Chapter 40 #2
"Hmm..." she hums, my balls tighten at the sound. "So, you're saying you're a man of integrity?"
I step closer, caging her in with my arms on either side of the railing.
She sucks in a breath, but to my surprise and delight, she doesn't try to escape.
I lean in, my lips brushing the shell of her ear.
"Baby girl, when it comes to you, I'm a fucking Boy Scout.
Loyal, trustworthy, and always prepared.
" I punctuate the last word with a subtle roll of my hips, letting her feel just how 'prepared' I am.
Seraphina's cheeks flush a delicious shade of pink, and I can practically feel the heat radiating off her.
She's so innocent, it's like corrupting a fucking angel.
Which, I guess, is exactly what I'm doing.
"I-I talked to Dani about...you know, figuring this thing out between us.
But you must understand, Lucian, this is all new to me.
" Her voice trembles slightly, and I can tell she's nervous as hell.
"I know, beautiful. And I'm not trying to push you into anything you're not ready for.
But Jesus, take the wheel; you drive me crazy.
I've never wanted anyone the way I want you.
" I pull back just enough to look into her eyes, letting her see the sincerity behind my words.
"We can take this as slow as you need. I'll be a perfect gentleman.
Well, as much of a gentleman as I can be with a permanent hard-on for you. "
She giggles at that, and my dick twitches. She's gonna have to stop laughing, or I'm going to embarrass myself. "A gentleman, huh? I'll believe that when I see it."
"Oh, you'll see it, sweetheart. And feel it. And taste it." I waggle my eyebrows suggestively. "But only when you're ready. Until then, I'll just be over here, taking a lot of cold showers and thinking about baseball."
Seraphina laughs again, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous, you know that?"
"Ridiculously charming? Ridiculously handsome? Ridiculously skilled in the art of seduction?" I grin, pressing a hand to my chest. "Stop me when I'm getting warm."
She rolls her eyes, but I can see the smile she's trying to fight. "How about ridiculously full of yourself?"
"Ooh, you wound me, Cupcake." I clutch my heart dramatically. "But you know what they say. It ain't bragging if it's true."
She shakes her head again, but this time, she leans into me a little, her body soft and warm against mine. "You're lucky you're cute, Lucian. Otherwise, I might have to smite you for your impertinence."
"Smite me? Fuck, that's hot. You can punish me anytime, baby girl. I've been a very, very naughty boy." I let my voice drop to a low, seductive growl—her heartbeat speeds up.
"I-I'll keep that in mind," she stammers, her blush deepening. "But for now, how about we focus on getting to know each other? Without all the innuendo and flirting?"
I sigh dramatically, but I'm grinning like a fucking idiot. "If you insist, sweetheart. But just so you know, flirting is like breathing for me. It's not something I can just turn off."
"Well, you better learn to hold your breath, then. Because I want to know the real Lucian, not just the smooth-talking charmer." She looks up at me, her swirling-gold eyes serious but warm.
"The real Lucian, huh? Well, I hope you're ready for a wild ride, beautiful. Because behind all the wit and charm, I'm a fucking mess. But for you, I'll try to be the man you deserve." I brush a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger on her soft skin.
"That's all I'm asking for, Lucian. Just be yourself, and let's see where this takes us." She smiles, and it's like the sun coming out from behind the clouds.
"You got it. One genuine, unfiltered Lucian is coming right up. Brace yourself because it's gonna be a bumpy fucking ride." I grin, and she laughs, the sound wrapping around me like a warm hug.
With the nausea finally subsiding and my stomach no longer trying to secede from the rest of my body, I feel like a fucking million bucks.
"Wow, Cupcake, you must have some kind of mystical healing voodoo in that voice of yours.
I think it's your laugh—gotta be the laugh—cause I'm cured!
" I reach out and run my fingers through her silky golden locks, marveling at how they feel like strands of pure sunshine.
Seraphina flashes me a smile brighter than a supernova, and I nearly bust a nut. "It seems all you needed was a little distraction from the waves and the motion of the ocean."
Her voice is like a fucking eargasm, wrapping around me tighter than spandex on a superhero's ass.
I could totally run with that and milk the humor for all it's worth, but she's asked me to dial it back, so I clamp my mouth shut and just drink her in with my eyes. Being this close to her, soaking in her angelic presence? Yeah, that's enough for me right now. Hell, it’s more than I deserve.
As we stand here, the sea breeze whipping around us and the sun setting on the horizon, I can't help but thank the fucking universe for this woman—I've finally found something worth holding onto. Something genuine and fucking beautiful.
Even if it means being vulnerable and honest and all that terrifying shit. Because for Seraphina, I'd face down an army of demons with nothing but a spork and a smile.
She's worth it. And damn it all to hell, so am I.