Page 37 of Let Me Love You

Victor

Serenity looks like sin wrapped up in black silk as I lead her from my SUV and into the nightclub where Seb decided to celebrate his thirty-fifth birthday. We veer off to the side and head up a winding staircase that leads to the VIP section. I keep my hand on the small of her back, guiding her away from the pounding music and flashing lights that give me an instant headache.

A security guard stands sentry outside the red rope. The moment he spots me, he lets us inside with a polite, “Welcome, Mr. Barlowe.”

I nod in response and continue to the cluster of overly yet underdressed people sitting on leather couches. The women have on short, tight dresses while decorated in diamonds and any other precious gems they can get their hands on. Music vibrates through the crowd as they chatter. A server weaves around Seb’s guests and passes out fresh drinks. My friend throws his head back and laughs at something someone says. His quick laugh always lightened my heart during my darkest times, so it’s like music hearing it.

A brunette in his lap catches sight of Serenity and me and whispers into Seb’s ear. He glances up and meets my gaze. His lips curve into a half smile.

Pushing to a standing position, he plops the twenty something woman on her feet and strides over to us. His black hair is slicked back in his usual style. Seb tugs me in for a one-armed hug and slaps me on the back. “You two made it.”

As he pulls away, I ask, “Did you really think I’d miss your birthday?”

“Of course not, but I thought perhaps you might be on your honeymoon.” He wiggles his eyebrows, and Serenity shifts beside me. “Don’t tell me you cut it short to be here.”

Having Serenity all to myself for an entire week would be more like torture than pleasure.

“We don’t feel comfortable leaving Summer with her nanny since she isn’t adjusted to her yet,” Serenity says evenly, as if she isn’t fazed by the idea of a honeymoon.

The brunette who was sprawled all over Seb when we arrived slinks over. She has a scrap of fabric covering her, but I keep my eyes firmly on her painted face. “Are you coming back to the party, Seb?”

My friend tears his eyes off us and smiles down at the woman. “Yes, I was just welcoming my best friend and his new wife.”

“New wife, huh?” She nods, pulls out her phone, and starts typing a million words a minute. Then she walks away without saying anything, beelining straight to another scantily clad woman.

Damn reporters. I’m sure Seb didn’t know her profession or else he wouldn’t have allowed her into the VIP section. They always get in somehow. But at least this time it might benefit us.

“Do you want a drink?” Seb asks, pulling my attention back to him. He leans closer to Serenity, and my entire body buzzes with something I can’t identify. It surely can’t be jealousy. “You can order whatever you want, no matter the price.” Seb claps me on the shoulder. “The big guy here is paying.”

Serenity’s gaze clashes with mine. “I suppose I’ll get a drink.”

I wave over one of the servers. A man dressed in a button-down and black vest hurries over. “Can I help you, sir?”

“Yes, the lady would like a drink.”

She orders a Cosmo, and the server hurries off.

“Let’s go rejoin the group.” Seb motions toward the sofas. “I know you aren’t big on crowds, so I really appreciate you being here for me.”

Serenity wraps her arm in mine, and my heart summersaults inside my chest. If I can’t get through a simple get-together with my best friend without my heart doing acrobatics, how will I ever be able to survive this marriage?

Seb falls back down onto his original seat from when we arrived. Glancing around, I hold in a groan. There’s only one spot left. The only option …

I sit on a leather chair and pull Serenity onto my lap. She stiffens, and I whisper, “Do you feel uncomfortable?”

She shakes her head once.

“Then why does it feel like I’m forcing you?”

Serenity twists her neck and looks up, meeting my gaze. Uncertainty flashes in her green eyes, but there’s also heat within them. I swear I’m not imagining how she’s truly attracted to me.

“I-I …” She wiggles innocently, and I grab hold of her hips to halt her movements. My dick immediately wakes up, and I adjust so that I don’t poke her—at least, not much. Her jaw drops. “I’m so sorry. Fuck, I’m messing this all up.”

The server comes back and gives Serenity her cosmopolitan. She thanks him before taking a big gulp of the pinkish liquid.

“You’re not messing up anything.” I grip her hips tighter before releasing her. She stays seated on my lap, but I can’t handle touching her more than necessary. Leaning down slightly, I whisper so only she can hear, “I just can’t help but wonder what inappropriate scenarios you and your friend were talking about.”

She blinks up at me with doe eyes. “That was all Lana.”