Page 106 of Start Your Engines

“Because you’re such a big star?” she teases.

I wrap her arms around my neck. “No, because Myles’s daughter had a massive crush on me. Before I slipped out, she chased after me. I explained I was in love with someone else andalways had been and that although they didn’t love me, there would never be anyone else for me. She wasn’t happy, but she respected my issues with unrequited love, and then she went straight on Tinder.”

“And I was the person you loved?” Her voice is so light. I want to make love to her and hear her sing my name from her beautiful lips, but I’m not done yet.

“Yes. The moment you stood at the front of the ceremony with your hair in that delicate style, my heart stopped. I wanted to play with that pink flower behind your ears and carry the shoes you would’ve ditched somewhere so you could be barefoot. You were beautiful.”

She shrugs. “I was all right.”

“You were a vision. Before I left, you told the best man he couldn’t tell a cruel joke in his speech. You were around a corner from me. I couldn’t see you, but I heard you. Ralf’s brother was such a big bruiser of a man, yet there you were, standing up to him and ensuring the speech must be words of love. That was the second time I fell in love with you.”

Her laughter makes me want to close my eyes and immerse myself in it forever. “Because I told off a grumpy bastard?”

“Because I was reminded of the Senna who cares about her people and wants everyone to be happy. I wanted to be one of your people and feel that care. It also helped that in the ceremony, the slit in your dress opened, and I caught a glimpse of your phenomenal legs.”

She smiles, and my heart stops again. “I insisted the hair and make-up team make me stunning because Ralf told me he’d invited you.”

I gulp loudly. “You wanted to look your best for me?”

“Yes. Even though I hated you. They said they’d never worked with such a bossy bridesmaid before.”

“That’s my girl.” I kiss her smiling lips hard. “I left the wedding after you berated Ralf’s brother and I realised that my love for you hadn’t gone away after all those years. I knew you hated me, so I’d never be truly happy. Nothing in my life would be enough because I’d never have you.”

“Oh.” She fists my shirt, unable to meet my gaze.

“I was a mess. I didn’t want to be with any other woman after that. I struggled with driving because it didn’t give me the joy I craved. It got worse after Niki’s crash. When I started working for you, I hated it because, deep down, I still loved you. But I was reminded how much you detested me. I couldn’t have you, so I didn’t want to be around you.”

Tears slip down my cheeks, and Senna cradles me.

“It’s okay. We have each other now. Nothing will change that,” she whispers, kissing away my tears.

“Hopefully your brother won’t kill me.” I’m shaking at the words that were on my tongue the entire drive to her office. “I’d sacrifice everything for you. I’ll go up against him and do anything to keep your heart.”

“I won’t let him hurt you. We’ll convince him that we should be together. You’re not a fuckboy. You’re the most loving man I’ve ever met. I only want you forever.”

“Forever sounds perfect.”

I tangle my fingers in her hair, and she pulls my shirt out of my trousers and unbuttons it. I’ve never allowed myself to be this vulnerable with anyone, but she won’t hurt me.

She blesses my skin with kisses. I unsnap my trousers. Her fingers stroke the tattoo of her best lap time under my arm. She can’t resist touching it when we’re alone together. My nerves spark like lightning as she appraises me.

“You’re so beautiful. I could stare at you for hours.” Slowly, she pushes down my underwear, and I kick off my shoes and ridmyself of my trousers and boxers. She wraps her hand around my dick, and my head falls back. “This is what I want.”

“That’s my girl,” I hiss as she fists my cock.

She strokes me up and down, and my legs shake. Little hairs rise all over my skin, and I moan in desperation for her.

She moistens her lips in a way that is so fucking tempting. “Connor, you’ve given me more than I hoped. You believe in me in a way no one else does. You challenge me and listen to me. You trust me and give me the safety to be me.”

“Yes, baby,” I growl. I struggle to focus on her words even though I understand their importance.

My body demands I stay with her hand wrapped around me, yet somehow, I step back. I lift her dress up and off until she’s seated in her purple underwear on the edge of her desk. My mouth goes dry as I take my time to stare. She reaches for my cock again, but with an arched eyebrow, I pin her wrists with my hand.

“Not yet, beautiful. I want to remember the moment I finally see my sexy boss in her underwear sitting on her desk for eternity.”

Her smile is coy, and my heart flutters. I clear my throat. I pull her into my arms and lift her. She wraps her legs around me, grinding on my erection as I carry her over to her new cream-fabric sofa and lay her on it.

I settle between her thighs. I tuck my fingers under her bra straps and drag them down.

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