Now, the world was an explosion of sound. The crowd roared, their cheers blending with the team’s celebration over the radio. I pulled the car into the pit lane, my heart thundering in my chest.
As soon as I climbed out, after standing on my car and throwing a fist into the air, I climbed down and ran to my crew, pulling me into hugs, shouting in my ear, their joy infectious. I laughed, unable to stop smiling. This was what I lived for—the thrill, the triumph, the shared victory with the people who’d worked just as hard as I had to make it happen.
But then I sawher.
Lucia stood at the edge of the chaos, a small smile on her lips, her eyes wide and bright as she watched. She looked slightly out of place in the sea of team uniforms and machinery, but somehow, she belonged.
Something shifted inside me. Without thinking, I broke away from the team and headed straight for her, like a magnetic pull. I couldn’t stop it even if I tried. Her expression changed as I approached, her smile growing, her eyes softening. I didn’t stop moving until she was in my arms, her body warm and solid against mine. Our faces were close, so close I could see the faint freckles on her nose, the way her lips parted in surprise. My forehead rested against hers for a moment, the noise around us fading into a distant hum.
And then, I kissed her.
It wasn’t planned. Hell, it wasn’t even logical. But in that moment, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Her lips were soft, her breath warm against mine, and for a few seconds, the world stopped spinning.
When I pulled back, her eyes searched mine, and I couldn’t help but grin. She looked stunned, maybe even a little dazed, but she didn’t pull away.
The cheers around us grew louder, pulling me back to reality. I gave her hand a quick squeeze before the team tugged me toward the podium, their shouts of celebration ringing in my ears.
Standing on the top step of the podium, champagne dripping from my hair and my suit, I felt alive in a way I hadn’t in months.
The crowd was a blur of faces, their cheers vibrating in the air around me. I raised the trophy high, the weight of it grounding me. Cameras flashed, capturing every angle, but my mind kept drifting back to Lucia.
That kiss.
It hadn’t been part of the plan. Hell, I wasn’t sure what it meant. But it had felt right. More than right. I glanced out over the crowd, wondering if she was watching.
The adrenaline still hadn’t worn off by the time I was back in the motorhome. My skin buzzed with the memory of the race, of the kiss, of standing on the podium with my team.
I ran a towel over my face, glancing at my reflection in the small mirror. My grin was still there, impossible to shake. As I pulled on a fresh shirt, my eyes scanned the room. Where was she? I hadn’t seen Lucia since the podium. She’d been there one moment, and then the next, she was gone, lost in the sea of faces.
The sound of footsteps outside the door made my pulse quicken. It opened, and there she was, standing in the doorway with a hesitant smile.
“Looking for me?” she asked, her voice teasing but soft.
“Always,” I replied, the word slipping out before I could stop it. Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t look away.
I leaned against the counter, crossing my arms as I took her in. “So,” I said, my voice low, “about that kiss…”
She raised a brow, her smile turning playful. “Which one? The car, before or after the race?”
I laughed, shaking my head. “All, I guess.”
Lucia stepped farther into the room, her confidence growing. “Well, you did say we had to sell it.”
“Did we sell it?”
“Oh, definitely.” She smirked, pulling out her phone and showing me her social post. A selfie, her in the garage, the Belen logo in the background, and a single pink heart emoji.
“Subtle,” I said, grinning, knowing my own socials would be blowing up.
Her cheeks flushed, but her gaze stayed steady. “Seemed effective.”
“More than effective,” I murmured, my voice dipping as I took a step closer to her.
Her breath hitched, and for a moment, the space between us felt electric again. But before I could close it, she cleared her throat, breaking the spell.
“Congratulations on the win.” Her voice was light, but her eyes revealed more than she probably realized, always wearing her emotions on her sleeve.
“Thanks,” I replied, my smile softening. “But I think you might be the real victory today.”
