Page 23 of Serena
Ruby is right, this mojito is amazing. Granted, the last one I had was in college, in a dive bar, but there is no comparison to the quality of this liquor, which is right in front of me. I pretty much chugged the first drink, and she’s making my second.
“So, how long have you worked here?” I can already tell the drink is affecting me. Now I know why her drinks are so popular.
“About two years. I grew up here but decided a change was needed, so I moved to New York. But life in the Big Apple didn’t work out, so I came back. It’s home. Been here ever since.”
“Ruby,” a customer shouts. “Be back in a jiffy.”
I envy people like Ruby. Taking a chance on something, anything. Sometimes I wish I could just quit my job and move somewhere no one knows me. Going back home is the worst option. Maybe move here? I'd still be close to the ocean, and I do have a new friend here. Well, I think.
I love my friends, but being around them in their state of happiness is too much at times. I feel like I want to scream. If I’m honest with myself, a part of me envies them. At the end of the day, they have someone. Yuri has Xander, and although they don’t always see eye to eye, she has someone waiting for her. I’m the problem. I don’t let people get close. As soon as it becomes real, I run, cut off ties. I’m such a wreck. Looking down at my hand is the only confirmation I need.
I’m in the middle of my pity party when I take a big inhale and catch the scent of something, no, someone familiar. I can feel him before I see him.
Iwas notified by security that Serena didn’t leave the hotel with the others. Instead, she checked in for a couple of nights, so I called Maggie asking for an update on the trip. After informing me that it was a successful trip, she told me Serena had extended her stay for personal reasons.
I was on my private plane within the hour. I always know where she is. So here I am standing outside the restaurant, watching her. It’s my favorite thing to do, to watch everything this woman does. I never get tired of looking at her. I can see her bandaged hand from here, and it’s a reminder that Elias was there for her and not me. I’ve never been a jealous man. Not until she came into my life. She’s making me feel things I’ve never felt. Obsession. Possessiveness. Jealousy. These are foreign feelings; I never had to put the work into someone. Women willingly gave themselves to me. And that alone is reason enough to keep her.
“Hola, Hermosa.” I take the seat next to her. My proximity makes her breath hitch and her face flush. It may be the alcohol but also most definitely me.
“What are you doing here?”
“Well, I was waiting for you to return from the trip. When I was informed that you decided to stay, I decided to come to you. So here I am.” Her lack of response irritates me. “You don’t seem happy to see me. I'm wounded.” Dramatically, I place my hand on my chest.
“I find that hard to believe,” she says with an eye roll.
I take her drink in my hand before I take her over my lap. The number of times she’s rolled her eyes at me. I need to keep a fucking tally at this point. I put the rim of the drink to my lips and have a taste. Smiling as my lips hit the glass where hers have just been. A mojito—it’s refreshing and fucking strong. How much rum did the bartender put in this? I choke and start to cough. Surprised by the amount of hard liquor in the drink.
She laughs. And it’s music to my ears.
“Does my choking bring you joy? How kinky.”
Her laugh stops abruptly. The visual of my hand around her neck while thrusting into her. Fuck me. Get it together, Ian.
“This is delicious. Compliments to the bartender.”
“Thanks,” I hear a woman say from behind the bar. She approaches Serena. “Do you know this guy?” Serena is quiet for a minute, deciding whether she wants to answer. With an exasperated sigh, she nods.
“Ruby, this is Mr. Kayde; he’s the reason for my trip.” I can hear my teeth grinding with the way she says my name. Ruby, the bartender, gives me a once-over and nods.
“Okay, let me know if you need me.”Great, another protector.
“How many drinks have you had?” I’ve only seen her drink a cocktail a couple of times and only with her close friends.
“None of your business. And what are you doing here?” She’s demanding the answer that I know she isn’t ready for, but she’s going to get it nonetheless. Because this has never been a game, but I don’t know if that’s a truth she’ll be willing to face. I grab her chin and turn her face to me. I look directly into those beautiful brown eyes and, without hesitation, I tell her.
“I came for you.”
She closes her eyes, taking in what I just told her. “Go back to your fiancée.” Those words solidify how difficult this is going to be.
“I already told you I don’t have a fiancée, and you should know that I don’t like repeating myself.”
“I. Do. Not. Care.”
She pulls away from my hold. My fingers linger, missing the way it felt to touch her. “Hermosa, are you jealous?” I push because I need more from her, a reaction—anything. I know that I affect her. She won’t admit it, but her body relaxes when I surround her with my presence. She is constantly fighting with herself.
She scoffs. “Unbelievable. You know what, I’m going to leave now. I’m exhausted, and this conversation is over.” She gets up and walks over to Ruby. They embrace, muttering something to each other, then they glare in my direction. Ruby flips me off, and Serena walks out the front door.
I look at the chair where Serena was sitting and grab the cardigan she left behind as she runs away. My long strides catch me up to her. “Serena!” Ignoring me, she continues to walk, and I follow. I don’t think she knows where she’s going.
