Chapter 40
JESSICA
I’m waiting for Luke in our hotel room in Vienna when Lily calls me.
We decided to go to Vienna after Hungary to spend some time together before heading to England, where I’ll meet Luke’s parents.
Luckily, it’s been predominantly positive, with most people being happy for us.
The whole “crying-my-eyes-out” moment after his crash, and the cameras capturing it, made us the new favourite paddock couple.
At first, I felt silly seeing my emotions plastered all over the place, but I quickly realized that I’m happy to let the world see how much I care about him.
“Hey, Lily,” I greet her as I answer the FaceTime call.
“Hey, girl! Where is lover boy?” It’s not the first time Lily has used that nickname for Luke after the media broke the news.
The press had a field day when they realized lover boy matched well with golden boy in their stories.
“He’s out. Said he had to get something, but he’ll be back soon,” I tell her as I settle on the couch.
“Okay then, I’ll be quick. Have you thought about his birthday? Made any plans?” I remember our first date, when we exchanged birthdays, which I’m grateful for now because Luke, being the person he is, would probably never tell me, making me the worst girlfriend ever.
He always puts others before himself, and now I’m excited to plan something special for him without him knowing.
“Yeah, I have some ideas I wanted to run by you.”
◆◆◆
Just as I finish my call with Lily, Luke returns. I feel thrilled about the plans for his birthday, hoping to make the day memorable for him. Having Lily as my sparring partner is a big help.
“Got everything you needed?” I ask him as he sets down several bags on the floor.
“Yeah, I figured we could go out for dinner, then I’ll bake us my special carrot cake.” Our usual greeting at the door turns heated as Luke explores my mouth, my hands roaming around his body.
“That sounds delicious,” I tell him as I drag my lips over his stubble.
Whenever he has a few days off from the track, he lets his stubble grow a bit more, making me even more feral for him.
There’s just something about my man sporting a five o’clock shadow.
We start getting ready for dinner, and Luke has booked us a table at a beautiful restaurant near our hotel.
With Robert traveling with Luke during the season, we rarely go out to eat.
Dressing up for a date feels nice, and I put on a matching lace set in dark petrol green, knowing Luke will love it. I’ve always enjoyed wearing sexy underwear, not for any man, but for myself. It makes me feel powerful and confident.
After meeting Luke and seeing his appreciation for it, I feel unstoppable.
When we’re seated at our table, it doesn’t take long before the courses start to roll out.
“I have an idea,” I tell him, making Luke look intrigued.
“We should play the same game we did the first time we went on a date.” He seems captivated as he agrees, and we start going back and forth, this time a lot more playful and sexiness in the game.
“Favourite city to race in?” I ask Luke, and he thinks it over.
“Japan is definitely a favourite after this year. I’ve never experienced motivation quite like I did in that race,” He says as he wiggles his eyebrows, making me laugh.
The city where we first had sex. It feels like forever ago that I made him the promise of sex if he won by a bigger margin than 5 seconds.
“I’m looking forward to Spa and Singapore. Spa is a legendary track, and Singapore is always tough, but I like the challenge.”
Luke thrives on difficult tracks, and each race weekend, I hope he will strengthen his lead in the championship, hopefully earning his first World title.
If he keeps racing like he has this season, the championship should be within his reach.
We go back and forth, and I sigh, thinking back to our first date and how much I’ve learned about the man in front of me since then.
“How come your favourite colour is green? I never see you wear green,” I say as I recall he told me his favourite colour was black, but since that isn’t a real colour, I made him pick a different one.
His cheeks turn a slight pink, shocking me. I’ve never seen Luke blush, and it makes me very interested.
“What is it, Luke?” He scratches his neck, looking a little embarrassed, before he answers.
“Well, since I had to pick something other than black, I chose green, more specifically, the colour of your eyes.” Luke is usually the one making me blush, and seeing him like this is adorable.
“You’re so cheesy sometimes, Hastings, but I love you even more for it. I might have a surprise relating to your favourite colour later this evening.”
The look he gives me suggests that we may not complete all the courses at this restaurant.
◆◆◆
After spending some perfect days together in Vienna, we’re checking into our hotel in London. Luke’s family is already here, and I’m feeling my nerves in every cell of my body.
Meeting the parents isn’t something you do every day, but hopefully, they’ll be as warm and wonderful as Luke and Lily.
“Stop fidgeting, you’ll be fine. They already love you, you simply have to show up so they know you’re real,” Luke tells me in the elevator on the way to their floor.
“Yeah, I’m just nervous, I want them to like me.”
He pulls me in front of him, kissing the top of my head before looking into my eyes.
“Should I eat you out? Maybe that’ll lessen your nerves?” I burst out laughing, because of course Luke would suggest something like that in a situation like this.
He chuckles along with me, and it does the trick.
I feel my nerves loosen up, knowing Luke will be here with me.
When the door to their room opens, Luke’s mom immediately approaches me and pulls me into a hug.
“Oh, Jessica, it’s wonderful to meet you.” She looks at me with a joyful expression, and I get the feeling that Luke was right.
They’re really making sure I’m real.
“It’s so wonderful to meet you, too.” Then his mom goes to Luke, and his father steps in, pulling me into yet another hug.
“Nice to meet you, Jessica. We’ve been waiting to meet you for quite some time now,” his father says, and my heart warms as I glance over at Luke.
I couldn’t have asked for a better man.
◆◆◆
As always, Luke is right, and I had no reason to worry about meeting his parents. They’ve been wonderful, pampering me with questions about my life, but all in good spirits.
At one point, Luke suggested they could tone down their interview, but I told him it was all good. They’re asking out of genuine interest, not like an interrogation, and I’m happy to get to know them better.
The more I learn about them and their life, the more I understand how Luke became the extraordinary man he is. His family is humble, driven, and full of warmth.
When Lily also arrives, the reunion is complete.
Luke’s birthday is next weekend, when we’re travelling to the Spa. He thinks his parents will go home to Portland after the Silverstone race, but Lily and I have planned for both them and Sebastian to come to Belgium and surprise him for his birthday.
For a man like Luke, being surrounded by loved ones on his special day is hopefully the perfect gift. I also have some other things planned, but this will be my main surprise for him.
We’re enjoying dinner when Lily begs me to tell the story of how we first met.
“As you know, I’m working as an intern for Star News, and dear Luke here crashed right into our cameraman and almost sent both him, me, and our expensive camera tumbling to the ground.”
They’re following along my story with intrigued eyes whilst Luke sits smiling at my side, occasionally jumping in to “correct” the story as he calls it.
“It’s safe to say it wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but I did feel a connection to him straight away, even when he was being a douche.” His parents chuckle at their son, and Luke defends himself by saying he was having a terrible day but firing me up was the highlight of his day.
As I tell the story, it’s almost like experiencing falling in love with him all over again. By the end, everyone is teary-eyed, even his father.
“Oh dear, you make the most beautiful couple, and I’m so happy my son found someone like you, Jessica.” His mom gives me another hug, and we spend some more time talking with them before saying our goodbyes for the evening.
◆◆◆
Seeing my man cross the finish line to another victory is always a highlight.
Experiencing the joy alongside his family is even better.
I’m jumping up and down with Lily, celebrating with her as the BMW paddock goes crazy.
Usually, I would be with my media team, but the increased attention I got after our relationship went public meant more cameras were turning my way.
Together with Anne, we decided I would be in the BMW garage for a few races, still doing my job but with a little more protection from media attention, so I could focus on my tasks.
In their garage, I can go into the offices and rooms they have, where there are no cameras. Being able to experience this alongside his family is a bonus.
When Luke makes his way around the track and is done with his weigh-out, he jumps into the awaiting arms of his pit crew.
I’m so proud of him. This will further strengthen his championship lead.
When he’s done celebrating with his team, he comes straight towards me, and I meet him halfway, throwing my arms around him as he lifts me up.
“You did it, baby, I’m so proud of you!” I tell him, and even though he’s still wearing his helmet, I kiss the part that covers his chin.
In this moment, it feels like it’s just the two of us.
“Thank you, princess. I had to bring my a-game with the family in town and everything.” I roll my eyes at him, knowing he always brings his A-game, no matter who’s in town.
“Go get your trophy, hotshot,” I tell him as I send him on his way to receive the celebrations he deserves.