Chapter 8
The oppressive silence of the room left Seraphina feel suffocated, unsure of what to do
or where to look.
The spacious room only amplified the tension, and the bed, though just a simple piece of furniture for rest, now seemed charged with an embarrassing intimacy, Seraphina’s cheeks flushed as her mind wandered to what might happen next, her heartbeat quickening.
She bit her lip nervously, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her car. “You…You’re busy,” she stammered, her eyes downcast “Tll… I’ll come back later…” Her voice trailed off, barely above a whisper, and she wasn’t even sure if Clarence had heard her.
As Seraphina turned to leave, Clarence’s lazy voice cut through the air, stopping her in her tracks. “No need, I’m done,” he said, rising to his feet.
Turning back. Seraphina saw him close his laptop and walk towards her. At over six feet tall, he was towering, his presence commanding like a mountain slowly bearing down on her. The light stretched his shadow across the floor, inching closer until it seemed to swallow her whole. Seraphina’s heart pounded fiercely, a rising panic making her want to flee, yet her feet refused to move.
Clarence stopped just inches from her, his gaze lingering on her frozen expression. He tilted her chin up with a gentle touch and noticed a flicker of panic in her eyes, making them appear even more luminous and captivating.
She looks so vulnerable like this, Clarence thought. He leaned in slightly, his warm and steady breath caressing Seraphina’s face like a gentle flame, making her cheeks burn even hotter.
Seraphina instinctively held her breath. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him, her chest tight as she fought the urge to
shrink back.
“Are you scared?” Clarence’s breath ghosted over Seraphina’s face his voice almost a murmur.
Seraphina felt her cheeks burning, her throat constricted as if glued shut, unable to produce a sound. Of course she was scared–this was all so overwhelming, so foreign. And she had heard it could hurt a lot..
Clarence could sense her tension and fear. She was as rigid as a statue, her whole body locked up in response to him.
Suddenly, Clarence scooped Seraphina up in his arms, catching her off guard. Her eyes widened with alarm, and her lips. trembled slightly, an expression so helpless that it stirred a protective instinct in him.
Leaning down, Clarence brought his lips close to her ear, the warmth of his breath brushing her skin. “Let me show you how to relax,” he whispered, his voice soft and soothing, a stark contrast to his cold and domineering demeanor during the daytime. His gentle words, however, only made Seraphina tense up even more.
Clarence carefully laid her on the bed, but her grip on his arm remained firm, her fingers clutching him as if she couldn’t bear to let go. Thankfully, she hadn’t left nail marks, but her panic was palpable–her chest rising and falling with shallow, rapid breaths.
Clarence’s lips curved into an amused, almost tender smile. He leaned in slightly, his lips caressing the cor of Seraphina’s mouth, his voice a seductive murmur. “Kissing can help you relax.
Before Seraphina could even process what he said, his lips pressed against hers, Seraphina’s eyes flew wide open. It felt like a jolt of electricity coursing through her body–warm, tingling, and overwhelming. She should have melted into this kiss, but instead, her body went rigid, taut as a bowstring.
Clarence could feel it, too; he couldn’t even fully deepen the kiss. After a few moments, he pulled back, his gaze falling on her face, which was fixed in an expression of sheer terror. “First kiss?” he asked.
‘Of course! Seraphina yelled inwardly. She didn’t answer aloud, but her awkwardness gave Clarence all the confirmation he needed.
Chapter 8
“How old are you?” Clarence asked softly.
“E–eighteen. Seraphina swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Senior in high school?” Clarence asked.
“Yes,” she replied, sounding almost robotic. “Just one more month until the SAT.”
Mulling over her words, Clarence made a noncommittal sound. Then, without warning, he stood up, grabbing a blanket and gently draping it over her. “Get some sleep”
Seraphina blinked in surprise. “Wait, aren’t you… aren’t we… She couldn’t finish the sentence, but her meaning was clear.
A mischievous smirk tugged at Clarence’s lips as he leaned in again, his voice teasing. “What? Were you hoping I wouldn’t stop?”
Seraphina shrank back instinctively, mumbling. “No, I just thought-
But Clarence cut her off before she could finish. “I still have work to do,” he said.
“Didn’t he just say he was done?‘ Seraphina wondered.
“For now, just focus on preparing for your SAT, Clarence continued in his usual serious tone. Then, with a mischievous smirk, he added, “We’re gonna do it when your SAT is over.”
Seraphina’s face flushed instantly, her heart pounding in her chest. For all his coldness and indifference, this man could be incredibly attentive and thoughtful when he wanted to be
She felt a rush of gratitude that he hadn’t forced her into anything, and that he had given her the space she needed to focus For a girl from her humble background, getting into college was her only shot at a better life. She couldn’t afford any distractions right now.
Watching Clarence settle back into his work, laptop in hand, Seraphina silently mouthed a heartfelt “thank you“.
The next morning. Seraphina opened her eyes to find soft sunlight filtering through gauzy curtains, painting the room in a gentle glow. What a lovely morning, she thought, her mood instantly brightened by the warmth of the light.
But then a sudden realization hit her. Wait, since when does my house have floor–to–ceiling windows?” She suddenly remembered where she was and turned her head, only to find herself face to face with Clarence. He was sound asleep, his stunning features so perfect they made her hold her breath.
‘Blimey, he’s holding me in his arms. Wait, when did he get into bed? How come I didn’t notice at all?”
Seraphina had always been a light sleeper, especially in unfamiliar places, but last night, she had slept so soundly that she didn’t even realize Clarence had slipped in and held her all night. Was she really that oblivious? Or did she just trust this remarkable man far too much?
The faint, fresh scent of Clarence’s cologne lingered in the air, making her heart race all over again.
Seraphina tried to inch away carefully, but the moment she moved, Clarence’s arm tightened around her, pulling her back against his chest. Now pressed against him, she could feel the warmth of his breath brushing her ear. His lips grazed her earlobe, and in a soft, sleepy voice, he murmured without even opening his eyes, “Morning.”
