Rush: Part One & Two (The Pitstop Series Book 3)

After a five-hour flight, and a twenty-minute car ride, Gabriel, Hector, and I make it to the hotel in Baku. The fifth race of the year is one of James’ and Gabriel’s favorite places to drive, and I remember Dad saying how exciting it is. He always talked about his work and everything he experienced throughout his career. The same one that brought him more joy than his own children.

My heart aches in my chest when I recall the day he died, the car crash into our living room. I still remember how loud it was, Adrian panicking, and the fear that had settled in my chest. Adrian had told me to stay upstairs while the paramedics took a long time to get Dad out of the car.

I shake my head to force the horrific event out of my thoughts. I don’t want to remember anymore, especially because thinking about Adrian and how protective he was that night makes me sad. I haven’t spoken to him since he left our house, and he isn’t returning any of my calls or texts. The last message I received from James said my brother is much calmer, which lifts a burden off my shoulders.

It also makes it easier to focus on Gabriel, the fact that we are going to share a room, and the way he flashes me his dimples when he smiles at me.

He hands me my key and brings me in close, his mouth hovering over mine as we wait for the woman at the reception to give him back his credit card. Gabriel takes it, not once kissing me, and I can’t stand the teasing. The last time I remember him kissing me was after the take-off.

We get onto the elevator with Hector. When he leaves again, Gabriel wraps his arms around me and starts to nibble on my ear. A shiver runs down my spine, and I have to bite my bottom lip to keep from admitting how good it feels.

The elevator opens, and I walk out, leaving him without saying a single word. I unlock the door to our hotel room… our hotel room. A smile spreads over my face but I hide it from him. I throw my purse onto the bed, and Gabriel drops on it as well. His shirt lifts, and I temporarily forget about the rest of the world.

“Can you help me undress? I want to take a shower,” I say, and he sits up more quickly than I’ve ever seen anyone do.

“Hell yes,” he replies, and I laugh. “I’ll help you take a shower too,” he says, but I shake my head.

“No, thank you. I don’t need you to, I’m only going to wash my body,” I assure him, and he pouts.

“But I want to shower with you,” he begs, and my knees go weak.

“Maybe later,” I manage to say, and he nods, clearly thinking about something.

He undoes the zipper of my dress, his fingertips leaving goosebumps in their wake. Once he’s done, Gabriel steps in front of me.

“Why are you teasing me?” he asks as he leans down to press a kiss to my lips, but I move my head so they connect with my jaw instead. “You know I want you, why do you want me to beg?”

He sucks on the sensitive skin below my jaw, and I let my head fall back. His accent has a way of making my body feel a million sensations.

“Don’t make me beg,” he says in French, and I am putty in his hands.

An involuntary moan leaves my lips when he tugs hard on the sensitive skin on my neck. He flicks his tongue over the ache, and I step back.

“No, nope, we’re not spending the entire day in the hotel room having sex. I want to do some sightseeing, and you’re coming with me,” I say because we’ve spent enough days at home in bed.

I don’t get to go to Azerbaijan often, and we’re going to make the most of it while we’re here.

“Under one condition,” he says, and I roll my eyes with a grin, already knowing where this is going.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Yes, you can shower with me,” I reply, and he places a firm kiss on my lips.

“Some of the best words I’ve ever heard. Let’s go, chérie.”

Gabriel jumps in the shower with me, and we wash before getting dressed. He leaves the bathroom before I do, which gives me time to study the bruises on my wrist. They have gotten better, but they are still a deep purple. There is also a big red mark on the right side of my neck, which worries me until I realize it’s from Gabriel.

“Gabriel!” I call out, and he storms into the bathroom, worry on his face. “You gave me a hickey.” I point at the red mark on my neck, and he starts to smile. “It’s not funny, I’m going to have to cover this with makeup all week,” I complain, but I’m not actually mad. I find it more amusing than anything.

“We’re not in high school, you don’t have to cover it up. Better yet, wear your hair up and a low neckline.” I can’t help myself, which is why I start to laugh.

“For what?” I challenge, and he smirks at me.

“So I see it every time I look at you, reminding me how it got there. Reminding me I made you moan when I gave it to you, and so the sound replays in my head all weekend,” he explains, and I swallow hard. He’ll never cease to make me speechless.

“I have to wear a low neckline?” I ask in an attempt to break the sexual tension he brought back with his words, but Gabriel gives me an easy smile.

“The only thing you have to wear for me is my shirt to bed. Other than that, I’d never tell you what you can or cannot wear, not that you’d listen,” he says with a smile, and I nod, placing my arms around his neck.

“You’re right, I’d never let a man tell me what to wear.” He brushes his nose over mine.

“Just my shirt to bed,” he reminds me, and I laugh.

“Well, if I have to,” I joke, and he grins.

The happy smile on his face reveals his sexy dimples. My eyes drop from his face to where my hands are on his neck, and I see I’m not the only one that has a hickey.

A victorious smirk spreads over my lips when I realize everyone is going to know he’s mine. I finally understand how he feels.

Maybe I should make him wear my shirts, too.

Gabriel and I spend the rest of the day walking around in Baku. He takes me to the Maiden Tower in the Old City. The unique structure of the building mesmerizes me. Sadly, we don’t have the opportunity to go inside, but I don’t mind admiring it from the outside.

The whole time we’re exploring the city, Gabriel holds me close to him, his hand in mine, and his lips always finding their way to my temple, cheek, and lips. Walking around the capital of Azerbaijan with the man I love while he finds ways to kiss me when I don’t expect it makes me feel whole in a way I’ve never experienced.

I start to wonder if Dad ever felt this way, or even if Grandpa did, but I know if they were here, they would be telling me stories about it now. Would they approve of my relationship? They would definitely approve of Gabriel; he’s everything they could have possibly wanted for me. He makes a lot of money, has his future planned out, is living his dream, and he loves me for who I am. Plus, he is a Formula One driver. He checks every box.

We walk a little further until we sit down on a bench near a park. I can’t help but stare at his face as he lifts it to the sun, letting it shine on him. His stubble has been growing out more, but he told me he doesn’t want it too long, probably because I let it slip once I’m usually not attracted to men with full beards. What Gabriel doesn’t realize is I’ll always be attracted to him because of his heart, not just because he’s the most superficially beautiful man I’ve ever seen.

“Do you remember what happened the day we met?” I ask, and his attention drifts to me.

“Like it was yesterday, Lady Valentina,” he replies, and embarrassment heats up my cheeks.

“You had me breathless from day one, Gabriel,” I admit, and he takes my face between his hands.

“And you’ll have me breathless until the last.” His lips connect with mine, and I smile against them.

He tastes like home, and I’ll never get enough.