Page 100 of Sweet Poison

For someone like me, who grew up only knowing pain and neglect, love always felt like a myth.

But it doesn't feel like a myth now— whether I wanted it or not, I fell hard for the woman who has shown me nothing but kindness from the moment I first laid eyes on her.

She’s become the reason for all my smiles.

Fuck, I’m in love.

That’s why I stand in the center of the iconic curves ofAutódromo José Carlos Pace, inhaling the scent of burnt rubber, frozen in place as I watch the most beautiful woman scanningthe track with wide eyes, her smile as bright as the sun shining down on us.

I brought her to the place where I won my Formula 1 championship. I wanted to share with her the thing that saved me— racing. And beside me stands the woman who’s a nut for Formula 1. She knows all my stats, every race I’ve ever had since I first started racing.

She told me she was a fan, and I believe her—and it melts my fucking heart.

And as I stand here, watching her face light up with joy, I admit something I’ve never said before—I love her.

I’ve loved her since the very first moment we met, when she looked at me like I was worth something. I loved her every night when she snuck into my room to share her favorite things and tell me the places she wanted to visit when she was older.

I loved her when she took me into her fairy world and made me believe in magic.

I even loved her during the times I was roaming the streets, looking for my next meal, cold and alone. She was the reason I kept going.

I loved her even when I convinced myself she was just someone from my past— someone who didn't mean anything.

I loved the little girl who made me believe in magic, and I love the woman who made me believe in love.

“This feels surreal, Madden,” Willow turns the wind blowing her curls in every direction and I catch a whiff of her scent. Her smile is from ear to ear as she spreads her eyes wide while soaking up the track. “Thank you for bringing me to the place where you made your dreams come true.”

Somehow that feels wrong. My dreams… yeah, all I ever dreamed about when I was struggling was to get here to the point where I was rich, famous and doing the thing I love most but now that doesn’t feel quite right.

Because the most beautiful dream I’ve ever had is her.

Now I just need to figure out a way to keep this beautiful dream.

Willow wears high-waisted, baggy jeans that hang just right, making her look effortlessly cool. She paired them with a green crop top that reads, ‘Lettuce Be Friends.’ She completed the simple, yet perfect, outfit with some white sneakers. She skipped the makeup, and her long brown curls cascade down her back, looking like milk chocolate and framing her face perfectly.

As much as her outfit and the way her hair falls make her look irresistible, what makes my heart skip is that sweet smile of hers that lights up her entire face.

“Are you happy, Wild One?”

“Am I happy? I’m more than—” She pauses, and then suddenly shrieks, her laughter spilling out like music to my ears. Her eyes land on my infamous Formula 1 Two-Seater car. I had it flown in just for her.

She can’t take her eyes off my car as she asks, “Can we take a ride in it?”

She sounds so damn happy.

Good.

I can’t help but grin and nod, my heart racing not just from the joy in her expression.

I move toward her, my pulse quickening as I pull off the jacket she gifted me from Christmas. It’s a bit oversized on her, but it only makes her look even more adorable. As I drape it over her shoulders, she gasps softly, and I catch a glimpse of surprise and delight in her eyes.

“I like you wearing my shit,” I say, the words slipping out before I can think twice.

Her cheeks flush, and the way she bites her lip makes my stomach flip. “Really?” she asks, sounding surprised, and I nod, my smile widening.

“You look beautiful,” I reply, taking a step back to appreciate the stunning sight before me. Fuck.

There’s nothing and will never be anything more beautiful than Willow O’ Sullivan.

---