Page 67 of Modern Romance May 2026 Books 1-4
‘Thanks for making me feel self-conscious,’ she murmured, her breathing quickening beneath his hand.
‘Is that what I make you feel?’ He bent closer, drawn by those brown and green and gold flecks, and brushed his lips over hers. With that irresistible stolen touch, he let the secret slip. ‘You scared the hell out of me, Lily. Don’t do it again.’
Chapter Seven
Message if you need anything.
AS.IF. LILYwas inexplicably angry at the offer. Massimo was being chivalrous but not with the intention she wanted; this wasdutynot genuine desire. So she didn’t reply. Though she did reread the text every ten minutes. He was being polite, probably trying to keep tabs, but no one ever asked if she needed anything, and that he had was touching. She scoffed at herself. It would serve him right if she sent back a twenty-line list of cravings. Except she had onlyone.
Friday’s practice sessions passed in a blur of speed, sound and stress. The heat was fierce, the crowds vast, DJs kept a pulsing beat for stilt-walkers and sword-swallowers, creating a festival atmosphere that Lily would’ve adored if she weren’t so distracted by the spectacular crash in her personal life. Yet, instead of focusing on the really big issue—the baby—she spent ages wondering whether to believe that she really was the only woman he’d slept with recently. She wanted to believe him. In her world, the chemistry between them wasn’t normal. But she couldn’t be sure.
Her body signals were scrambled. That fiery moment yesterday had overwhelmed her and she craved more because it was unfinished, that was all.
Now there were looks. Definitely whispers. Gossip swirled faster in the paddock than the cars did on track. She’d disappeared into the CEO’s office for ten minutes yesterday and it was nothing short of scandalous. Part of her didn’t care—the same part that could only recall the sight of him in there. His tailored white shirt was gorgeous enough but soaked to the skin, it was raw fuel igniting her engine. She’d notseenhim on the cargo plane; now she wanted nothing more than to seeallof him. But it had been so long since she’d enjoyedanyphysical contact—so even the lightest amount, the simplest touch of his hand, set her off. It was only the fraught situation—the uncertainty and speed of it—heightening her feelings. So they were unreliable, right? She focused on her routine checks to stop herself ruminating. Work was the only thing she could truly rely on.
‘You okay, Lily?’ Shane said softly. ‘Need backup?’
‘Thank you.’ She smiled, but then saw the curiosity in Shane’s eyes. With her ability to trust her instincts long destroyed, she couldn’t decide if he was prying or being protective. She opted for gentle defence. ‘But I can handle the heat as well as anyone.’
Chocolate almonds? Cherries? No request too small. Anything. Anytime.
Details this time. Personal, teasing ones. Another message she definitely couldn’t answer.
On Saturday night they held the qualifying session to determine the starting order for Sunday’s race. The atmosphere was oppressive and rain was forecast. Lily felt wiped out by the stifling humidity; honestly, she would welcome the rain if qualification wasn’t starting soon.
‘Do you think it’s going to be bad enough for inters or will we get away with slicks for the session?’
She glanced up. Emiliano was leaning beside the wall, watching her prep the tyres. Every other time he’d talked to her she’d answered briefly before moving away, but today she welcomed the distraction. There was already talk behind her back; more now wouldn’t matter. Especially not when they found out what was really going on.
‘We’ll have all options available,’ she answered. ‘The track temperature might have the greater impact than rain. Depending.’ There were always so many variables.
‘Because it’s street?’
‘Yes, it’s rougher. That’s going to affect the wear.’
They discussed street versus purpose-built track surfaces versus heavy rain for a solid ten minutes before he was called to the strategy room. Lily appreciated the reprieve from her own thoughts—she could talk tyres all day.
As qualifying began, every grandstand around the track was filled. The energetic crowd was almost loud enough to drown the scream of engines pushed to their limits. The threat of rain increased the urgency to get the session done before it hit. Both Conrad and Emiliano had made it through to the top ten but in the closing minutes of qualifying, the skies opened and the rain tumbled. Visibility was instantly reduced; slipperiness increased. Everyone stilled in the pit, focused on the screens—watching the cars cling on through their final lap. The downpour was heavy. Would the race stewards be debating suspending the session so close to the finish?
Lily glanced to the side as she caught a movement out of the corner of her eye. Massimo had appeared in the small section of the garage where VIP guests watched. She was stunned. Heneverwatched in public but now he was here, headset on to listen to team radio, rigidly staring at the screens.
Lily wanted to watch Massimo as much as the last qualifying lap.Not okay.Not when it was late and hot and wet and more focus than ever was required. Even though right now hers was all on Conrad and Emiliano handling the cars they were in. Her nerves shredded, she felt ill with the increasing hazards as the rain fell in sheets. At the fourth corner, Conrad spun but managed to stay on track long enough to veer into the overshoot lane. With no red flag, Emiliano sent it into the last corner and in the final seconds pushed his time to the top of the field. The roar in the garage was instant and deafening as the mechanics around her cheered and clapped. Emiliano had secured his first pole position—he’d be starting tomorrow’s race at the front of all the others. She dare not turn to see Massimo’s reaction.
‘You were right about the track!’ Emiliano shouted to her as he was swamped by the mechanics when he got back to the garage.
She’d not said anything the strategists wouldn’t have said. She’d just called it before he’d had the chance to talk to them, but she was quietly thrilled to have been right. Turning, she caught Massimo’s gaze. Despite Emiliano’s success he couldn’t seem to smile. Of course he couldn’t. She was pregnant and a wholly unsuitable partner for him.
Moments later he walked out and took her vitality with him.
Just ask. I dare you.
The message pinged first thing on race day. She ignored it. She didn’t ask anyone for anything. She took care of things herself and if she really had to get someone’s help—like she had Derek’s—then she made sure she took only the minimum necessary and then paid them back. She would owe no one anything. She would rely only on herself. But as she lay in bed, she knew she couldn’t work the race tonight. She was too distracted. Too tired. She would make a mistake and she never wanted to be the one who lost them any advantage. It was terrible to let them down, but the fact was she had to resign anyway.
Soon enough she wouldn’t be able to travel. She’d be enormously pregnant, not even allowed on a plane. She needed a new plan, to switch up her life completely. She would leave the racing circuit and get a job at a general garage, focus on cam belts and gear boxes. Maybe once the baby was born she could go back part-time. She would make it work. But the awful thing was she was going to need some help.
In the afternoon she dragged herself to the track but Shane came over and spoke before she could admit she had to let him down.
‘You’re not needed in the garage tonight,’ he said. ‘Go watch from the grandstand. Enjoy it.’
