Chapter Twenty-two #2
Then I got myself ready. After showering and moisturizing, I pulled on a sharp Italian suit to match her dress. Checking the mirror, I splashed on some cologne, grabbed a bouquet of flowers, and my mother’s jewelry box for her.
A few minutes later, I knocked on Serenity’s door.
When she opened it, my breath caught. She was in the dress and, damn, it fit her like a second skin.
The slit climbed up her thigh, showing off her gorgeous legs.
That neckline… shit, all I wanted was to grab her and devour her breasts.
Her makeup was light and flawless, accentuating her natural skin, her eyes, her lips.
And her hair—God, that afro drove me crazy every time.
She’d let it out, big and wild, with a few curls falling in front.
I noticed the tattoo on her shoulder, a crown of flowers with my initial in the center.
I knew she’d called a tattoo artist to the estate before she disappeared, but I never thought she’d actually include my K in the flowers like I suggested.
“So… What do you think?” Serenity asked, a little nervous.
“You didn’t just see me lose my breath the second you opened the door? Woman, you trying to kill me?”
She smiled, shyly. “Well, since you picked the dress, I was nervous about how it would look on me.”
“You look breathtaking, baby,” I said, my voice thick. “Right now, all I want is to drop everything in my hands and pull you into me. You’re stunning, Serenity.”
“Thank you,” she replied, a little bashful, lips curving into a smile. “So, what are you hiding?”
I finally brought out the flowers I’d hidden behind my back and handed them to her. Her eyes lit up immediately.
“I promised myself I’d never give you flowers again without knowing their meaning,” I said, offering her the bouquet of pink peonies.
“In China, they call these the flowers of queens. They take their time to bloom, they don’t promise anything, but when they do, they shine so brightly and bring joy to those patient enough to witness it.
They stand for patient love—the kind that survives time, that doesn’t disappear even when ignored, and above all, the kind that always returns to the light, even after being buried. They remind me of us.”
My gaze stayed fixed on her, wanting her to see every bit of sincerity in my eyes.
“That’s the love I destroyed in you, and the love I desperately want back… If it’s not too late.”
Serenity blinked a few times, fighting back tears. She took the bouquet, holding herself together.
“At least this time, I don’t have to threaten to shoot your dick. They’re really beautiful. And you really did your homework. I’m impressed. Thank you.”
“Can I?” I asked, reaching for a flower stem.
She nodded her permission.
“There’s something missing from your hair.”
I tucked a few blooms into her curls, the way she always liked, and the way I loved to see.
“Gorgeous,” I said once I was done.
“Now, if you want to be my personal hair stylist, I’ll never bother doing it myself again,” she teased. “The way you care for it, I’d almost think you give my hair more attention than you give me.”
I grinned. “The kind of attention I want to give you, Serenity, you’re absolutely not ready for.” I murmured at her ear, making her shiver. “Now let me add the last touch.” I took the jewelry box from my pocket. When I opened it, Serenity’s eyes lit up.
“Mama Kate’s jewelry,” she said, full of emotion.
“Let’s be clear, I can buy you any jewelry you want. But tonight, I thought you’d rather wear this set, because I know how much my mom means to you.”
“I love Mama Kate’s jewelry. It’s worth more than any other because of what it means. That’s priceless.”
She turned for me to fasten the necklace and put on the earrings. When she was finally ready, I offered her my hand.
Before we went outside, I stopped by the kitchen and grabbed a vase, filling it with water. “Here, let’s put your flowers in this.”
Serenity arranged the bouquet in the vase, taking a moment to admire them. I watched her, loving how gentle she was with every petal. Then I took her hand and led her out for our first date.
Outside, under the open sky, a beautiful table was set with candles. As I guided Serenity to the table, a small band started playing soft music at the far end of the yacht.
“My God! Did you plan all this? When?”
“I had a little help. Do you like it?”
“Are you kidding? It’s beautiful.”
“Good, then.”
Hand on her lower back, I led her to our table, pulled out her chair, and slid her in. Drawn in to her, I pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder.
“You smell so good, baby. Did I tell you you’re beautiful?” I whispered in her ear.
“You did,” she replied, a little breathless.
“Well, I’ll never say it enough. You are beautiful, baby.”
I took my seat as the chef brought our meal. She hid her mouth with her hand, probably to cover a smile I could feel from across the table.
“Sorry I couldn’t cook tonight. My wife fell asleep on me. I couldn’t move.”
“Shut up, Konflict,” she laughed.
“And she snored so loud.”
“Man, I know you’re lying. I don’t snore.”
I laughed.
“She drooled too. I had to change my shirt,” I teased.
“God, I hate you right now, Konflict.”
“So I’ve heard. But you love me too. Well, I think you love to hate me. And I’ll take it, as long as there’s love in it.”
“Gosh, what am I going to do with you?” she rolled her eyes.
“Huh, if you ask me, I have a bunch of ideas. Like fuck me in the jacuzzi. Fuck me in the kitchen. Fuck me—”
“Oh my God, please shut up already.” She cut me off, and I laughed hard.
It was so easy to tease her, and I loved every laugh she blessed me with.
Dinner was full of easy conversation, laughter, and more stories about us. But when I asked Serenity about her mom, she closed up and became sad.
“I don’t really remember having a good relationship with my mom before she died.
She wasn’t the maternal type. Rarely hugged me.
The nannies took care of me. Valery was always there, like a big sister, but my mom wouldn’t really let me hang out with her.
Maybe because she was the gardener and cook’s kid.
Mom had this snobby side I never liked. Even as a kid, I knew she was with other men, not just my father.
At ten, you shouldn’t even know what an affair is, but my family lived in a different world, lawless.
Maybe I would’ve gone bad too if Mama Kate hadn’t secretly watched over me.
Anyway, I know my dad killed my mom, out of jealousy.
After that, I felt even more trapped in the family. All I had were my flowers and…”
She paused, turning her face away from me, as if she didn’t want me to see the emotions in her eyes. Gently, I tugged her chin back so she had to face me. My eyes locked on hers.
“And what?” I asked softly.
“And my dreams,” she confessed shyly. “Ever since you pulled me out of the pool, I’ve been dreaming about you. It was always my escape.”
Her words wrecked me. I wanted to pull her into my arms and shout that I loved her more than ever. But I didn’t want to scare her. She set the pace now. She got to decide when to give me her heart.
“It’s a shame I didn’t know sooner because you were in my dreams too. We could’ve had a date there.”
She laughed. “Probably.”
A silence settled between us as I kept my eyes on her. Every minute that passed, I realized I was falling even harder for her.
“Dance with me,” I said, standing and offering my hand.
She smiled softly and took it. I pulled her close, my hands settled at her waist, hers looped around my neck. As the music played, we swayed together, pressed close.
“The first time we danced, you wanted to kill me,” I teased.
“That’s because you wanted to kill Knox.”
“Your favorite escort. You did everything to protect him. If it hadn’t been me, I would’ve been so jealous I’d have tortured him in the worst way.”
“If I’d known it was you, trust me, I wouldn’t have fucked you. Not after the way you left me in that room on our wedding night. You said you wanted to kill me.”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“I guess it’s okay, I’m less pissed now. I don’t want to kill you anymore. Yesterday, I was still debating whether or not to use my Glock on you.”
“Well, thanks to the lobsters, I guess,” I joked.
“Yeah, they definitely helped smooth things over. But I think opening up to each other let me see a different side of you. I guess I’m not as mad anymore.”
Her words warmed my heart and gave me hope. I pulled her closer, holding her tight as we danced together in silence for a while. My lips brushed her ear, and the need to touch her, to feel her, to kiss her just got stronger.
After holding her in my arms for a while, I finally broke the silence again.
“Do you miss him? Knox?” I asked quietly.
She didn’t answer right away, taking her time to think.
“No,” she finally said.
“Why?”
“Because I think he was you in my mind, but not really you. It’s like he never existed, like I was just using his body to have you the way I couldn’t. So, no, I don’t miss Knox.”
“I see.”
My hands roamed up her back, holding her while I drank her in.
I wanted to crawl under her skin, never leave.
I wanted to slip into the spaces between her heartbeats, so she breathed me, lived with me, functioned with me.
I wanted to possess her completely—hold her heart and take care of it. I was sick with love for this woman.
“Serenity…” I breathed against her ear.
“Konflict…”
“Please look at the sky.”
She pulled back and looked up. Fireworks exploded, and a message lit up the night:
Will you forgive me?
She looked at me, surprised.
“I know I’ve said this before, but I’ll never stop saying it.
I’m sorry, Serenity. I’m sorry for being a coward, for hurting you with my silence, my threats, and my cruelty.
I’m sorry I didn’t protect you sooner, for making you feel like you didn’t matter or deserve to be cherished.
I’m sorry I wasn’t the man you dreamed of, and for destroying the love you had for me.
I’m sorry for taking what you didn’t willingly give because you thought it was someone else.
I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it right if you could ever forgive me and trust me again.
Please, baby… just love me one more time, and I swear you’ll never have to regret it again. ”
My words brought tears streaming down her face. My heart clenched seeing her like that. I cupped her face and brushed my thumbs over her cheeks, wiping her tears away.
“Please don’t cry. I hate seeing you cry, especially knowing I’m the reason.”
“These aren’t sad tears. It’s just… I never thought this day would come.
At first, I hoped things would get better between us, but after months in a disastrous marriage, I lost all hope,” she said softly.
Then she looked up and locked eyes with me.
“I won’t lie, you hurt me so much it’s hard to just let it all go. But… I’m considering it.”
A shy smile touched my lips.
“Considering it is already better than a no. I’ll keep working to win your heart,” I said, pressing my lips to her forehead.
The night grew late, so I offered to walk her to her room. Like the night before, I took care of her hair and helped her take off her makeup. I kissed her one last time on the forehead and let her shower before bed.
Back in my room, I showered and put on sweats, then texted my wife.
Me
Baby, I made it back safely.
Serenity
Konflict, your room is just down the hall.
Me
Yeah, but something could’ve happened on the way, you never know.
Serenity
I should add drama queen to the new things I’m learning about you.
I grinned and typed back
Me
I hope you had a good day. Was our first date up to your expectations?
Serenity
Yes, it was more than I could’ve hoped for. I felt… worshiped and adored.
Me
Good, because that’s the standard from now on. Expect more, not less.
Serenity
Don’t tease me with a good time. I hope you enjoyed it too.
Me
I did. Being with you will always be a good time. I’m pretty sure the best moments of my life will always be the ones where I get to see and spend time with you.
Serenity
You’re trying to be sweet again, huh?
Me
I told you, I’m lovable. I can be sweet. Look at you now, falling for your monster being all sweet and shit.
Serenity
Shut up, Konflict. I’m going to sleep now, since you’re starting to talk nonsense.
Me
I haven’t even started talking about your sweet pussy and you’re already running, Mama?
Serenity
Boy, bye! You’re a crazy man.
I laughed.
Me
But, I’m your crazy man and you love me.
Serenity
Do I?
Me
Ouch! That hurts.
Serenity
Drama king. I’m going to sleep now.
Me
You can run Mama, but I’m going to get that pussy sooner or later. Good night, baby. And remember, you deserve everything, and I’ll make sure to give you the world. See you tomorrow, beautiful.
Serenity
I’ll remember that. Good night, Konflict.
I put down my phone, completely satisfied with the day.
I really felt like I was getting my wife back.
But damn, my dick was being a dick and wouldn’t go down—it was becoming a real pain.
I wanted her so bad, but I had to control the urge.
We still needed to wait until Serenity felt safe enough to love me again.
After tossing and turning in bed, I gave up and headed downstairs.
I found my pottery studio, spun the wheel, and started shaping some clay.
Music played in the background, helping me relax as my hands worked.
Slowly, the need faded. Until the door opened and the source of all my desire stood in front of me, in a see-through nighty, nothing left to the imagination.
“I—I can’t sleep,” she whispered. “Can I stay with you?”
“Come here,” I said, beckoning her closer.
She came into my arms and sat close to me. When my body pressed up against hers, my breath at her neck, I knew I was going to die if I didn’t make love to her, if I didn’t fuck her.
I needed to be patient. I needed to wait until she was ready. But God, I wanted her so bad it physically hurt.
Fuck. I was doomed.