Soul Temptation (Souls Entwined) (20 page)

“What is it, Serene?”

Stay.
She couldn’t say it without completely contradicting herself. “You have a good weekend too.”

The tight grin he gave pained her heart as he nodded and exited her office. Serene turned away from the door and stared at the disarray on and around her desk. She blinked back tears as she cleaned up the mess. He would’ve stayed if she’d asked. She was almost certain of that.

But that’s not fair.

A twinge between her legs made her inhale. Her concern about becoming addicted to Oliver had been warranted. She couldn’t get enough of him.
Serene sighed as she grabbed her bag and prepared to leave. She wished she could have her cake and Oliver too.

Chapter Thirteen

Oliver looked at the three cars in the driveway of his parents’ house as he walked up to the door. He recognized his brother’s car, but not the rest. Oliver glanced at his watch and grimaced. A half hour late. His dad hated unpunctuality.

Too damn bad.

Oliver hated the pompous, patronizing attitude he had to deal with most of the time where his father was concerned. Thankfully, they’d only talked once all week and that had been via the telephone. Their conversation had been brief and only about business, which had suited Oliver just fine.

Hell, why hadn’t he just called to say he couldn’t make it? Because he hated disappointing his mom. Besides, he could endure a few hours of family time, right? Oliver yawned. It had been a brutal week and he was running on empty. He’d spent most of it in Vegas and jet lag had him off his game today—that and his constant thoughts about Serene.

Oliver muttered a curse. That scene in her spa had replayed in his head all week, distracting him and giving him a hard-on at the most inopportune times. He kept picturing the longing and happiness shimmering in her eyes when he’d first walked into her office right before she’d decided to play it cool and the shock in her passion-dazed gaze after he’d melted down her defenses and taken her on top of her desk.

Not all of her defenses.

She’d still denied interest in anything more than sex with him. Oliver pushed the doorbell and waited, wondering for the umpteenth time what Serene had been about to say before he’d left her spa. He’d been so sure she’d been about to tell him she wanted to explore more between them too, that she’d changed her mind about officially dating him.

The woman had given a couple of whacks to his male ego and had left a dent by telling him no. As much as he didn’t want to, he’d have said to hell with her altogether if he hadn’t stared into those soul-stirring brown eyes and seen the hint of sadness there before he’d left. She wanted more with him, but she was too afraid to try.

Oliver forced a grin as the door opened then saw his mom and genuinely smiled. “Hello, Mother. You look stunning as usual.”

His mom waved a manicured hand. “You always say that.” She stepped back to let him in then hugged him. “And I always love hearing it.”

“I’m sorry I’m late.” Oliver kissed her cheek.

“Don’t be. Everyone’s in the living room. I thought you were coming plus one?”

“So did I.” Oliver followed her down the hall as he shrugged out of his jacket.

Ann gave him a mock-horrified look. “My son stood up for a date?” She chuckled as she opened the closet and handed him a hanger. “Shocking!”

“Apparently, I’m not completely irresistible like you’ve been telling me all these years.” Oliver gave her his jacket and she hung it up.

“Pish posh.” His mom closed the closet. “Her loss, anyways. Especially today, I’ve made my famous scallops.”

“Those are always so good. Cameron had to have gotten his gift for the culinary arts from you.”

Ann beamed. “We’ll be eating in about ten minutes. We’re still waiting for Misha’s sister to arrive.”

What?
Oliver hadn’t even thought about his mom inviting Serene.

“This is going to be so nice. The Banners and Ryans’ first official family meal.”

“Nice, yes. What about Kaden and his wife?”

“Unable to attend tonight.” His mom touched his arm. “You look tired, Olie. Are you getting enough rest?” she asked as they entered the living room.

“He gets his six hours in just like I do,” Cameron said, coming over to him with Misha by his side.

“Six? Try five.” Oliver smiled and greeted Misha and her mother with a hug.

“Young people can get away with that.” Grace Ryan shook her head.

Ann frowned. “That’s hardly enough sleep.”

“I keep telling my husband that”—Misha laced her fingers with her Cameron’s—“but lately, I find myself getting about the same amount.”

“Your hard work is paying off.” Cameron lifted Misha’s hand, pride and love evident in his eyes as he kissed her fingers. “Soul Sweet has been named one of Chicago’s hottest new restaurants.”

“Congratulations, Misha.”

“Thanks, Oliver.” She gave him a warm smile, gorgeous in a heather gray pantsuit that complemented her curves.

“Where’s Dad and Mr Ryan?”

“Stephen had to show him his vintage train set.” His mom gave him a weary sigh. “You know how he gets when he starts talking about those toys.”

Oliver chuckled. “Don’t let him hear you call his collector’s items toys.”

“Sometimes I say it just to get him going.”

Everyone laughed as the doorbell chimed again and his mother clapped her hands. “I’m going to get the rolls out of the oven and draw Stephen and Curtis out of the rail yard. Olie, will you get the door?”

Serene.
“Of course.” Oliver left Cameron and Misha kissing and laughing about some private joke, glad he’d get a chance to talk to Serene alone first. Things didn’t have to be awkward. This dinner would be their test.

Striding down the hallway, Oliver glanced at the old family portraits that never failed to trigger fond memories. He stopped in front of the door and couldn’t contain the smile beginning to curve his lips as he opened it.

What the—?
The band tightening around Oliver’s heart caused his grin to falter for a split second when he saw Serene…plus one.

Serene’s stomach flopped almost painfully as Oliver’s now friendly gaze shifted from her to Shawn, but she’d seen the ice sparkling in his hazel eyes seconds before. She was going to strangle Misha for not telling her that Oliver was going to be there.

Why wouldn’t he be? I was invited, wasn’t I?

“Welcome, I’m Oliver Banner.” Oliver extended his hand. He was dressed in dark pants and a slate button-down shirt, but his casual look couldn’t detract from the aura of elegance he always exuded.

Serene somehow found her voice to speak. “Oliver, this is Shawn Molen.” Tingles of awareness zipped through her when Oliver briefly looked at her as the two men shook hands.

“Please come in.” Oliver moved back. “We’re just about to have dinner.”

Serene forced a smile as she stepped inside with Shawn. “Something smells wonderful.”

“Yes, it does.” Shawn lifted a bottle of wine. “I hope your parents enjoy this red as much as I do.”

“I’m sure they will. My mother can’t wait for you all to taste her best dish.” Oliver led them down a hallway with gorgeous dark wood flooring. “I’ll take your jackets.” He opened a closet door then took Shawn’s coat. Serene handed him hers and her already erratic pulse jumped when their fingers touched. “It’s so nice to meet your date,” Oliver said at a level she alone could hear as Cameron and Misha walked out of the living room.

Serene was saved from responding as her sister rushed over to embrace her.

“Hey!” Misha stepped back and touched her peach wrap-around dress. “I
love
this.”

“Thanks.” Serene gestured to Shawn and made introductions again, careful to avoid Oliver’s gaze. She was grateful when Cameron suggested they grab a beer and exhaled when the men walked off.

“A date, eh?” Misha cut her eyes at her. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing someone.”

“I thought it would be more fun than being the only single person here.”

“When I asked you to describe Shawn you left out the part about him being fine.”

Six feet tall, with skin the color of rich mocha and the build of a basketball player, Shawn was indeed attractive.
Attractive and dull.
The car ride to the Banners’ home had been torturous.

If she heard one more thing about coding…

Misha leaned in close. “I thought you said you weren’t really into him. Did things change?”

Everything’s changed and it has nothing to do with Shawn.

“He probably thinks things have since I brought him here. We were supposed to get together today, so I decided on a whim to invite him.”

“Oh.” Misha shook her head. “There’s no real chemistry between you two, I can tell.”

“I’m going to tell Ava her date whisperer talents are rubbing off on you.”

Both women giggled then Misha frowned. “Kaden moved out yesterday.”

“He told me.” Serene sighed. “I called Aimee to check on her. She’s a wreck.”

“She said she wanted him out, but I don’t think she truly meant it. She still loves him, Mish.”

“I know.”

“They declined being here tonight. No shocker there.” Misha sighed. “I just don’t think their story is over.”

Serene didn’t either. “I hope it isn’t.”

Serene and Misha both looked at Cameron when he popped into the hallway. “Dinner is being served, ladies. Right this way.”

Serene and Misha followed him into the tastefully decorated dining room with a beautifully laid rectangular table. Three tapered candles cast a warm glow over the dark wood and the gleaming silver nestled by each place setting.

“There’s my other baby girl.”

Serene smiled as her dad squeezed her. “Hi, Dad.”

“Mr Molen seems very taken with you.” Her father winked at her. “Is the feeling mutual?”

“Shawn is a great guy.” Serene subconsciously sought out Oliver and realized he was not in the room.

Curtis studied her for a second. “Even so, don’t waste his time or yours if the spark isn’t there.” Her father’s gaze softened as laughter erupted around the table. “Don’t worry. When you’ve met your true match, you’ll know.”

Serene glanced at Shawn still chatting with Cameron and returned his smile. “You’re such a romantic, Dad.”

“That’s how I got your mama. I wined her and dined her until she didn’t have the mind to tell me no.”

Serene giggled as her mom and Oliver’s came into the dining room with wine and rolls in hand.

“Please take a seat and we’ll eat,” Ann Banner said, moving to sit next to her husband at the head of the table.

Serene walked past her mom and dad, who’d taken his seat next to Stephen sitting at the head of the table. Ann sat across from her mother by her husband chatting with Shawn. Serene took her seat beside him, glad to have Cameron and Misha sitting across from her. Her heart skipped a beat when Oliver walked into the room and claimed the seat closest to her, facing his father. Their gazes locked and the familiar curl of heat flared within her before she turned her head to see Misha staring at her with a curious expression on her face.

“Serene?” Shawn touched her leg under the table, obviously feeling that he’d moved up a peg or two in their pseudo-relationship.

And who’s fault is that?
Serene forced another bright smile as she looked at him. “Yes?”

“Your father told me he was taking your mother to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater next month and he told me how much you love it too.”

“I do.” Serene was aware of Oliver’s eyes on her as she tried to focus her full attention on Shawn. “I missed the chance to see them last year when they were here.”

Shawn beamed. “I’ll get tickets.”

No formal invitation needed, I guess, after being asked to dinner with the parents and in-laws.
Serene gritted her teeth as Shawn chatted with her mother. Her dad was right about Shawn and she felt bad about having asked him to come. It just got tiresome always going to an event where everyone was paired up and she was alone.

“So how long have you two been dating?”

Oliver’s seemingly casual question made Serene wish she could slide under the table.

“About three months.” Shawn chuckled. “Five dates. Serene’s the hardest woman to get to commit to a night out.”

Serene laughed when she really wanted to pour the scallops Shawn passed her into his lap.

Not kind, Serene. Shawn’s been nothing but nice.

Serene put some of the seafood on her plate, turned to pass the serving dish to Oliver and almost dropped the serving tray when she saw a glimpse of fury in his eyes before he took the scallops from her.

“Well”—Oliver kept his eyes on her—“when you know you’ve got the right woman, you don’t mind the wait to be with her, right?”

“Absolutely.” Cameron kissed Misha on the cheek.

Shawn took hold of Serene’s hand on the table. “I’m glad I finally know.”

“Nice.” Oliver’s glacial glance in her direction belied his warm response.

Oh, hell.
Serene wondered how many seconds would be appropriate to wait before she could calmly move her hand from under Shawn’s. She met her sister’s amused gaze and stifled a hysterical giggle at the decidedly unfunny situation she was in.

One.

Two.

Serene pulled her hand away and grabbed her wine glass—her empty wine glass.

“Allow me.” Oliver took her glass and Serene wondered if he deliberately brushed his fingers on hers to make her nipples hard. Damn it, why couldn’t she feel that with Shawn? That would make everything so much easier.

Serene watched Oliver pour the wine and her gaze moved to his fingers. She drew in a breath as flashbacks of him tunneling them in and out of her taunted her. Oliver handed her the Merlot then joined the conversation Cameron and Misha were having about the hospitality industry, leaving Serene to engage with Shawn.

By the time Ann announced dessert time, Serene was completely on edge from her efforts to keep the conservation flowing with Shawn while trying to interact casually with Oliver as if none of the wild, erotic things they’d done had transpired. Serene glanced around the table, glad at least that their two families intermingled so well. It truly was a beautiful thing to see, but she needed some air.