Page 21 of Serena (Shattered Queens #1)

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.

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 stay glued 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’s our floor. ”

“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.

“Get. Out. Now.” I’m trying to breathe through my frustration, but for fucks sake. “There are two bedrooms, now get out.”

“No, did you think I'd be okay with this? You showed up on my trip. Showed up at the restaurant, now this? How did you even know where I was?”

“Enough.” I bend down and hoist her over my shoulder. And just because I can, and I’m so frustrated, I slap her ass hard. Damn, I’m enjoying this too much. I can’t help but smile when I see my reflection in one of the hallway mirrors.

“Put me down, or I’ll make a scene,” she yells and punches my back. The hits have no effect on me; they’re pretty strong. All those kickboxing classes are paying off.

I slap her ass again. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she likes getting spanked. So to test the theory, I do it again. The low moan confirms it. As much as I want to spank her until she begs for my cock, I need to wait. Because if I fuck her right now, this will all be for nothing.

“You’re already making a scene. Now hold still so I don’t drop you.

” I won’t drop her, but she doesn’t need to know that.

I enter the suite and place her in the middle of the living room.

When I landed, I had Augustus move all of Serena's things. I knew she’d be pissed, but that didn’t stop me.

She’s going to find out that when it comes to her, nothing will stop me. It’s that simple.