His Innocent Sera novel Chapter 15

His damp hair clung to his forehead, just shy of his steel-hued irises which gleamed with a predatory glint as he closed in, sending her heart into a frantic stutter. Her breath hitched as he stood closer, his ominous presence wrapping around her like an unrelenting force. He leaned closer, his mouth hovered over hers, only separated by a thin stretch of breath. Just then the sky thundered and he closed the distance, claiming her mouth. A blinding white exploded behind her eyes, 1000 volts of current zapping through her veins.

Her eyes snapped open. Gasping, she shot upright. Cold sweat clung to her skin, the damp fabric of her nightshirt sticking to her shivering frame. The room was pitch black, but the shadows of her nightmare still lurked at the edge of her sight. She couldn't suppress the tear that trickled freely down her cheeks, a sob tearing from her throat. She wrapped her arms around herself, huddling up as remnants of the nightmare still haunted her to her soul.

A few days had passed since their last contact. Perhaps, caught up in his work, he hadn't reached out since his strip show. But her guts were telling her that her days of freedom were numbered. The nightmare Serrano would be back soon to torment her.

With glistening eyes, she glanced heavenward and joined her hands in a prayer. Her whisper a desperate plea, "God, please, don't let him come so soon."

She prayed, naively thinking God had the power to keep him away from her.

............

"Looks like rain's coming," Giovanni remarked, offering a mug of steaming coffee to her. Sera shot a brief glance at the mug before tilting her head up. The sky was indeed heavy with rolling clouds, their dark rims promising a heavy downpour. Her mouth curved into an unconscious smile. She loved rain. The freshness it brings, the scent of damp earth, the melody of rain meeting ground- she loved everything about it. There was something very calm, very healing about rain.

"You love rain, don't you?" Giovanni observed, finally setting down the mug on the balcony surface. He was smiling. She didn't respond, just kept gazing at the overcast sky.

"I love rain too. It brings me a sense of peace," he shared before sipping on his coffee. She looked at him, now intrigued.

"You too?" she asked. He nodded. Glad, he finally had her attention after a week of struggle.

"Of all nature's wonders, I think rain is the most giving. It leaves everything so beautiful in its wake," he stated. She smiled, agreeing wholeheartedly. Rain was nature's most enchanting miracle for sure.

"Ever danced in the rain or jumped puddles? It's so much fun," Giovanni said enthusiastically.

"I have and got sick after that," she replied, recalling all those times she pranced in the rain only to fall sick the next day, yet her fondness for rain never faded.

"On my birthday it was pouring so hard. I went biking with my friends. Can never forget that day," he shared, a nostalgic smile tugging over his mouth.

"Sounds fun," she remarked, glancing at him.

"It was," he agreed before adding, "I've brought my bike. If you wnat, you can also experience the fun," he offered, flashing her a boyish grin.

She turned only to freeze mid-dance. A shadow shrouded in darkness was watching her.

She went rigid, her joy vanishing at once. A sickening wave of panic washed over her as he stalked closer. She backed away, eyes growing wide with fear. Moonlight caught his storm-washed eyes, revealing his identity to her. His stare burning with raw, primal cravings.

Nathan.

Dread constricted her throat in its vicious grip, making it harder for her to breathe. Her dread mounting with every step he took. He prowled towards her like a ruthless predator, closer and closer.

She gasped suddenly, as her back touched the cold wall. And before she could even think of running away, he quickly closed the distance. His frame now looming over her, his eyes boring into hers with clear intent of doing something evil, something sinful with her. She held his gaze, afraid of his next move.

Placing his palms firmly beside her head, he leaned in while his gaze roved over her features. He shamelessly drank her in, devouring every detail of her face. But it wasn't just admiration, it was possession. He was unraveling her with his stare. The intensity of it made her want to hide somewhere. But then his eyes dipped to her lips, bringing her heart to a momentary halt. His gaze lingered, darkening with something dangerous, something feral.

She gulped before parting her trembling lips, "Si..."

She caught his jaw clenching before he lowered his face. The next thing she knew his mouth was ravishing hers, shocking her to her core.