Fall in love with someone who is both your safe place and your biggest adventure.

                      ~Bianca Sparacino~

                                   Mia

"Are you ready?" Romano asked me as he handed me a bottle of water. He wore a full black racing suit while I wore a white one but with a black helmet and black and white gloves.

"Yes, I am," I answered in a high pitched voice, a rush of excitement and anticipation settling comfortably in my stomach. He gave me an indulgent smile tapping the top of my helmet with the bottle.

"I hope you remember the rules, Mia," A new voice said, joining us to stand in front of me. It was a Malik, my instructor, for the last five days. Romano had refused to let me race without having gone through a little training. "It's not that serious, Rom," I had insisted, pleading, but no amount of begging, cozying up to him, had changed his mind. He had remained adamant.

Though I hadn't admitted it yet, I had loved every part of the training. Driving a race car was a dream come true, and now I was about to live through another life's adventure.

I finally found a man I love, one who spoiled me and lived through my adventures with me whether he found them childish or ridiculous.

Is there anything better than that?

"Remember this is just for fun, don't be overly competitive."

Malik earnestly said, ticking something on his clipboard, which he carried around scribbling things down.

"I smiled, nodding, knowing the minute I held that wheel; I would be going for the jugular. I was going to be competitive, and Romano knew it because he raised his brow when I nodded to Malik, he knew I was lying.

It was a curse to be an open book to the man you loved when trying to hide the fact that you were crazy about him.

Malik dropped the keys on my gloved hand. "Have fun out there." 

Oh, I planned to, I thought, skipping towards the car like a little girl who still believed in Santa Claus on Christmas morning.

"Ride with me, sweetheart." I glanced at Romano, who was leaning on the passenger's side of the car. He gave a sudden jerk of his head to my direction, his eyes filled with surprise and a little too chirpy. "You called me, sweetheart." he sounded like a small boy overjoyed about something, I guess we were perfect for each other. I was still feeling like a little girl too.

"Forget about that; we have a more important adventure," I told him, starting the car. "There is no possible way it can be as fulfilling as hearing you call me that."

"Why don't we find out?" The thudding of my heart was too loud I wasn't sure if he responded or not, neither did I ask because asking would have delayed it and I was ready to drive.

There is no way to describe the thrill I felt when I started driving that race car. I felt no fear, no nervousness or anxious, I just kept my eyes on the track racing as if my life depended on it. Rom sat silently beside me, but I was aware of him throughout the race. I knew he took several sips of water, knew he kept throwing me glances, and at one time, he told me not to kill us both.

"Are you afraid?" I had asked, and he had exhaled, turning to look at me before returning his eyes on the road.

"No, I am not, but I don't want you to get hurt."

'We'll be fine, don't worry. I will take care of us." He didn't say another word until I finished.

I got tired after the sixth lap, so I brought the car to a stop just when Malik was about to start another instructing session. But the first thing I did after parking the car looked at Romano. Our eyes crushed, I wasn't sure what he saw in mine, but I saw laughter and lust in his. I felt the beginning of a flush of embarrassment spreading across my face, yet I still held his eyes because I still wore the helmet.

"How do you feel?" He wanted to know how I felt after fulfilling one of my dreams. How would I express it? Did I have the best words to describe the feeling? I wasn't sure, but I did, using words that I wouldn't in normal circumstances. Today was special.

"I would have said it was better than sex before I slept with you." He reached out to remove my helmet, so first, I didn't have time to think about it knocking off the bottle of water from the holder. I knew exactly what he would see when he removed it, a red face.

"It's unfair you still have yours on." My voice sounded meek even as let out a loud breath trying to delay facing him. "Look at me." His was soft and soothing. He had removed his helmet; his hair was in disarray, and without thinking, I moved my hands, combing it with my fingers to bring his curls in some kind of order. I felt a shudder run through him as he dragged me to his arms. "I'm glad I was able to give you this." He whispered, kissing my cheek and then placing his on mine. I could feel my whole body gravitating towards his, my heart singing with joy.

"Thank you for today," I said in an achingly emotional voice.

"Thank you for not killing us and for calling me, sweetheart." I laughed through my tears, trying to move from his embrace, but his hands tightened around me possessively, molding me as closer to him as the distance between us could allow.

I knew he wanted to kiss me by the intent gaze on my mouth. He lowered his head, touching my lips lightly, I closed my eyes, feeling the brush of lips on mine, like the touch of the morning sun on my face.

"I've wanted to do this throughout the day."I heard him say, smoothing back several of my disheveled stands off my face.

"Take me home," I said, placing my head on his shoulder.

"I like the sound of that." I chuckled breathlessly; I managed to tell him I loved his house. But it wasn't the house I liked; it was the owner.

He breathed in my hair, touching his tongue on my ear, and it was so erotic I moaned.

"That is a sign we should take this home."

"I told you that before you placed your tongue on my ear." I knew I sounded defensive, but I had to say something.

"It's my fault; I want you every time I'm with you." He said in a hoarse voice, dropping a kiss on my forehead. I loved it every time he did that.