Page 22 of Take Me Under

My thoughts drifted back to Serena once again, the image of her delicate silhouette veiled by steam haunting my mind. She was a complex puzzle, each piece more alluring and captivating than the last. But for every one I put into place, there were others I couldn’t match. They only added to her mystery, and for some reason, that made me desire her even more. I didn’t want ordinary and only coveted the extraordinary—and Serena checked all the boxes I craved.

I tried to push aside the feelings she incited, burying them beneath layers of control and detachment that had served me well over the years. Still, there was no denying how much she affected me. It didn’t matter if she was a mystery. I wanted her naked and kneeling. I imagined her under me, her legs wrapped around my hips as I drove into her. I hadn’t lied when I told her I didn’t ogle her body when I undressed her.

But I wasn’t blind either—and Serena was perfection.

I needed relief. Something—or someone—to ease this unwelcome sexual frustration. But it was the dead of night, and I couldn't think of anyone who would be available for a late-night rendezvous. For once, I regretted my own strict rule about not hooking up with the patrons of Club O. At least there, willing bodies were around at all hours of the day. However, even if that were an obstacle of my own design, I didn’t want just any woman.

I wanted Serena.

Lost in thought, I swirled the whiskey in my glass, the ball clinking against the sides. The faint sound of the shower shutting off caught my attention. Serena would emerge soon, wrapped in a towel, her skin glistening with droplets of water.

I tried not to think about all the things I wanted to do to her and tilted the glass until the last of the whiskey flowed past my lips. The liquor burned my throat, and I savored the layers of sweet toffee, subtle spices, and hints of oak. Setting the glass on the desk, I went back to the living room.

A door creaked quietly, and I glanced down the short hallway that led to the bedrooms. Serena stepped out, her skin glowing pink from the heat of the shower. Droplets of water traced paths down her delicate collarbone, disappearing into the towel that wrapped around her body.

I eyed her carefully, wondering what it would take for me to get this Italian goddess to submit to me. She didn’t strike me as someone who took a lover without consideration. She would need to be wined and dined and given the respect she deserved. But that didn’t stop me from imaging her reaction if I decided to rip that towel from her body, bend her over the back of the sofa, and begin to make every one of my fantasies a reality.

She stared at me with a mix of uncertainty and something more challenging, as if she expected me to either look away or make a move toward her. She was wary—as she should be.

If she had any idea about what I was thinking… About what I want to do…

“Thanks for the shower,” she finally said, albeit hesitantly as she bit her lower lip. “Where are my things so that I can get dressed?”

With a lift of my chin, I nodded toward the sofa—and the two pieces of luggage tucked against it.

Serena went to the suitcases. She tried to maneuver both of them with her free hand, while the other struggled to keep the towel clutched to her body. I smirked. As much as I would have loved to see the plush terrycloth fall to her feet, I thought better of it. She would be too much of a temptation. My self-control was good, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to test it right then.

Instead, I moved to help her. She flashed me a grateful smilewhen I took over, then followed behind me as I pulled the baggage through the bedroom and into the bathroom.

With a half nod, I turned, and went back to the bedroom to allow her privacy. However, before crossing the threshold into the hallway, I noticed the bathroom door slowly shift open. The latch was faulty. I had meant to get it fixed, but it hadn’t been a priority. After all, I lived alone and never brought women into my space. It didn’t matter to me if the door to the ensuite bath latched properly.

As the door opened further, the more I could see. Serena’s back was to me, bent over, as she rifled through the contents of her suitcase. The towel was still wrapped around her, but barely covered her backside. It draped low on her back, kissing the skin where her ass began to curve.

Mesmerized, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her as she shifted to stand. She gracefully unwrapped the towel, letting it fall to the floor. It was wrong to stare, but I couldn’t help myself. Every line and curve of her body was like a work of art, beckoning me to explore it further. The gentle bend of her spine led to the delicate lines of her waist and the curve of her hips. Her olive skin was smooth and flawless, her movements a testament to effortless grace.

She glanced at the mirror and our eyes met. I froze, holding her gaze. Instead of rushing to close the door like I thought she would, she stood perfectly still. I couldn’t move as her stare drilled into me through the reflection. The tension between us crackled like electricity and something flashed in her eyes.

Curiosity. Confusion. Fear.

I thought it might be a combination of all three.

I allowed my eyes to travel over the front of her body reflected in the mirror. I took in the smooth slope of her shoulders, her tight breasts and erect nipples, down to the soft lines of her stomach and the thin patch of hair at the apex of her thighs.

A mischievous smile tugged at the corner of my lips when I watched her conflicted expression shift to challenging. She straightened her spine, turned, and took a calculated step toward me. Her movements were fluid and determined. But just as I thought she would emerge from the bathroom completely naked, she instead reached for the door and closed it with deliberate force. The click of the lock signified that the door was truly latched this time.

I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath. I barely knew this woman, yet somehow, I was certain she would be my undoing.

CHAPTER NINE

Serena

The steam from the shower swirled in the air. Pressing my back to the door, I closed my eyes and counted to ten. I inhaled deeply on each count, but still I couldn’t suppress the arousal that rocked me to the core. I opened my eyes once more. The air seemed to shimmer, as if there were sparks of electricity crackling and dancing all around.

Anton’s gaze had burned into me, scorching hot, and left me aching. His onyx eyes had been filled with a mix of desire and something deeper. The way he’d looked at me made my pulse quicken, causing a rush of heat to spread through my body, creating a throbbing ache between my legs. Despite having a solid wood door between us, I could feel the intensity of his stare even now.

I wasn’t sure how long I’d allowed him to look at me. A few seconds. A minute. In those moments, all sense of time had ceased to exist. I didn’t know what had come over me.

---