Page 121 of Warming the Sheikh's Bed & Love in the Fast Lane

She watched him go, as he was escorted away by the medical professionals, then, she moved to Beatrice and put an arm around her.

Beatrice’s eyes were huge green pools in her pale face. “Oh, Rors. I get it. That was just about the worst thing I’ve ever seen. I get it.”

Remarkably, he had survived unscathed. Though the car was damaged almost beyond repair, Leonardo was judged to have only a slight concussion from the way his head had been shaken.

When all the fuss had died down, and they were alone again, Aurora sat beside him on the balcony of the apartment, her expression unreadable. In the distance, fireworks were exploding above the racetrack, as they would, on and off, for the rest of the night.

“I’m sorry you didn’t finish the race,” she said, finally.

He nodded. “I would have won.”

“I know.” She swallowed nervously. “You’ll win next time.”

He tilted his head towards her. When he spoke, it was with incredible softness. “There won’t be a next time. I’m done.”

Aurora sat up straighter. “What?”

“I’m done. I’ve told Amaro.”

“No.” She shook her head. “You’re not. You’re doing this for me. And that’s wrong.”

His smile was indulgent. “I am doing this for you, but that is not wrong.” He took her hand in his and sighed heavily. “Do you know what I have always loved about racing?”

“What?”

“The thrill. Nothing makes me feel more alive than getting behind the wheel and feeling the engine roar beneath me.” He shook his head. “I should say, nothing used to make me feel more alive. Winning in Melbourne should have been the most exciting point of my day. But it wasn’t.”

“It wasn’t?”

“No. It was waking up to you that morning. And the next morning. You are the greatest thrill in my life; the passion I love above all else. Racing was important to me, until you came along. Now? I realise I’ve just been marking time. This is better. This is bigger. I lost you once because I refused to face up to that fact. Not again.”

Her heart turned over in her chest, but still she shook her head. “I can’t let you do it, Leo. I know you. You’ll be miserable without the tea

m.”

“I haven’t quit the team. I have a contract. I’m switching to a design and training role. No one knows the engines and tracks quite like I do.”

Aurora swallowed. “And that will make you happy?”

“No.” He grinned. “That will be nice. You are what makes me truly happy.” His eyes were haunted. “I cannot risk putting you through what you felt today. When I saw you on the balcony, I knew I would do anything to take that fear away. Either I quit, or we break up. And we both know how that turns out.”

His attempt at a joke fell flat. She furrowed her brow, forming a little crease between her eyes. “I told you in Melbourne that I would support you. That I could get past my own worries because you love to race.”

He laughed with a small shake of his head. “And your willingness to try meant the world to me. That was enough. That you wanted to understand my love for F1. I am simply not willing to put you through that again, though.”

“I don’t ever want to feel that again,” she whispered, her eyes hollow. “But I know you Leo. You won’t be happy without that… adventure. And I can’t be the one who makes you give it up. You’ll end up hating me for it.”

“Don’t you see?” He kneeled down in front of her, his smile genuine. “I’m not giving anything up. The thrill I got from racing is nothing compared to life with you. And I can’t, and won’t, do both. It would be selfish and wrong. When I asked you to marry me, it wasn’t because I thought things should always be on my terms, so that I could be happy doing everything I want, and you would just have to suffer through it. No. I asked you to marry me because I want to make a real life with you. That means making compromises sometimes. And believe me, Sleeping Beauty, the love that I feel for driving is way, way down on the list compared to how I feel for you.” He shrugged his broad shoulders. “I’m only sorry I didn’t realise this three years ago, to save us all that time apart.”

Like sunshine piercing rays through thick clouds, Aurora felt true happiness punctuating her soul. “Are you… are you absolutely sure?”

“Believe me, I have never been more certain of anything in my life. You’re my future. I will fight for you, and your happiness, with all that I am.”

Aurora put her arms around his shoulders and they stood, as one. She was crying, despite the fact she’d never been happier.

“In that case… I don’t ever want to see you inside a hunk of compressed metal again.”

“Got it.” He grinned. “Aurora Jones, will you marry me?”

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