Page 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

Luke

“Waking up next to you feels like a dream,” I say, looking down at Sera as she opens her eyes. The smile that spreads across her face is magnetic, like she’s pushing aside her fear and trauma and existing solely in the moment.

We’ve got more time, but we’re still enjoying every second like we did in Vegas… as if it could run out.

She sits up, kissing me. It starts as a soft, tentative kiss that soon becomes hungry. I slide my hand up her leg, toward her center, but then I stop. It takes everything I have not to press my hand against her, to feel how wet she gets for me, to feel her body shift and shiver.

“We’ve got breakfast,” she says in a low and husky voice.

“Yeah,” I reply with a nod as I watch her lips, entranced. “But trust me, there’s something else I’d rather be doing…”

She tsks and leans away. “You don’t expect me to miss out on all the embarrassing stories from when you were a kid? Because there’s no way that’s happening.”

I laugh. Together, we climb out of bed and get ready for the day. Brushing our teeth as we stand side by side at the sink feels oddly meaningful. She grins at me in the reflection, her mouth full of toothpaste, and I laugh again. I think she knows what I’m thinking without me needing to say it… so much for me being the mind reader.

“We should probably shower separately,” she says after.

I smirk. “Good idea.”

She bites her lip. “Unless…”

I move toward her, and she giggles and shuts the en-suite door in my face.

“Your book master is going to make you pay for that,” I groan, my manhood throbbing.

Soon, we’re dressed and riding the elevator down to the parking garage. I wrap my arm around her hip and hug her to my body.

“I’m proud of you,” I tell her. “You’re a trooper. And you look especially beautiful today.”

“Do you like it? I thought I’d make an effort.”

She’s let her hair down, and she’s wearing an elegant pink shirt with black pants.

“You look intelligent and attractive.”

“Thanks,” she murmurs.

Before getting into the car, I get a text from my assistant.

Andy: Hey, boss. Are you coming into the office early today?

Luke: No, why?

Praying there isn’t another fuck-up. I set my alarm early just to make this breakfast.

Andy: You’re online on the work app, that’s all. I was just wondering if you wanted me to get anything ready.

Luke: I’m heading out for an early breakfast.

Andy Breakfast? Anywhere nice?

Luke: La Razón. Want me to pick you up anything?

Andy: I’m good. Thanks.

“Are you okay?” Sera asks as I drive out of the parking garage.

“It’s my assistant, Andy. Ever since Vegas, he’s been acting weird. I think he might be considering leaving us. He’s always been reliable, the best fixer in town. I might need to talk to him.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Sera says.

“My problems are tiny compared to what you’ve been through. Ignore me.”

“Doesn’t being in a relationship mean we confront our problems together, no matter how big or small? Or are we not?—”

I take her hand, squeezing it. “Don’t question that, Sparkplug. If we’re not in a relationship, then I don’t even know what it would mean to be in one.”

When I arrive at the restaurant, I spot Victor leaning against the wall, sucking on a vape pen. I chuckle, shaking my head. “He used to smoke a pack a day. Now look at him, sucking on that child’s toy.”

“Maybe it’s better?”

I wink at my woman. “I think he’s nervous to meet you.”

She brushes down her shirt. “Not as nervous as I am. It’s like meeting your parents.”

“It’s the closest thing there is to meeting my parents, that’s for sure.”

I climb out of the car, meaning to walk around to Sera’s side to help her with the door. But then Victor quickly walks over, opening it before I get the chance.

“Thank you for giving me the chance to be a gentleman for once in my life,” he says, offering her his hand. “Victor Langley.”

“Seraphina Vale… well, Sera. Nobody calls me Seraphina, really.” She giggles nervously. “Nice to meet you.”

“A pleasure,” Victor replies, giving me a look.

“Excuse Victor, Sera. He’s giving me an ‘I told you so’ look because he promised to be on his best behavior. Shall we?”

The three of us walk into the restaurant, quiet this early in the morning. The manager nods to me from behind the counter, and I lead our small group to my usual table in the corner.

“Do you come here often?” Sera asks.

“Victor used to bring me here when I was a teenager,” I say, sitting.

“He’d put up shop right here, at this table, with some old piece of junk from the thrift store, taking it apart, putting it back together, taking it apart again.”

Sera smiles at me. “I would’ve loved to see that.”

Victor chuckles. “Get him an old computer. You won’t be able to keep his hands off it. I was a mess back then, but…” He raises his hands. “Anyway.”

“A mess?” Sera murmurs.

"Booze. Cigarettes. Women. Believe it or not, I used to be quite the ladies man…" He shrugs. "And then I saw this kid in the library, reading the book I'd reserved. It was about hard drives… A specialist, boring, dry book, but he was devouring it like his life depended on it. After we got to talking and I learned his story, I offered what help I could."

"And then you got your act together, and now you're a very rich man," I say.

"'Got my act together,' he says," Victor mutters. "Has he told you?"

Sera shakes her head, curiosity evident in her expression. "Told me what?"

"When he was old enough and earning a decent wage, he paid for my rehab… not once, not twice, but three times. When it finally stuck, we went into business together."

"Then this old dog sold his shares," I say, chuckling.

"I spent so long in a haze. It felt good to be finally free. Sorry, Sera, you didn't ask for a history lesson."

"But I wanted one. You just saved me the awkwardness of figuring out how to ask."

"I wanted to share it with you, because, well…" Victor sighs. "I doubted you because of your connection to TechGuard. When Luke told me what happened, I felt like an old ass."

"That's half right," I say.

Victor laughs ruefully. "But look at him. I mean – you've brought something out in him. You haven't smiled like this since you were a kid, Luke."

Sera's cheeks flush as she looks at me. "Did you tell him to say that?"

"Actually, he's being far more talkative than I expected."

"He's right. Let's get some food in me to shut me up."

"No, please," Sera says. "I want to know how miserable he was before he met me."

"You say that as a joke," Victor replies. "But sometimes, I genuinely feared for his happiness. He had all the trappings of a billionaire's life… but none of the indulgences. He didn't take extravagant trips or pursue relationships. He worked, and that was mostly it."

"The fact is, Sera," I say, nodding in agreement, "before Vegas, work was all I wanted to do. I'd often tell myself, well, if I don't get to live, at least my employees do. And they rely on me. Plus, there's joy in the simple act of work itself."

"But now he's found somebody that brings him more joy. Isn't that right?"

"Yes, Victor, my suddenly very sentimental old friend, it is. Let's get some food in you. Breakfast tacos?"

"That sounds perfect," Sera says.

I gesture for the waiter, and we order breakfast tacos, coffee, and some iced tea.

"So, Sera, do you plan on introducing this starry-eyed young man to your pare… What, why are you looking at me like that?"

In fact, I'm shaking my head at Victor.

"It's fine," Sera tells me, then turns to Victor. "I haven't spoken to my parents in two years. They've been addicts since I can remember. The last time I saw them, I told them that when they got sober, they could reach out. And yeah, that was two years ago, so…" She shrugs. "Since we're sharing… sometimes I think about contacting them. But if they can't make the effort, and they never have, why should I? That's why I want a family."

My heart races, emotion surging through me when she says this.

"You want to do better," Victor says.

"Exactly," Sera replies, her eyes lighting up.

Victor gives me a knowing look. "You've often said the same."

"I would do everything in my power to be the man my children deserve," I say. "I'd be better than my parents were."

"We're not very good at small talk, are we?" Sera grins.

"That's my fault," Victor says, holding his hand up in surrender. "Let me think… um, the weather is pleasant today, isn't it?"

"Oh, yes," Sera says, with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Very… West Coast."

They both erupt into laughter. Warmth spreads through me. My father figure and my woman bonding so quickly surely means something. Soon, the waiter brings our food and drinks.

"How long do you plan on staying in this small-talk-worthy climate, Sera?" Victor asks after savoring a bite of his taco.

"I'm not sure."

"As long as she wants," I say, gazing at her meaningfully, hopefully.

"I suppose it depends on some things back home," she replies. "But I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to be with Luke. Heck, we said long distance wouldn't work… how long did we tolerate it? Not even a week?"

" Tolerate is an understatement," I nearly grumble.

We continue with our breakfast, then Sera excuses herself to use the bathroom. I watch her go, appreciating the sway of her hips, cherishing the simple fact that she's here, in person, and I don't have to anxiously wait for a text.

"You care about her," Victor says.

"More than would make sense to most people. I cared about her the second I saw her. Before the coffee spill on her laptop… I was watching her, admiring her concentration, thinking about how beautiful she is. I didn't know at the time she was beautiful inside and out… Go on, tell me I need to slow down."

Victor shakes his head. "I said all that stuff before I saw you two together. I couldn't say that now. It would be laughable. You're making me reflect on the relationships I ruined when I was younger… No, Luke, I think you ought to seize this chance."

"Do I seem that different?" I ask, surprised by his change in perspective.

Victor smiles. "You're like a different man."

"She brings it?—"

"Luke!"

When I hear her scream, I leap to my feet. Rushing toward the bathroom, my blood roars in my ears. Panic tears through me as I try not to imagine every horrific possibility my mind conjures.

When I crash into the hallway, I notice the fire door swinging shut as somebody darts through it. A man wearing a hoodie… is it Damien? I want to chase after him, but he was alone—what if he's hurt Sera, left her in there to… I can't even finish the thought.

I burst into the ladies' room to find Sera standing with a chunk of greasy black hair in her hand. Tears streaming down her cheeks.

"What happened?" I say, cradling her face.

"It was him," she whispers, taking long, deliberate breaths. She seems to be fighting the urge to hyperventilate. "He rushed in here and said I had to go with him. Thankfully, I saw him coming and fought back." She drops his hair. "He ran when I screamed your name."

"That sick fuck ," I growl. "How did he even know we were here?"

She shakes her head. "I don't know. Why is he doing this? Why won't he leave us alone?"

I pull her into my embrace. "He's not well. If his behavior wasn't so disturbing, I'd feel sorry for him. He's deluded. He thinks he's done things he hasn't, thinks he's owed things he's not. We need to call the cops. Then I'm taking you home."

"No," she says. "I don't want that. I want to go into the office with you. I want to work. I don't want to think." She squeezes me, digging her fingernails in. "Let me do something."

"Okay, Sparkplug," I say softly. "But first, the cops."

"He looked exhausted, like he'd been driving without sleep, racing across the country to make our lives hell."

"If I get my hands on him, I'll make hell look like a walk in the park."