Chapter 53
Logan
“Are you absolutely sure?” Serena asks me for the hundredth time.
“Yes, Serena. Go out with your friends. I’m not jealous. Not in the least.”
“No?” Her tone hints at wishing I were.
With an almost sinister smile, I pull her to me, trailing my lips over the tops of her breasts stuffed up into that sexy-as-sin bustier she had on the night I hunted for someone else and found her.
I insisted she wear it. She wanted to cover up, but I want every single man or woman to know what they’re missing.
They need to know she is mine and no one will ever touch her.
My name is etched into her exquisite skin, marking her forever.
“Fuck, Logan,” she pants, getting turned on. “That’s it; I’m staying.”
“Nope, you’re going. I will be fine here by myself.”
“Lo-gan!” she exclaims. “You can’t say that to me. Now I feel terrible. Come with me at least.”
Giving her a look of sheer distaste, I could think of nothing worse than sitting around getting tipsy with a bunch of younger people talking shit about music or the latest app they’ve downloaded or whatever the fuck it is they do.
Serena is different. In many ways, she is mature and more on my level than I could have imagined, but at the same time, she is vulnerable and a little girl seeking reassurance, love, and approval.
It’s the best of both worlds. I want to give her that validation.
She deserves it more than anyone I have ever known.
I’ve used the words to get women to do what I wanted for years, but never has it had the greater, more significant effect on them as it does Serena.
It’s not just an ego stroke, it reaches her soul, and it arouses me beyond comprehension to experience those words through her.
It makes me crave to say them, to praise her, to tell her how beautiful and amazing and brave she is.
“No.”
“No?” she pants. “Then I’m staying.”
“No, you’re going. You haven’t seen Rue for a few days; you’ve been cooped up here with me.”
“I like it here with you,” she pouts.
“And I love you being here, but I won’t stifle your growth, Serena. I’ve been there and done that with going out and getting drunk. I’m happy in my space.” Blinking, I can see the words on the tip of her tongue, but I beat her to it. “Our space.”
She giggles. “Fine. I’ll go for an hour. But if you want to join us, please do. I want you there.”
Nodding just to appease her, I let her go, and she heads out the door with a backward wave. Immediately, I open my phone to track her movements. She knows; it’s not stalking. Although, it kind of takes the fun out of it.
Turning to the fireplace, I pick my whiskey up from the mantle and take a savoring sip.
Finally letting go of the burning hatred of the man who ruined my life, I realize I only have him to thank in some sick, morbid way.
If he hadn’t done what he did, I would never have come across Serena, and she is the only thing I care about now.
She is the other half of my soul, and without her, even if I’d lived a light and happy life, I would know something was missing.
Raising my glass to my fallen family, hoping that wherever they are, they are at peace, I forgive myself for surviving when they didn’t, knowing that they have been vindicated, if not by my hand.
Crossing to the dining table, I sit and pull out my laptop.
I’ve made working from home a priority so I can be closer to Serena.
I’m still trying to convince her to come back and work for me.
I think I’m getting closer, but she has two options and two options only.
She stays here, or she works for me. Not a fucking chance is she going off to work for some other man who will attempt to do what I did with her.
The thought of her bent over some other fucker’s desk while he sticks his dick in her is not even in the hemisphere of things she is allowed to do.
Scrawling away, time passes in the quiet apartment. Before, it would be my island, but now it just feels lonely without Serena. Wanting to call her to tell her to come home, I decide to go to her instead.
Pulling on my coat and checking the phone to make sure she is where she said she would be, not that I don’t trust her, I make my way out to Belmont’s, marveling at how well she has taken pretty much everything on her chin since she met me.
From me being an overbearing dickhead, to finding out her uncle was her dad, witnessing me kill John, killing Kelly, the Society…
she is a goddess. True and beautiful. I don’t doubt the demons are lying in wait, but I will be there when she falls.
Staring through the window at Belmont’s, the Christmas lights twinkling in the windows, I see her laughing and chatting with Rue and her friends.
Growling when I see the horde of guys surrounding them, I take a step forward but halt my roll.
Going in there like a bulldozer will embarrass her, even though I don’t give a flying fuck.
Clenching my fists, I breathe deeply and curb the jealousy rushing through my body.
I trust Serena. I’ve never trusted anyone before, but she demands it from me, and I’m happy to give it to her.
She has proven that she can hold it close to her and nurture it, helping it grow.
Swallowing back the anger at these perverts practically drooling all over her, which is my own fucking fault for making her wear the bustier, I unclench and open the door, striding over to the group and wrapping my arms around her, kissing the side of her neck.
“I’m taken,” she says playfully. “And believe me. You don’t want to mess with him.”
“Jealous, is he?” I murmur in her ear, biting the lobe.
“Care to find out?” She giggles and spins on the stool, her smile bright and happy. “Hi.”
“Hi.”
“You changed your mind?”
“I was lonely without you.”
“Same.”
“Liar.”
She takes my hand and links our fingers together, bringing them up to kiss softly. Casting my glance over the crowd of disappointed guys, I feel like a god.
“Sorry, fellas, she’s mine,” I taunt, trying not to be smug about it but failing miserably.
“Yep,” she agrees. “I like the old men.”
I splutter back a noise of indignation. “Who’s old?”
“You are, my love. Let’s go back and have some wine and cheese before we snuggle up in bed and go to sleep for nine.”
Her smirk is gorgeous.
“Snuggle up in bed; I can do that, but when you say nine, know it’ll be tomorrow morning.”
“Ooh, big talk,” Rue snorts. “You have to follow through now, you know.”
“He can keep up,” Serena says confidently. “Mostly.”
Chuckling, I pull her to her feet. “I’ll show you, Mrs. Carter,” I whisper, kissing the ring on her finger that I slipped on two days ago in front of the Justice of the Peace.
“Mm, looking forward to it, Mr. Carter,” she replies, grinning at Rue over her shoulder. “See you tomorrow.”
Rue nods. “Don’t forget I’m coming over at ten.”
We nod and drift off into the late December night, wrapping her coat around her and pulling her close. She lays her head on my shoulder, sighing with happiness as my hand rests on her ass.