Chapter 54 PROTECTIVE.
\~~~SERENA.
“What?!” I burst into laughter, still clutching the ice cream like it was my lifeline.
Damien stayed close, his arm firm around my waist, his body angled just enough to block me from Jayden’s view. The man still stood there, frozen, like he was unsure whether to laugh, apologize again, or disappear into thin air.
Damien clicked his tongue softly.
“Get going now, little guy, would you?” Damien said at last, his tone calm but final.
Jayden blinked, then let out an awkward chuckle. “Right. Right,” he nodded quickly. “You two… you look really lovely together.”
I almost felt bad for him. Almost.
He backed away in a hurry, muttering something under his breath before turning and practically jogging down the beach. I watched him go, shaking my head slightly, amusement bubbling in my chest.
Only when he was completely out of sight did Damien relax his shoulders.
I shifted in his hold, stepping slightly away from him so I could look up at his face properly.
“What was that about?” I asked, pointing my melting ice cream at him. “You’d rather spend the whole honeymoon in bed? Sir, explain yourself.”
He hissed softly, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “I leave you alone for barely a minute, Ena. One minute. And already men are lining up.”
I couldn't help but raise my shoulders in pride, a grin spreading across my face.
Teasing him was too easy, and it felt good to flip the script for a second. "I am sexy as fuck, what were you expecting?" I said, batting my lashes playfully. The words came out bolder than I planned, but hey, it was true. I felt confident here, with the sun on my skin and him watching me like that.
He watched me for a beat, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. It was that half-smirk he did when he was amused but trying not to show it too much. I chuckled, feeling my cheeks warm.
The beach around us buzzed quietly with kids laughing in the distance, and vendors calling out for fresh coconuts. But right now, it was just us, this little bubble of flirtation and tension.
"Are you jealous, though?" I pressed, tilting my head. I took another lick of the ice cream, the vanilla smooth and sweet.
"Why would I be?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. He looked so relaxed, but I knew better. There was always that undercurrent with him, that intensity.
I shrugged, playing it cool. "Because I could have given him my number. He was pestering me, I could have said yes and given it to him."
He chuckled, a low sound that made my stomach flip. He swept his hand back through his hair, the dark strands falling right back into place. "You wouldn't."
"What makes you so sure?" I scoffed playfully, licking the ice cream again. A drop fell onto my thumb, and I wiped it away with my other hand.
"That boy is not your type. I am," he said simply, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
I choked on nothing, the words catching me off guard. A laugh bubbled up before I could stop it. "What?!" I burst out, covering my mouth with my free hand.
He stepped closer, his smile widening. "See him? Skinny and lady-like. But me? You drool every time I'm near you."
Oh, what a confident jerk, I thought inwardly, rolling my eyes even as heat crept up my neck.
He wasn't wrong, though. The way he carried himself, all muscle and command did things to me.
But admitting that out loud? No way.
"You have so much confidence in yourself," I said, shaking my head with a grin.
"I actually am not giving myself enough credit that I deserve," he replied, his voice teasing but serious underneath.
"Oh, come onnnn, old man!" I exclaimed, laughing harder. The nickname slipped out, poking fun at the years between us. It was silly, but it made everything feel lighter.
He gasped. “Old man?”
“Yes!” I teased. “You are acting like some territorial uncle.”
“Uncle?” He stepped closer again. “Careful.”
We both burst into laughter, drawing a few curious glances from people nearby. I didn’t care.
Everything felt light, easy and like the world had paused just long enough for me to breathe.
We started walking along the shore again, side by side this time. The waves rolled in steadily, the sun warming my skin, the air smelling like salt and freedom.
“You really wouldn’t have given him your number, yeah?” Damien said after a moment, quieter now.
I glanced at him. “Why do you sound like you need reassurance?”
“I don’t,” he replied immediately. Then paused. “…But answer the question.”
I smiled softly. “No. I wouldn’t.”
He nodded once, like he already knew.
“Besides,” I added, “I don’t even know what I’d say if he texted.”
“Good,” Damien said. “Because I’d block him.”
I laughed again. “You are ridiculous.”
“And you married me,” he shot back.
I stopped walking suddenly.
He took one more step before realizing I wasn’t beside him anymore. He turned.
“Yes?” he asked.
I looked at him for a long second. The confident man. The teasing man. The man who had wrapped himself around my life so suddenly and completely.
“I still can’t believe this is real,” I admitted quietly.
His expression softened instantly.
He walked back to me, standing close but not touching this time. “You don’t have to believe it all at once.”
I nodded. “I keep waiting to wake up.”
“You won’t,” he said gently. “You’re already awake.”
The waves crashed louder behind us, like they were applauding something unspoken between us.
I took another bite of my ice cream, grimacing slightly. “Okay, now it’s melting too fast.”
Damien chuckled. “That is what happens when you’re too busy flirting.”
“I was not flirting!”
“You absolutely were.”
I scoffed. “I was being polite.”
“Sure,” he said. “Very polite.”
We continued walking, his hand brushing mine occasionally, not quite holding it, but close enough to remind me he was there.
“So,” he said after a while, “What is next on today’s agenda, bucket list queen?”
I thought for a moment. “You tell me?”
He said, “Market walk.”
My eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Yes,” he smiled. “Before you accuse me of being boring.”
I grinned widely. “I like you today.”
“You like me every day.”
“Debatable,” I teased.
He laughed, shaking his head. “Come on. Before someone else asks for your number.”
I gasped dramatically. “Jealous again?”
“Protective,” he corrected.
I slipped my hand into his at last. “Same thing.”