Game Over No Second Chances

Chapter 374

Strands of Serena's hair brushed against the side of Hugh's neck, and it felt soft and ticklish.

His breath hitched. Serena was acting playfully, almost like she was flirting. He'd never seen this side of her before.

Hugh's gaze deepened, and his heart thudded violently. On instinct, his arm tightened around her waist as he spoke in a low voice to the attendant beside them.

"Same arrangement as usual. I'll take her for a walk to let her sober up a bit." "Yes, sir." The attendant, perceptive and discreet, quietly stepped away.

Down by the shoreline, lights shimmered across the waves. Serena's heels had been kicked off and lay far behind her.

Barefoot, she stepped into the sea. She was swaying slightly but moving with wild, carefree delight.

She still held her empty wine glass aloft like a trophy, flashing a bright, unrestrained smile at Hugh. "I haven't felt this happy in ages!"

The cold water lapped at her feet, clearing her head just a little-but her heart

was still racing, and her voice was still bubbling with joy.

She turned to Hugh with a radiant look. "The room, the foie gras at tea, the birthday celebration on the deck... Hugh, everything you prepared-I loved all of it."

on. He reached for

"You're drunk."

to be it. She would never say such things to an ally if she were sober. She would never pull at his

before he could reel her in, Serena tightened her grip on his wrist so hard she nearly dragged him into the sea with her. In the flickering light, she met his eyes

you did all this for the Larson family's reputation, or just to please Grandpa, I can feel

until one hand hooked around the back of his neck for balance. Standing in the surf, she rose on her tiptoes, trying to reach those

not just my

settled firmly on her waist. His heartbeat

ally, then

stray

And when people out there call you cold and heartless, I'll shut them

their feet, as if quietly withdrawing

Hugh's heart plummeted-fast, hard, and

wasn't much better

pulled her into his arms and rubbed

that, he scooped her up with one arm, effortlessly lifting her off the ground. She kicked at the air a little, but he carried her

helped clear her head a little. She watched Hugh, still expressionless, while instructing someone to fetch her

such a contradiction-cold as ice one moment, unexpectedly gentle the next, like