Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
Gualtiero
With our VIP passes around our necks, Ella and I walk hand in hand down pit lane at Monza. She’s beyond excited, and she doesn’t even know yet about the main surprise I have planned… actually, make that two.
We watch the teams prepare for tomorrow’s practice sessions, soaking in the buzz around us.
Ella was right. There’s a thrill to being this close to it all. The atmosphere is electric.
When we reach the Ferrari bays and are allowed into the garage, her face lights up with pure joy.
Damn, I’d do almost anything to see her like this more often.
A woman’s happiness has never mattered to me. But now? My angel’s is a priority.
“Ella,” I call, but she doesn’t hear me, too busy taking everything in.
“Ella,” I repeat, a little louder.
When she finally turns, her blue eyes shining, I lose myself for a second.
“I’ve got a surprise for you,” I tell her.
“More surprises? I don’t know how you could top being allowed in the Ferrari garage. This is amaaaazing!”
“Yes,” I say, a hint of a smile tugging at my mouth. “I can top it.”
Her brows lift, curiosity sparking.
“Would you like to go for a three-lap spin in a two-seater Formula One car?”
She just stares at me for a moment, unblinking. Then she bursts into the cutest happy dance I’ve ever seen.
Actually, it’s the only happy dance I’ve ever seen. But I plan on seeing more.
Soon enough, she disappears into a dressing area to gear up. While she’s gone, I circle the two-seater, taking in its sleek lines.
Carlos Rosales steps into the garage, and I move to greet him. It took some effort to arrange for Ferrari’s lead driver to take Ella out on the Monza circuit. She’s going to lose her mind when she finds out.
Carlos is shorter than me, but undeniably good-looking. And since Ella’s type is tall, dark, and handsome, it’s a good thing he’s married and unlikely to flirt with her. Otherwise, I would have requested someone else.
After introductions, I ask, “Have you driven a two-seater before?”
“Not this one. But don’t worry, your girlfriend is in safe hands with me,” the Argentinian says with a smile.
I don’t return it.
He’s not taking this seriously enough.
He needs to understand exactly how much trust I’m placing in him… and the fine line he’s walking between giving Ella a thrill and keeping her safe.
I step closer, letting my presence do the talking.
“You have precious cargo on board. Make sure you bring her back unharmed and happy,” I say, my voice cold.
I don’t need to add or else.
Carlos’s expression tells me he understands. He’s paler now than when he walked in. He swallows.
“Of course.” Then he makes himself scarce.
A sound behind me makes me turn. My eyes lock on Ella as she steps out in racing gear. And fuck, she looks incredible.
Her suit hangs open at the waist, the white undershirt clinging to every curve. My mouth goes dry as I take her in, my body reacting instantly.
All I want to do is turn her around, drag her back into that room, and have her to myself.
Her long blonde hair is braided over one shoulder, a Ferrari cap perched on her head. Helmet tucked under her arm, gloves in hand, she walks toward me with a confidence that does things to me I’d rather not examine too closely.
“Princess, you look absolutely edible.” I slide an arm around her waist, pulling her close.
Ella loops her arms around my neck and presses a quick kiss to my cheek. “This is a dream come true.”
She rests her head against my chin, and I press a kiss to her forehead.
“I want to make all your dreams come true.”
She looks up at me, those big blue eyes searching mine, like she wants to say something more. But she doesn’t.
Instead, I take her hand and guide her toward the small room where Carlos is waiting.
“Come. I want you to meet your driver.”
When she realizes who’s sitting at the table in the break room, she stops in her tracks. “You’re kidding me, right?” she blurts, stunned.
“Nope. Carlos Rosales, this season’s number one driver, will be yours for three laps.”
I squeeze her hand, taking in every reaction. Seeing her this happy gives me joy like nothing I’ve experienced in a long time. Well, other than being buried deep inside her.
Fuck, I need her.
Her resistance is slipping. It won’t be long now before I have her back where she belongs. But that day can’t come soon enough.
For now, I focus on the way the tension has left her face, the earlier fear forgotten. I just wish it could last longer than a few hours.
Carlos approaches with a smile. Ella wipes her hand on her suit before offering it to him. He takes it and leans in, brushing kisses to both her cheeks.
A low growl rises in my chest before I can stop it.
I don’t like anyone getting that close to her. Celebrity or not.
Ella doesn’t notice. She’s already caught up in conversation as Carlos walks her through what’s about to happen. A moment later, they head back toward the pit bay.
A female assistant helps her pull up the fireproof suit. Once her helmet is on, she secures the head and neck support. She’d better not need it, or Carlos is a dead man.
Ella climbs into the back seat, looking tightly wedged into the narrow cockpit.
“Good thing I’m not claustrophobic,” she mutters.
“Have fun, princess,” I say, leaning in to press a kiss to her nose before lowering her visor.
The engine roars to life.
Within seconds, the car shoots out of the garage and down pit lane, merging onto the track and picking up speed fast.
Someone hands me a headset as I watch the monitors. The screens show the circuit, along with onboard feeds from both Carlos and Ella. I made sure everything is being recorded.
I can’t see her face, but I feel it. The adrenaline. The thrill.
The stands tremble as the car flies past.
Lap one.
I exhale slowly. Having her out there at that speed is more unsettling than I expected.
Why did I think this was a good idea?
Lap two is faster. I hear Ella squeal with excitement through the headset, and a smile tugs at my mouth.
Still, every second stretches too long.
When they start the final lap, I find myself holding my breath. Carlos pushes hard down the straight… but brakes too late for the chicane.
The rear breaks out. Gravel sprays. The car loses traction.
Everything happens in an instant.
And time stops.
The car spins, swallowed by a cloud of dust.
My heart slams to a halt.
Fuck.
I don’t move. I can’t. My pulse crashes through me as I stare at the screen, willing the car to stop before it hits anything.
I can’t lose her. Not like this. I won’t have her taken from me because some idiot pushed too far and misjudged what he could handle.
The car straightens as Carlos regains control and puts it back on track.
Air rushes back into my lungs all at once.
I grab the edge of the table to steady myself as a wave of dizziness hits.
She has to be okay.
After everything this week, a near-crash is the last thing she needed.
My hands curl into fists, my body going rigid. I want to put Carlos through a wall.
He finishes the lap and brings the car back into the garage.
I’m already moving.
An assistant is unbuckling my angel when I reach them, but my focus is on her alone.
I’ll deal with Carlos later.
She fumbles with her helmet before finally pulling it off, her hands shaking.
“Oh my god! That was insane!” Ella shouts over the noise around us.
She’s a little pale, but her eyes are sparkling. I help her out of the car, and she practically collapses into my arms, adrenaline still coursing through her.
“I can’t feel my legs,” she laughs.
I cup her face, my gaze flicking over her, checking, needing to see for myself she’s okay.
Then I kiss her.
Nothing could have stopped me. I need to feel her, to reassure myself she’s unharmed.
Her fingers slide into my hair as she presses closer. Heat surges through me, consuming me.
I deepen the kiss without thinking, my hand tightening at her jaw as if I need to anchor her in place.
And she kisses me back.
Tentative at first, but then she tilts her head, opening for me. Her lips move with mine, soft, responsive.
My stomach flips.
A quiet sound escapes her, and it goes straight through to my hardening cock.
Her breasts press against my chest, her nipples hard against the thin fabric between us. I want more. I want everything.
I let out a low moan as I drag her closer, my mouth moving more urgently against hers, tasting, claiming. And she answers with the same hunger.
This is what I’ve been waiting for.
Her giving in to me… to us.
My heart surges.
I pull her tighter against me, my hold turning possessive as need settles deep, heavy and consuming. Her body presses flush to mine, making me harder than I’ve ever been.
A throat clears somewhere behind me.
Fuck, I forgot where we were.
With a low groan, I pull back, brushing my nose against hers.
Ignoring whoever interrupted us, I confess, “I was so scared when I saw the car go off. Are you really okay, angel?”
She nods against my chest as I hold her close.
“I was scared for a moment. But Carlos knew what to do.”
She had more faith in him than I did.
I look around for him. Where the hell has he gone? He’s disappeared.
Can’t say I blame him. If I were him, I’d keep my distance too.
Lucky for him, Ella is thrilled.
She must sense the shift in me, because she rubs my arms soothingly.
“Tiero, I’m fine. More than fine. That was the most exciting thing I’ve ever done. Not many people can say they almost crashed with a Formula One champion. Rhia is going to be so jealous.”
The moment she says her friend’s name, something in her changes. She looks away, stepping out of my arms.
“Hey.” I pull her back gently. “I’m glad you loved it. Come on, let’s find Carlos. You need pictures with him to prove you actually did this.”
Her smile returns instantly.
We walk outside, hand in hand, and find Carlos talking to his team.
We take a dozen pictures before Ella hugs him goodbye. As we leave, she calls out, “Make sure you win on Sunday. I want to brag that the race champion took me for a spin.”
Carlos laughs and salutes her.
I don’t. When his gaze lands on me, he looks away quickly.
I’ve calmed down enough to let it go.
Ella is happy.
That’s all that matters.