CHAPTER 268: CHAPTER 268 BEFORE LONDON

Serena’s POV

I closed the door to Vivian’s room quietly, my heart still full from those precious moments with our daughter. Her tiny fingers had wrapped around mine as I sang her favorite lullaby. Those little moments made everything worth it.

"Did she finally fall asleep?" Ryan asked, leaning against the hallway wall with that devastatingly handsome smirk of his.

"Out like a light," I whispered, walking toward him. "I reminded Mrs. Patterson about her feeding schedule. She needs the organic formula I prepared, not the store-bought one."

Ryan pulled me into his arms, his scent enveloping me like a warm blanket. "You’ve already told her three times today," he murmured against my hair.

"I just want to make sure everything’s perfect while I’m gone," I sighed, leaning into his chest.

"Come with me," he said suddenly, taking my hand and leading me toward our bedroom. The intensity in his eyes made my stomach flutter.

The moment our bedroom door closed, Ryan’s lips crashed against mine, hungry and desperate. My back hit the wall as his hands roamed my body possessively.

"I’m going to miss you so damn much," he growled against my neck. "Every morning. Every night."

I gasped as his teeth grazed my sensitive skin. "It’s just for a few weeks," I managed to say, my fingers already working on his shirt buttons.

"Too long," he insisted, lifting me effortlessly. My legs wrapped around his waist as he carried me to our bed. "Way too fucking long."

His hands slid under my dress, leaving trails of fire across my skin. "I need you," he whispered, his voice rough with desire. "Need to feel you. All of you."

"Then take me," I challenged, pulling him down for another kiss.

Our clothes disappeared in a frantic blur of hands and desperate kisses. Ryan’s eyes darkened as he took in the sight of me beneath him.

"God, you’re beautiful," he breathed, tracing my curves with reverent fingers. "How did I get so lucky?"

I reached up to cup his face. "I ask myself the same question every day."

His lips found mine again, more tender this time but no less passionate. Every touch, every kiss felt like he was memorizing me, storing the sensations for the lonely nights ahead.

"Ryan," I moaned as his mouth traveled down my body, lingering at my most sensitive spots. "Please..."

"Patience, love," he teased, his breath hot against my inner thigh. "I want to savor every inch of you before you leave."

My back arched as his tongue found my center, pleasure shooting through me like lightning. His hands held my hips firmly as I writhed beneath his skilled mouth.

"Ryan, I need you now," I gasped, tugging at his hair.

He moved up my body, positioning himself between my legs. Our eyes locked as he pushed inside me, both of us moaning at the perfect connection.

"I love you," he whispered fiercely, beginning to move. "Never forget that while you’re gone."

"Never," I promised, meeting his thrusts with my own.

Our bodies moved together in perfect rhythm, the way they always had. Despite everything we’d been through, this connection had never dimmed. If anything, it had grown stronger, more intense with each reunion and separation.

"Serena," he groaned, his movements becoming more urgent. "Come with me, baby."

His fingers found where we were joined, circling expertly until I was crying out his name, waves of pleasure crashing over me. He followed moments later, his face buried in my neck as he shuddered above me.

We lay tangled together afterward, my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat slow to normal. His fingers traced lazy patterns on my bare back.

"London won’t know what hit them," he murmured into the quiet room.

I propped myself up to look at him. "What do you mean?"

His eyes were filled with pride as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Dreamland Studio, bursting onto the scene at London Fashion Week with my brilliant wife at the helm? They’re going to be blown away."

"You really think so?" I asked, suddenly feeling vulnerable despite my confidence earlier with Maya.

"I know so," he said firmly. "You’re extraordinary, Serena. Everything you touch turns to gold. Your vision, your talent... it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen."

I felt tears prick at my eyes. After everything we’d been through, his faith in me meant more than any business success.

"I’m going to make you proud," I promised.

"You already do," he replied, pulling me back against his chest. "Every single day."

We lay there in comfortable silence for a while, just breathing together.

"Maybe I should come with you," Ryan suggested suddenly. "I could reschedule some meetings..."

I laughed softly against his skin. "And who would take care of Blackwood Industries? Not to mention Vivian needs at least one of us here."

He sighed dramatically. "Fine. But I’m coming to London as soon as I can."

"I’m counting on it," I said, pressing a kiss to his chest. "Besides, I need someone to celebrate with when Dreamland takes London by storm."

"That’s a given," he murmured sleepily, his arms tightening around me. "Just promise me one thing?"

"Anything."

"No late nights with charming British investors," he said, only half-joking.

I poked his ribs playfully. "Jealous already and I haven’t even left yet?"

"Always," he admitted shamelessly. "When it comes to you, always."

I kissed him softly, pouring all my love into it. "You have nothing to worry about. My heart is firmly taken."

As we drifted toward sleep, wrapped in each other’s arms, I couldn’t help feeling that strange mix of excitement and apprehension about London. It was a homecoming of sorts, though Ryan didn’t know that yet. My past and future were about to collide in ways I couldn’t begin to imagine.

But for tonight, I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the warmth of my husband’s arms around me, storing up these precious moments to carry with me across the ocean.