Soul Temptation (Souls Entwined) (22 page)

“That’s Moxie.”

“She’s precious.” Serene cooed at the feline.

“And usually pernickety. Most guests never see her. She likes you.”

Serene straightened, pleased by his admission. “I’m flattered.”

Oliver watched her walk to his sink, turn on the faucet and wash her hands as he poured the vino.

“You have a beautiful home.”

“Thank you. I’ll show you the rest after we eat.” Oliver moved next to her and handed her a glass. “Shall we toast?” They were being so polite and careful with one another. He didn’t want to rush her to disclose what she’d come to discuss, but the suspense had him on edge. Not touching her was as well, especially when he knew how she’d respond in his arms. “Let’s see. What should we toast to?”

“I’ve got it.”

Oliver nodded. “Go for it.”

“Okay.” Serene lifted her wine and Oliver followed suit, curious as to what she’d say as she held his gaze.

“Here’s to us officially dating.”

“Seriously?”

All the nerves that had been jangling inside her since she’d left home quieted as Oliver smiled. Serene nodded when he put his drink down. “You are worthy of an official date.” She exhaled as he embraced her, happy to be back in his arms.

“I’m so glad, Serene.” He held her tighter. “I’m so glad you’ve finally decided to give us a chance.”

Serene rested her head on his chest, content to simply listen to his heartbeat when Oliver pulled back to look at her.

“What about Shawn?”

Serene grimaced. “I told him it wasn’t working for me. He’s convinced he can change my mind.” She giggled when Oliver growled. “Stop. He doesn’t have a chance. I want you.”

“Not half as much as I want you.” Oliver brushed his lips on hers, in a slow, soft kiss that made Serene feel cherished.
Loved.

“It was torture for me seeing you with him,” Oliver said, backing her up against the island. “Do you have any idea how difficult that was?”

“I’m sorry.” Serene kissed him on the chin. “I wish I could make it up to you.”

Oliver gave her a devilish grin. “You can.”

She squealed when he lifted her on top of the countertop then winced.

“What’s wrong?” Oliver placed his hands on her knees.

“I told you earlier I came bearing
gifts.
I’m wearing one.” Serene giggled as the surprised look on Oliver’s face shifted to erotic intensity.

“Lie back and show me.”

Serene warmed at his command. She slowly lowered her body until her back touched the cool granite countertop then lifted her legs straight into the air and crossed them at her ankles. She shivered as the hem of her dress fell to her stomach, exposing her nakedness to Oliver.

“No panties.” Oliver ran a finger down the back of the thigh all the way down to her ass cheek.

“They never seem to last with you around.” She gasped when he pressed her legs to her chest a little and tapped on the jeweled head of her anal plug. “I must say, I think I prefer you putting it in. I almost lost my nerve a couple of times.”

Oliver chuckled. “I like thinking of you riding over here to see me with this in place.”

Serene admired her new heels in the air. “I knew you would.” Her pulse leaped as Oliver brought her legs down, took off her stilettos and set them on the floor. She kept her eyes on his handsome face as he pushed a hand between her bent knees, parted her legs and gazed at her pussy.

“Mmm. I’m so glad you brought the appetizer because I didn’t make one.”

Serene moaned as Oliver used his fingers to spread her lips.

“So juicy and pink.” He bent down and licked over her folds to her clit. “Sweet and tart, a delectable combination.”

Serene squirmed as he kissed her pussy, flicking her clit with his tongue. He slipped two fingers into her and she whimpered from the fullness with the plug in. Oliver worked her pussy, pushing in and out of her wetness while continuing to tease her with his mouth. He alternated sucking her clit and darting his tongue over and around it in delicious slow circles. Serene threaded her fingers through his hair, ready to push him away as the sensations grew, intensifying into an unrecognizable pleasure.

She panted, placing her palms flat on the counter as Oliver finger-fucked her faster and centered his focus on her clit, licking it in a steady rhythm that was taking her closer to the edge. Oliver gently agitated the anal plug, a constant tapping that didn’t push the toy any farther within her, yet effectively set off zings of dark pleasure and, soon after, Serene’s orgasm.

Her sharp cry echoed in the kitchen, a triumphant and heady sound in her own ears as she quivered beneath his lips. She tried to push his head away, but he remained dedicated to his task, eliciting another raw moan from her as powerful climactic aftershocks thrummed through her body. Sated and boneless, Serene gazed at him in wonder as he straightened, her entire body humming in ecstasy. “You made me come with your mouth.” Her voice sounded as unwound as she did.

“It’s so easy to do.”

Serene giggled as Oliver licked his lips and unbuttoned his pants.

“Now for the main course…”

* * * *

“Kaden, promise me you’ll be there.” Serene placed her heels on the shelf in her walk-in closet, moved to her bed then plopped down on it.

“I’ll be there. For you, I’ll pull out my dancing shoes.”

Serene chuckled. “Thank you. You hangin’ in?”

“Of course. You and Mish need to see my new digs. One room apartment living has its perks. I can hear my television in all the rooms, and my neighbor’s.”

“Kaden, why didn’t you move into a nicer place?” The moment she asked the question she knew the answer. He hadn’t anticipated having to stay there long, obviously hoping Aimee would change her mind about working toward a true reconciliation.

“This place is close to the office and Aimee. Just in case she needs me.” Kaden’s dejected pause on the other end of the line broke Serene’s heart. “Which apparently she doesn’t. Is she coming to your party?”

“She hasn’t RSVP’d yet and I haven’t been able to get a hold of her.”

“Oh.” Kaden swore. “I miss her so much.”

“I know you do. If it’s any consolation, she told me she still loves you.”

“I don’t think so, Serene.”

“She does. You don’t have divorce papers, right?”

“Right.”

“Then there’s still hope. Don’t give up if you want her back.”

“Thanks, Serene. See you soon.”

Serene ended the call with an exasperated sigh. What was it going to take for Kaden and Aimee to get back on track? Serene made a mental note to stop by her sister-in-law’s house. She couldn’t knock the feeling that there was something else going on with Aimee, another reason she seemed resistant to her brother’s attempt to repair the damage in their marriage. She was worried about Aimee and her supposedly
small
birthday party. It was turning into a huge soirée thanks to her sister, who was determined to make her fortieth memorable. Misha and Cameron were collaborating on a top secret menu just for her. More than fifty people would be attending the black and white bash at Soul Sweet. At Misha’s suggestion, she’d be the only one wearing anything of color.

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.