Chapter 241: Enjoying The View

With Ruby secured and her production management left in a stunned, agreeable daze, our convoy headed straight for the private airfield.

Waiting on the tarmac was the sleek, matte-black exterior of our long-range corporate jet. The ground crew had already stowed the luggage, and the cabin lights were glowing with warm, soft ambient lighting against the leather seating.

As the heavy air-stairs folded up and the jet engines roared to life, taxicab hums fading beneath us, the core group settled into the mid-cabin lounge deck.

Ruby had already kicked off her stage heels, sprawling out across the plush velvet sofa with a glass of vintage champagne. "I love a good high-stakes studio escape," she sighed happily, resting her head against my knee while May leaned back in the adjacent reclining captain’s chair, her gold world-record medal resting on the side table.

Chloe sat beside me, swiping through the flight manifest and arrival itineraries on her custom tablet screen.

"We’ll touch down at the private desert strip right before dusk," Chloe said, pointing out the window as the jet cut through the cloud line. "The private oasis compound is fully staffed, completely off-grid, and locked down by our private security detail. Sand dunes, night fires, custom desert rigs... and once we wrap there, the Dubai penthouse suite is cleared for our grand entry."

"High-speed dune racing in the desert sounds like my kind of warm-down," May grinned, popping a strawberry into her mouth. "Just make sure the dune buggies have enough horsepower."

"They’re custom-built 800-horsepower twin-turbo desert runners," I replied with a smirk, running my fingers through Ruby’s hair. "You won’t be disappointed."

Through the sky, the horizon began to shift into warm shades of amber and deep crimson, signaling our approach toward the endless golden dunes.

The jet’s tires kissed the tarmac of the private desert airstrip just as the sun began its final dip, painting the endless waves of golden sand in vivid hues of violet, orange, and fiery red.

The air-stairs dropped, and as we stepped down onto the warm desert floor, the dry breeze carried a sense of complete isolation from the rest of the world. Waiting right on the edge of the airstrip were three custom-built, matte-black 800-horsepower twin-turbo desert runners—low-slung, roll-caged beasts sitting on massive sand-paddled tires.

May’s eyes instantly locked onto the driver’s seat of the lead rig, a dangerous, eager smirk spreading across her face.

"Oh, now this is what I’m talking about," May laughed, tossing her track jacket into the back and jumping straight over the side panel behind the wheel. "Ethan, you weren’t kidding!"

"Hop in," I smiled, sliding into the passenger seat beside her, while Chloe and Ruby climbed into the secondary seats behind us, strapping into their four-point racing harnesses.

"Wait, is May driving?!" Ruby squealed, grabbing the grab-handle tightly, though her face was lit up with pure thrill. "She just broke a world record today, she’s going to launch us over a dune!"

"Hold on tight, popstar!" May barked, hitting the ignition button.

The twin-turbo engine roared to life with a deafening, guttural growl that reverberated across the open sand. May slammed her foot on the throttle, and the desert runner tore out of the airstrip, kicking up massive roosts of glowing red sand as we launched straight into the heart of the dunes.

We crested massive sand ridges at terrifying angles, gravity lifting from our chests before plunging down the steep faces of golden dunes, the wind rushing past us under the darkening desert sky. Ruby was screaming with laughter, Chloe held on with a thrilled grin, and May navigated the terrain with absolute, flawless precision.

Within twenty minutes of high-octane dune carving, the sprawling desert gave way to a hidden, illuminated paradise tucked within a deep valley of red sand: The Private Luxury Oasis Compound.

Gleaming infinity pools reflected the starry night sky, fire pits flickered along open-air silk canopy lounges, and private staff stood ready to attend to every single whim. May brought the desert runner to a smooth, drifting halt right in front of the main lounge entrance, turning off the engine with a satisfied hum.

"Now that," May said, running a hand through her wind-blown hair and looking over at me with a soft, glowing smile, "was the best post-race cool-down in history."

Chloe unbuckled her harness, taking my hand as she stepped out into the cool desert air. "I have to admit, Ethan... you were completely right. This place is breathtaking."

The ambient desert heat began to settle into a cool, refreshing night breeze as the stars bloomed across the unpolluted night sky.

Staff members glided silently through the open-air pavilion, setting up a private lounging area right beside the main infinity pool, where a sunken stone fire pit crackled softly. Gentle flame light danced across the silk tapestries and deep velvet cushions arranged in a wide circle.

After changing out of our dust-dusted gear into soft, silk resort wear, we gathered around the open fire. The quiet rustle of the palm fronds and the crackle of burning cedar created a calm, secluded atmosphere that felt a world away from stadium press lines and recording studios.

Ruby curled up right beside me, resting her head comfortably against my shoulder, holding a glass of chilled vintage wine. "I don’t think I’ve felt this quiet in months," she murmured softly, watching the embers float up into the night sky. "No cameras, no mixing boards... just us."

Chloe sat on my other side, tucking her legs beneath her as she took a slow sip from her glass, her eyes reflecting the warm glow of the fire pit. "It’s a rare moment of peace," she agreed, her voice soft and relaxed. "No corporate boardrooms to manage, no lawsuits to settle. Just watching the stars in the middle of nowhere."

May leaned back against a stack of oversized cushions across from us, swirling her drink with a relaxed, contented smirk. Her usual fierce athletic edge had melted into complete ease.

"I have to admit, Ethan," May said, looking up from the flames to catch my eye. "When you said desert, I was ready to call you crazy. But sitting out here after pulling off a 9.15... yeah, this was the exact right move."

I smiled, pulling Ruby a little closer while resting a hand gently on Chloe’s back.

"We work hard, we take down rivals, and we conquer industries," I said smoothly, looking around at the women who built this empire alongside me. "Taking time to enjoy the view from the top is non-negotiable."

Ruby let out a soft, happy sigh, closing her eyes as the warm desert fire kept the night chill at bay. The conversation drifted naturally into easy teases, shared laughs, and quiet moments under the desert canopy as midnight stretched over the oasis.