Chapter 144

Serena’s POV
I couldn’t argue about going back to my appointment when Ryan casually dropped the bombshell.
“Since we’re already out, why don’t we stop by the baby boutique downtown?” he suggested, eyes fixed on the road. “We talked about going there a few weeks ago, remember? But something always came up.”
I blinked, surprised he’d remembered.
“You actually remembered that conversation?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“I remember everything you say, Serena.” His voice was so matter-of-fact it sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.
I stared out the window, trying to ignore how those simple words affected me. “Alright then. The baby boutique it is.”
Twenty minutes later, we were wandering through Tiny Treasures, the most exclusive baby store in the city. The place was a wonderland of ridiculously priced infant everything – from hand-carved cribs to cashmere onesies that would probably be ruined with the first spit-up.
“This seems… excessive,” I muttered, eyeing a silver-plated rattle with an actual diamond embedded in the handle.
Ryan picked it up, examining it like he was considering a business acquisition. “Our child deserves the best.”
“Our child needs love and attention, not a rattle that costs more than my first car,” I countered, gently taking it from him and placing it back on the shelf.
His lips twitched. “Fair point.”
We moved through the store, my practical side battling with the maternal instinct to buy everything adorable in sight. Ryan, surprisingly, showed more restraint than I expected, though he insisted on the top-of-the-line car seat and stroller system.
“Safety ratings are non-negotiable,” he stated firmly when I questioned the astronomical price tag.
I couldn’t argue with that.
The real surprise came when we reached the stuffed animal section. Ryan paused, his fingers brushing over a soft gray elephant.
“I had one like this,” he said quietly. “When I was little.”
The image of Ryan as a child, clutching a stuffed elephant, was so unexpectedly tender I felt my heart squeeze.
“Then our baby should have one too,” I decided, placing it in our already overflowing cart.
Ryan’s smile was small but genuine, and something warm spread through my chest at the sight.
By the time we finished, we’d filled three shopping carts. The sales associate was practically salivating at the commission.
“We can have everything delivered to your home this afternoon, Mr. Blackwood,” she gushed.
“Perfect,” Ryan nodded, handing over his black card without blinking at the total.
As we walked toward the exit, a familiar voice called out.
“Serena! What a delightful surprise.”
I turned to find Lucian West approaching us, impeccably dressed as always in a charcoal suit that highlighted his green eyes. Ryan stiffened beside me.
“Lucian,” I greeted warmly. “How are you?”
“Wonderful now,” he replied smoothly, his gaze dropping to my baby bump. “I see congratulations are in order.”
Before I could respond, Ryan’s arm slid possessively around my waist. “Thank you,” he answered coolly.
Lucian’s smile didn’t falter. “I’d love to send a gift for the little one. Perhaps something from my recent acquisition in Paris? They make the most exquisite handcrafted cribs—”
“Unnecessary,” Ryan cut him off. “We’ve got everything covered.”
The tension was so thick I could practically taste it.
“That’s very thoughtful of you, Lucian,” I interjected quickly, shooting Ryan a warning glance. “But Ryan’s right, we just bought half the store. Though we appreciate the gesture.”
Lucian inclined his head gracefully. “Of course. Another time, perhaps.”
“Don’t forget about our meeting next week, darling. The Celestial Gems collaboration won’t design itself.”
“I’ll be there,” I promised.
Ryan’s jaw was clenched so tight I worried he might crack a tooth as we watched Lucian walk away.
The moment we were back in the car, I turned to him. “Was that really necessary? Lucian is my business partner. You could show him some basic respect.”
“I don’t like him,” Ryan stated flatly, starting the engine with more force than necessary.
“You don’t have to like him,” I argued. “But you don’t need to be rude either.”
“I don’t want him around you.” His knuckles whitened on the steering wheel.
I stared at his profile, suddenly realizing what this was about. “Are you… jealous? Of Lucian?”
Ryan scoffed, but didn’t deny it.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh my God, you are!”
“I fail to see what’s funny about this situation,” he growled.
“It’s just—” I shook my head, still smiling. “Lucian’s not even my type. There’s nothing between us. It’s purely professional.”
Ryan glanced over at me, his expression softening slightly. “If he’s not your type, who is?”
The car stopped at a red light, and he turned to face me fully.
Suddenly the air between us felt charged, heavy with unspoken things.
I was acutely aware of how close we were in the confines of the luxury car, how his cologne—subtle and expensive—filled my senses.
“Not you,” I whispered, but the words lacked conviction.
“No?” Ryan leaned closer, his eyes dropping to my lips. “You sure about that, Serena?”
My breath caught as his hand came up to brush a strand of hair from my face. His touch lingered against my cheek, warm and familiar in a way that made my heart race.
“Ryan My voice was barely audible.
“Tell me to stop,” he murmured, his face now inches from mine.
I should have. I knew I should have pushed him away, maintained the boundaries I’d worked so hard to establish. But when his lips finally met mine, I couldn’t remember why those boundaries existed in the first place.
The kiss started gentle, almost questioning, but quickly deepened into something hungry and desperate. My hands found their way to his shoulders, then his hair, as years of complicated history dissolved into pure sensation.
A car horn blared behind us. The light had turned green.
Ryan pulled back reluctantly, his breathing as uneven as mine. Without another word, he resumed driving, but his right hand found mine, fingers intertwining as if they belonged together.
I stared out the window, my lips still tingling from his kiss, wondering how I’d let my carefully constructed walls come tumbling down so easily.
And worse—wondering if I even wanted to build them back up again.