Serena's Song

by Raina James

  "Un-uh," she said. "Something's not right."

  Riff's chest heaved as he watched her flick the front catch of her bra. It let go with a small snap. The pretty lace fell away, leaving her breasts shivering in their freedom. Serena, staring into his rapt face, took his hands and put them square on her breasts. She pushed until he cupped their weight fully. Her nipples were hard points against the seam of his fingers. Automatically, he widened his grip enough to let them slip between his fingers, then tightened it to trap the tight buds with exquisite force.

  Serena gasped. "Yes. Much better."

  For a few moments, she sat without moving as his hands moved over her breasts, massaging, tugging, pulling, soothing. Each sudden tweak pulled a low cry from her throat. With every sound, Riff felt his own breath catching in his chest.

  Finally, Serena returned trembling fingers to his waist. The zipper opened with a quick rip of metal. He groaned at the instant relief, then bit his lip when Serena wrapped her fist around him. The cooler air of the room breezed over the tip of his swollen cock. All teasing gone, Serena's hand glided over him in long, firm strokes.

  Dimly, he realized she was following the rhythm of his hands on her breasts. Experimentally, he rolled her nipples between his fingers. Immediately, Serena circled her thumb around the sensitive head of his cock. His thigh tensed as she pressed against it, her hips churning lightly in time with the movements of their hands on each other. He could feel her wetness soaking through both layers of clothing, hers and his.

  He was focused so intently on the duet they were playing, each matching the other's moves, that he didn’t notice her other hand until she cupped his sac and gently rolled his balls in her palm. His hips surged off the couch, pushing himself harder into her palm.

  "Serena," he gritted out. "Serena, baby, stop."

  She leaned into his hands, grinding her nipples into his palms. He felt the first tremors begin where she was pressed tight against his thigh, rocking in a short, quick rhythm. Riff clenched his teeth, determined to hang on. Serena threw her head back and gave a low, thoaty moan that rose to a satisfied cry. He let go of her breasts and held her hips, helping to push her harder against his thigh. He saw the orgasm ripple through her body with silent power. Her hands went limp around his cock and balls, making him want to curse with disappointment at the same time he appreciated the moment it gave him to regain control. He wanted to be in her so bad he could taste it.

  Serena wilted against his chest. Riff let her rest as long as he could before reaching for the fastening of her own pants. Thank God she recovered quickly. While he grappled with her button and zipper, she yanked on his T-shirt. She dragged it up until he was forced to whip it over his head. Before he could get back to stripping her slacks and panties off, Serena stood on shaky legs and shimmied out of them. When he would have pulled her back down on his lap, she sat on the coffee table and shook her head. Her voice was breathless, but determined.

  "Your pants, too, Finn. I love looking at you."

  Almost frantic to find his own satisfaction, he less than smoothly yanked off his jeans and boxers. She didn't make him wait. As he sat, she climbed into his lap, her knees sinking into the cushions on either side of his naked hips. Unable to resist, he pushed her back until her spine arched. He latched onto one rosy red nipple and suckled it almost roughly.

  "Finn!" Serena clasped his head and pulled him even closer.

  His cock, fully erect and almost hurting with want, rubbed against Serena's wet, swollen flesh. Her curls brushed teasingly against him, over and over. He couldn't wait. He couldn't. His fingers sank into the soft skin at Serena's waist. Tightened. He pushed down and surged up in one motion.

  Serena screamed. Without urging, she began a hard, fast ride that drove him out of his mind. His hands moved restlessly over her back until he cupped her shoulders, holding her in place for his heavy, hard thrusts. Her nails bit into his shoulders as she cried out his name. Her inner muscles gripped his shaft in hard, pulsing ripples as her orgasm exploded around him.

  Riff's hoarse shout of total completion rose to match Serena's feminine cries in the dark hotel room.

  * * * *

  Serena was sprawled across his chest, her weight warm and familiar as their breathing slowly returned to a more regular rhythm. Somehow, they had made it from the sofa to one of the suite's beds, though he wasn't quite clear on the exact logistics involved. Riff played his fingers through the sweat-damp blond curls that just reached her shoulders, idly thinking about luring Serena into sharing a hot shower. His hand stilled as something occurred to him. Without thought, he said, "You're going to marry me, aren't you?"

  "I don't know."

  Riff was sure his heart stopped.

  "I guess you're going to have to ask me to find out," she continued pointedly.

  He expelled a harsh breath as his heart started back up again. "You're a cruel woman, Serena Jeffries."

  "Yup." He grunted as she stacked her arms on his chest to prop up her chin, and stared at him with laughing eyes. "I still don't hear that question." She pinched his nipple for emphasis.

  "Ow! Okay, okay!" Riff flung the covers off them and stood up in one fluid motion. Serena whooped as she went tumbling off his chest. He fished her out of the blankets and into his arms. Two long strides took them out into the seating area, where he deposited her in one of the chairs. She squirmed a bit as the upholstery, soft and nubby, tickled her bare bottom.

  Dramatically, Riff dropped down to one knee. He cupped her clasped hands in his and stared up into her face. When he spoke, there was nothing teasing about the intensity behind his words.

  "Serena Jeffries. I was a fool to ever think I could have a better life without you than with you. I want to change that. I will love your children as I would my own. I will never let you believe you are less than everything to me. Will you be my wife?"

  Moisture stung her eyes as Serena stared down at the beautiful man who'd humbled himself at her feet. She had once dreamed of this moment, only to find the fantasy shattered by reality. Love was the only thing she'd risk that kind of heartbreak for again. And she did love Finn Logan; she suspected she always had.

  "Yes, Finn McCool Logan. I would be proud to be your wife."

  When Finn stretched up to kiss her, she met him halfway. Her lips trembled under his sweet kiss. "Thank you."

  Then her brave, beautiful man wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his face to her belly in a tight hug. Serena couldn't stop smiling as she ran wondering fingers though his thick hair.

  He's going to marry me. It's about time.

  Chapter 22

  Riff pulled the Crossfire into the garage beside Serena's Tempo. The sports car wasn't the same one he'd driven to the cabin. That had been picked up by a service and returned to the rental company after they'd had to leave it behind.

  Serena thumbed the remote and put it back in her purse. Behind them, the garage door slid smoothly down its track, closing them in with the smells of old oil, cut grass from the lawnmower and damp concrete. They sat quietly, listening to the Crossfire's engine tick as it cooled.

  Jack and Katie were still in Orlando with their grandparents. They'd decided they might as well finish their holiday and enjoy their anonymity while they could. Once he and Serena were married, it might not be so easy. Riff was just relieved his meeting with them had gone so well. They'd been a bit shy at first, but they'd been surprisingly friendly once they'd relaxed a bit. He realized it would take time for them all to get used to each other—the kids to him, and him to them—but they'd work it out. He wouldn't allow for anything else.

  Milo was flying in to join them for tomorrow's press conference, which was to be held here in town. A lot would be happening in a short space of time. That was another circus the kids were better off missing.

  "Home sweet home," Serena murmured.

  Riff looked at her. "Glad to be back?"

  "Of course," she said. "It just feels a bit strange, that's
all. So much has changed that it seems like I left home a lifetime ago."

  "Good changes, though, right?"

  The smile she gave him was full of love. "The best."

  "Ready to head in?"

  Instead of answering, Serena reached for her door handle.

  "Hey, hold on." Riff got out the driver's side and came around the hood to open her door.

  "Better watch out. I could get to like this."

  "Feel free. You deserve it."

  Laughing softly, she started for the interior access to the kitchen. Finn stopped her with a tug on her hand.

  "Un-uh," he said. "I want to get in some practice."

  When she tilted her head questioningly, he only smiled mysteriously and shook his head. "Just give me a sec." Retrieving their bags from the trunk, Finn dropped them on the short cement stoop. Returning to Serena, he tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and led her out the side door to the walkway beside the garage.

  Serena looked around a bit nervously. When she'd left home, the media had been camped out on her lawn. Just a few days ago, her humiliation had been complete when they'd shoved that sleazy tabloid in her face. Both memories were too fresh for her to blithely walk around in the great wide open without envisioning stalk-journalists lurking behind the lilac bushes. With his usual confidence, Finn crossed the driveway and strode up the cobbled path to the front door.

  Serena dug through her purse for her house keys. Finn plucked them out of her hand and had the door open in seconds. Then, without warning, he swung her up into his arms. The suddenness of his move startled a sharp laugh out of her, and she almost dropped her purse before settling it on her belly and clutching his broad shoulders.

  "What are you doing?"

  "I told you—practicing."

  Finn's show of easy strength was undeniably thrilling. Still, she wasn't exactly small.

  "Put me down. You're going to pull something."

  He leered. "If I do, you can kiss it better, sweetheart. Now hush, and let me do my he-man thing." He effectively stopped her protests with a playful kiss that quickly evolved into something else. His lips closed firmly over hers, tongue teasing, teeth nipping.

  Serena melted against him.

  Several heart-thumping moments later, Finn lifted his head. His chest trembled against her breasts as he sucked in several shaky breaths. His voice gravelly, he rested his forehead against hers. "I guess now would be a good time to get off the front steps."

  If her cheeks weren't already flushed from the kiss, Serena was sure she'd have turned a red bright enough to land planes by. Fighting a grin despite her embarrassment, she cast a hasty look around for witnesses. "Yeah, inside would be good."

  Finn shifted her more securely in his arms and stepped over the threshold. Looping her arms around his neck, Serena laid her head on his shoulder. Finn caught the door with his heel and kicked it shut behind them. He smelled so good. She nuzzled closer. Probably tasted good, too. He growled when the tip of her tongue grazed a trail up his neck to the sensitive curve where it met his stubbled jaw. There, she proceeded to tease him with a combination of bites soothed by kittenish licks, working her way along his jaw to his ear.

  Absorbed in sensation, Riff fumbled with the deadbolt until it turned with a solid click. Then he stood there, leaning one shoulder against the door as Serena continued her dainty ministrations. Dimly, he was grateful for the support when she took his earlobe between sharp little teeth and gave it a bite that shot straight to his groin.

  "Serena," he said, the hissed exhalation both supplication and warning. Her throaty chuckle told him she knew exactly what she was doing to him.

  A dip of his chin put her neck in range, and he did a little nibbling and sucking of his own. Serena, head tilting back in surrender, closed her eyes as he feathered his lips over her throat. Her sweet little moan snapped his control.

  Without taking his mouth off her, Riff pushed away from the door and started down the hall. He passed the kitchen and living room, grunted in frustration when the first bedroom he came to—painted midnight blue, with concert posters plastered on the walls—was the obvious habitat of a teenaged boy.

  At this point, complex sentences were beyond him. "Bedroom?"

  "End of the hall."

  Serena let go of his neck and slid her hands down to wrestle with the top button of his shirt. Needing more room to work, she elbowed her purse off her belly. It hit the floor with a faintly musical thud of keys and change.

  Finn deliberately rubbed his cheek against her, the stubble rasping her sensitive skin with exciting roughness. The button refused to give. Who had made the stupid holes too small for the buttons? Frustrated, she yanked harder. The button let go with a pop of surrender, dropping to the carpet. Finn laughed against her throat. She ignored him and moved on to the next.

  "Just rip 'em all," he suggested. "I never liked this shirt anyway."

  Serena took him at his word. Grabbing two fistfuls of his shirt, she jerked them apart. Buttons flew through the air like confetti. Laughing wildly, they careened into her room, sending the simple interior door crashing against the wall with a shotgun smack.

  "Shit!"

  The surprised feminine yell jerked them apart. In an instant, Riff dropped Serena's legs to the floor and moved to stand between her and the intruder.

  A tall, athletic-looking blonde in ripped jeans and a midriff-baring T-shirt stood beside Serena's bed. She held a solid-looking box cocked in one hand over her head like a berserker ready to let fly with a spike-studded mace. With a gusty exhalation, she lowered her upraised hand and glared at them.

  "Jesus! You guys scared the crap out of me!"

  "We scared you?" Riff demanded. Interested blue eyes roved down his body from neck to thighs, making him aware that the ripped halves of his shirt dangling outside his jeans was the least embarrassing highlight of the scan. He snaked an arm out to pull Serena in front of him, keeping her in place with two firm hands on her hips. "What the hell are you doing here, Grace?"

  The interesting way Finn's body prodded her butt explained why she was suddenly on shield duty. Serena practically felt his glower as they faced her sister.

  Grace was both taller and slimmer than Serena, though there was no mistaking the family resemblance. Both had their mother's pale blond hair and bright blue eyes.

  Grace's lips twitched and she gave Finn an arch look. It was obvious his discretion was wasted on her. Serena shot her a warning glare.

  "What are you doing here, Grace? I thought you were still in Europe."

  "Um, well, I just wanted to, ah—" Grace casually dropped the box on the bed without looking at it. "I just got in from the airport."

  Serena's eyes narrowed with suspicion. The last time she'd seen that box, it had been shoved on the top shelf and way to the back of her closet.

  "And what are you doing with that?"

  Grace chewed on her lip for a moment, then sat down on Serena's neatly made bed with an exasperated huff that ruffled the silky bangs on her forehead. She looked ceiling-ward, as if for inspiration. "I was hoping I could slip it back before you got home. I thought you were in Florida with the kids."

  "How would you know what we were doing?"

  "Jack e-mailed me that you guys were on your way there. He never said you weren't staying, though."

  The last was said almost accusingly. Serena wasn't falling for it.

  "Grace," she said warningly. She took a few steps further into the room. Finn's hands tightened briefly on her waist, stalling her from moving away and exposing him. With a muffled curse, he let go and went to sit in the rocking chair in the corner of the room. Settling his elbows on the chair's arms, he leveled his own glare at his future sister-in-law.

  Grace caved under the combined pressure. "All right, all right, geez."

  There were only five years between them, but in Serena's opinion, her sister could pull off Petulant Kid like a pro. She produced an envelope from her back pocket and extracte
d a strip of negatives from it, handing it to Serena with an air of resignation.

  Finn's brow furrowed as he watched the exchange. "What is it?"

  Serena didn't really have to look, but she did anyway. Moving closer to the window, she held the strip up to the light. Even in reverse, the fifteen-year-old negative of her and Finn on his grandparents' dock was powerful. Without effort, she called up what she'd felt cradled in his strong arms—and what she'd felt when she'd seen the picture on the cover of Celebrity magazine just a few weeks ago. The faces that launched a thousand news crews. Or at least a few dozen.

  Wordlessly, Serena went to stand beside Finn, handing him the negative strip to see for himself. It didn't take him long to decipher what it was. Shaking his head in confusion, he looked up at her.

  "You had the picture of us?"

  "I did," she admitted. "But since Grace and I were the only ones who knew about it, I couldn't figure out how that magazine had gotten hold of it. It never occurred to me that she'd taken it. I even checked to make sure I still had it when I saw it on the cover of that magazine. Too bad I didn’t think to actually check and make sure all the real negatives to that roll were there." She glared at Grace, who was apparently trying for an innocent look, and failing miserably. That look hadn't even worked when she was innocent.

  "When it seemed like both the negative and the snapshot were in the box, I just assumed some clerk had made a copy when I got the film developed all those years ago, and just now decided to cash in with it." She shrugged apologetically.

  Finn tugged her down to sit in his lap and kissed her nose. "It's okay, babe. You didn't know. But who shot it?"

  "Grace. Who else? The little sneak took my camera and was spying on us."

  A movement near the door made them both look up in time to see Grace trying to slip away.

  "Hold it right there, little sister!"

  Grace threw up her hands. "What? I just thought you guys might want a little privacy or something."