Page 4 of Let Me Love You

“People like me?”

“Yes, men who are born into wealth and think the world should bow to them.” She places her hands on her curvy hips. “Rich and entitled men who don’t spare a second thought about the pain they cause others.”

Harmony claps her hands together, but neither Serenity nor I spare her a glance as we stare each other down. “Hello? Are you two going to kill each other?”

“Nah,” Elias says, suddenly appearing by his girlfriend’s side. He leans down and whispers, “I think they’ll fuck each other.”

Serenity chokes and turns to the soon-to-be dead man. She’ll never let him out of here alive. “What the fuck?”

Elias shrugs. “Sorry, I tried to whisper it. It’s not my fault you listened to what wasn’t meant for your ears.”

Serenity turns on her heel. “I’m done with this.” She sashays away, heading back to where her daughter sits at a picnic table, happily eating.

I try to peel my eyes off her, but I have to study this piece of art while she’s not in a museum and still in my presence. Even if her distaste for me is all I can get, I’ll take it.

Someone nudges me, and when I glance down, I find Harmony beaming up at me. “You like my sister, don’t you?”

I open my mouth but snap it shut again. I wouldn’t really know how I feel. I haven’t had a real, long-lasting relationship with emotions that weren’t surface level, but there’s something about Serenity that I can’t place my finger on. Am I in love with her? No. But I can't deny the lure I feel whenever I'm near her. Jay caught on, too, so maybe I’m not the best at hiding it.

“She’s beautiful but no. And even if I did, she can’t stand me.”

“Serenity doesn’t have a good track record with men who come from money,” Harmony whispers directly into my ear, and I can’t help but wonder who this other man is. “But don’t forget fighting is great foreplay.”

She winks and saunters back toward Serenity and Summer, leaving me standing there, stunned into silence.

And I can’t help but remember the first time Serenity threatened me.

Four Months Ago

Everyone is watching us. Never in a million years did I think a bunch of random women would be interested in watching me marry. But Everlasting Love, the reality TV show my board of executives forced me on, made my wedding a spectacle. Sure, people are naturally drawn to talk about public figures but more in the way of gossiping.

I stand here, waiting for Harmony to utter the words “I do.”

If she doesn’t, I stand to lose everything. She’s aware of this fact. We both know it isn’t a love match, but we have grown to respect each other, and I find myself searching for her just to “hang out” as she’s put it.

I think the best term that applies to us is “friends” rather than “lovers.”

My eyes are glued to her, but she looks anywhere other than at me. The murmuring crowd makes a sensation in my stomach, like a bunch of bees are buzzing around in there.

Finally, Harmony meets my gaze, and I hold in a sigh. She’s not going to say it. The look on her face makes my heart plummet.

“I’m sorry, Victor, but I do not.”

I don’t move from my spot as she rushes down the stairs and blazes a trail for the double doors. Serenity turns to me and hisses, “If she says you did something to her, I’ll be coming for you.”

I bite my lip to resist the urge to smile. This occasion doesn’t call for happiness, but Serenity’s fire … It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. And I’ll never find anyone like her again.

Present Day

A peel of laughter pulls me back to the party. Just moments ago, Serenity practically spit in my face, but now, she’s laughing at something Harmony said. For some reason, this woman that haunts my thoughts, finds me repelling. And only me.

I inhale deeply and stuff my hands in my pockets, making my way to the picnic table. Pasting a smile on my lips, I forge ahead. I can make it through the next two hours without staring into Serenity’s alluring eyes.

And I can go back to the city tonight without thinking about her. With my focus solely on work, I can forget about her.

Chapter 3

Victor