Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
I see the flicker of vulnerability all over her face. “Nash…”
“I mean it,” I cut in, my voice firm. I cup her cheeks so she’s forced to keep her focus on me. “I’ve spent so much time building walls, telling myself I couldn’t take the risk. That getting close again would hurt too much. But I’m done with that. You’re worth every risk, every ounce of fear. And just like you do in your job, I had to weigh the odds. Risk versus reward, right?”
She nods, tears welling in her eyes. One slips free and I brush it away with my thumb.
“I realized the reward of being with you far outweighs any risk. I love you, Bex. I always have, even when I was too stubborn or scared to admit it. And I’m done letting fear dictate my life. Coming back to racing was my first step. Choosing you is my next.”
“I never thought I’d hear you say that to me again,” she murmurs.
“I want to spend my life with you,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “Not just as your partner, but as your champion. Your rock. I’ll stand by you, support you, and make damn sure you never feel like you’re in this alone. I’ll put you first, always. Because you’re it for me, Bex. You always have been.”
Her breath hitches, and she lowers her forehead to my chest. “I love you too,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “And I want that. A life with you. You’ve always been the one for me, Nash. Even when I tried to convince myself otherwise.”
I pull her into my arms, holding her tightly as the weight of the past few days melts away. She’s here, in my arms, and for the first time in years, everything feels right.
“Second chances,” she murmurs against my chest.
“And this time, we don’t let go,” I say, pressing a kiss to the top of her head, wrapping my arms tighter. She feels perfect here in my embrace, right where she belongs. But a thought sparks in my mind—a daring, impulsive idea that feels so right it makes my heart race faster than any car I’ve ever driven.
“We need to do something,” I murmur, pulling back just enough to see her face.
Her brows knit together in curiosity, and she swipes away another stray tear. “Like what?”
“You’ll see,” I reply with a mischievous smile, taking her hand and lacing our fingers together.
“Nash…,” she starts, but I don’t give her a chance to argue.
“Trust me,” I say, tugging her gently toward the door.
We leave the recreation room and make our way through the halls, earning a few curious glances as we pass. When we step outside, the crisp air hits us, but I barely notice. All I can think about is what’s ahead.
Bex looks up at me in confusion as I lead her to my car. With my signing bonus I’d purchased a sleek Aston Martin DBS Superleggera and she sits gleaming under the late-afternoon sun, which isn’t seen all that often in England at this time of year. Bex stops in her tracks, tilting her head. “Where are we going?”
“That’s all you have to say?” I ask with a laugh.
“What should I say?” she asks, confused.
I sweep my hand toward the car. “Don’t you like it?”
She rolls her eyes before patting me on the chest. “Boys and their toys.”
“Want to drive?” I pull the key out and dangle it in front of her.
Her excitement is palpable because as much as she wants to try to be indifferent, she’s a car girl. But she shakes her head. “Maybe later. Now, where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” I say again, flashing her a grin as I open the passenger door for her.
She slides in, eyeing me warily as I jog around to the driver’s side. Once I’m in, the engine roars to life, a deep, guttural vibration. I glance at her as I shift into gear. “Ready?”
“I guess I don’t have much of a choice,” she mutters, clearly intrigued.
We pull out of the parking lot, and I take the long, winding road into Guildford. Bex fidgets beside me, sneaking glances my way, but I stay silent, letting the anticipation build.
“Nash,” she finally says, her tone exasperated. “Are you going to tell me where you’re taking me?”
“Nope.” I flash her a quick grin, then turn my attention back to the road.
The ride into town is quiet, save for the gentle hum of the engine. When I finally pull up to our destination, Bex’s eyes widen.
“A jewelry store?” she says, her voice tinged with disbelief and expectedly, wariness.
I park and turn to her, my heart pounding as I prepare to lay it all out. “I want to get engaged again, Bex. Let’s go pick out a ring.”
Her jaw drops, and for a moment, she just stares at me. “Engaged? Nash… it’s too fast.”