Montreal a few days before...
After yesterday's win and reconciliation with Ava, he was determined to ask her to be his girlfriend. Having spent nearly ten10 hours with her, he realized his life didn't feel complete without Ava. She had to be his.
Tonight, he planned to make a grand gesture to show her how much she meant to him and finally ask the question. As he lay beside her, he noticed Ava murmuring in her sleep. He leaned closer, gently caressing her face. Her lips were full and a soft pinkish-red, her skin smelled like nectar, sweet and delicate. As he gazed at her lovingly, Ava slowly opened her eyes, revealing her beautiful hazel-brown irises.
"Good morning, my love," he whispered, kissing her forehead softly. Ava smiled, pulling the blanket up to cover her face, leaving only her eyes peeking out.
"I haven't even showered yet," she mumbled from under the covers. Leo chuckled, pulling her into his arms and holding her tightly. It was a wonderful feeling.
That afternoon, he planned a special dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel, booking the rooftop for the occasion. He took Ava for a manicure, pedicure, and spa session, followed by a trip to a clothing store to pick out a dress for the evening.
All he told her was that it was a fine dining experience. Four hours later, everything was ready. He returned to his room to prepare, while Ava was styled by a makeup artist he had hired in another room. His heart raced—even the Grand Prix hadn't made him this nervous.
The evening began with the hotel reserving the entire dining section for them. A single table stood in the center of the room, spotlighted, with a cellist nearby waiting for the cue. Leo waited at the entrance, his heart pounding.
A few minutes later, Ava arrived, and she looked absolutely breathtaking. Her hair, usually tied in a ponytail or messy bun, cascaded down with a few delicate braids and flowers woven in. Her makeup enhanced her natural glow, giving her a soft, radiant look. The dress she wore complemented her skin tone perfectly, making her eyes shine even brighter. Leo froze, mesmerized by the sight, until Ava approached and gave a soft cough, snapping him out of his daze. He blushed, took her hands, and kissed the back of her palms.
"You look extraordinarily beautiful tonight, Ava," he said, leading her into the room where the table was set with appetizers waiting for them.
They began their meal with seared scallops on butternut squash puree for him and shrimp fritters with lime mayonnaise for Ava. For the main course, he had ordered rosemary beef tenderloin with horseradish cream and maple mustard salmon with apple, radish, and celery salad. As they waited for dessert, Leo turned to Ava.
"I want to apologize again for my behavior over the past week. I was rude and treated you poorly. I've learned from my mistakes and won't make assumptions again. I'm so sorry, Ava," he said, his eyes glistening with emotion. He held her hands tightly, and Ava squeezed
them in return
"I'm sorry too, for making you doubt me. I know it's not easy to trust someone, and I need to understand you better," she replied with a warm smile.
After a few more moments of conversation, the servers brought out the most stunning desserts they had ever seen. They finished their dinner with sparkling water, Leo wanted to stay sober for what was to come.
Finally, he stood up and offered his hand to Ava. She took it, and he led her through a secret door that opened to the rooftop. The hotel had decorated the space beautifully, setting up a cozy picnic area with a breathtaking view of Montreal. They lay side by side on a thick mattress, hugging each other as they took in the magical atmosphere.
"I'm sorry this isn't much. It's all I could pull together on such short notice. I'll do more when I'm truly free after the Barcelona race, okay?" he said, kissing Ava's forehead.
"This is already more than enough for me. All that matters is you. No one has ever done something like this for me before, I'm so grateful," she replied, resting her head on his chest.
"No one? So, you've never had a boyfriend before? Wait..am I your first?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Ava giggled. "You really hate suspense, don't you? But no, I've had exes but none of them ever put in the effort you did tonight, though."
At her words, he immediately sat up and looked at her. "Come on, dance with me," he said, holding out his hand.
"Okay," she replied, taking his hand.
They began to dance on the rooftop, with music playing softly from Leo's phone. Suddenly, lightning flashed, followed by the rumble of thunder. Leo glanced at Ava, grinning. Soon, a gentle rain began to fall, but they didn't stop dancing. They laughed and twirled, completely lost in the moment.
After a while, the rain stopped, and they warmed themselves by the heater near the gazebo on the rooftop. Hugging each other and giggling, they shared a quiet moment. Then Leo looked at Ava softly.
"I really like you. More than I like racing," he confessed.
Ava blushed, hiding her face in her hands before mumbling, "I like you too."
Leo's smile widened. "Ava,...Would you like to be my girlfriend?" he asked nervously, his face turning away as he blushed.
"What? What did you say?" Ava teased, a playful grin on her face.
"I said..." he began, then took a deep breath. "Would you like to be my girlfriend, my dear, sweet Ava Sinclair?" he repeated, his cheeks flushing even more.
Ava laughed softly before leaning closer to his face. "I would loooveee to be your girlfriend, my dear, sweet Leo Vargas-Clairmont," she whispered into his ear, sending shivers down his spine.
Leo turned bright red, unable to believe she had said yes. Overwhelmed, he hid his face under his crossed arms, blushing furiously. Ava gently pulled his head up, looking into his eyes. Then she kissed him softly. Leo deepened the kiss, pulling her onto his lap as they held each other close.
The night was alive with the soft hum of the city below, but atop the private rooftop of the Four Seasons, the world seemed to belong only to them. The gazebo, with its clear roof, offered an unobstructed view of the stars, their light cascading down like a celestial blanket. The air was warm, carrying the faint scent of jasmine from the garden below, and a gentle breeze played with the sheer curtains framing the gazebo.
Ava stood at the edge, her silhouette bathed in moonlight. Her dress clung to her curves as if it, too, couldn't resist her allure. Leo approached her from behind, before his hands found her waist. She leaned back into him, her breath catching as his lips brushed the nape of her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
"You 're breathtaking," he murmured, his voice low and rough with desire. His hands slid up her sides, tracing the delicate fabric of her dress before slipping it off her shoulders. The garment pooled at her feet, leaving her exposed to the night air and to him.
Ava turned in his arms, her eyes locked with his, dark and filled with unspoken promises. Leo's gaze roamed over her, his admiration palpable. He cupped her face, his thumb brushing her lower lip before he claimed her mouth in a searing kiss. It was a kiss that spoke of longing of nights spent apart and moments stolen in secret. Ava melted into him, her hands tangling in his hair as she pulled him closer, their bodies pressed together with no space left for doubt or hesitation. His hands explored her with a reverence that made her tremble—each touch a silent vow, each caress a promise.
He lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist as he carried her to the center of the gazebo. The stars above seemed to burn brighter, their light reflecting in her eyes as he laid her down on the soft cushions scattered across the floor.
Leo's shirt joined her dress somewhere in the shadows, his chest warm against her skin as he hovered above her. His lips trailed down her neck, her collarbone, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. Ava arched into him, her fingers digging into his back as she whispered his name like a prayer.
Their connection was electric, every movement deliberate yet desperate, as if they were trying to fuse their souls together. The world outside ceased to exist, there was only the sound of their breathing, the feel of their skin, the shared rhythm of their hearts.
When they finally came together, it was with an intensity that left them both breathless, their cries mingling with the night as they reached the peak of their passion.
Afterward, they lay entwined, the stars still watching over them. Ava rested her head on Leo's chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. His fingers traced lazy patterns on her back, and she smiled, knowing that this moment, this night, would forever be theirs.