Chapter 10 Serena
SERENA
The whole way over, I worried my bottom lip.
This sneaking around behind my uncle’s back will surely blow up in our faces.
I’m still new at the office, but I can find another job, maybe in a different city, county, or state.
Nevertheless, I’ll persevere. I’m more concerned about the fallout that Crew will encounter with how my uncle will react once we do tell everyone we’re exploring this thing between us.
A thing we have yet to talk about at length.
I know the banter is there, as well as the sexual tension and attraction, that’s off the charts.
And while Crew has made statements, they’ve been in the heat of the moment.
Plus, it’s not like we’ve had a lot of alone time unless we’re sneaking kisses or orgasms. Last night, I had to leave the office and head right to my parents’ house, leaving us little time to talk again.
By the time I came home, put away the leftovers I was sent home with, took a shower, and climbed into bed, my eyes were barely able to stay open when Crew called me.
We spoke for a few minutes, but when my yawns started to dominate the conversation, he ended the call.
That led us to today, with little to no downtime once we stepped foot through the door.
Whereas the door was shut more during the day, the same couldn’t be said for the morning.
At first, it had me worried. Did we revert backward?
Did the rules Crew said he broke fall into place again?
He cleared up my worries entirely when there was a lull in people traipsing in and out.
Once everyone left, he slid a finger down the slope of my neck, dropped a garage door remote in my purse, and told me he’d see me at his house after work.
Then he backed me up behind the door, making sure nobody could see or hear us, and dropped a scorching ass kiss on me and a whisper of a promise for more to come later.
Crew also followed it up with a guarantee that we would be talking tonight.
Now, I’m in the elevator, key card in my hand to give back to him and seeing what it’s like to live in an apartment with all the amenities one could think about having.
The ding alerts me right as the doors slide open.
Crew is standing there waiting for me. Gone is the business attire, and in its place is a white shirt and well-worn jeans, barefoot to boot.
It’s doing crazy fucking things to me, like making my nipples pebble and my core quiver with need.
I opted for comfort after wearing skirts, dresses, and heels for well over a week.
I tossed my hair up in a loose ponytail, took my makeup off, lathered my skin with lotion, and replaced the wired bra with one that won’t poke and jab me when I bend the wrong way.
Threw on an oversized graphic shirt, pulled on a pair of slouchy-style sweatpants, and slid on a pair of house slippers that have a sole made for outside purposes.
“Felt like forever till you got here,” Crew states before he wraps me up in his arms. My own go around his waist, and he kisses the top of my head.
Being held, not just a quick hug or a passionate kiss, just this, I didn’t realize I needed it until now.
The tension from the what-ifs leaves my body, and I turn my head off.
I soak up Crew’s strength, his scent, and his presence.
There are no words needed. The quietness doesn’t bother me, especially after the endless chatter after a day of work.
“You good, sweetheart?” he mutters against the crown of my head.
“Yeah, I really am. As long as you don’t feed me again.” Between my parents and Crew ordering lunch, I’m as full as a tick, ready to explode.
“No food, got it. Maybe a snack later?” He pulls back and dips his knees, bringing us to eye level.
“A big maybe. Do you realize I’ve eaten more in the past four days than I usually would in a week? I’m going to have to start taking the stairs at work and running. Yuck. Running isn’t my idea of fun, you know.” Crew smirks, eyes sparkling with mirth.
“To be fair, I always order lunch at work. Maybe not every single day, but a few times a week. The other days, I’ll bring leftovers, which seems to be plenty when cooking for one person.
” Damn, a man who cooks. Not even my father does that, at least not in the kitchen.
He can wield a spatula on a grill, but in Mom’s place?
Nope. Mom came home from work one day after Dad decided to surprise us with a home-cooked meal.
Unfortunately, it was a disaster. Dad had half the contents of the entire kitchen out of the cabinets.
Spaghetti sauce spilled from the floor to the ceiling because he cooked it on high heat.
That was the last time he had free rein in Mom’s domain.
“I know how that goes. I’ve learned to freeze leftovers in small containers or eat them for lunch.
Life happens, and I’m still going through what I have now until payday.
” Whoops, I should have kept that little tidbit to myself.
In order to keep the conversation on a lighter side, I press a quick kiss to his lips, though I should know by now that Crew wouldn’t allow anything involving our mouths to be short and sweet.
His hand cups the back of my head, and he takes over.
His tongue slides inside, intertwining with mine, never letting up until we’re both hot and breathless.
My eyes close, and my hands slide beneath the fabric of his shirt as I feel his own move down my back.
A whispering touch of sensations, he presses the tips of his fingers into my lower back, massaging the aches and pains that he has no idea have been bothering me.
I sigh in response, and he keeps at it while continuing our deep and passionate kiss.
My breasts become heavy, nipples rasping against the fabric and making me want to rub against Crew to find some relief.
“Fuck, this isn’t what I had in mind when you came over, Serena.” He doesn’t sound the least bit perturbed. I’d say he likes how he’s able to make me lose my mind very easily.
“And what did you have in mind?” I smile at the look he sends my way. The five-o’clock shadow, the wetness to his lips, and the mussed hair on top of his head.
“Show you around my place, sit on the couch, and tell you my intentions. Maybe have a glass of wine and somehow manage to convince you to spend the night with me.” He guides me through the foyer, his arm staying near my hip, and we bypass the kitchen and living room.
“I’ll take the talk and glass of wine. As for spending the night, I think you’ll have to be a heck of a lot more convincing than what you’ve done so far.
” He opens the doors to the balcony, and I’m astonished by the view.
“This sure makes up for the lack of yard space.” It’s like we're on top of the trees, hovering near the clouds, the soft whooshes of the noises from cars driving by down below.
“Designed this place. My first big project, seeing it through from start to finish.” I can tell by the clean lines and symmetry. Working with Crew this week, there’s always a slight nuance to any type of artist, whether it’s digital, drawing, or the like.
“It’s beautiful, especially out here.” I walk toward the concrete railing. Between each baluster, there’s glass to not obscure the view. I look over the edge, and Crew comes up behind me, hands going to my shoulders.
“Not as beautiful as you.” His chest rumbles with laughter. “Christ, that was fucking cheesy. Not a lie, though.” I look over my shoulder, wanting to see his eyes. They hold me captive, a lot like everything else Crew does.
“Thank you, even if you feel like it’s cringey. I’ll take it as a compliment all the same.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. Come on, let’s sit down.
I’ve already got a bottle of wine ready.
” Crew’s thought of literally everything.
The view caught my attention before the furniture he has situated out here, oversized to fit his big, able body, comfortable looking like you could sink into it.
The tall heaters are already illuminated to ward off the chill from the slight breeze since the weather has a bit of a chill to it.
“A man with a plan. I can’t say I’m surprised.
I’m still not spending the night. I have a lot to prove.
The last thing I want is to walk into the office tomorrow looking like a cat got dragged in.
A woman needs her beauty sleep. Plus, I’d have to stop by my house to shower and change, and I don’t even want to think about the probability of my mother popping in, asking a million and one questions.
Then I’d be late, and I think the boss would probably look down on me being late,” I say with a light laugh.
The couch greets my back. I kick off my shoes, happy to have the forethought to put on socks, and tuck my legs beneath me. Crew sits down beside me, placing my legs on his lap and massaging my calves, one after the other. My eyes close, and I enjoy the moment.
“I’m pretty sure your boss would let it slide.
As for your mom, does she stop by often?
Am I going to have to bob and weave until we figure out how to bring this up to Todd?
And as for you proving something to people, I think it isn’t necessary.
Still, I get it. I’ve been around my friends’ women long enough, along with my mom, to know when to choose and when to fight their battles.
” He picks up the bottle, pours a small amount in both of our glasses, hands one to me, and I take a sip.
The red wine explodes on my tongue as notes of cherry, oak, and pomegranate invade my senses.
“You’re a smart man, so why are you drinking something you don’t like is beyond me.” I noticed the wince on Crew’s face when he took a sip.
“There’s no one else in this world who could make me try something I wouldn’t otherwise choose. The same goes for a certain woman who has me breaking my rules.” He abandons his wine, and his hands go back to me as a sheer look of fierce protectiveness crosses his face. “Only you, Serena. Only you.”
His statement settles deep in my soul when he continues. “You’ve knocked down every wall, climbed through a forest of trees, and somehow managed to climb so deep inside in such a short amount of time.”
“Oh, Crew.” I place my glass on the coffee table in front of us and launch myself into his arms. This time when I kiss him, he allows me to take the lead, and I find that while it’s nice at first, I much prefer Crew dominating my body morning, noon, and night.