Page 66 of Serena (Shattered Queens #1)

Three Months Later

“Keep your eyes closed.”

“Ian, you know I hate surprises," Serena tells me as I lead her through the door.

“Yes, don't I know, but I love the challenge. We’re almost there. Okay, now open your eyes.”

She takes in the two-story beach house. I decided Santa Barbara was the best place for our first official place together.

Thinking back to all those months ago, it's where she started to let me in. It’s where she once considered moving to, although it hasn’t come up again.

I want her to have somewhere to go when things become too much.

Especially lately. There is so much going on with Yuri, and it’s triggering her.

I can tell by her restless nights. Therapy has been helping.

There have been some nights when I can hold her.

“Ian, is this…is this ours?” I can see she’s about to cry.

I love that she’s so much more open about her feelings, at least with me.

I wasn’t kidding when I told her I’d take care of her.

Although she still fights me on things. She’s been trying to heal the best she can, but there is still a lot of pain and hurt when it comes to her family.

She hasn’t spoken with them. Fuck, I hate them.

I heard that someone did a number on their front lawn.

“You bought a house?”

“I bought us a house. We can drive or take the plane. We can work from here whenever you want.” She wraps her arms around me, and I inhale her scent. Roses. Which will be planted all over this house.

“We will also build a beach house close to my parents. I want them close for our children.”

“You-you’ve thought about children?” She sniffles because she’s so afraid to fail as a mother. It’s something she’s been discussing in her sessions.

“Mi Reina, you are going to be the best mother in the world. That will happen when you’re ready. I would’ve knocked you up the first time I saw you, but this will be on your terms. Shit, this whole thing has always been on your terms.”

“Ian…I—”

“Don’t. I love you so much, Serena, so whenever you’re ready. We can practice until then.”

She lets out a deep breath. “Deal.”

I can’t wait any longer. “Baby, let’s go outside.

Let me show you the best part.” I grab her hand and lead her to the back of the house.

I hear her gasp. Similar to our first date, roses are scattered, but today, on the beach, candles illuminate the ground.

The skylight is filled with stars, and the moon cascades over the ocean water.

The guitarist, Sergio, plays on his instrument.

I take her hand and lead her to the center.

Then I look at her—my everything. I’ve been waiting to ask her this question since the day I saw her in the conference room.

Fuck, since the first day at the wedding.

I wasn’t lying when I told her she was it for me.

I know I was miles ahead. Always have been.

The woman who accepts me wholly. I don’t hesitate and get on one knee.

“Oh my god, Ian.”

“Serena, I love you with all that I am. I’m incapable of living this life without you. Marry me, Mi Reina.”

“Is that a request or an order, Mr. Kayde?”

“Aren’t they the same, Mrs. Kayde?”

“Yes, always yes.”

I grab her in my arms, never wanting to let go. “I have something else for you. An engagement gift.” I hand her a small black box. She opens it and looks at me.

“Ian, it's your grandfather's pocketknife. I can’t take this.”

“It was mine, and now it’s yours.” She’s better around knives, still hesitant to handle large blades, but she’ll get there.

I pick her up and kiss her. As always, she wraps her legs around me.

I make my way into the house and take her upstairs.

I undress her along the way. Fuck, no underwear.

She removes my shirt and kisses my tattoos.

The house has windows that allow natural light to enter.

They also allow my woman to display herself.

This house doesn’t have any neighbors for a couple of miles, so I can fuck her wherever without worrying about anyone seeing her.

I lay her on the bed and spread her legs. Leaning down, I kiss her scar which has my initial. Then, I take my time moving my lips to her pussy.

“Ian…please, baby.”

God, I love it when she calls me that. I dive in, feeling her hands in my hair. Tugging me to her. I can feel her; she’s ready to detonate.

“Please, baby, make me see stars.” She moans.

Fuck me, this woman… I do; I make her see the stars that she once counted for comfort. I pull back and kiss her.

She pushes me back and gets on all fours. Then she says to me. “You didn’t think you were done, did you?”

I don’t know how I got so lucky, but fuck, Serena was meant for me. I grab those thick thighs and impale her pussy. The slamming of our bodies and her moans echo. I soak a finger in her arousal and move it to her back hole.

“Oh, Ian, yes, please.”

This woman is going to be the end of me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I slide one finger in, and she whimpers. “More, please.”

“Fuck, baby, you beg so beautifully.” I give her what she wants and add another finger. She’s so sweet and tight. My other hand grips her hip as I continue my assault on her pussy and ass. She is full of me; with every thrust, the moonlight shines on her back, and I see the scars.

“Are you ready for me to paint those scars?”

“Yes, please. I’m going—” She doesn’t finish the sentence because she sees stars again. I pull out and follow her. I empty myself, covering her back, my canvas. She loves it when I do that to her scars, paint them with me.

“You’re going to be a good girl and walk around the rest of the night with my cum on your body, do you understand? Repeat what I just said.”

“I’ll walk around with your cum on my body, Mr. Kayde.”

I love this woman.