Chapter 119

Serena's POV

The last day in Bahamas. Instinctively, I reached for my phone to check the time - 8:30 AM. Usually, Lucas would have already knocked on my door, his deep voice carrying a hint of amusement as he urged me to "rise and shine." But today, there was only silence.

I lay there for a moment, letting the gentle sound of waves wash over me. It was strange how quickly I'd grown accustomed to this paradise. When Lucas first brought me here, I'd been resistant, viewing it as just another power play. Now, the thought of leaving made my chest tighten unexpectedly.

After waiting another fifteen minutes, I finally called him.

"Lucas?" I kept my voice neutral, fighting back a note of concern.

"Good morning, Serena." His voice was warm but distracted. "I apologize, but some urgent business matters came up that require my immediate attention. I'll try to be back before dinner."

"Of course," I replied, maintaining my composure. "Work comes first."

After hanging up, I wandered onto the balcony, letting the tropical breeze play with my hair. The ocean stretched endlessly before me, its surface glittering like scattered diamonds under the morning sun.

I spent the morning by the pool, alternating between swimming laps and lounging with a book. The water was perfect - cool enough to be refreshing but warm enough to stay in for hours. As I floated on my back, watching wispy clouds drift across the azure sky, I found myself thinking about Lucas. He'd been different here too - more relaxed, letting his usual stern facade slip to reveal glimpses of dry humor and genuine warmth.

The day drifted by in a lazy haze. I ordered a light lunch and ate it on the terrace, accompanied only by the rustling of palm fronds and distant calls of seabirds. The hours ticked past with no word from Lucas. Several times, I caught myself reaching for my phone, fingers hovering over his number before pulling back. He had responsibilities; I understood that better than most.

As sunset approached, painting the sky in brilliant strokes of orange and pink, I resigned myself to dining alone. The resort staff had already set a solitary place at the outdoor table when my phone finally buzzed.

"Serena." Lucas's voice held an unusual note that I couldn't quite place. "Come to the windows in the living room."

"What? Why-"

"Trust me."

Curious despite myself, I made my way to the designated spot. The night had fully settled in, transforming the window into a dark mirror that reflected the room's warm lighting. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the sky exploded.

Fireworks burst across the darkness, their brilliant colors reflecting off the calm ocean surface. Each explosion painted the night in shades of gold, red, and blue, creating patterns that seemed to dance just for us. I stood transfixed, barely breathing, as the show continued.

My phone buzzed again. "Come outside," Lucas said simply.

I stepped out onto the terrace, still mesmerized by the display above. And there he was, standing in the garden below, illuminated by the cascading lights overhead.

For once, I didn't try to analyze his intentions or guard my reaction. I simply smiled, letting the warmth of the moment wash over me like the gentle breeze.

As the last firework faded into the night sky, I found myself stunned by Lucas's romantic gesture. The man who typically exuded cold authority had orchestrated this breathtaking display just for me. The gentle lapping of waves against the shore filled the momentary silence, and the salty breeze carried the lingering scent of gunpowder.

Just when I thought the evening couldn't get more surreal, the sweet notes of a violin drifted through the air. I turned to find the source and saw a violinist emerging from behind a row of palm trees, his instrument singing a slow, romantic melody into the night.

Lucas stepped closer, his tall frame illuminated by the scattered garden lights. "May I have this dance, Ms. Sinclair?" he asked, extending his hand with an elegant flourish.

My heart skipped a beat. In the soft lighting, his usually sharp features looked softer, more approachable. I placed my hand in his, trying to ignore the slight tremor in my fingers. His palm was warm and steady against mine.

He drew me close, one hand settling at my waist while the other held mine aloft. The violin's melody wrapped around us as we began to move, our feet leaving gentle impressions in the cool sand. I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat where our bodies touched, slightly faster than usual.

"Satisfied with our trip?" he asked, his voice low and intimate.

"Mm-hmm," I managed, too aware of our proximity to form a more coherent response.

"I'm not quite satisfied," he murmured.

"Haven't had enough fun yet?" I tried to inject some annoyance into my tone, remembering all the activities he'd dragged me into over the past days.

His gray eyes locked with mine. "With you."

That single word, spoken in his deep voice, sent a shiver down my spine. The casual comment felt weighted with meaning, and I found myself holding my breath.

The violin's melody swelled around us as we continued to dance. Lucas's thumb traced small circles on my waist, each movement sending sparks of awareness through my body. I could smell his cologne, a subtle woody scent that seemed to wrap around me like an embrace.

"May I, Serena?" he asked softly, his gaze dropping to my lips.

The question hung between us, loaded with possibility. Part of me wanted to pull away, to retreat behind the walls. But another part, one that had been growing stronger during our time here, wanted to lean in.

Before I could overthink it, I rose onto my tiptoes. My lips met his in a tentative kiss that quickly deepened as he responded. His hand tightened at my waist, pulling me closer as my fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt.

The kiss was nothing like I'd imagined - and I had imagined it, though I'd never admit it aloud. It wasn't the calculated seduction I'd half-expected from him, nor was it the aggressive claiming I'd feared. Instead, it was patient, thorough, and devastatingly tender, a slow, intimate exploration that intensified as our tongues first touched, then lingered, sending shivers down my spine.