Marrying the Big Shot After Getting Cheated On by My Ex

CHAPTER 3

Sitting in the car, looking down at my leg, recently free from its cast, I was suddenly overwhelmed with a wave of self-pity. If Leo hadn't persuaded me with his sweet talk, claiming the competition was crucial to the club's reputation, I wouldn't have even considered participating.

I had been under the weather a few days prior, battling a terrible headache and relying on medication. Racing puts immense strain on a driver's heart and stamina, making my condition a recipe for disaster, which ultimately led to the accident.

And for what? To win a trophy, with my life on the line, just so he could appease his new fling with a shiny trinket. I took a picture of the divorce certificate and sent it to Terrance. She invited me to unwind by the river. 

Upon arrival, I realized she had organized a motorcycle race with a bunch of our friends. Parked along the wide, nearly deserted riverside road was a line of expensive racing bikes, surrounded by chattering and laughing youngsters.

I hesitated. "My ankle hasn't fully healed..."

"Who asked you to drive? Look at all these gentlemen!" she exclaimed.

It was then I learned about their racing tradition: each man had to choose a woman to ride with him.

Several couples were already paired up, leaving only a handful of singles. Terrance pulled me aside, whispering, "What do you think of Yann? He usually declines these things. You're in luck!"

Leaning against the railing by the riverbank, his back to me, stood a tall man in a biker outfit. The sun cast a warm glow on his shoulders, highlighting his clean-cut and confident aura. As he slowly turned around, I was pleasantly surprised to find his features incredibly attractive, perfectly aligning with my taste.

Terrance immediately pushed me forward. "Yann, would you mind taking Yelena?"

He smiled, his gaze clear and voice deep and resonant as he looked me over. "Not at all."

Terrance winked mischievously. "Don't let this opportunity slip away!"

Yann picked up a pink helmet, meticulously inspecting it before placing it on my head. He even thoughtfully tightened the chin strap, ensuring a secure fit. "Nervous?" he asked.

I was suddenly reminded of the countless races I participated in with Leo. Not once had he extended such care towards me. He always remained distant, perched high up in the stands with other club owners and so-called elites, barking orders. He never seemed concerned about my safety or if my gear was properly checked. All he cared about was the trophy, the prestige it brought to his club, and how impressive the win looked on his record.

For a fleeting moment, I felt a flicker of warmth in my heart. I shook my head. "I'm a professional racer, though I haven't ridden motorcycles much."

A hint of surprise colored his tone. "Well, that's even better. We can go full speed then—hold on tight."

Familiar with the power and speed of racing, I instinctively wrapped my arms around his waist. The engine roared to life as he kick-started the motorcycle. Beneath his loose-fitting jacket, I could feel his lean and toned physique, his abs hard and well-defined. Contrary to his gentle demeanor, Yann's riding style was surprisingly aggressive. We swiftly overtook the other racers, leaving them trailing behind.

Used to being in the driver's seat, this was a novel experience for me, being the one holding on. The wind whipped past my ears as his refreshing, woodsy scent enveloped me.

"Relax, you don't have to hold on so tight," he chuckled.

It dawned on me that I was practically squeezing the life out of him. Despite knowing what he meant, a mischievous thought crossed my mind, causing a blush to creep up my cheeks. As we approached a sharp turn, my face ended up pressing against his back, our bodies close in an intimate embrace. Even through his thin shirt, I was sure he could feel the heat radiating from my face.

Unsurprisingly, we won first place. To my amusement, the prize was a case of beer. I popped one open and raised it in a toast to Yann.

As a race car driver, I never drank. My alcohol tolerance was very low. But today, I was free, and my heart was brimming with joy. I tipped my head back and downed the entire can in one go. And immediately I regretted it. The world began to spin, and just as I felt myself losing my balance, Yann's hand shot out to steady me.

"Oh dear," Terrance exclaimed. "Yann, Yelena's not good with handling alcohol. Would you mind taking her home for me?" My head swam as I looked up at him, our eyes locking. His gaze was incredibly soft and attentive. "Of course." His voice was music to my ears. My heart melted into a puddle.

Leo always said I was devoid of femininity, all beauty, and no grace. He claimed my sharp tongue could scare any man away. I had buried myself in work over the past few years, trying to prove him wrong. But all my efforts earned me were countless displays of his affection towards other women—all delicate and charming—right in front of me.

It had been years since anyone had looked at me the way Yann did, giving me the feeling of being cared for. As I stepped out of the car, my arms still draped around his neck. I did something completely out of character. I stood on my tiptoes and impulsively kissed his chin.