Serena’s POV
The tension in Ryan’s shoulders was visible as he paced our living room, his suit jacket discarded, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Night had fallen over London, casting long shadows across our penthouse apartnt.
"I’m almost certain it was Parker," Ryan said, his voice low and dangerous. "Everything points to him."
I kicked off my heels, curling my legs beneath on the sofa. "Do we have actual evidence?"
"Not enough." Ryan’s frustration was palpable as he ran a hand through his hair. "The driver won’t talk. Whoever’s paying him is either very generous or very threatening."
"Or both," I added grimly.
Ryan nodded, pouring two glasses of scotch and handing one to . "My security team is working on it. The driver has a sister in Manchester with two kids. If money’s his motivation, we might be able to offer more."
"And if it’s fear?"
"Then we need to find out what he’s afraid of," Ryan replied, sitting beside . "Everyone has a breaking point."
I took a long sip, welcoming the burn. "So we’re facing a major shareholder with Parker family connections who likely tried to kill my brother, plus we have no concrete proof, and I have to face the entire board tomorrow morning."
"When you put it like that..." Ryan gave a half-smile.
I groaned, leaning my head back against the sofa. "This is insane. A week ago, my biggest concern was whether Dreamland’s spring collection would be ready for the showcase."
Ryan set his glass down and moved behind , his strong fingers finding the knots in my shoulders. "And you’ll get back to that. But right now, you’re exactly where you need to be."
I closed my eyes as his thumbs worked magic on my tense muscles. "I’m not sure I’m cut out for corporate warfare, Ryan."
"That’s where you’re wrong," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "I’ve seen you negotiate with suppliers who tried to cheat you. I’ve watched you handle critics who dismissed your work. You’re a Quinn, Serena. Fighting for what’s yours is in your blood."
His faith in was overwhelming. I leaned into his touch, allowing myself this mont of vulnerability. "I just wish Ethan were here. This is his world, not mine."
"You don’t have to be Ethan," Ryan said firmly. "You just have to be you. That’s more than enough."
When his hands moved up to massage my scalp, I nearly purred with pleasure. "That feels amazing."
"You carry all your stress right here," he said, his fingertips applying perfect pressure. "Always have."
"You know what might help relax even more?" I asked, opening one eye.
Ryan’s lips quirked. "A hot bath? Another drink? Na it."
"I want to see Vivian," I admitted softly. "I miss her face."
Sothing tender flashed in Ryan’s eyes. Without a word, he pulled out his phone and tapped the screen a few tis.
"I asked Lucy to send so videos earlier today," he explained, settling beside again. "I thought you might need this."
The screen lit up with our daughter’s face. Six-month-old Vivian was sitting in her high chair, giggling uncontrollably as Lucy made silly faces at her. Her chubby cheeks dimpled with each laugh, her eyes—so much like Ryan’s—sparkling with joy.
"Look at those little teeth coming in," I whispered, touching the screen gently. "She’s changed so much in just three days."
Ryan’s arm wrapped around my shoulders as we watched Vivian attempt to grab her own feet, tumbling sideways in the process. Instead of crying, she looked surprised for a mont before dissolving into giggles again.
"She’s fearless," Ryan noted with obvious pride. "Just like her mother."
The video changed to Vivian in her crib, babbling nonsense while clutching the stuffed elephant I’d given her before leaving. My heart constricted when I heard her say sothing that sounded suspiciously like "Mama."
"Did she just—"
"She’s been doing that all day, according to the nanny," Ryan confird, his voice soft. "Lucy says she keeps looking around for you when she says it."
Tears stung my eyes. "I hate being away from her."
"We’ll fly her out as soon as it’s safe," Ryan promised, kissing my temple. "In the anti, she’s surrounded by people who adore her, and she’ll be on video call with us every day."
I turned to face him, struck by the thoughtfulness of his gesture. "Thank you for this. For knowing exactly what I needed."
His eyes darkened as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I’m learning to pay attention to the things that matter."
I leaned forward, pressing my lips to his in a kiss that started gentle but quickly blazed into sothing more urgent. Ryan responded imdiately, his hands tangling in my hair as he pulled closer.
"You matter," he whispered against my lips. "You and Vivian are everything."
Sothing broke loose inside —all the fear, stress, and uncertainty of the day transforming into desperate need. I climbed onto his lap, my skirt riding up my thighs as I straddled him.
"I need you," I breathed, already working on his shirt buttons. "Make forget everything else for a while."
Ryan’s hands gripped my hips, his eyes nearly black with desire. "With pleasure."
In one fluid motion, he stood, lifting with him. My legs wrapped around his waist as he carried toward our bedroom, his mouth never leaving mine. Each kiss was hotter than the last, erasing thoughts of shareholders and corporate enemies from my mind.
He laid on the bed with surprising gentleness, his body covering mine as his lips traced a burning path down my neck. My fingers fumbled with his belt, eager to feel his skin against mine.
"Slow down," he murmured, capturing my wrists and pinning them above my head. "We have all night."
His free hand slid beneath my blouse, caressing my stomach, my ribs, the underside of my breast. I arched against him, silently begging for more.
"Do you know how beautiful you are?" he asked, his voice rough with need as he slowly unbuttoned my blouse.
I gasped as his mouth replaced his hand, his teeth grazing sensitive skin. "Ryan..."
"That’s it," he encouraged, releasing my wrists to remove my blouse completely. "Let go. Just feel."
And I did. With each article of clothing that fell to the floor, I shed another layer of worry. With each touch of his hands, each kiss of his lips, the world beyond our bedroom faded away until there was nothing but Ryan and , moving together, breathing together.
When he finally pushed inside , I cried out, my nails digging into his shoulders. He paused, his forehead pressed to mine, his breath ragged.
"I love you," he whispered, the words falling from his lips like a confession. "God help , Serena, I love you so much it terrifies ."
Sothing fragile and precious blood in my chest. "Show ," I whispered back. "Show how much."
His answer was in the way he moved, in the reverence of his touch, in the fierce possession of his kiss. As pleasure built between us, I held nothing back, allowing myself to be completely vulnerable in his arms.
When release finally claid , it was his na I cried out. And when he followed monts later, his face buried in my neck, I knew without doubt that whatever challenges awaited us tomorrow, we would face them together.
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