Author's note: this is from Duke's point of view

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I didn't get any sleep; partly because of the arousal and partly because of the joy that Serina was in my arms.

It was not difficult to stay awake because I'm used to working during the night.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I feared how all this is another phenomenon that will end with Serina disappearing unexpectedly.

The whole day was surreal, and I can hardly believe my Sanya is back. She is back as Seraphina, but she is still the same girl I fell for completely on my first day of high school.

She was curled up next to me like a kitten and I couldn't get enough of her relaxed sleeping face.

I was not bored, not even a little bit. Every time Big Ben sounded, I cursed internally because it reminded me that the morning is approaching.

I didn't want to part from Serina, but I knew that there are things we both need to do and if we are going to be solid in the future, I need to be patient and not suffocate her no matter how much my soul is crying for her proximity.

I spent the night playing with her silky hair and planting light kisses all over her face while inhaling her scent of jasmine on a rainy morning mixed in with a hint of Japanese wisteria and embedding that scent in every cell of my body. I could do that for the rest of my life easily.

The first half of the night she slept on my arm, and then her head moved on my chest. Adorable.

About ten minutes after two o'clock past midnight, Serina moaned softly, and then she called my name, "Mateo…".

Hearing that name from her lips made my heart skip a beat and I wondered if she was dreaming about me.

It's been a long time since anyone called me by that name, and it reminded me of times when I was carefree and blissfully ignorant of how happiness can be taken away at any moment. Mateo is the name associated with a lifestyle I appreciated only after I lost it and I hoped that I never again lose something precious, like the young woman who was sleeping next to me.

I was elated that Serina was mine, all mine, and I had no intention of letting go.

I will not lose her.

This time, I will not mess it up.

It was shortly after 7 o'clock in the morning when she started stirring out of her sleep. I watched her inhaling deeply and smiling as her eyes fluttered open, and a second later her body tensed, and I saw the drowsiness disappear from her enchanting gray orbs.

"Good morning…", I wished her, and she blinked rapidly.

It took her some time to respond. "Good morning."

I could guess her thoughts, and I decided to confirm. "Yes, this is real."

Serina's eyes widened and then she bit her lower lip nervously. I knew that she was deciding if she should hug me or scurry away, and I was determined to help her make that decision.

I wrapped my arms around her tightly and confessed, "This is the best morning of my life."

I didn't lie. It was the best one, with Serina next to me.

"I can't believe I'm not dreaming…", she whispered and hugged me back.

My mind exploded. Yes!

Serina squirmed a bit and I felt her stiffening as her ears reddened when her thigh brushed against my erection. I can't do anything about it, I'm a healthy male, alright?

"Did you sleep well?", I asked.

She thought for a second before responding, "I didn't expect that sleeping with you will be so… relaxing."

Well, relaxing is not the word I would use, as I was aroused most of the night, but I will take it.

I was wondering how much time we have left. "When are you leaving?"

"After lunch.", she said even though she told me last night that she will leave after breakfast.

"Is it OK if I stay with you until then?", I had to ask.

Serina smiled and responded with a nod, "I would love that."

Is she staying longer because of me? That would be beyond wonderful.

"Do you want us to shower together?", I suggested and eagerly observed her reaction.

"Please, go first.", she said stiffly.

I didn't want to push her further no matter how much I enjoyed her flustered expression. Spending the night in bed with Serina was more than I thought possible.

"Alright.", I confirmed and kissed her cheek before scooting out of the bed.

"Where are you going?", Serina asked when I was one step away from the bedroom door.

I grinned as her question confirmed that she thought I will shower in her bathroom. Well, if she agreed to us sharing a shower, I would not refuse, but I had no intention of teasing her too much.

"To the guest bedroom. My stuff is there." I winked at her. "We can still shower at the same time, but in different bathrooms."

I stifled a laugh at her shocked expression. She didn't expect that.

God, how much I love that woman!

I rushed to get ready, eager to reunite with Serina.

After freshening up, I didn't find Serina in the living room, so I headed to her bedroom.

I was about to knock on the door when I heard Serina talking, "...I will be back for dinner."

I assumed she was on the phone. The door was not closed so I pushed it open and peeked inside. Serina was sitting on the sofa and her back was facing me.

"I know I said that I will be there for lunch, but something came up. I will have lunch in London and then head home."

I always had a good hearing, and I could hear a faint female voice asking Serina, "That something is not Duke, is it?"

My ears perked up when I realized that Serina talked about me with someone.

"So what if it's him?", Serina responded with a question.

"WAAAH!", the female screamed. "That means yesterday was good, right? Details! I demand details!"

Yes, I would love to hear Serina narrate our day to whoever is on the other side of that call. To my disappointment, Serina refused.

"I can't talk now. I'm about to have breakfast with him."

"Eeeh? Even if you are meeting Duke for breakfast, he will not mind if you are five or ten minutes late. You can give me the summary now, and details tonight."

"Well…", Serina fidgeted. "I'm not going anywhere to meet with him. He is at my place."

"WHAT?! It's too early which means only one thing! You slept with him! I really need to hear the details! How was it?"

I struggled not to laugh. That woman was fierce.

Serina let out a long exhale. "Cali, I really don't have time for this. We will talk when I get home."

"FINE!", the woman shouted. "Tonight, I want to hear everything. Especially parts about his size. You know what size I'm talking about, right?"

My size? What size are they talking about? The woman's voice was muffled but I definitely heard the suggestive tone. I didn't know that Serina has naughty talks. This was new.

Serina giggled. "Fine, fine… I will see you tonight."

Serina ended the call and stood up.

She froze when she saw me leaning on the doorframe and I did my best to conceal the smile that would betray how I heard the whole conversation.

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