Page 24 of Serena
Abruptly, she stops and turns around to face me, making me crash into her. The impact surprises us both, and she loses her footing, stumbling backward. I instinctively reach and grab her; one hand grips her waist, and the other lands in the area between her neck and her lower back. It’s bare. My hands stayglued to her body because any chance I have to touch her, I will. The skin underneath my hand feels different; there is texture to it. They feel like scars. Her chest is pressed to mine; this position seems to be a recurrence for us, so intimate. I’m tempted to bend my head down to kiss her.
Moving my hand up her back, I roam her neck, and that's when I see all of it, her scar. I noticed it before, but the wind is blowing her hair away, so I have a full view. I don’t make it obvious. It’s apparent that she tries to hide it by having her hair down all the time. It starts behind her ear and moves toward her hairline on her neck. The scar has jagged edges. Based on how it healed, the cut was deep.
I bend my head down and whisper in her ear, “Stop running away.” Her breathing turns erratic, and I see the goosebumps on her skin.
God, I’m so close to her that I can smell the rum on her breath. If I kiss her now, I won't be able to stop. I’ll be consumed by her; hell, I crave it every moment.
“Just stop running away.” My demand sounds more like a plea.
“I can’t,” she whispers. Then she pulls away.
“You mean you won’t.”
“Just stop.”
I won’t stop. “I’m taking you back to the hotel. Come on.” She doesn’t move. “Serena, it’s not a suggestion. If you don’t move, I’ll carry you.”
She doesn’t say a word and starts walking in the direction I guide her. There’s a car waiting for me, and Augustus is leaning against it. By the time we’re close to the car, he already has the door opened for Serena. “Serena, this is Augustus, my personal driver and security. Augustus, this is Ms. Nerva.”
“Pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Nerva.”
“Please call me Serena.”
I follow after her. When I turn to say something, Serena’s head is against the window, and her eyes are closed. I can see the profile of her face thanks to the streetlights illuminating the night. Her face is that of indifference, but I know there’s more going on in that beautiful mind of hers. There’s so much I want to say, so many questions I have.
“I’m not engaged, I swear.” She turns her head to me. “Mila and I have known each other for years; our mothers are friends. Last year, her father came to mine with a business proposition.” She sits up and faces me, so I continue. “Which included a marriage contract between Mila and me. I’ve never had a serious relationship and never wanted to get married. But being the oldest comes with its share of burdens. Without discussing it with me, my father agreed. Mila was the one to break the news to me. I flew back immediately. I admit, I did consider what my life would be if I just saw it for what it was, a business deal. Shortly after I arrived back, that changed, and I knew I could never be with Mila. So, Gabe and I went over the contract, but breaking it would allow Mila’s family to take my father’s shares of the business. One thing about my father is that he doesn’t lose. There was an infidelity clause that was included in the contract. I knew Mila would be very careful given the gravity of the situation. One day, I received an anonymous message with a time, date, and location. I went as instructed and found Mila with a man. I confronted them, not because I cared that she was fucking around, but because she tried to manipulate my family. The marriage contract was dissolved. Mila, however, can’t let it go.”
“Who sent you the message?”
“I don’t know. They used a burner phone. I tried to trace the number, but nothing.” I never dug too deep into that mystery. I figured if that person or persons wanted something from me, they’d make themselves known.”
“Why did you tell me this?”
“Because, Serena, I need you to know that there is no one else, just you.”
“You only met me weeks ago.”
“Being around you one minute is enough to know that you are mine.”
I look down at her hand, the question not leaving my mouth. “I cut myself.” Before she can continue, the car stops in front of the hotel.
I place my hand out for her, and she doesn’t hesitate to take it. We walk to the entrance, me guiding her, then we make our way to the elevator, but before we enter, she looks at me. “I can make it to my room. You don’t have to walk me.” Ignoring her, I follow her in. I take out my room key card and place it on the reader; the number thirty-five lights up. “That’s not my floor,” she says. “No, Hermosa, that’sourfloor.”
“What are you talking about?!”
“Well, I had all your things moved to my suite. I told you I came for you.”
“Ian, I will not be sharing a room with you.”
My move is so quick that I even surprise myself. I grab her waist and pin her against the corner of the elevator. “Say it again,” I demand.
“S-s-say what again?”
“My name, Hermosa, say it again.”
“Ian.” My name from those lips in that sultry tone. It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard. Fuck, does my dick respond to it. I can tell the moment she feels it hard pressed against her. The whimper that escapes her. This thing between us has been building up. It doesn’t matter that it’s been just weeks. Every time we’re close, I feel the air crackling between us. I know she feels it too. She can’t fight the inevitable.
The elevator door swings open, reminding us where we are, but she doesn't exit.
