Monza 3 (Formula Men #3)
Page 7
I was simply grateful Kimberly had possessed the strength and courage to fight whatever was holding her down. Slowly but surely, she was coming out of her shell. It was like going through a barren winter before spring came in, full of blooms, full of color, full of life. It was magnificent.
We stayed with our son for about an hour and a half then retreated back to my bedroom. As expected, she was overwrought with overwhelming emotions, but what mattered most was the smile she had across her face after expressing the turmoil she had experienced from holding Gian Luca after almost a month of not daring to touch him.
Our first night together was filled with good vibes and laughter. It was better than I had anticipated.
I would do anything just to see her smile the way she had tonight. She had no idea how much I longed to see that again.
With the lights out, we then went to bed, and I automatically sought her warmth, holding her close against my chest. It was the most natural feeling one could ever experience—familiarity.
She gave a small yawn before turning over to face me in the dark. And even though there wasn’t much light, her eyes penetrated mine like there was.
“I’m going to be better.”
“You will be,” I immediately squashed her doubts, singularly catering only to positivity.
She seemed as if there were lingering thoughts that were plaguing her once again.
“On the days I might retreat from him again, I beg you not to give up on me, even if you have to force me, Luca. I can’t allow myself to miss out on him so much. I know it’s only been less than a month, but so much has happened with him. Will you do that for me?”
“I promise … I won’t give up on you. Ever.”
+++
Every night, Kim and I would visit our son in the nursery before going to bed. It had been three weeks since that emotionally charged moment, and she appeared to be improving the more she worked on her guilt and the pain of losing her brother. She and I often discussed it when we were in bed together. It was becoming a good habit to have—sharing one’s thoughts with your partner.
Her annulment should be coming up soon, and I had decided that I was going to wait to propose. The same thing went for sex. A lunatic idea of mine, really, but I felt as though she needed time to adjust to this life. I didn’t want another monumental moment that could push her back to mentally and emotionally blocking herself from everyone. There was no need to rush. We were both in this for the rest of our lives. And when she was ready, she only ever needed to tell me.
Yes, she and I had a lengthy discussion about this. She rebutted that I might not have the will to wait. Well, I was hell-bent on proving her wrong.
Dieci
A Year Later
It was our son’s special day, and the villa was a beautiful riot of a circus-themed party. It was an event jointly planned by my mother and Kimberly. A remarkably pleasant surprise coming from her end, and I supposed she was making headway with showing, both personally and publicly, that she supported us. I wouldn’t outright say Kimberly had fully warmed to her, but in some ways, one could say she had gotten used to being in her presence. My mother was consistently trying to mend bridges, and Kimberly seemed to truly appreciate her effort. Not to mention, she was actually quite attached to Gian Luca these days.
My mother would even sometimes visit without my father, who was the ultimate mediator between us all, because she wanted to spend some time with the baby. So, as time went on, obviously, our son grew to love her and would spit out “nonna” whenever my mother wasn’t visiting. She was particular about seeing him every other day.
The uphill and downhill battles were consistent, but what I loved the most was how Kim and I handled arguments together. We fought hard and loved twice as hard. We compromised and supported each other in a way that only solidified our relationship on a deeper level.
As for her condition, she had been given the clear six months ago. It had been a struggle, but with her persistence combined with my relentless aid in the matter, she had overcome it the moment she had re-bonded with our son. She had said it was like a light had been switched on inside of her and the sun had shined on her the moment her heart connected with Gian Luca once again.
Our son was quite attached to her now, just as he was to me. Who could blame him, really? I was a great father, if I said so myself, although I wouldn’t readily admit that to anyone.
Very soon, Kimberly would go back to University and continue where she had left off. She was thrilled, but of course, she had a few reservations about going back. Regardless, I kept encouraging her to keep on the path because she might never know her potential, otherwise.
As much as I loved her being a mother to our son, I also wanted her to see her worth elsewhere as she honed the skills she had been given. I had already taken life by the horns; therefore, I wanted her to do the same. Not to such an extent as I had, but for her to be fearless and see herself the way I saw her—intelligently brave and willing to sacrifice anything to do the right thing.
It was a large yet intimate gathering. Most of my friends had flown out for Gian Luca’s birthday. I was ecstatic to see Jacques and Andrés in the flesh. Although we had kept in touch, it was something else when you had your best mates laughing and celebrating one of the most important times in your life.
Just after everyone sang “Happy Birthday” and Gian Luca repeatedly blew his candles off the four-tiered circus-themed cake, Kimberly took one of her utensils and repeatedly clanked it against her glass of wine, hushing the guests and drawing the attention towards her.
“Thank you all for coming to celebrate Gian Luca’s first birthday. Luca and I are thrilled to have our friends and family with us on this very special occasion. But I have a different agenda.” She turned towards me. “A year ago, this beautiful man saved me. He gave me some of his strength when I had none of my own. He continually showed me love when my heart was buried within itself. He supplied happiness when I was barren of smiles and laughter. I don’t deserve you, Luca, but I’m thankful that you chose to stick by me through thick and thin. I couldn’t have chosen a better partner, a loving father, and a caring daredevil of a person to spend the rest of my life with.”
My world immediately became suspended as the deafening sound of silence grew while my eyes honed in on the very bright smile she gave me. I was left breathless.
“Less than a year ago, you gave me a promise that you would wait for me. Well, I don’t want you to wait any longer. I’m ready to take the next step, marry your wild, beautiful self, and drive you crazy for the rest of our lives. Luca di Medici, will you marry me?”
I didn’t think. There was no need for it.
I marched the small gap between us and kissed her like no one’s business, right before our son, my parents, her father, our beloved friends, and relatives. I was so proud of her for brazenly proposing the way she had. Could anyone really blame me for falling for her?
“I love you. I love you, and yes, you’re definitely marrying this wildly beautiful, crazy man, cara mia.”
The background was filled with laughter, well wishes, and applause. I could have sworn, too, that I could hear Jacques and Andrés wishing Kimberly luck because she would need a good dose of it. Bloody bastards, I thought as I kissed her senselessly.
My son’s first birthday surely was unforgettable. His mother had made sure of that.
It took about another hour and a half of celebrating and feasting before I finally got the chance to be with the guys. As much as I loved being with Kimberly, I couldn’t deny I had missed these lunatics. While those two were busy dedicating their lives to the racetrack, I knew Andrés would retire soon due to his responsibilities back home in Spain. He was, after all, a Duke, and that came with a lot of baggage. And it seemed as though that particular baggage couldn’t be ignored for long if the media were to be believed.
“Who would’ve thought you’d be the first one to marry, eh?” Jacques chuckled as we enjoyed our br
andy and cigars in the library.
“Sadly, that novelty has long been taken,” Andrés said, muttering to himself.
My eyes narrowed on him as if trying to read his oddly contorted expression. “You’re joking! Please tell me you’ve finally taken a fancy on one of the candidates your mother’s been parading at you?”
The Spaniard shrugged. “She’s neither. It doesn’t matter, anyway; that ship sailed years ago. Long gone … and dead. We’re divorcing.”
“Are you sure you didn’t hit your head yesterday? ’Cause that was quite a spin you had there.” Jacques was referring to the crazy tailspin he’d had yesterday, losing the first place to the UK.
“I don’t think he did, or did he?” I asked, glancing between the two men before throwing Jacques an accusing look. “Have you been giving him drugs again?”
They did like to enhance their partying on several occasions, myself included, so this development wouldn’t be surprising. Andrés, upon recollection, had a peculiar way of reacting to recreational substances. The man had vowed never to touch such things ever again after the last time.
Jacques snickered. “It’s not off season. Oh, don’t give me that bloody look. We’ve all had our fair share of stupidity.”
Touché.
“You can say that again,” Andrés muttered before adding, “There’s a lot going on, but all I can say for now is that this might just be the last year I’m racing.”
We all knew that was going to happen. It was simply a matter of time.
“Let’s do another round,” I suggested after seeing the gloomy demeanor the Spaniard had.
After pouring their glasses, I beamed towards my comrades for life.
“Saluti,” I said with pride.
“À votre santé,” Jacques exclaimed.
“Salud,” Andrés reiterated in his language.
It had always been this way. We had grown up in different countries, but we were all the same. Our bond, our brotherhood would forever remain strong.
=-=-=-=
Formula Men’s next story…
Barcelona (Andrés)
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More books by Pamela Ann:
The Torn Series Order:
Scornfully Yours
Scornfully Hers
Frayed
Blasphemous
Undeniably Yours
Scorned
Fixated On You
Christmas With You
Unveiled
Crushed
Damaged TBA
The Chasing Series:
Chasing Beautiful
Chasing Imperfection
Chasing Paradise
Chasing Forever (Lucy & Toby)
Chasing Mrs. Knightly: Epilogue
Lily’s Mistake
Loving Drake
Loving Lily
British Billionaires Series:
Falling For My Husband (Callum & Stella)
Falling For Ava (Reiss & Ava)
Falling For The Enemy (Sebastian & Allie) TBA
Formula Men Series:
Monza Luca di Medici
Nice Jacques Bertrand TBA
Barcelona Andrès Franco TBA
Pieces: A Duet:
Pieces of You & Me
Pieces Of Us
Havoc (Dark Erotica)
The Encounter Trilogy
Bartered
Unleashed
Vanquished
Upcoming Novels
Unapologetic Series
The Imperfect Bastard
Damaged
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