stiffened. Juliette him stiffen too, her tired eyes glanced up at him, her eyes filled pure intentions. "You okay?"

"Juli-"

"If you want me to move I can." She offered, her big eyes gazing up at him, he felt himself crumble under her stare, watching as soft breaths flowed through her lips - which were so incredibly plump, his eyes then lingered down to her chest, which heaved up and down at every breath she took.

"Juliette." His tone was more firm, yet soft. His breathing a little strained. "Your knee."

Juliette furrowed her brows, her eyes trailed down to where her knee was positioned, her lips parted. "Oh."

Her knee was pressed against his area.

She swallowed, a sheepish expression etched into her face. "I- um, sorry. I'll-"

Just as she was about to move away from him, a hand was placed on her thigh, halting her movements.

Keeping her knee at his crotch.

His stare turned dark, he watched Juliette's breathless expression, as she gulped. It was as if a switch was flipped inside the two of them.

He swiped his tongue over his lips. "I told you I don't trust myself around you."

She huffed gently, as she sunk her teeth into her bottom lip, her eyes lashes batting at him, as his jaw clenched. She tilted her head slightly.

Juliette's daring eyes flickered between his own eyes. "And I told you I trust you."

Charles's breaths became deeper, his chest rumbled, as a grunt eluded from the back of his throat.

"Is that so?" He questioned, his brow darting up, as he watched Juliette nod wildly. His jaw twitched, a haze of lust seeped into the air. He watched as her eyes fell to his lips, before looking at him again.

The two weren't thinking, as pure desire clouded their minds.

Although, a small peep in the back of Juliette's head reminded her that she would regret it, and that it wouldn't be a good decision.

But, she waved it off, the feeling of desire and tension that sprouted inside of her was already too much.

His cold fingers trailed under her hoodie, grazing softly against her stomach. A wave of goosebumps gushed over her, as she shuddered.

"Make me forget. Just for tonight. I need to take my mind off of tomorrow." She breathed out, as his hands reached up to cup her breasts.

"Just for tonight, huh?" He asked, his voice deep as he gaze down at her. She nodded. "I-"

His head dipped down towards her neck, attacking it with aggressive kisses, sucking and nibbling on the skin, a staggered moan left her lips, as she squirmed under him.

"I guess we better make the most of the night then." He murmured into her neck, continuing his sentence.

He slid his hands down to her shorts, playing with the waistband, as Juliette's breath hitched.

"Please." She whined, a pout formed on her lips. "Please touch me." Her voice soft.

She looked up into his dark eyes, hunger fogged his mind as his jaw tightened.

How could he ignore such pretty cries?

ஓ๑♡๑ஓ

Despite the events of the night before. Juliette and Charles were seemingly on better terms.

The atmosphere around them was lighter, the two were finally getting a long a little.

And everyone noticed this.

Especially, Pierre.

He watched from across the paddock as Juliette, Charles, and one of the strategists from Ferrari, walked side by side towards the Ferrari motor home, a grin played his lips.

A particular Spaniard joined his side. "I guess he got the girl." A small smile graced his lips. Pierre shrugged. "I don't know, Carlos. I guess they just might be on better terms now."

"Ah, okay." Carlos clicked his tongue. "Charles has absolutely no game." He chuckled lightly. Pierre laughed along with him. "He'd be a loser without me as his wingman."

"Aren't you also sort of Juliette's wingman too?" Carlos questioned, crossing his arms over his chest. "No way. Juliette knows her way with men. She's usually the one who gives me advice."

Carlos nodded, opening his mouth, about to speak, before someone wrapped their arms around Pierre and Carlos's shoulders, smooshing their way to stand between them.

"Whatcha talking about?" Lando questioned, a grin etched onto his face. "I wanna know the paddock gossip, nobody tells me anything."

Max joined the three, standing beside Carlos. "Yeah, I wonder why."

Max was referring to the year before, when Lando accidentally told a Mclaren photographer, that Carlos had a girlfriend.

At that time of the year, there were rumours that Carlos and a certain model, were dating, but Carlos never wanted to confirm it.

So when Lando slipped it out to her, she had spread it to the rest of the paddock, and completely ruined Carlos's privacy.

Lando's face turned to a pout. "Hey! That was one time."

"One time?" Pierre rose his brow, amused at Lando's demeanor. "I can name several other times where you couldn't keep your big moth shut."

Max and Carlos nodded, agreeing with the frenchman. Lando huffed. "Fine."

The three others laughed at Lando's reaction. Before bidding goodbye to one another, and separating ways, knowing that the race would start in an hour.

ஓ๑♡๑ஓ

Juliette huffed, as she slipped herself into her racing suit. Her mind clouded with about a dozen things at once. She was currently in her driver's room, getting ready for the race.

Juliette desperately wanted to keep her mind on the race. She didn't want to be distracted. She couldn't be distracted.

She brought her fingers up to rub her temples, closing her eyes as she attempted the ease the pain of the current pounding headache she had.

A knock was heard from her door, she yelled for them to come in.

Daniel Ricciardo's head popped through the gap between the door way and the door.

Juliette's brows furrowed. "Hey. Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for the race?"

Daniel waved her off. "It's fine, we still have some time." He jumped onto the couch, sprawling himself over it.

Daniel wasn't doing the best this season. Leaving Redbull to join Renault was a huge deal, and probably one he regretted.

Juliette honestly felt sorry for him. She was going through a similar situation, with Mattia and all that.

"Wait, how'd you even get in here? They close the garages 30 minutes before the race . . ." Juliette trailed off, her furrowed brows deepened every so slightly.

"You ask way too many questions, Juli." Daniel laughed, attempting to wave her off once more. Juliette glanced at him boredly, letting him know that she wasn't budging.

"Well, obviously with my insanely good looks, I charmed my way in." He winked, Juliette grimaced at his smugness.

Daniel wasn't really a player, compared to some of the others on the grid. But, he did have his moments.

"I just wanted to check up on you, before the race." His tone shifted, into a sincere one. Juliette nodded, appreciating his efforts of being a good friend.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, sitting up a little more.

Juliette fiddled with her racing suit a little. "As okay as I can be, I guess." She shrugged.

Daniel's stare turned to one of pity, and Juliette noticed.

She hated when people pitied her.

Just as Daniel was about to speak, she quickly interrupted him

She did not want to hear him talk knowing that his tone would be seeped with pity and commiseration.

Juliette etched w fake-ish smile on her lips, assuring him that she was okay. "I mean, I'm starting P1, I'm racing for him. I guess this race will be a little tribute to him if I end up winning it." She spoke, mentioning Jules.

Daniel smiled wholeheartedly. "Well, in that case. I hope you do end up winning this GP, you deserve it."

She nodded, his encouraging words fueled her determination.

Juliette Bianchi had to win this race, for him.

For Jules.

ஓ๑♡๑ஓ

| AUTHORS NOTE ::
- hope you enjoyed this chapter! i made it a bit longer than it originally was supposed to be just to treat y'all <33

- BY THE WAY!! idk if i'll write smut for this book, im not rly comfortable with writing it, BUT we'll see 🙏🙏

DONT FORGET TO VOTE AND COMMENT! DONT BE A SILENT READER<33