“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” Her eyes bore into mine.
“I have every intention of keeping this promise. I would die before I let anything happen to you.”
Her eyes fill with tears, but she doesn’t let them fall. She nods, wrapping her arms around her knees as she hugs them to her chest. “I know you would. Thank you, Alesso. Thank you for always being there for me. I appreciate it more than I can say.”
“Thanks isn’t necessary.”
“If I have to learn to accept compliments, then you do too.” A soft smile ghosts over her gorgeous mouth, and it’s like being sucker punched in the nuts. “Thank you for listening to me. For not judging. It…” She tugs her lower lip between her teeth, and my cock jerks at the motion. “It helped.”
I can’t contain my smile. “I’m glad. And I’m always here if you want to talk some more.”
“Pamela—my therapist—will be very proud of me when I tell her about this.” A light blush stains her cheeks. “She assigns me homework every week. Little things I have to do to push myself out of my comfort zone. Telling you about this is a big step for me.”
“You’re amazing. Truly.”
She beams at my compliment, and truth be told, I’m feeling a little proud of myself for helping her to get a handle on this.
Abruptly, she stands, and the blanket pools at her feet. “Is it too late to go out?”
I glance at my watch. “The others have probably left, but I know where they are going. We can catch up.”
“Good.” She steps around the coffee table. “I have been looking forward to this night for weeks. I’m not letting what happened ruin it for me.”
My heart swells behind my chest. She is so goddamned brave. “I’ve been looking forward to it too.” And I can’t wait to see her in that dress, but I’ll be fighting a hard-on all night, I’m sure. I only got a look at her from behind, and it was enough to turn the snake in my pants rock-hard. It will be an exercise in self-control tonight, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Serena is turning a corner.
I feel it in my bones.
And if she can find a way to move on from her past, maybe there is a future for her and me after all.
16
SERENA
I’m feeling nicely buzzed, and it’s helping to keep thoughts of the earlier incident from my mind. Ben’s club is crazy busy, but we are in the VIP section where it’s not as crowded. There is actually space to move on the dance floor, and I’m enjoying myself. I move my hips to the hypnotic beat, thrusting my hair back over my shoulders as I let loose.
“Are you having a good time?” Sierra hollers in my ear while we dance. Natalia has just left the dance floor to go to the bathroom.
I nod, smiling at my sister. “This is exactly what I needed to take my mind off things.”
“Good.” She gives me a quick hug. “I’m glad.” Her lips curve at the corners as she looks over my shoulder. “He hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night.”
“I know.” Butterflies swoop into my tummy, like they do any time I recall the look on Alesso’s face when I first emerged from the bedroom in my new dress and boots. He looked like he wanted to devour me whole, and I briefly contemplated letting him. Losing myself in him would have worked to distract me from my pain and my fear. But as much as the thought tempted and thrilled me, it also terrified me. I have never been the object of such blatant desire before, and all the usual insecurities came rushing to the surface.
“I’m not going to pressure you,” Sierra adds, pressing her mouth to my ear. “But I want you to know I’m rooting for you both. I have gotten to know Alesso well, and he’s a good guy, sis. I know he’d treat you well.”
I know that too, and sometimes I wonder why I’m holding back. It’s been over four months since Alfredo died, and Alessandro is nothing like my husband. He has only ever shown me patience and kindness. I still reminisce over that hot make-out session we shared last year, and my body tingles when I remember how good it felt to have his lips on mine. Pamela says I need to stretch myself out of my comfort zone in order to move forward, so maybe I should stop denying my feelings for Alesso and let the chips fall where they may.
I’m feeling braver than usual because I dealt effectively with my shame earlier tonight. I managed to throw off my humiliation and come out to socialize. That was a huge step for me, and I’m proud of myself. The few cocktails I have consumed are boosting my confidence too. Before I talk myself out of it, I grab my sister’s hand, tugging her off the dance floor. Sierra gives me a funny look. “I’m going to ask Alesso to dance,” I explain as we head toward our booth in the corner where the guys are sitting, nursing beers and a bottle of expensive bourbon.
“Yes! Go for it, sis.” Sierra grins, squeezing my hand as we make our way to our table.
Natalia is sitting beside Ben when we arrive. “Water break,” she explains, unscrewing the cap off a bottle of water.
“I hear you.” Sierra drops onto the seat alongside Leo, snatching another bottle of chilled water from the bucket in the center of the table. My sister slants me a purposeful look, subtly angling her head in Alesso’s direction.
Nerves jangle inside me, and I feel a little sick to my stomach. Rubbing my sweaty palms down the side of my dress, I awkwardly clear my throat as I look down at Alesso. He’s peering up at me with an expression I can’t decipher. “Do you want to dance?” I blurt before quickly averting my eyes. Warmth creeps into my cheeks, and I’m as anxious as a teenager asking her first crush to dance.
