Reese hasn’t brought up the marriage proposal since we arrived in Argentina. He sounded like he was serious, but I wonder now if he’s having second thoughts.
“Want to get some air?” Reese asks as he grabs two glasses of champagne off a silver tray as a waiter walks by.
I nod. Air sounds great. We make our way out the French doors to the large balcony overlooking the resort’s magnificent pool, the turquoise water glowing brightly under the dark night sky.
“Doing okay?” Reese asks, sidling up beside me.
“It’s a little overwhelming,” I admit.
“You’ll get used to it. It’s an adjustment.”
I nod, downing the champagne hastily. “I’m doing my best.”
“You’re doing fantastic. Everyone loves you.” He steals a kiss.
“I’m glad I’m not spoiling your image,” I half joke.
“Kayla, please. In that dress, you couldn’t spoil a damn thing.”
“So you do like it.” I ruffle the hem. “I was wondering. You didn’t comment when I put it on.”
“I love it, but it’s missing something.”
“What?” I frown. I spent all day shopping for this dress. I thought the elegant yet sexy beaded slip dress was perfect.
“Close your eyes.”
I hesitate.
“Go on, close them,” Reese encourages.
“Fine.” I drop my lids.
“Okay, open them.” I flutter them open to find he’s holding out both hands. Fists closed. “Pick one.”
I eye him speculatively, deliberating which one to choose.
“You better pick right. You only get once chance,” he warns, looking delicious in a crisp white dress shirt and black pants, a watch the size of Mars shining on his wrist. “C’mon, I can’t hold my arms up all day.”
“Ugh, I hate being rushed.” I choose the right hand prematurely.
“You sure?” he questions impishly.
“No. But that’s the hand I picked.”
Reese smiles, turning his fist over. I inspect what’s resting in his palm.
“Go ahead take it.”
I pick up the coiled silver chain and dangle the necklace between us.
“Is that…?” I study the charm.
“A heartbeat. Well, a replica of my heartbeat from the monitor. When I was in the hospital.”
“How…?”
He shrugs. “I was bored and took a video of it one day.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes,” he admits. “Anyway, it’s been sitting on my phone for ages, and I wanted to make you something special. Something one of a kind. And I came across this website that made these necklaces. I thought it was perfect.” Reese clasps the chain around my neck without needing me to turn around. I touch the diamond squiggles, my emotions teeming.
“It’s definitely one of a kind.”
“Just like you.” He kisses me softly. “Every beat of my heart belongs to you. And now, the whole world knows it, too.” He presses his finger on the necklace.
Jesus, this man. He knows just how to destroy me.
“I love it. Thank you.” My response is breathy, laced with adoration.
“You’re welcome.” He drops another kiss on my lips. “Do you want to know what’s in my other hand?”
“I don’t know. Do I?” I ask suspiciously.
“Open it and find out the answer to your own question.” He places his closed fist directly in front of me. I have to pry his fingers open, and when I finally do, I gasp.
“Is that what I think it is?”
“Yup.” He raises my left hand and the ring at the same time. “I asked you to marry me, and you said yes. I’m making good on our agreement.” He slips the enormous diamond ring on my finger, and I petrify. I stare at the square stone in awe. It’s absolutely stunning and feels surprisingly perfect. I don’t mean by the way that it fits either—I mean by the emotion it evokes. A sense of harmony and fulfillment. Completion.
It’s so much, so fast.
“Think I need more champagne.” I laugh, overwhelmed.
“So let’s steal a bottle and go back to our room.” He slides his hand up my thigh dragging the hem of my dress with it. “I’ve been dying to get at you all night. Those heels are driving me crazy.”
“Reese.” I grab his wrist as he grabs my ass. I don’t want him giving the entire party a show. “About that. How do you think you say condom in Spanish?”
“Condom?” He curls his lip. “Since when do we use condoms?”
“Since I took my last birth control pill before we left and realized I didn’t have another pack.”
I was in such a rush and such an emotional wreck when I packed, the last thing on my mind was refilling my prescription.
Reese ponders our predicament thoroughly. “Fuck it. We get pregnant, we get pregnant. I don’t have an issue with it.”
“Excuse me?” My jaw drops.
“Kayla, we’re getting married. We’re bound to have children eventually. What’s the difference if it’s sooner rather than later? I was thinking we could get married next month while we’re in France. Le Mans is a spectacular city. It would be unforgettable.”
“Next month?” I nearly fall over. “Don’t you think that’s moving a little fast?”
Reese’s face lights up with a cocky smile. “Baby, don’t you know by now? I do everything fast. Well…,” he backpedals. “Almost everything.”
“I think I definitely need more champagne.” I swallow the rest of my glass in one gulp.
“Don’t stress, baby.” Reese runs his hands over my hips. “What’s that saying? All we need is love?”
“I think that’s a Beatles song.” I correct him.
“Well, regardless. It’s true. As long as we have each other and an abundance of love, we can handle whatever or whoever comes our way.”
I’m utterly flabbergasted. When we left the hotel room, the last thing I ever thought we’d be talking about is kids and how much Reese is in favor of having them.
“I…,” I bat my eyelashes dumbfounded.
“You…,” he attempts to draw out my response, “… are all about getting married next month and making a baby?”
“I’m all about more champagne.”
“Kayla!” He tickles me.
“Reese!” I squeal, pushing him away. “Are you sure this is what you really want?” I ask in all seriousness.
“It’s more than want. It’s need.” He grips my sides. “I need you.”
This is crazy. It’s so fast, but I can’t resist him. Or deny him. The thought of carrying his child makes me giddy.
“Okay,” I eagerly agree.
“Okay?” He raises his eyebrows.
“Yes. Okay. Let’s do it. Let’s get married, and let the chips fall where they may,” I allude to conception.
“Really?” It’s Reese’s turn to be shocked.
“Having second thoughts?”
“Hell, no. I’m trying to decide which position I want to impregnate you in.”
“Oh, Jesus,” I snicker. “There’s going to be alcohol, right?”
“If you want.” He pulls me into his arms. “I’ll pour it all over you, and then lick it off.”
“Mmm. What are we waiting for then?” I slide my arms around his neck.
“Not a goddamn thing.” He drags me toward the closed French doors before enthusiastically bursting through them. “We’re getting married!” he announces to the whole room. I want to die right on the spot. Cameras flash and people clap as we work our way through the crowd.
I’m a walking ball of embarrassment from all the attention. It doesn’t affect Reese in the least bit.
He steals a bottle of champagne from the bar as we leave. I know, right here and now, my life is about to take a hard turn, and the only thing I can do is gather all my courage and slide through.
Reese
I fight for first during the last lap of qualifying, pushing the electronic engin
e and myself past the breaking point.
What does it take to compete on a world-class level? To be one of the elite? You have to trust yourself and your bike, because when you roll onto that track, it’s just the two of you going to war. How do you survive? Break late, dominate the corner, hit the apex, and stay on the motherfucking machine.
Last, but not least, never stop fighting.
Ever.
I fly up on the rookie who thinks he’s hot shit. Using the low-pressure wake from his Aprilia to reduce the aerodynamic resistance, I take full advantage of the slipstream and twist it full throttle, slingshotting myself right into the lead. Poor kid never saw me coming. Manipulating turbulent flow is my signature move. It’s how I acquired the nickname Phantom and why I wield the biggest, baddest engine on the block.
I open it up down the straight, tucked in as tightly as possible behind the windscreen. I whip through the tunnel of air, topping out at over two hundred miles per hour.
I careen across the finish line with a top-notch time, securing myself second in tomorrow’s start.
Pumped, I return to the pit-box to drop my bike. I dismount the worked Yamaha, unexpectedly drained. In a flash, I become lightheaded as my body burns up. Seconds ago, I was on top of the world—now, it feels like it’s trying to swallow me alive. I strenuously rip off my leathers as I trudge to the back of the makeshift promo room, looking for my black leather backpack, the one I never go anywhere without. I find it in the corner right where I left it. Scooping it up I retreat to the bathroom, my vision blurry and breathing labored. I lock myself inside, then drop to my knees, frantically rummaging through the bag until I find the small slice in the interior lining. I pull the bottle of pills from their hiding place and pop the top with shaky fingers, urgently swallowing down two little blue circles. I suck in air as I crawl to the sink, splashing cold water on my pale, sweaty face, before I collapse to the ground. My naked torso absorbing the cold from the concrete.
I lay there until the dizzy spell passes, vacantly staring at the ceiling thinking about Kayla. I’m supposed to be on my way back to the hotel, not deteriorating on the dirty floor of a bathroom garage. We have dinner plans at the most romantic restaurant in Le Mans. A pre-celebration before our wedding tomorrow morning. With my grueling schedule, we had to accommodate where we could. I booked the most beautiful suite I could find, with a view of the city that’s to die for. We’ll exchange our vows on the balcony at sunrise. Provided, I live that long. The vertigo takes its time to pass, and when I’m finally able to, I pull my limp body off the ground. I splash some more water on my face, stopping to stare at my sunken eyes in the mirror. It’s getting worse. Just like Dev said it would if I kept pushing my body—which I have for years. I’m getting tired more often and losing momentum when I need it most. That’s a dangerous thing for a man whose career is contingent on death-defying speeds.
There’s also Kayla. She’s what’s keeping me going, keeping me sane. Keeping me focused. She changed everything. Gave me clarity, introduced prospective.
I’m going to disappoint her. It’s inevitable. It’s so wrong to keep her in the dark. My conscience isIf she eating both my secrets and me alive. But she’s the last thing I have to live for. She’s my future. Before her, I couldn’t care less if I lived or died. There was nothing beyond racing. But now, there’s possibility as far as the eye can see.
I’m going to marry her. I’m going to give her everything, and I’m going to fight heaven and hell for every possible second together.
I enter the hotel room over an hour late. Kayla is already dressed, waiting for me.
“Jesus!” She rushes across the carpeted floor as I slink into the bedroom and crumple onto the bed. “You look like shit.”
I laugh on my back with my eyes closed.
“Nice to see you too, baby.”
“Reese, I’m serious. You’re as pale as a ghost.”
“Rough day at the office.” I pop my weary eyes open. “Would you be hugely disappointed if we skipped dinner tonight? I’ll make it up to you, I promise. I just want to be on top of my game on all fronts tomorrow.” I wink, fatigued.
“Of course.” The worry in Kayla’s eyes kills me. She’s seen me exhausted before; the physical demands and challenging race environments take their toll, but I’ve never been this bad. I want to tell her everything, but the thought of losing her buries me alive. I’d never survive it. So I keep the underlying reason to myself and let her believe it was just another grueling day on the track.
“Is there anything you need?” she asks, overly concerned.
“Just a bottle of water and you, next to me, naked.” She looks gorgeous with her makeup done and hair pinned back, so different from the hometown girl who fled rural Maryland with me. This high-style, fast-paced life suits her. Better than I expected it would.
My lies corrode me and guilt consumes me as she gazes down lovingly—and worriedly.
She deserves to know, but I can’t bring myself to tell her. Not yet. Not when we are so close to having it all.
“Take your clothes off,” I murmur. “I want to watch, and then I want to feel you.”
With reluctance, Kayla does as I ask, shedding her tight little miniskirt and flowy black top. “Underwear too.”
“I was getting there.” She smirks lasciviously, unsnapping her bra and dropping it on the chair behind her. Her brightly-colored butterfly tattoo flashes in my face as she removes her lace panties next. My chest squeezes with shame as the most infatuating, beautiful, passionate woman climbs into bed next to me. She helps me strip down then molds her naked form to mine, the warmth of our skin conjoining as I trap her against my chest.
This is when I’m truly invincible. Truly a god.
When the love of a strong woman becomes the dark magic coursing through my veins.
When that magic reminds me there’s a reason to live.
Kayla
Reese has the ability to worry me out of my effing mind.
It’s four thirty in the morning. Reese is still asleep, and I’m in the gym running the frustration out. Besides my future husband’s death-dealing career path, I can’t ignore the fact something’s wrong. With him. He gets tired more easily than all the other racers. Granted, he’s older, but he’s in tiptop physical condition. Last night, he looked like death, walking in with pale skin and bags under his eyes. No matter how many times I ask, he denies anything is wrong, simply blaming his condition on the nature of the job. Maybe it is. Maybe that’s the toll of pushing your body and your mind to intergalactic limits.
The alarm beeps on my phone, alerting me it’s show time. In two short hours, I’m going to become Mrs. Reese Dane. Holy shit. I stop the treadmill and wipe the sweat from my face. The run ramped up my endorphins, and I feel good. Ready.
The suite is dark when I return; Reese still sound asleep under the covers. Le Mans is just as spectacular as he described. It’s an ancient city with a rich history nestled on the shore of the Sarthe River. Reese had a vision, and he’s executing it perfectly.
I take a quick shower before the stylist shows up. I want to look perfect, and in order for that to happen, I need a professional.
Before I know it, things are in motion. Reese is awake, and I’m confined to the bathroom with a freckled vixen curling my hair and applying fake eyelashes. We’re having a simple ceremony. It’s just Reese, me, and an American minister we happened to stumble upon, here in France on a mission.
I didn’t have time to go fancy, but I did manage to find a simple white slip dress with a plunging neckline that I love. For some added elegance, I found a rhinestone headband and matching pair of heels. It’s not the princess ensemble I once dreamed of, but it’s perfect for my wedding day. Life is funny. It doesn’t always turn out the way you envision it, but the difference in the details doesn’t make the moment any less significant.
“Kayla?” Reese knocks on the door. “The minister is here. It’s almost time.”
Butterf
lies flap riotously in my stomach. The stylist, Mara, must sense my unease, because she extends an encouraging smile before she exits the bathroom. I take one last look at myself. Hair and makeup perfectly in place. Dress smooth, nerves frazzled. Yup. All systems go.
I walk out into the bedroom where a restless Reese is waiting. He’s outfitted in a white dress shirt and tan slacks, looking like a badass prince whose coat of arms is a Terminator tattoo and two wheels.
“Wow.” His eyes widen. “Wow.” It’s as if he’s seeing me for the first time. I smile coquettishly. “You look . . .” Words elude him. Mission accomplished.
“I’m glad you approve.”
“I’m the luckiest man on earth.” He kisses my cheek and takes my hand. “Ready? The minister is waiting.”
I nod, ready as I’ll ever be.
Reese leads me out to the balcony where a gray-haired man dressed in black awaits. His smile is so warm and inviting, it puts my nerves immediately at ease.
Reese hired one of the team photographers to take pictures, so there’s a soft shutter sound snapping as we take our place.
“Good morning!” the minister boasts cheerfully. His name is Robert, and he’s originally from Arizona. Reese and I were elated when we met him, instantly agreeing he would be the perfect person to marry us.
“Good morning,” we both respond in the early morning twilight, the sun just starting to crack over the horizon.
“Please face each other and join hands.” We follow his directions. “Kayla and Reese, I am honored to officiate on this sacred day. Just as the Lord gives light to the world, you give light to each other. Through your love. Your commitment. The union of souls is a sacred sacrament. It’s a promise, a pledge to walk side by side in moments of triumph, and moments of failure, to lift each other in love, life, and spirit. That is why you are standing here today, to forge a bond and express your intentions to the world. It’s a brave and beautiful commitment not meant to be entered into lightly. The vows you take this morning cannot be broken with impunity. Your connection is as strong as the thread that sews you together. What is the material made of? String? Wire? Steel? Only the two of you can decide.” Robert places one of his hands over ours. I sneak a glance at Reese to find him staring blatantly at me, a look of pure elation on his ruggedly-handsome face.
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