Chapter 53 IN BED.
\~~~SERENA.
The moment we stepped onto the beach, I forgot how to breathe properly.
The air felt different here. It was clean, salty, and alive. The sound of the waves crashing gently against the shore filled my ears, rhythmic and calming, like the sea itself was welcoming me.
The sand stretched far and wide, soft and golden under the bright Italian sun. The water shimmered in shades of blue I had only ever seen in pictures, and palm trees swayed lazily as if they had no worries in the world.
I stood there for a second, just staring, trying to convince myself this was real.
Then I laughed.
A small, happy sound escaped me before I could stop it, and suddenly I was moving. I slipped my sandals off and ran barefoot across the sand, not caring how childish I looked. The sand felt warm, almost ticklish between my toes, and the breeze brushed against my sundress like a gentle touch.
I spun around once, arms spread wide, letting the moment swallow me whole.
“Damien!” I called out, laughing again, though I wasn’t even sure why.
He didn’t answer.
When I turned around, I saw him standing exactly where we had stopped earlier. His hands in his pockets, his sunglasses on, and his body relaxed. He wasn’t moving. He was just watching me.
There was something about the way he looked at me that made my chest feel tight.
He wasn’t smiling widely or laughing. His expression was calm, and almost unreadable, but his eyes followed my every move like I was the only thing on that entire beach.
I jogged back toward him, sand sticking lightly to my feet.
“Why are you just standing there?” I asked, breathless.
“I am enjoying the view,” he replied simply.
My cheeks warmed instantly, and I rolled my eyes to hide it.
I turned away again, walking closer to the water this time. I dipped my feet into the sea and gasped softly at the cold before laughing again. The waves kissed my ankles and retreated, playful and teasing.
This felt unreal.
I bent down, scooped a little water with my hands, and let it fall back into the sea. Somewhere behind me, I heard Damien move, but I didn’t turn immediately. I wanted to soak this in. Every sound, every smell and every feeling.
After a while, I noticed he wasn’t behind me anymore.
I turned and scanned the beach, spotting him near a small stand a little distance away. It looked like they were selling ice cream, and I smiled to myself. Of course he noticed. I had mentioned earlier how hungry I always got after swimming or walking around.
I turned back to the water, hugging myself lightly as I watched the waves.
That was when a shadow fell beside me so I looked up to see the man standing there, tall, tanned, with wet hair and a friendly smile. He was wearing swimming shorts and holding a towel around his neck.
“Hi,” he said politely.
“Hi,” I replied, smiling back.
“I hope I am not bothering you,” he continued. “I was surfing a while back, and when I came out of the water, I saw you standing here.”
“Oh,” I said softly.
“You look really pretty,” he added, still smiling.
I blinked, slightly surprised, then nodded. “Thank you.”
My eyes drifted around instinctively, searching for Damien without even thinking about it.
The guy noticed me looking. "Oh, you have company?" he asked, following my gaze.
I nodded. "Yeah, my... yeah."
He chuckled. "I won't waste your time then. I just wanted to say hi and maybe get your number? If you're up for it."
My mouth opened to say no, to explain I was here with someone.
But before the words came out, Damien was there. He strode up with a big ice cream cone in his hand, chocolate and vanilla swirled high, topped with nuts and a cherry. His face was calm, but I saw the frown line between his brows as he looked at the guy.
He handed the cone to me without a word at first, his eyes locked on the stranger. The ice cream was cold against my fingers, and I took it gratefully, but my heart started pounding.
"Ah, is this your... uncle, or elder brother?" the guy asked Damien, flashing a smile like he was trying to be cool about it.
I parted my lips in shock. Uncle?
Really?
Does he look anything like family? Given the fact that we’re both here… like this?
But the guy kept going before I could speak.
"Hi, I am Jayden," he said, extending a hand toward Damien. "I was just having a quick chat with uhm..."
"Serena," Damien finished, his voice flat. He didn't take the hand, he just stood there, tall and unmovable.
Jayden nodded quickly. "Yes, yes, Serena. So, yeah, can I have your contact information please?"
I watched Damien. He didn't move, and didn't say anything.
He just stared at me, his jaw tight under that calm expression. It was like the air got heavier and my stomach twisted in nervousness.
What if he got mad? What if this turned into something awkward? His eyes held mine, waiting, and I felt that pull, that need to make it right.
"Oh, boy, he is my husband," I said, the words tumbling out with a nervous laugh. It felt good to say it, like claiming something real.
Jayden's eyes widened. "Husband? Oh, wow… I…”
Damien's frown eased a bit, but he didn't smile. Instead, he stepped closer, closing the space between us. His arm slid around my waist, firm and warm, pulling me against his side. I leaned into him, the ice cream melting a little in my hand.
"Do you like that flavor, moonlight?" he asked, his voice low, but enough for Jayden to hear too.
"Yes, hubby," I replied, smiling up at him.
He hummed in response, his eyes still fixed on Jayden who stood still.
The ice cream began to melt a little, dripping onto my fingers, but I didn’t mind.
“I swear, Ena, I’d rather we spend the whole of this honeymoon in bed at this point,” he whispered in my ear and I burst into laughter.
“What?!”