Page 29 of Serena

“About you and your life.”

“Hmm. Well, we grew up together, but very differently. His mom and my mom are sisters. I’d spend summers with them, instead of my family. Caleb had a rough upbringing until my aunt remarried the man I call Uncle. He raised Caleb to be who he is now, to take over his businesses, like I’d take over my father’s.” He looks at me.

“We are both monsters in our worlds. Unlike Caleb, who flaunts it, I hide mine in the shadows, but make no mistake, it’s always there.”

“Ian, are you trying to scare me? Because you aren’t.”

“Well, Hermosa, that’s good to know, but I'm not. I want you to know who I truly am.”

“You don’t scare me, Ian,” is all I can say.

I say my goodbye to Ruby and promise to keep in touch. Making our way out, I turn to face Ian. “Thank you, this was nice.” I push onto my toes and kiss his cheek. Instantly feeling warm.It’s the drinks, I tell myself. We walk toward the car, where Augustus is waiting for us.

“Hi, Augustus! I got you some food.” I insisted on feeding the man who’s driving us around. Ian narrows his eyes at Augustus, but his driver smiles politely and takes the food. I can see he also enjoys pushing someone’s buttons.

“Thank you, Serena.”

“Ms. Nerva,” Ian chastises. We get into the car and start to head back to the hotel.

“I’d like to go sit by the outdoor fireplace when we get back to the hotel. It’s such a beautiful night.”

“Sounds perfect.” He pulls out his phone and starts typing. Then he leans down and gently places a kiss on my neck. I shift in my seat. Through my peripheral vision, I see his smile. Sexy as sin.

We arrive at the hotel and are immediately escorted outside. The firepit area faces the ocean. The atmosphere is intimate and romantic. Although the sun has set, the moonlight reflects on the ocean. It's majestic. We take our seats on the L-shaped couch, next to a pre-lit firepit, blankets lying on the armrest. Now I know who he was texting.

“I guess we’re the only ones here tonight.”

“Yes, I reserved the whole area. So, it’s just us.”

“What. You can’t do that?”

Ian’s voice softens. “Yes, I can. I do whatever I want, and that includes whatever you want. So, please, just enjoy it.”

“Okay.” I give in. He takes the blanket and puts it over my lap. I don't realize that I lay my head on his shoulder until he lifts his arm, giving me the room to adjust myself on his chest.

“This isn’t a date.” I don’t know if I'm reminding myself or him.

“Well aware, Hermosa.”

“The drinks were strong.”

“Really? I couldn’t tell since you drank them like water.” He laughs.

“I love the sound of crackling fire. There’s something so hypnotic about the flames. The sound of firewood burning soothes me. You know, I think I could live here.”

I feel his body tense. “You want to move?”

“I’m not sure,” I answer honestly. “The thought crossed my mind a couple of months ago before I applied for the VP position.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I can work from anywhere.”

“Ian, don’t say stuff like that. We aren’t?—”

“Don’t finish that sentence.”

I don’t want to go back and forth right now. I just want to stay in this moment. Because that’s all we’ll have when we get back home.

We don’t talk, we just sit here, and that’s fine with me. The back and forth, the flirting— everything is becoming too much.