Chapter 3: Get Close

Serena P. O. V

Hands down. Last night was the best kiss I've ever had.

Once I'm in a relationship, it usually lasts a long time. It's no wonder that my references to kissing and sex experiences are so few.

The last guy I kissed was that asshole Jason. Everything about him was a fatal mistake that I shouldn't have to bring up. Even remembering him made me feel like I had wasted my time.

Overnight, Leopold had managed to erase all memories of Jason from my mind.

Last night's kiss happened so suddenly. In the slightest, I didn't expect him to erase our distance. It could only petrify my body like a statue. I only realized this when I felt Leopold's palm holding my nape.

This was also my first experience. Kissing with a stranger.

He's practically a stranger. Last night was my first encounter with him. An encounter that lasted less than an hour but ended with my tongue dancing with his.

It would be a lie if I said his kiss was just a passing fancy. He was a great kisser. I could feel how much he dominated the kiss. He took the initiative, and he also directed me to kiss him back the way he wanted.

I didn't want the time to end. The kiss with Leopold deserves to be on the list of the most enjoyable things that happened in my life. 

After the breakup, I made a list to remind myself that life is too meaningful to cry over one person. Now, Leopold's kiss was at the top of the list.

He started it, and he also ended it. One second he was mercilessly controlling my lips, and the next he was letting me go. Leopold assumed an upright posture. From the makeshift lighting, I could feel his piercing gaze.

“I know you were trouble,” he muttered, accompanied by a low growl.

I forced myself to smile, even though I wanted to jump onto his lap and feel his lips again. However, I restrained myself. I swear to God, this was a very tough test. 

“Am I worth the trouble?” I puffed out my chest, giving him a challenging look.

His full lips moved to form a smirk. He didn't say anything else until he finally left me alone.

He kissed me like an animal. I wonder how it feels when he fucks me. 

I cursed myself. It seemed like Leopold had too much power over me; even after his departure, I couldn't think clearly. And I kept thinking of many things about him.

“Hey… Is the devil possessing you?” Eloise's loud voice brought me back to the present.

I scanned the busy beach, filled with people enjoying the water, breeze, and sun. The sun was leaving an orange tinge, as it was about to set. The music was pounding, and the noise made the beach club so lively.

My best friends and I were at Larvotto Beach, which is at the top of the list of the most famous beaches in Monaco. Larvotto Beach has a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea and soft white sand. The seawater has mesmerizing shades of blue, inviting me to swim. Palm trees line the beach, giving it a cool feel. And there is a small jetty that connects the beach to the abundant marine life.

The perfect location to escape trouble. However, only my body was here because it still left my mind at the party last night.

“So, who was the man who kissed you last night?” Renesmee leaned in with a seductive, curious gaze.

I chuckled when I heard her question. “You mean?”

Renesmee rolled her eyes. “I saw you kissing a man last night. So who is he?” 

Throughout today, Renesmee was the most chatty among the three of us. I wanted to applaud her because she was the only one who managed to hold her curiosity until the afternoon. It wasn't easy for the curious Renesmee, as I'm sure she had wanted to interrogate me since this morning. 

“Stranger,” I said as I fiddled with the straw in my orange juice glass.

“What about him? Is he handsome, hot, and rich?” Eloise seemed to get an injection of energy every time we talked about guys. Her doe eyes sparkled like pearls in the afternoon sun. 

I didn't answer right away. My mind replays Leopold's image from last night. The dim lighting and alcohol impaired my ability to fully see his appearance. 

“It's probably, as you mentioned, Eloise. I couldn't get a clear picture of him because of the poor light. But he was the greatest kisser ever in my entire life,” I replied in a cheerful tone. I really couldn't hide the merry twinkle on my face.

“You also said that when you were dating Jason.” Renesmee's elegantly beautiful face showed clear disgust as she snorted.

I shook my head quickly. “Jason's score is only up to 30 out of 300,000. Well, Leopold…”

“Who's Leopold?” said Renesmee rapidly before I could finish my sentence.

“The one who kissed me.” I replied with a giggle. My brain reflexively played back the footage of Leopold kissing me hotly. “Well, he's out of a thousand.”

Eloise and Renesmee burst out laughing. They seemed satisfied because it looked like their mission to get me to Monaco had succeeded. At least I could talk about Jason without any lingering hurt. Disappointment was still there, but it was disappointment at my stupidity.

I looked around the beach, which was getting more crowded because it was about to be sunset. I was about to look away when my eyes fell back on the figure at one table, not far from where I was. I rubbed my eyes a few times to make sure I wasn't looking at the wrong person. 

“Leopold,” I muttered.

“You mean the man who kissed you last night?” Renesmee turned her head, following the direction of my gaze.

Eloise quickly moved closer to us and stared in a random direction. “Seriously, where's the man who managed to kiss you?” she asked while shaking my shoulder.

I pointed to the north hesitantly. It was dark last night, so I couldn't clearly examine Leopold's face. But I was sure that this man on Larvotto Beach was Leopold.

“The man in the white T-shirt?” asked Eloise again while pointing at Leopold.

I nodded as I tugged on Eloise's shameless hand. I was one hundred percent sure that the man in the white Brunello Cucinelli T-shirt was Leopold.

“Woah..... BBC.” Renesmee clapped her hands while whistling seductively.

I looked at her with my forehead wrinkled. “What?” 

Renesmee looked at me with a big smile. “You're good at spotting attractive men, despite the poor lighting at last night's party. This radar of yours can never lie.” Her thumb pointed behind her back, and it clearly drew a lascivious look on her beautiful face. “He's the definition of mature, dashing, rich, and big black cock.” 

I almost choked on my orange juice when I heard the review from Renesmee's mouth. “Damn! You've been watching too many BBC-themed blue movies.”

Fuck being the center of attention. Renesmee's bad habits always make me laugh. Behind her elegant, noble figure was a burning desire to have a BBC boyfriend.

Renesmee made wild assumptions based on her blue movie collection. Meanwhile, I continued to observe Leopold. The bright light this afternoon allowed me to see him clearly.

His skin was golden-tan as the sunlight hit it. From the firm structure of his face, I guessed that he had European blood and perhaps a hint of black people. And last night I enjoyed his kiss so much that I didn't notice his thick accent. 

While I was studying him, he accidentally looked in my direction. Leopold even moved his chair, probably to make sure that he recognized me. And I saw a look of recognition on his face that made me sure he really was Leopold.

“Yes, it's him.” I nodded and immediately took a quick sip of orange juice. With just one look, he managed to dehydrate me.

“You have no intention of going to him?” asked Eloise.

I frowned while chuckling lightly. “Are you serious?” 

“Serena, you're the one who said that his score is three thousand above Jason's. Are you sure you would rather not approach him?” Renesmee raised and lowered her eyebrows with a teasing look. 

Last night, alcohol overpowered me, so there was a reason behind my impulsive behavior. Today, I can't blame the alcohol. And suddenly, my courage ebbed. I saw his friends, who seemed to be from the upper social class, leaving him alone at the table. 

“He's alone,” Eloise whispered in my left ear. 

I remained frozen in place.

Leopold looked back at me. A faint smile spread across his face. From this distance, I felt my goosebumps bristle at the sight of his smile. It was as if he were right next to me.

“If you would rather not move, I can really take your place to meet him.” Renesmee had already made a move to stand up, but I beat her to it.

My best friends laughed loudly at the sight of me standing up.

“Not today, Renesmee,” I said with a flirty smile.

“Don't forget the condoms, and let us know if you don't go back to the hotel tonight,” Eloise said casually.

I snorted rudely as I smoothed my long black hair that flowed freely down to my hips. “We're not necessarily making out.”

To the laughter of my friends, I walked over to Leopold. His gaze followed my every step as I walked towards his table. He scrutinized me with his sharp eyes as I wore a floral print dress with spaghetti straps. As I walk, the floral print dress that shows off my curves moves gracefully. I also complement my style with a pair of sandals and a white mini bag. 

The thinner the distance between him and me, the faster my heart beats.