Page 40 of Racing Hearts
Fuck. I did do that.The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.
Henri bumped my shoulder gently. Remembering to smile, I plastered one on before blowing Luca a kiss as I went through the motions of the dutiful girlfriend, all while contemplating how Luca hadactuallyacted like a boyfriend in Miami. Not even my brother or engineer had noticed how unwell I was.
Just Luca.
“What a true gentleman,” Josh preened. “Well, we’re glad Georgia is alright, and we’re looking forward to watching the two of you fight it out on the racetrack this weekend. This is our last question of the night, and then we’ll let you go. Do you think your fights on track will affect your relationship at all? You’re both title contenders this year. Has any animosity on the track spilled over to off-track drama?”
Luca didn’t even hesitate. “Not at all. We’re both fierce competitors on the track, that’s true, but the fact is, every moment I spend with Georgia makes me a better athlete. Hell, even a better person.”
The crowd collectively sighed. I narrowed my eyes at him, silently daring him to turn this heartfelt moment into one of his patented Rossi jokes. Anything to make these growing butterflies go away— anything to remind myself that Luca Rossi was nothing more than a fake boyfriend required to pull off this publicity stunt.
He threw me a coy smile before continuing, “Our fights on the track? They sharpen me. When we talk engineering over dinner, I learn. When we watch her favorite movie together—Pride&Prejudice, by the way—I find a calm that actually carries into my race weekends.”
He paused for effect, that damn signature Cheshire cat grin sliding onto his face.
“Plus, the more fighting we do on the track, the moremaking upwe get to do off of it. Let’s just say, Josh, track fights definitely lead to late nights.”
I buried my face in my hands, dying. Henri muttered something like “unbelievable” under his breath. The room erupted in a mixture of applause and laughter, followed by a standing ovation. Josh rose from his chair to shake Luca’s hand, still chuckling.
Cocky, egotistical prick.I folded my arms, my eyes narrowing at Luca.
As the crowd started to disperse, Luca jumped down from the stage, calling out to me. “Like my interview,amore?”
“The only thing I’m going to be doing with my nights is sleeping,” I deadpanned. “Nora is not going to like that one.”
Luca snorted, his arms now wrapped around my waist. He kissed the top of my head as we waved at the departing fans who were eagerly snapping photos of us. His fingers softly massaged my neck, and I felt myself lean into his comforting hold, even though I was pissed.
Pissed that while Luca had ended his podcast with something ridiculous, the butterflies I’d felt a few moments ago hadn’t left— they’d gotten stronger. Despising the womanizing, egocentric Luca was easy, but this Luca? This wasn’t the Luca that I was used to.
I knew deep down that I was too much of a coward to face the possibility that another Luca was hiding under the one that had abandoned me on the date all those years ago, one that was perhaps observant, kind, and caring. A Luca who noticed my coffee order or the way I celebrated podiums.
Because if there was another side to him, then this whole week in Monza was going to be a lot harder than expected.
Back at the hotel, I kicked off my heels, flopped onto the couch, and told myself I’d only rest my eyes for a second. I probably shouldn’t have had that second glass of wine at the after-party, but technically, the race weekend hadn’t started yet, so I’d justified the rule break to myself.
I woke up groggy and disoriented with my dress halfway up my hips. A cough brought my attention to the doorway where Luca stood, a goofy smile on his face, and I frantically pulled my dress back down.
He strolled over, calm as ever. “Did you have fun at the podcast?” he asked casually, like we were two friends catching up. Here was Luca stalking towards me, pupils blown, the body language of a lion, and he wanted to have some casual chitchat.
“It was definitely amusing watching you lie your ass off.”
Luca was stood in front of me, gently stroking my cheek. The next thing I knew, I was in his lap, straddling him. His hands were on my waist, his body impossibly warm. My breath caught as his mouth hovered inches from mine.
“Who said I was lying?” he whispered.
Every part of me screamed to get up. Run. But I didn’t move. Not when his fingers brushed the hem of my dress, feeling the lace hidden underneath. Not when he leaned in even closer.
“Should have talked about you even more,” he said softly. “Definitely would’ve if I’d known you had this lovely little lace set on.”
My breath hitched. “Maybe if you hadn’t spent all day trying to annoy me, I would’ve told you I had a secret.”
“Oh?” His eyebrow arched, interest clearly piqued.
My cheeks grew hot, and I gnawed on my lower lip until it was puffy. Part of me knew I should go to bed, but another part wanted to find out what it was like to have Luca’s hands all over me, exploring every inch of me.
Why shouldn’t I reap the rewards of this fake relationship?I contemplated. It’s not like I could date someone else while I was fake dating Luca. Plus, after the podcast tonight, I’d seen a different side of Luca.
Luca watched me chew on my bottom lip, and finally leaned in for a slow, passionate kiss, which I greedily returned. He gently let his hands work their way up and down my body until one of his hands began to fiddle with the waistband of my thong. He looked at me, silently asking permission to let his fingers play with their target, like a cat playing with its food before dinner. I eagerly nodded for him to continue, guiding his hand deeper as I licked my lips in anticipation. His fingers slid down as they started to slowly stroke where I desperately wanted him most. Feeling how wet I was, Luca let one finger tease its way into me. I moaned, trying to push my hips down further, but his other arm wrapped around my waist, caging me against him.
