Chapter 242: Patricia Joined In On The Fun

As the fire pit crackled down to soft, amber coals, the cool night desert air settled gently over the compound. Ruby had fallen fast asleep against my side, completely worn out from days of non-stop video shoots and the explosive adrenaline of the midnight rooftop launch. Chloe stood up with a quiet, graceful smile, gently guiding Ruby back inside toward the air-conditioned master suite to turn in for the night.

That left just May and me sitting by the warm, glowing embers.

She wasn’t wearing her track gear or her heavy gold medal now—just an oversized silk shirt, her bare legs stretched out toward the hearth as she stared into the fading flames. The high-strung, predatory focus she carried on the track had completely melted away, leaving her looking serene under the starlight.

I shifted closer on the cushioned bench, refilling her glass with a splash of vintage red.

"Still wide awake, champ?" I asked softly.

May took the glass, her fingers lightly brushing mine. She let out a soft, breathy chuckle, looking up at the sky. "You know how hard it is to sleep after your heart’s been beating so fast? The adrenaline takes forever to clear out."

"You shattered a world record live on international TV and humiliated Peter Pear in front of his entire team," I smirked, leaning back against the cushions. "I’d say you earned a little insomnia."

May turned her head to look at me, her dark eyes reflecting the soft glow of the embers. The playful smirk faded into something deeper, more genuine.

"I couldn’t have done it without you, Ethan," she said softly, her voice dropping to an intimate whisper.

She set her glass down on the stone ledge, shifting over until she was sitting right next to me, resting her hand on my knee.

"You gave me everything and the total confidence to run without limits," May continued, looking straight into my eyes. "When I was standing on those blocks today, I wasn’t running for the press or the trophy. I was running to show the world what we built."

I reached up, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, my thumb resting softly against her cheekbone.

"You’re the top sprinter on the planet, May," I murmured, my gaze locking onto hers. "I just gave you the stage. You did the rest."

May smiled, a warm, tender expression sweeping over her face. She leaned in, pressing her lips softly against mine in a lingering, deep kiss that tasted like sweet wine and the cool desert air. When she pulled back slightly, her breath caught, her hand sliding up to rest against my chest.

"Best cool-down ever," she whispered with a low, breathtaking smile, resting her forehead against mine as the desert stars shone brightly above us.

The first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, painting the golden sand dunes in soft shades of rose and amber.

The morning desert air was crisp and refreshing as the staff set up a private breakfast table right by the edge of the infinity pool. The spread was absolute perfection—freshly squeezed juices, exotic tropical fruits, warm pastries, and rich dark coffee.

Ruby came out wearing an oversized silk robe, rubbing her eyes with a sleepy smile before her face lit up at the breakfast layout. "Okay, waking up to a desert sunrise like this is officially my new favorite thing."

Chloe joined us shortly after, looking effortless and radiant in a linen resort dress as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "I checked the flight schedule while you two were enjoying the view. The jet is prepped at the strip, and the Dubai staff has already cleared our penthouse arrival."

May walked over, looking completely refreshed, tossing her wind-blown hair back with a playful grin as she caught my eye. "I’m ready when you guys are. Desert dune bashing was great, but I hear Dubai has some high-end shopping and skylines calling our name."

"Then let’s not keep Dubai waiting," I said with a smile, rising from the table and taking Chloe and Ruby by the hands while May walked alongside us.

An hour later, our private jet touched down smoothly at Dubai’s exclusive VIP terminal. A convoy of luxury armored SUVs was already waiting on the tarmac to sweep us through the heart of the city, weaving past towering glass skyscrapers and high-end avenues.

Our destination was the absolute crown jewel of the city: The Apex Sky Penthouse, occupying the top three floors of a premier ultra-luxury tower.

The private express elevator shot up ninety floors in seconds. When the double doors slid open, we stepped into a staggering open-concept palace in the sky. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls wrapped around the entire perimeter, offering a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Dubai skyline, the glowing coastline, and the sprawling city below.

Private infinity plunge pools jutted out over the balcony edges, and state-of-the-art amenities lined every hall.

Ruby immediately ran up to the glass panel, gasping as she looked out over the city. "Ethan! This view is insane! You can see the entire palm island from up here!"

Chloe walked up to the edge, standing beside me as she looked at the breathtaking cityscape. "Patricia, Mia, and Benita are landing on their private flights in a few hours. The whole team will be under one roof tonight."

May leaned against the structural pillar, folding her arms with a thoroughly impressed smirk. "Now this is how you start a world tour."

We immediately arranged for a fleet of blacked-out Maybachs to take us straight to the city’s most exclusive luxury fashion avenue. I had Sarah call ahead to clear the entire boulevard—shutting down doors to the general public so Chloe, May, and Ruby could shop in complete privacy with personal champagne service and private stylists.

While Ruby was trying on a stunning sequence of custom silk dresses and May was eyeing high-end designer athletic wear, a sleek SUV pulled up right outside the glass doors.

The velvet rope was held back, and Patricia stepped inside, looking immaculately put-together in a tailored suit set, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor.

The moment Ruby spotted her, she dropped the outfit she was holding and ran across the boutique.

"PATRICIA!" Ruby squealed, throwing her arms around her in a tight hug. "You missed so much fun! We did a high-speed desert run in 800-horsepower dune buggies, slept under the stars at a hidden oasis, and May literally drove us over sand dunes!"

Patricia chuckled warmly, hugging Ruby back before stepping over to me with a fond, polished smile. "I saw the news coverage from my flight, Ethan. May’s 9.15-second record is still trending #1 on every international sports network, and Ruby’s album is completely untouchable."

"Work kept you a little late, but you made it just in time," I said smoothly, sliding an arm around Patricia’s waist and pulling her in close for a quiet kiss against her cheek. "Now it’s time to put business on pause."

"I intend to," Patricia smiled, looking around the shut-down boutique as a stylist hurried over with a tray of crystal flutes. "And judging by this setup, you’re not doing anything half-way."

"Never," I smirked, gesturing to the rows of private collections. "Pick out whatever you want, Patricia. The entire boulevard is on my card today."

May walked over, carrying a slick designer leather jacket, bumping her shoulder playfulness against Patricia. "Glad you’re finally here. We need extra hands to help carry Ruby’s endless shoe haul back to the penthouse."

Ruby gasped dramatically, hands on her hips. "Hey! I’m a global #1 artist, I deserve every single pair!"

We all broke into laughter, the energy light and triumphant as the squad relaxed into the effortless luxury of Dubai.