Chapter 24 Serena
Miles and Julia have been the biggest blessing for Bound-to-Be and my work-life balance. They’re hardworking and passionate; they take initiative and love this place almost as much as Ker and me.
Which is why they each had a personal gift on their desks this morning, along with handmade cards Bates helped me with.
He admitted it wasn’t nearly as fun, making cards for anyone but me, so I think a greeting card company is out of the question for a backup career, even though the ones he makes are so beautiful.
I’m happy to keep them all for myself though.
Kerrigan and I are working behind the scenes, planning our next singles party for Saint Patrick’s Day weekend. It’s already sold out, and the wait list is growing.
I would say that people just enjoyed the event for the food and drinks if we didn’t get so many fulfilled questionnaires back after the party with people saying they had dates lined up because of us.
The business is booming—both the business of love and Bound-to-Be. I think by the middle of the year, we’ll be hiring another full-time staff member. I never could’ve imagined my little pipe dream would turn into this.
And we’re only just beginning.
The office is quiet as I lock up. Only Freddie and I are still here; everyone else went home for the evening. Bates is picking us up tonight since he brought us to work this morning. He insisted, and it was hard to say no to him begging when he was all sexy and shirtless.
“Hey. How was work?” Bates greets me, like he’s done this a thousand times before, as I hop into the front seat with Freddie and buckle up.
“It was good. I had to fight Kerrigan from unethically using client information to set herself up on a date. But that’s nothing new.” I laugh.
Reaching over, he pets Freddie, his massive hand almost humorously large in comparison to Freddie’s tiny head and paws.
When he’s done giving him all the love, Bates’s hand wraps around my thigh, which is thinly sheathed by sheer black pantyhose.
“I love these,” he murmurs, pulling out of the parking lot while easing my skirt up and squeezing my upper thigh.
“So do I.” I scoff. “So, try not to destroy them.”
He laughs. “You make it seem like I wreck all of your clothes.”
Glaring at him, I shake my head in disbelief. “You do.”
“It was, like, one pair of leggings.”
“Two. And at least, like, three pairs of panties,” I protest.
“What I’m hearing is that I need to take you shopping.” He turns his head, big, loving eyes finding mine.
I grin. “It wouldn’t hurt—that’s for sure.”
“Deal.” He winks, the blues in his stare darkening. “But I’m ripping these off of you tonight.”
“Bates!” I scold him, bursting into giggles as his hand around my thigh starts tickling my side. “Focus!”
He holds his hands up in surrender—both of them—making sure to sneak a peek at me before grabbing the wheel again.
He smirks, and I contemplate slapping his arm, but Freddie’s head is resting on it, which is Bates’s saving grace.
Freddie falls asleep moments later, staying that way the entire ride to Bates’s house, only perking up when we pull into the garage. Two cars are parked on the street. His friends are already here.
I’m excited to see them again. Although there is a part of me that’s embarrassed, given our last encounter, when they were chasing me through the arena.
But I’m greeted with nothing but smiles when we walk inside, Freddie trotting at our feet.
“Mom and Dad are finally home.” Casper, who I recognize from our brief interactions at Sinners events, hops up from the sofa.
Kol groans, walking around the corner of the kitchen with a spoonful of chicken fried rice. “Finally. I’ve been starving to death.”
“Seems like you’re doing just fine.” I reference the stolen bite in his hand.
He cocks his head to the side, his piercing light-blue eyes squinting, studying, plotting. The wheels behind them turn, and his lips part, shaping a word.
“Whatever you’re about to say, keep it to yourself,” Bates threatens him, walking up behind me and pulling me against him, his hand wrapped around my side. “Behave, boys.”
Kol clicks his tongue before tucking it in his cheek, a playful smirk forming on his lips. “Fine. This time. But if she starts shit with me, I’m fighting back. I’m not just going to lie down and take it, like you do.”
Bates flips him off. “Why don’t you make yourself useful, huh?”
Now it’s Kol who flips Bates off before disappearing back in the kitchen, emerging a minute later with two bags of P.F. Chang’s.
He carries it across the foyer into the dining room, setting everything out as Casper walks over to us with a smile.
“I would say he’s not always such an ass, but he is, unfortunately.” Casper laughs. “Good seeing you again, Serena.”
Heat spreads across my cheeks as an image forms in my mind—him standing at the top of the stairs, a knife in his hand.
“It’s good to see you too.” I smile, wondering if anything about these three is normal, but they’re friends with Bates, so I already have my answer.
We follow Casper over to Kol, and we each grab plates and load up as much food as we can handle.
The boys spend the first half an hour bickering over the idea of attending or running a haunted house this fall. I tell them if they need an event planner, I’m here to help.
Casper is thankful, but Kol has that quiet, scary look in his eye that tells me he hates Casper’s idea and to not encourage him. But that only makes me want to offer my help even more.
When the conversation around the haunted house dies out, getting nowhere closer to a mutual understanding, Casper turns to me, changing the subject. “You run a matchmaking company. How’s that going?”
“Really good actually. If you ever need help in that department, we’d love to pair you up with some matches,” I offer genuinely.
“You are just full of help tonight, aren’t you?” Kol asks, clearly put off by the matchmaking idea.
“Better than being full of hot air and self-righteousness,” I snap back, cocking my head to the side.
I expect him to hit back, throw another snide remark my way, but instead, slowly, a smile stretches across his face. “You’re all right, Rafferty.”
“I know. But thanks for your unprompted approval,” I chirp back with a grin.
For some reason—maybe it’s some weird hockey player respect thing—he doesn’t press me again for the rest of the night.
I tell them all, who listen rather intently, about the Saint Patrick’s Day party we’re planning.
They fill me in on a rival game coming up, insisting I have to be there since, apparently, Bates hasn’t played better since I entered his life.
I will be taking credit for all of his hockey achievements here on out—and rightfully so.
And by the time the two guys are heading out for the night, I feel like my family has grown even larger. I’m well aware that these three are a package deal, and I’m happy to have them in my life, even if all of them are downright crazy.
Bates and I stand in the doorway, Freddie in my arms, and we wave at them as they drive off in the dark, cold night.
He kisses the top of my head after closing the door behind us. “Now what?”
His phone rings, cutting off any thought in my mind. He groans, digging it out of his pocket. “It’s my mom. Want to meet the rest of the family tonight?”
My chest warms, adoration spreading outward until the heat sinks bone deep. “Sure.”
He wets his bottom lip, biting down as he answers the call. “Hey, Mom. I have someone really important for you to meet. You’re gonna love her. Just like I do.”
My mouth falls open, and my eyes immediately burn. His name is a breathy whisper. “Bates.”
He glances back over to me, and I mouth the words, I love you too.
Every muscle in my body feels tender and relaxed when I step out of the shower, dry off, and wrap myself in a cozy robe Bates got me, serenity making me feel weightless and content.
I brush my teeth, go through my nighttime skin-care routine, and lotion my entire body up, smelling like a goddamn tasty cupcake by the time I’m done.
“Bates?” I call out as I step out of the bathroom, shutting the light off behind me. “Did Freddie go out?”
He doesn’t respond.
“Bates?” I call out louder this time.
Maybe he’s in the basement or something. Who knows?
I stroll down the hallway, ready to crawl into bed, but something sends out warning signs blaring in my mind, and I freeze in place, backpedaling until the photos on the wall are visible again.
They’re new … and filled with pictures of Freddie and a few of me. Candid shots. I have absolutely no idea when he managed to take any of them.
I knew he was using me to get to my cute dog.
Walking into the bedroom, I grab my phone that was charging on the nightstand while I showered, seeing Freddie curled up in the bed, right at home. The second I pick my phone up, it starts to ring, Bates’s face appearing on the screen.
“Hey, I like the pictures in your hallway. Creep.” I giggle.
“Good. I was hoping you would.” I can hear his smile through his words.
“Where are you?” I ask. “Why are you calling me in your own house? Just come in here.”
“I can’t do that …” He trails off, clicking his tongue.
“Why?” I ask, keeping my voice even as sudden awareness skirts across the tops of my shoulders.
Excitement rushes through me.
Because I’m being watched by him.
“Where are you?” I ask again, getting nothing but silence in return. “Bates?”
“Better be quiet. We wouldn’t want to wake our son.”
Spinning on my heel, I search for an inkling of where he’s hiding. But nothing sticks out.
I take a step forward, and his voice fills my ear. “Warmer.”
“You have cameras in your own house,” I state, not surprised in the slightest.
“Yeah, of course I do. Especially now that you’re moving in.”
“I never agreed to that,” I point out, which is true. “But—”
“See? Already folding.”
I scoff. “I am not.” I pause, continuing what I was saying before. “But Kerrigan has been looking for a place, and she loves my house.” I drag my hand down my face. “We should not be discussing this right now. It’s too soon.”
“Is it?” he challenges. “I have no doubt I’m going to spend my life with you, Serena. I’ve known since I met you last summer.”
“Moving in after being together for, like, a month and a half—if we’re counting the start of your letters as the beginning of this relationship—is insane.”
“First off, I’ve been in this relationship since I first saw you. It’s not my fault you’re so far behind.” He laughs, the deep, sexy sound finding a home deep in my core. “Besides, the crazy part is that you fell for your stalker. Moving in with your boyfriend seems sane in comparison.”
“Except that you’re both of those people.”
“Details. Details.” He sucks a whistling breath in between his teeth. “It’s going to be really awkward though when you realize I’ve been moving shit in from your house for the last week.”
“What?” I shriek. “You’re joking.”
“I would never joke about my dedication to you, Little Cupid.”
“What did you take?” I ask, once again finding myself to be the oblivious main character.
He lists things off. “Freddie’s toy bin from your bedroom was first. The rolling tote of clothes that was beneath your bed. A few pairs of your shoes. Your robot vacuum.”
“You stole my vacuum? Why? You have a Dyson!”
He giggles. “I know. But I don’t have the one that waddles around the house on its own.”
“We can discuss this later,” I exhale, already knowing deep down what my answer will be. The insane one, but I can make him stew on it for just a little longer. “Warmer or colder?”
“So pushy,” he groans.
I step toward the bedroom door, waiting for his response.
“Warmer.”
I bounce back and forth on my feet, unable to contain the excitement of playing my new favorite game.
I step forward again, and he leads me out of the bedroom, down the hallway, and to the top of the stairs. I follow his instructions, descending the stairs to the entryway of his home.
“Where are you taking me?” I question, rounding the bottom of the stairs, my hand trailing on the railing.
No response.
Silence.
I can’t even hear him breathing.
“Bates?” I ask again, my voice barely audible.
He’s not answering me for a reason. Not telling me if I’m warmer or colder because he’d give himself away. Which means he’s close. Maybe in the kitchen. Maybe one of the spare bedrooms down here …
The atmosphere shifts, and a sharp, metallic bite fills the air. A breeze drifts across the top of my neck, filtering through my hair.
My spine straightens, and I know without a doubt that he’s standing right behind me.
“Serena,” he whispers and pounces.
A hand over my mouth. The other on my throat, pinning me to his firm, solid chest.
He’s warm and perfect, and I fit against him like he was made just for me.
He breathes me in through his nose, and I melt in his touch. My heart rate kicks into overdrive, and there’s a warmth and fullness in my chest like I’ve never experienced before.
Leaning down, he presses his lips to my ear. “Now, who do you want tonight? Bates or Your Masked Valentine?”