Page 27 of Let Me Love You

Serenity walks up to us and slips her arm around my waist. All of the tension in my body immediately evaporates. She snuggles into my neck, and my heart speeds up. “I’m sorry if I took too long. I was fixing my hair. You need to stop messing it up.”

She’s playing this role too well, implying we were doing something to mess it up in the first place. “Sorry, you know I can’t keep my hands to myself.”

Ana glares at Serenity. “Excuse me, but we’re in the middle of a conversation. He’s not looking for a hookup.”

I take the rare opportunity to wrap my arm around Serenity’s waist, pulling her against me. Her body heat envelops me, and the curve of her form fits perfectly, as if we were made for each other. “That’s impossibly rude. Don’t speak to my wife that way again,” I say, my voice deadly calm while a high wattage smile is pasted on my mouth.

The word “wife” has never sounded so good.

Why couldn’t a woman who isn’t in a contract with me and a temporary partner feel this right?

“You really have a wife? I thought you were joking.” Ana’s voice shrieks so loudly that other guests glance at us. “You were just dumped on live TV. How are you married again already?”

“Are you keeping up with my love life?” I place a kiss on the top of Serenity’s head, and she tenses under my touch. Fuck. I hope I’m not pushing her too much. “Well, it was nice catching up with you. We need to go.”

Serenity and I turn in unison and leave an open-mouthed Anastasia behind.

“Who was that?” Serenity asks after Ana is out of earshot.

“She was my girlfriend before Harmony.”

Serenity looks up at me, her mouth slightly ajar. “That’s your type? She’s a freaking supermodel. No one is going to believe that I’m with you.”

“No one will question me.” I flash her a cocky grin I know will drive her crazy. “And yes, she has been modeling for five years, but that’s part of the reason we didn’t work out.”

I don’t explain further, and Serenity drops it thankfully. The soft music fills the silence—a Beethoven song starts, filtering through the speakers. Servers walk around offering hors d’oeuvres, but Serenity and I decline even though the crab cakes with aioli are whispering dirty things to me.

“How is Summer doing?” I ask as we head in Mrs. Frederick’s direction. She’s in the center of a group of middle-aged women, eating up all the extra attention.

Serenity sighs and tips her head toward mine as we walk past a loud group of people talking. “She isn’t used to the new nanny yet.”

“You don’t need to worry. I installed cameras in every room except yours and Summer’s—for privacy—which are locked when they’re alone. I have a guest bedroom set up for occasions like this, so you can check on Summer anytime.”

Serenity looks up at me. “You did all of that?”

“Yes, I know it must be hard leaving Summer with someone you barely know.” I shrug. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Victor—”

We reach Mrs. Frederick, so Serenity snaps her mouth shut. My name on her tongue was way too sexy.

I avert my attention back to Mrs. Frederick, and her crow’s feet are prominent as she beams at us. “Mr. Barlowe, I’m so happy you made it and with a beautiful companion.”

I look at Serenity, and a blush climbs up her neck and onto her cheeks. “Yes, this is Serenity, my wife. Serenity, this is Mrs. Frederick, one of my board members.”

I had already filled Mrs. Frederick in on our wedding, but I left out the part where we’re not madly in love.

Serenity sticks out her hand. “It’s so very nice to meet you, Mrs. Frederick.”

“Please, it’s Mary.” Mrs. Frederick waves her away. “I’m just happy Victor found someone. He deserves happiness.”

Serenity leans closer to Mrs. Frederick and loud whispers, “I’m not so sure I give him happiness, but I do aim to give him a hard time every day.”

Mrs. Frederick busts out laughing, drawing a few stares. “Oh, Victor. Please, keep this woman around.”

My heart squeezes. “That’s the goal.”

At least, for a year, and then I’ll lose her. It hasn’t been long, and I already find myself seeking her out. Just being near her makes me feel all fuzzy.