Chapter 18
Victor
What happened between Serenity and me kept me up all night. She desires me. And no, that’s not me being cocky. The way she stared at my mouth like she wanted to devour me … I caught it. But I’d rather never have her in my arms than her try to “get me out of her system.”
I head to the stairs to stop by Serenity’s bedroom, striding through the toy-littered living room, and a small smile curves my mouth upward. Even though Serenity’s reaction to me wasn’t ideal, my home is full and lived in for the first time in my life. And that’s something to celebrate.
My phone buzzes inside my pocket, and I pull it out. Martha’s name is flashing up at me. Unease unfurls in my stomach. She never calls me on her day off.
I answer the call. “Is everything okay?”
She clears her throat. “It depends on your definition of okay.”
Silence descends on the line. “Just spit it out, Martha. You know I hate it when you try to beat around the bush.”
“Pictures of you and Serenity are circulating. I sent you the two articles I’ve found.”
I heave out a breath. Her words are like music to my ears. “That’s all?”
“Uh, yes, sir, but one of the articles wasn’t very nice about Mrs. Barlowe.” She hesitates for a moment before saying, “They’re calling her a gold digger and a harlot—”
“I get it. Thank you for letting me know. I’ll take a look at them, but you know the media loves a good scandal, so if there isn’t one, they’ll spin it.” Just like they always do when it comes to my love life.
We hang up, and I continue to Serenity’s room. I can’t quell the urge to speak with her after last night. My two ladies are leaving today for Granite Falls, but I want to clear up why I walked away before she’s gone.
I pull to a stop outside Serenity’s room. The bed is already made even though my maid doesn’t come in until nine. I check my watch, and it’s only eight.
Leaving her room, I head straight to Summer’s. Hers is the same. Everything is perfectly made up as if no one lives here. Blinking a few times, nothing changes. I stride over to the dresser and open the second drawer. All the clothes I bought her are neatly folded.
Did I drive Serenity away?
Pulling out my phone, I dial her number, but it goes directly to voice mail, and I release a string of curses.
I hit Jay’s name, and he answers on the second ring. “Hello?”
“Did you drive Serenity somewhere this morning?”
“Yes, sir. She took your private jet as planned.”
She wasn’t supposed to take off so early without saying goodbye. I drag my free hand down my face. I knew last night would turn around to kick me in the ass. I should’ve told her why I wasn’t comfortable with us getting each other out of our systems.
I clear my throat. “Can you come and pick me up?”
“Of course. I’m almost there already.”
We hang up, and I trail down the hallway and go down the stairs toward my bedroom. Once inside, I head directly to my walk-in closet and grab my suitcase. I make sure to fold everything so they won’t crease and properly place them inside.
I learned as a young man to keep my patterns and routines the same. I can’t allow one unplanned event to pull me out of my usual habits, or I might break apart and spiral.
After zipping my bag shut, I tug on my luggage handle, rolling it out of my bedroom and down the hallway that leads to the front door.
Once I’m in the living room and about to reach the front door, I spot a note resting on the coffee table.
I must’ve missed it earlier. I pick it up gently like it’s a bomb about to go off.
Victor,
I’m sorry we left early, and I’m not running away. I think I understand why you were upset last night. Don’t worry. I won’t let myself get that close to crossing the line again.
My heart plummets, but I continue reading.
Sully said he fell, and I want to make sure he’s actually okay. He’s so stubborn his bone could be popping out of his skin, and he’d say he’s fine. I’ll be back on Monday.
Serenity
Too many different thoughts are swirling around in my head. Inhaling, I try gathering the facts, but my head pounds. At least I have the next five hours to think it through. If I go in there without a solid plan, I’ll push her farther away. That’s the last thing I want.
***
I arrive at Sully’s house with a decent strategy. Something about her note didn’t sit right with me, and I want to clear up a few things with her.
I run my hands down my wrinkle-free suit like it’s out of place while I wait for someone to answer the door. Some stress habits never die, no matter how much I try to always seem in control. And the more time I spend with Serenity and Summer, the more it slips from my grasp.
The door swings open, and Summer charges over, hugging my leg. “Mommy, what’s Bubba doing here?”
Serenity scoops up her daughter. “I’m not sure, sweetie. How about you go see Grandpa Sully?”
Summer scrunches up her nose. “But I want to see Bubba.”
“Don’t worry. After we finish talking, we’ll come inside. Okay?”
Summer agrees reluctantly and disappears inside the house.
Once she’s out of earshot, I turn back to Serenity, and I soak her up. Her red hair is pulled back into a ponytail, a few strands falling out, shaping her face. She has something splattered on her overalls, and it looks even more endearing than if she was one hundred percent pulled together.
Her cheeks turn pink as I continue to stare at her. “What are you doing here?”
“Your note.” I pull it out of my pocket but suddenly think better of it. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have come.”
Serenity walks over to the swing we sat on the first night she agreed to marry me and motions for me to join her. “No, it’s a good thing you came.”
I widen my eyes, and my feet move on their own to sit beside my wife. “You want me here?”
“The answer to that question is complicated. But if the media gets a whiff of me taking off to my hometown all the time without you, people might start suspecting something is off.”
I nod, trying to hide the fact that my heart feels like it’s shrinking. I’m not sure how to reply, but there is one thing I decided on saying during the drive. “I’m sorry I pushed you last night.”
She shakes her head once. “We’re both at fault. I didn’t discourage you.”
“I also want to apologize for the fact that I reacted so strongly to your suggestion.” I reach out to grab her hand, and she tenses beneath me, so I release her.
I’ll never do anything to make her feel uncomfortable.
“I don’t want to ‘just get you out of my system.’ If you allow me to touch you, you’re mine. ”
Her eyes widen. She doesn’t say anything as she stares into my eyes, scooting a little closer to me. Her chest rises and falls as she soaks in my words and their implication.
But still, I don’t want to push her, so I ask, “How is Sully?”
She blinks a couple of times. “Huh?”
“You said he fell. Is he okay?”
“Oh, yes. I checked out his ankle.” She chuckles softly. “I suppose I overreacted.”
The screen door creaks open, and Sully sticks his head out. “Are you two coming in?”
Serenity startles away from me, her cheeks flushing as she says, “Yes, we’ll be right in.”
Once we have privacy again, I change the subject and say, “Martha called me this morning.” I fill her in about the articles.
The harsher one was just as Martha said, calling Serenity a gold digger.
That woman at the club was definitely a reporter like I thought because the journalist had more intimate details.
Thankfully nothing about what happened on the dance floor made it into the article.
Serenity averts her gaze. “Well, that’s what you want, right? For people to talk about us so we seem more real?”
“I could do without them slandering you, but it’s to be expected. They want something interesting to write about.”
“I’m okay with people saying stuff that isn’t true because I know the truth.” She looks up at me again and motions inside the house. “Do you want to come in and have some pancakes? Summer thinks Sully’s are the best, so we’re having a little competition.”
I take in the spot on her overalls again. Ah, it’s pancake batter. “Do I get to be one of the judges?”
Serenity leans closer, and her citrusy scent lures me in. “Only if you vote for me.”
I smile. “Done.”