My Summer in London (My Summer #1)(30)

When the early night sky completely fell into darkness, the house turned aglow with candlelight, as did the gardens. It was wonderfully set up to give the attendees a sense of intimate coziness that brought out the love and romance in the air. It was evident there was a certain aspect about this party that signified her late husband, Edward, perhaps because something about it reminded me so much of the beautiful secret garden he had specifically made for her. Seeing how Margery was tonight, though sadness was still apparent in her eyes, I could tell she was beginning to learn how to survive without her husband. I had never seen her in such great spirits.

It must be tough to learn how to live day by day, knowing your significant other, the man you had vowed to love for the rest of your life, was no longer there with you. Getting my heart crushed by Aaron had been traumatizing enough; I couldn’t imagine what I would feel if my husband died. I would probably go the same route as Cruz had described that night about people dying of heartbreak. I would be one of those victims; I just knew it.

Archer excused himself to speak privately when he received a call from someone. Left to my own devices, I decided to explore and mingle.

Nursing a glass of red wine, I strolled around the room, smiling at strangers as I took in the happy vibe. I was in great mood when drawn towards the outside patio that led towards the vast gardens where a pianist was playing a superb rendition of “The Way You Look Tonight” by good ol’ Frank Sinatra.

“You seem like you’re having such a grand time.” A familiar voice spoke right behind me, taking me by surprise, and I gasped loudly enough for the people around us to notice.

I had no need to look back to check who it was, knowing for a fact that it was him by the scent and the presence he radiated. Taking a moment to myself, I bit down on my lip, wondering when he would stop giving me semi-heart attacks. Each time he was near, I never failed to get intense palpitations. Not to mention, I got nervous, started mumbling, and became a sweaty idiot at best. And since I was on the fence with Cruz, I knew I had to play it cool—nothing too rash, nothing too abrasive, just a little something that would keep him at bay without showing him too much emotion or the inner mayhem I was going through.

“It’s hard not to have fun when everything I see is perfection,” I quietly remarked before gently sipping my glass of red wine.

“Thank you. I find you exquisite, as well, but with that dress you have on … I’m left with no words to describe it,” he stated as a matter of fact and in the calmest manner, as if he was discussing the weather.

His infallible sense of control in everything he did was impressive. His words carried a remarkable impact that never failed to render me clueless as to how to respond to him without appearing inexperienced or dense. I never failed to wonder how he did it.

Dancing in this sexual beat with him was something I knew I shouldn’t be even involved in, and yet, time and time again, Cruz would reel me in, probably just to get a high from seeing me squirm or to test if he still had the same impact on me as he had the first time we met. If that was the case, then he would be disappointed.

“Where’s Ivy, Cruz? It would be nice to have someone who’s closer to my age and someone whose mind isn’t overrun by their libido.”

“She isn’t here,” he said, stepping closer behind me, inches away from my ear.

I waited for him to say something, anything, but the damn man let me bask in his magnetizing presence, the palpable sexual tension, and the undeniable connection we had together. It was intoxicating to be this close to him yet not able to fully savor what was right before us. It was sinful to be attracted to someone this way. Regardless, I was, even if my entire being protested against it.

Before I could tell him off, the damn tease of a man blew softly against my sensitized ear, making it harder to think, let alone concentrate on what to say next. f*uk.

“When my libido is overrun, Serena, there will be no way in hell you will be able to run away from me,” he rasped out, breathing me in. “What I am now is a man in control, so don’t wish that side of me to come out and play with you, because trust me, once you’ve had me between your legs, you won’t be able to easily dismiss me like you have as of late.”

My skin prickled as his words sunk in, making me think a thousand things and, yet, not really think at all. The words “between your legs” and “play with you” rung too loudly in my ears. I knew this was some cat and mouse chase, but I was having none of it, even if it killed me to keep pushing him away. I knew I had to because cheating was something I didn’t condone. Nothing had changed.

“Listen to me and listen to me good. I’m going to do everything in my power to sever this odd connection with you. I’m done playing this sick sexual trip—”

“To what extent? Even to the point of f*uking my brother?” he hissed in my ear before I felt his hand on the side of my hip, holding me, as if he didn’t want me to run away. I wouldn’t have gone as far as that to prove a point, but if that was what he believed, if that was what it would take for him to stop entertaining the idea of me, of us in any shape or form, then I supposed it was harmless to let him believe it.

Taking a short breath, I braced myself to the inevitable. “If that’s what it takes to show you how serious I am, then so be it.”

“That would be a mistake and you know it!” He growled as his grip tightened. “I’m warning you, Serena; the moment you do that, the moment you let him touch you, I …” he trailed off, breathing heavily against me.