I’m going to have to go shopping for the perfect dress.
Her sister loved planning celebrations and Serene knew it would be a fun night. The best part was, instead of gifts, partygoers would bring food items to be given to a local shelter.
Serene stripped out of her work attire then put on her favorite lavender yoga pantsuit. Oliver would arrive any minute and she hadn’t ordered the deep dish pizza they both enjoyed yet. She left her bedroom, in search of the number to the pizzeria on her fridge with a huge grin on her face. Her sister had been right—it would’ve been foolish on her part not to give her and Oliver a chance. Spending time with him the past month had confirmed that the connection between them was real and the spark? Ever hotter.
With Oliver traveling back and forth to Las Vegas, they spent the nights they shared together in at either his place or hers. Weekends were the best. Two days of relaxing in each other’s arms, in a tangle of sheets or on the floor in front of his fireplace. He liked to surprise her and take her in unconventional ways—most recently, on top of his luxury sedan.
Serene shivered with the erotic memory as she went into the living room and lit the candles on her table. Everything between them was going so well. There was never a dull moment and even the quiet ones just felt right. Oliver had become a part of her routine, the highlight of her day when he called or texted, and the nights they shared had made her fall deeper and deeper in—
Love?
Her doorbell rang, jarring Serene from her thoughts. She moved forward, buzzed him up and opened her door. Her stomach flipped as it always did whenever she saw him. “Hey, sexy.” She stepped to the side to let him in, overjoyed to be with him once again.
“That’s your name,” Oliver said, tossing his jacket on her couch before pulling her close for a kiss.
Serene melted against him, digging her fingers into his hair at the nape of his neck. How could she have ever considered not exploring this with him? She moaned as Oliver moved back to smile down at her, hungry for more of him. “Has anyone ever told you you’re a damn good kisser?”
Oliver grinned. “You did yesterday when I had my lips on your—”
“Tiaré.”
“Mmm. Yes.” Hazel eyes twinkled. “We need to go back to Tahiti. There’s still so much I want to show you there.”
Serene tugged on his tie. “You showed me plenty there. Opened my eyes to a whole other world of unknown pleasures.”
“I enjoy being your sensual tour guide.” Oliver dropped his hand to squeeze her ass then groaned as his cell rang. “Duty always calls at the most importune times.” He kept one hand around Serene’s waist as he took the device out of his back pocket and looked at it. “Not work. It’s Shannon.”
“Shannon?” Serene tried not to frown as she envisioned the pretty redhead with her pale legs wrapped around Oliver.
“She invited me to go as her date to this fundraising gala in New York. I told her I’d get back to her about attending.”
“Are you going to go?” Her easy-breezy voice took a lot of damn effort. Serene watched Oliver put his phone away then yelped when he swatted her bottom.
“Of course not. The only gala I’m interested in going to as someone’s date is yours.”
Serene smiled, relieved. Her grin faded as she then realized what Oliver had said, what he expected.
And why shouldn’t he?
Serene tried to swallow the dry lump in her throat. She still didn’t know if she was ready to announce their relationship in such a public way. For the past few weeks, they’d been seeing each other privately. Not purposely, but that’s what they’d been doing and it had given her a chance to get comfortable with them dating, or so she’d thought.
Everyone I know will be there…
Were they ready to really do this? Was she?
“Serene? What is it? You look like I just told you I was taking Shannon to the event.”
“Just thinking.”
Oliver nodded. “About?”
“The party.” Serene moved from his embrace, walked into the kitchen, aware of Oliver right behind her. “It’s gotten way out of hand. She’s invited way too many people.”
“Sounds like fun.”
Serene took the magnet with the pizzeria number off the fridge. “I’d much prefer something quieter.”
“Why?” Oliver leaned against her kitchen counter.
“I don’t know. Less complicated.” Serene lifted the magnet, a little ill at ease with the way Oliver was studying her. “I didn’t get a chance to order our usual yet. Do you want anything else?”
Oliver shrugged. “We always order in. Why don’t we go out and grab a bite? I know the perfect place downtown.”
Downtown?
Serene smoothed a hand over her yoga pants. “I already changed.”
“So change again.” Oliver crossed his arms against his broad chest. “I don’t mind waiting.”
“Why go through all of that when the pizza could be here in forty minutes?” Serene moved back into the living room and Oliver followed right behind her as she grabbed her phone off her couch. “If we go downtown we have to deal with parking, waiting for a table—”
“And people seeing us together, right?” Oliver’s voice was even and hard. “You’re still not comfortable with everyone knowing you’re dating—fucking a white man. The idea of being seen in that downtown restaurant, your party, anywhere as my woman terrifies you.”
Serene’s eyes widened. “Oliver—”
“Be honest.”
The silence between them was deafening as Serene blinked back the tears in her eyes. She parted her lips to discount what he’d said then closed her mouth, not willing to lie to him on top of everything else.
Oliver grabbed his jacket with a dark curse. “You know what? Forget it.”
“Oliver, wait.” Tears slipped down Serene’s face as she reached out to him, but he stepped out of her range.
“No.” The ice in his beautiful hazel eyes crushed her. “I’ve been waiting for you, Serene, and I am done being your little white secret.” He moved to her door, opened it and left before Serene could utter anything more than a bitter sob.
* * * *
“Oliver, thank you for being with me tonight.” Shannon took the glass of champagne he offered her, tossed her gorgeous mane of red hair over her bared shoulders and sipped. Her diamond earrings caught the light and sparkled along with her iridescent gown, making her stand out in the crowded room full of glitz and glamour.
“My pleasure.” He gave her a warm look. “It’s been a minute since I’ve been in New York. It’s a good change of pace.”
“New York is the perfect place for that.” Shannon greeted and introduced him to a producer she’d worked with. She leaned in to Oliver when the man walked away. “Legendary. I can’t believe he knew who I am.”
“You’re a rising star. Everyone knows who Shannon Erby is.”
Shannon beamed. “You’re a charmer.”
“I was born this way.” Oliver shook his head. “I’ve had to deal with this trait all my life.” He grinned as Shannon giggled then turned serious.
“Honestly, Oliver, I didn’t expect you to come.” Shannon tapped a lacquered nail on her glass. “I haven’t heard from you much since Tahiti.”
Just hearing the name of his favorite island made his cock twitch with thoughts of Serene. She was never far from his mind.
Damn her.
It had been almost two agonizing weeks without holding her, hearing her sweet voice and infectious laugh.
You’ve got it bad, all right.
What a joke.
“See”—Shannon touched his arm—“right there. That’s the look I’ve been seeing on your face all night. What or who’s got you so distracted?”
Oliver focused his attention Shannon. “I’m here. No distractions.”
“Bullshit.”
Oliver chuckled. He’d never heard her say a bad word.
Shannon’s green eyes
softened. “Tell me. It’s okay. I knew the moment we’d met for dinner in Chicago you were not gaga for me, which is why I was surprised when you’d agreed to escort me to this thing. Who is she? What’s the name of the woman who’s stolen the heart of another Banner boy?”
“Serene Ryan.”
Shannon rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding me? Another Ryan?” The redhead shook her head with a good-natured laugh. “These ladies…” She downed her drink then looked at Oliver. “So why are you here and not with her? Let me guess. It’s complicated?”
“Exactly.”
Shannon waved her hand. “Isn’t it always?”
“I suppose.” Oliver chuckled, deciding that the ginger spitfire was one of the coolest females he knew.
“Do you love her?” Shannon took another glass of bubbly from the server going by.
“I do.”
Answering Shannon had been as natural as breathing, but no less startling. He’d been avoiding that truth for a while now. It had made Serene’s unwillingness to be totally free with him easier to swallow.
“You should call her.”
Oliver finished his champagne. “She’s probably out getting ready for her birthday party tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yup, at Soul Sweet.”
Shannon squealed. “Misha’s restaurant? Awesome! I’ve wanted to see how it turned out. You’re not going?”
“I wasn’t planning on it.”
Saying the words bothered him as much as the thought of not being there to celebrate with Serene.
She doesn’t want me by her side…
“Oliver”—Shannon grabbed him by his tux—“if you love that woman you have to be there. Whatever’s gone screwy between you guys can be resolved.”
Oliver stared into Shannon’s vivid emerald eyes then cursed. Serene cared about him, that he knew for sure. She may not want him by her side as her man, but he’d still go and stand by as her friend. “Maybe you’re right.”
“I am. You’ll see, and so will I.”
Oliver glanced at her as he took his phone out of his suit jacket to book the next flight back to Chicago. “You will?”
Shannon nodded. “I’m coming with you.”
Chapter Fifteen
Serene poured her third cup of coffee, took a sip then groaned when her doorbell rang. Misha was early and she wasn’t ready. It had taken all of her willpower just to get out of bed.
A habit lately, huh.
Everything was all jacked up since her fight with Oliver, including her sleep cycle.
“Just call it like it is.”
A break-up, not a fight. A fight implied hot make-up sex, an understanding reached. There had been none of that, would be none of that. Not after how angry Oliver had been before he’d left, and the coldness she’d seen in his eyes had spoken volumes. What she’d feared would happen from the beginning had occurred.
They were over.
All because of me… All because of me.
Her sister rang the bell again, interrupting the masochistic sing-a-long song in her head. Serene sighed as she hurried to the door. She buzzed Misha in then looked around in horror. Her growing depression was evident with the messy state of her place.
“Cheer up, birthday girl.” Serene flew into motion, picking up items of clothing littered on her couch.
Messy.
That was her and Oliver, and her without Oliver and—
“Damn it!”
Serene shook her head as if that would stem her dark thoughts as she rushed into her bedroom and tossed the garments on her bed. She’d just shut her bedroom door when she heard Misha knock. She walked to her front entrance then let her sister in. Misha burst by her with a delighted squeal.
“I have homemade doughnuts!” Misha waved the bag in front of her.
Serene grumbled, despite the promise of sugary goodness. “Did you make them?”
Her sister’s face fell. “No, but I know the pastry chef who did.” Misha wagged her finger at her appearance. “You’re not dressed and our mani-pedi is starting in thirty minutes.”
“Maybe you should go without me.” Serene slumped against the back of her couch. “I’m moving kinda slow this morning. I am forty now, you know.”
“Please.” Misha rolled her eyes and pointed to her bare feet, showcasing chipped lilac polish. “Your party starts in less than ten hours and you are not going to rock those sparkly stilettos with those feet.”
“Maybe I’ll wear those other heels with the enclosed toe.”
Her sister shook her head. “Uh-uh. You know they don’t look as sexy as the other pair.”
Serene shrugged. What did it matter if Oliver wasn’t there to see her in them?
“Look, Serene.” Misha put her hand on her hip. “This shit has gone on long enough. I know you think all is lost with Oliver, but trust me, it isn’t.”
“He hasn’t called.”
“So what? He chased you, he caught you. He chased you some more and honestly, I can’t say I blame him for not reaching out to you anymore. If you want him, let him know. Pick up the damn phone and tell him, or stop acting like you love Oliver because you couldn’t possibly if you’re not willing to go after him now.”
Shocked at her sister’s outburst, it took Serene a moment before she closed her mouth and glared at her. “Fine. Thank you for telling me how you really feel.”
Misha bowed at her. “You’re welcome. You know you can always count on that.” Her sister’s gaze softened. “I’m just tired of seeing you hurting when things can be fixed.”
Serene blinked back tears and nodded. “I’m going to go put something on.”
“Do that and while you’re in there, put on a damn smile. We’ve got a party to go to with your name on it. We’re going to celebrate your birthday in fabulous style!”
* * * *
Serene put her cell down on Misha’s desk with a heavy heart. She’d tried to call Oliver twice and he hadn’t answered his home line or cell. After working up the nerve to call him, she hadn’t anticipated that he wouldn’t want to talk to her. She’d swallowed her pride and left him a voice message. There was so much she wanted to say, but she couldn’t get it out right. After deleting her message and starting over countless times, she’d finally managed to get out five hoarse words— “I miss you. I’m sorry.”
I left out three more words.
The most important ones, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave that kind of declaration in a voice message. She wanted to look him in the eyes when she told him how she felt. The past two weeks had been hell and she didn’t want to go another day without him. She wanted him, needed him in her life and nothing else mattered.
Serene got up from Misha’s chair, admiring the various photographs of Cameron and her sister enjoying life and good food. Happiness like that was a gift. Serene groaned and wondered when her sister was going to come get her. Misha had given her very specific instructions on how everything would go down, from her entrance into her own bash, seating arrangements and pictures.
Three hours.
She had to get through three hours of celebrating when all she wanted to do was go home, get in her bed and cry.
What if she had messed things up for good with Oliver?
The question kept replaying in her head as Serene walked over and looked in the full-length mirror hanging on the wall. She’d bought an off the shoulder, shimmering, robin’s egg blue dress that brushed just above her knees. Serene tightened her hold on her magenta clutch as she gazed at her shoes. She’d purposely worn the stilettos Oliver had helped her try on for him.
That was the moment.
The moment she’d realized her attraction to Oliver.
Would he call her back?
Serene jumped when her sister opened the door with two glasses of champagne in hand. “Dang it, you startled me.”
Misha handed her a glass. “I knew you’d be jumpy. That’s why I brought you some bubbly.”
“Thank you. I hear music. The DJ is set up?”
“Yes, and ready to play the smoothest jazz and latest hits.” Misha lifted her glass to Serene’s and clinked it. “Happy birthday. Cheers.”
“Thanks.” Serene exhaled, mentally trying to push through the melancholy fog enveloping her. Misha had gone through a lot of work to make this night special and she’d make the best of it, for her sake at least. She sipped the drink with her sister.
“Did you talk to him?”
Serene shook her head. “I didn’t get a hold of him. I did leave a message.”
“Good. He’ll call back.” Misha touched her arm. “Hey, I saw the way he was looking at you. He’ll call back.” Her sister paused for a moment, listening. “Wait, hear that?”
Serene groaned as the faint strains of the Happy Birthday song being played filtered through the door.
Misha squealed with excitement. “That’s our cue, birthday girl. Let’s go!”
Oliver clapped with the rest of the seated guests as Serene appeared beneath the black and white balloon archway with a radiant smile. Damn, he’d missed her. She looked so vibrant and beautiful. Shannon was right. There was no way he should’ve missed this. He might not be here for her in the capacity he wanted but he was still in the right place at the right time, no matter what. His gut twisted as Serene took the microphone from Misha and waved to the group.
“I want to thank you all for coming out tonight to celebrate with me.” Her gaze landed on him and her eyes widened before she looked away. “I-It means a lot to me to have you all here. The best birthdays are the ones you spend with the people who love you.”
Soul Temptation (Souls Entwined) Page 18