Soul Temptation (Souls Entwined) (7 page)

Serene tapped her shoe to the intoxicating beat, feeling the urge to move herself. She noticed Ava chatting with NJ and wondered if the Latina was getting any intuitive vibes yet on her crush. Her brother, Aimee, Josie and Jax sat at the table closest to her. She walked toward them, glad to see Josie conversing with Jax. The studious paralegal rarely took time to have a little fun.

“Hey, guys.” Serene pulled out a chair and took a seat.

“Running a little late, aren’t you?” Kaden teased as she leaned over to give Aimee a tight squeeze.

Serene shrugged as she spread her cloth napkin on her lap. “It happens. How’s the food?”

“Delicious.” Aimee pointed at her dress. “That color is so sexy on you.”

“Thank you.” Serene sat back as the waiter poured her a glass of white wine then presented her with a plate. “You look gorgeous with your hair pulled up.”

Kaden nodded. “She didn’t believe me. I told her the updo was hot. A nice change of pace.”

Aimee glanced at her husband and Serene sensed the tension between them again as she sampled her fish. “Thanks, Serene. I guess it is good to change things up.” Her sister-in-law’s voice had risen a notch. “Part of human nature to try something new, right?”

Serene shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She didn’t think Aimee was just talking about her hair.

“Aimee—” Kaden reached out to his wife and she pulled away from him with an overly bright smile directed at Serene.

Aimee held up her hands. “I think I need some fresh air.”

Serene and Kaden both watched her get up and leave the table without another word to either of them.

“Fuck.” Kaden scratched his bald head. “Everything I do or say seems to make things worse.”

“I’m sorry.” Serene patted her brother’s arm. “Maybe right now you don’t do anything. Let her work things out in her head. Let her come to you.” She glanced at Josie laughing at something Jax had said. “Kaden, you can’t push her to forgive you.”

“I know. This is just so hard and I don’t know how to make it right.”

Serene didn’t know if there was any way he could, but she kept her thought to herself. She took a bite of her whipped potatoes and stifled a moan when the buttery, cheesy goodness practically melted on her tongue. Everything she’d tasted since arriving had been divine. If she didn’t watch it, she’d gain five pounds or more during her four-day stay in Tahiti.

Running tomorrow morning.

“I should go see if she’s all right.”

“No.” Serene set her fork down with regret and her stomach growled in protest. “I’ll go check on her.”

Kaden nodded. “Okay.”

Serene grabbed her clutch, got up and moved quickly toward the exit she’d seen Aimee go through. She took her cell out of her purse as she scanned the hallway and had texted Aimee when she noticed a propped open side door leading out to the terrace the bridal party had dined on last night. She stepped outside into the balmy night air and the faint sound of sobbing propelled her toward the shadows. She heard Aimee’s garbled voice then a man speaking.

Oliver.

Serene rounded the corner and saw Aimee sitting on a stone bench with Oliver crouched in front of her.

Introspective and thoughtful. Nice guy.

“Thank you, Oliver,” Aimee said as Oliver patted her knee.

“My pleasure.” Oliver turned his head to look at Serene just as she opened her mouth to announce her presence. “Aimee, I think your sister-in-law has come to cheer you up as well.”

Serene came over and sat by Aimee. She took hold of her hand as Oliver stood. “What can I do?”

Aimee laughed mirthlessly. “I’m so tired of hearing that question.”

Serene glanced at Oliver, unsure of what to say.

“Aimee.” All three turned to see Kaden approaching. He looked at Serene and Oliver, his face devoid of any expression except for the grim set of his mouth. “Aimee, can we please talk alone for a moment?”

Aimee tensed next to Serene but nodded. Serene squeezed Aimee’s hand before letting go. She gave Kaden an encouraging look as she got up then walked away with Oliver.

“Did she tell you what was going on?” Serene asked once they were out of earshot. She peered up at him and her pulse ramped up as she met his gaze. He exuded raw sensuality in his light pants and a dark-brown, button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

Oliver nodded. “Not exactly. I filled in her vague details and she didn’t deny it.”

Serene remained quiet for a moment. Aimee’s willingness to share her problems was unlike her. Another indication of how tenuous things were between her and Kaden. “What did you say to her?”

“I told her it was okay not to know what to do right now and that she
would
know what to do when she needed to.”

Serene stared at Oliver, surprised yet again by his empathetic response. “That was kind of you to say. Aimee is really struggling right now.”

Oliver shrugged. “I just told her the truth.”

Serene peeked at her cell when it rang in her hand, saw Brady was calling and silenced the device without answering. She shifted her attention back to Oliver. “What truth?”

“All of us are faced with some decision or revelation and we all make a choice to either acknowledge our true feelings or ignore them. Take our wager for example… You felt conflicted about the possibility of losing and having to model clothing for me, but your desire to prove me wrong compelled you to say yes.”

“I feel more conflicted I
agreed
to such a preposterous bet.”

Oliver grinned at her. “And yet you did. Well, I did find four articles of clothing that I’m quite sure will look fabulous on you.”

Great.
“Four, really?” Serene reached out to touch a bright blossom on a beautiful potted plant beside her.

“Really. I went back to look after our volleyball game. Wait until you see.”

Serene forced a smile. “I hope you saved your receipt.”

“I did, but I don’t need it.” Oliver chuckled. “You can come to my bungalow after the rehearsal dinner to try them on, or I can come to yours.”

No way.

Her sensible side urged her to tell him she’d changed her mind. Serene drew in a breath, the very thought of being in his space or having him in hers made her nervy. It really was a silly wager and she shouldn’t have ever agreed to it.

“Serene?”

Serene blinked and focused on the amused smile complementing Oliver’s handsome face. He was so damn sure of himself. He was right. She
did
want to prove him wrong, would relish hearing him say
she’d
been right. “How about I try them and just let you know what works?”

Oliver laughed. “That wasn’t our deal.”

“I wouldn’t cheat.”

“I don’t think you would. Still, that’s not what we agreed upon. Have you changed your mind?”

A curl of heat unfurled within her as she looked into Oliver’s hazel eyes and tried to picture showing him each article of clothing he’d chosen just for her. Heaven help her, her heart skipped a beat at the idea of him running a critical eye over her body, accessing the fit and style of whatever he’d selected. She couldn’t go through with the bet. All of her instincts told her it was a very bad idea.

“Have you changed your mind, Serene?”

The challenge in Oliver’s deep voice reignited her determination to win in a nanosecond. “No, I haven’t.”

“Good.” Oliver ran his finger over the same blossom she’d touched. “After dinner, my bungalow or yours?”

“Yours.”

Chapter Five

Anticipation quickened Oliver’s step as he went to his door. He opened it, pleased to see Serene and amused by the faux bored expression on her face. She’d changed from the little red dress that had distracted him all evening into a pair of capri yoga pants and a baby blue tank top. “Come in.”

“Thank you.” Serene breezed past him and he breathed in her sensual scent. “Let’s get this over with it.”

Oliver cast her a wry look. “That doesn’t sound very enthusiastic for someone so sure to win.” He wondered what perfume she wore as she lifted the beaded purse with the strap between her breasts up off her shoulder, over her neck and sat it on the table. He intended to ask the name of the arousing, sultry fragrance. Hell, the more he interacted with Serene, the more he realized
she
turned him on. “And here I thought you’d be looking forward to making me eat my own words.” Oliver handed Serene a gift shop bag with the first outfit he’d chosen. “You can change in the bathroom or bedroom.”

Serene peeked in the bag then pulled out an island inspired sarong he’d seen and knew immediately would look fantastic on her. “Does this even count? This thing has no form.”

“Hey, it’s clothing. It counts.” Oliver chuckled when Serene glared at him. “The lady in the store told me that can be worn a lot of different ways. Go try it on.”

Serene pivoted without another word, disappearing into the bathroom. Oliver smiled when he heard the lock engage. He stared at the door, his cock hardening as he envisioned her stripping behind it. With a muttered curse, he moved toward the mini bar. He opened the little refrigerator, took out the bottle of rum he’d snagged earlier then poured a little in a snifter, not bothering with ice. The smooth, fiery heat coursed satisfyingly down to his stomach as Serene came out.

Holy hell.

She looked even better in the sarong than he’d pictured. Somehow she’d secured it around her neck and had cinched it at the waist, highlighting her slender frame and her womanly curves. Swirls of gold, turquoise and magenta played up the warmth of her cocoa skin. Oliver met her cool gaze. “It fits.”

“It does.” Serene smoothed her hand down the front of the fabric.

Oliver nodded. “And it looks amazing. Do you like it?”

“I do like it,” Serene said after a moment of hesitation. “I love the colors.”

“I thought they’d be complimentary on you.” Oliver reached for the second bag of clothing on the couch and handed it to her. “Here. Try what’s in here on next.”

Serene gave him the briefest of smiles. “Okay. I guess you win round one.”

Oliver watched her walk back into the bathroom then poured a little more rum into his glass. He’d savored the alcohol on his tongue when Serene reappeared, lovely in a white skirt and a teal tube top she obviously didn’t feel comfortable wearing.

Serene tugged at the material between her breasts. “This is tight.”

“It fits.”
And damn well.

Damn well indeed. Serene had the perfect body. Oliver loved how her small waist accentuated her hips. She’d taken off her bra and the outline of her nipples tempted Oliver to misbehave.

Serene crossed her arms over her chest as she shook her head. “I would never wear anything like this.”

“That’s a shame.” Oliver tossed back the rest of his rum. “I win round two.” He picked up the third bag and presented it to Serene who took it without looking inside. “You’re going to love this one. Do you want a drink?”

Serene glanced at his snifter. “What’s that?”

“Coconut rum. An island special. I’ve got orange juice if you can’t drink it straight up.” He grinned when Serene smirked.

“I can. Pour me one on the rocks.”

“Sure thing.” Oliver winked at her then prepared the rum. He held out the glass.

Serene took it from him and held his gaze as she sipped its contents. “Mmm… It’s very good.”

Oliver nodded, impressed she’d swallowed without coughing. “I know one of the locals who makes it.” He lifted an eyebrow as Serene finished her drink. “Another?”

“Maybe just a little.” Serene lifted the bag in her hand. “I’ll be back.” She pivoted and left, leaving him to fix her rum.

He set her glass on the coffee table then went over to one of the open windows that let in a continuous breeze throughout the airy bungalow. He looked out over the ocean, charmed as usual by the beauty of Tahiti.

“What do you think?”

Oliver turned to see Serene and was taken with the exquisiteness of the woman in front of him. Out of all of his choices for Serene, he’d wondered if the midnight blue mini dress would fit. But it did—the soft, jersey-like material contoured to her body. The scalloped neckline gave a tantalizing peek at her delectable cleavage. Serene probably didn’t appreciate the way the dress hugged her ass and thighs, but from Oliver’s standpoint, it was sexy as hell.

“So, this
thing
is way too snug and too short.” Serene slowly moved around, pulling and tugging on the bottom of the garment as she wrinkled her nose. “See?”

Oh, he did. He saw every inch of the smooth skin he planned to caress, taste—

“Oliver?”

He lifted his eyes from her thighs to meet her gaze. “Trust me. The dress works.”

“Does it?” Serene frowned while smoothing a hand down her side.

“Absolutely.”

Serene shook her head. “I couldn’t wear this thing out anywhere.”

“You could and you would if you were going out with me.”

Oliver’s words drew her attention off her attire and back to him as he moved toward her, almost invading her personal space. She’d ditched her sandals after trying on the first outfit and now it seemed as though he towered over her, enveloping her with his undeniable presence. A fission of heat flared somewhere within her beneath his scrutiny.

That rum was potent.

Serene averted her face from his to look down at the dress. She enjoyed hot little numbers for going out, but the dress Oliver had picked for her was at least a half size smaller than she’d have selected for herself and had clearly been designed for a much younger woman. Her breasts were practically falling out of the top. The material was so soft, she felt naked and very aware of her exposed ass cheeks rubbing against the dress with the thong she was wearing.

What was she doing in this man’s bungalow trying on clothes?

The warm breeze swirling through the open space did nothing to cool her.

And it’s got nothing to do with the rum, baby.

“Serene, you have a beautiful body.”

She blushed, delighted by his compliment. “Thanks. I guess, maybe so for an older woman.”