“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.”
“You have a gorgeous bod for any woman.” Oliver eyed her up and down. “How old are you anyway? Fifty?”
Serene gasped. “Thirty-nine!” She glared at Oliver when he chuckled.
“I know you’re not fifty, Serene.”
“That wasn’t funny. How old are you?”
“Thirty-three.”
“Thirty-three.” Serene scoffed and leveled a gimme-a-break look at Oliver. “Just a babe.”
“Hardly.” Merriment and something darker twinkled in Oliver’s eyes. “I’m a man who appreciates and adores women. I say you can rock that thing or anything else you desire. Thirty-nine looks damn good on you.”
Stunned, Serene stared at him. “Thank you, Oliver.”
“You’re welcome.”
Goodness, he was gorgeous. And knows all the right words to say.
Serene rubbed her clammy hands on the dress. It was time to tell him he’d won and get the hell out of dodge before she had to admit to herself—she was very attracted to him. Serene exhaled as she squeezed her thighs together, uncomfortably aware of her damp lingerie. “I also apologize for that snarky ‘babe’ comment.”
“Apology accepted.”
“Okay, Oliver. You did find three things that fit me out of that gift shop. I was wrong. I’ll just change and—”
“There’s one more thing for you to try on.” Oliver pointed to the unopened gift bag on the couch.
Serene waved her hand. “No need.” Against her better judgment, she picked up her glass from the bar counter and took a generous sip of the alcohol. She swallowed, her eyes watering as the liquor coursed a heated path down to her stomach. “No more rum for you?”
“Not right now. So, you’d rather concede than try on my final selection? This could be the ill-fitted garment you need to win this whole thing. Aren’t you curious as to what’s in there?”
She was, damn him. Serene cut her eyes to the bag on the sofa then back to Oliver. There was that amused grin of his again. She finished her drink, set the glass back on the counter then moved forward and before she could talk herself out of it again, she’d picked up the parcel and reached inside.
Something silky.
Serene pulled out a beautiful white nightie with black tropical flowers embroidered up the sides of the piece. “It’s beautiful.” And practically sheer.
“Isn’t it? I was impressed with their selection of sleepwear.”
Serene touched the edge of one of the sewn flowers. She really should’ve taken the time to scope out that gift shop. “You win.” Serene handed the nightgown to Oliver with a bright smile.
“Oh?” He took the slip of fabric from her. “Not going to try it on?”
“No.”
“That means you’ll wear something I’ve picked to a place of my choice.”
Serene sighed. “I remember the terms of our wager, Oliver.” Please don’t let it be this mini dress.
“Okay.” Oliver raised an eyebrow. “Let’s go.”
Serene frowned in confusion. “Go where? I didn’t think you’d pick tonight to do this.”
“Tomorrow night’s the wedding. The next we’ll all be preparing to leave. This is really the best time.”
He had a point.
Damn.
“Fine. I’ll change.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Oliver—”
“Hey, you conceded. Those were our terms, or do you want to change your mind”—Oliver dangled the lovely slip in front of her—“and try this on?”
Serene glared at him even as his commanding tone set off quivers of awareness within her. She shook her head stiffly as Oliver chuckled and strode past her into the bathroom. “I need my sandals,” Serene called after him. Seconds later, he was back holding her shoes up in one hand.
“I’ve got them.” Oliver gave them to her and Serene managed not to grumble as she put them on. She straightened to see him glance at his watch. “We’ll get there just in time. Come.”
“Get where, Oliver?” Serene asked as she grabbed her purse and followed him out of the door.
“A place just the locals know about. I’m going to show you a little hotspot most people who visit Tahiti never see.”
Serene speculated about the kind of place that could be as Oliver let her pass then locked up. She tugged on her short hemline and glanced down at the other lit bungalows. She wondered what everyone else was doing.
Not getting into an SUV with a man driving to who knew where while wearing a dress of his choosing.
They walked a few feet away from the bungalow and Oliver pointed to a black Jeep parked a few feet away from the curb. “That’s us.”
Serene blinked in surprise as he moved beside her to open her door. She motioned to the SUV. “So this is why you didn’t have more of that rum. There was never a doubt in your mind that you’d lose this bet, was there?”
“I don’t make wagers I’m not fairly confident I can win.” Oliver winked at her. “Do you need help getting in?” Oliver asked as she scoped out the vehicle with the big wheels and no windows.
“Uh, maybe—wearing this dress.”
Oliver had the nerve to chuckle. “I’ll give you a lift on three. Okay?”
“No—”
“Ready?” Oliver grasped her by the waist. “Grab hold of the seat. One, two, three.”
Serene gasped when he lifted her, giving her the boost needed to hoist herself into the worn leather seat. She remained quiet as Oliver closed the door, pondering the lead up to her present predicament.
“Buckle up,” Oliver said as he got into the vehicle. He turned on the engine then looked at her. “It might get a little bumpy.”
“I wasn’t expecting this.” Serene yanked on her dress again, even more dismayed with the length in a sitting position.
“Stop worrying about that hemline. You’ll be overdressed for where we’re going.” Oliver gave her a sideways glance as he shifted gears. “Don’t worry. I promise you’ll have a good time. We’re almost there.”
Serene took her eyes off his handsome profile as the wind whipped through the Jeep.
Overdressed in this?
She couldn’t imagine where they were headed as she admired the indigo sky with whirls of orange and purple blending in the waning light. It was a perfect night, not too hot or muggy. Soon all evidence of the resort faded as Oliver drove, taking them deeper into the country. Content to simply take in the exotic scenery, Serene didn’t feel the need to talk. Her cell rang and she reached inside her little embroidered purse for her cell.
Brady.
She’d forgotten to call him and Shawn back. Serene lowered the volume on the device before slipping it back into her bag.
“Boyfriend?”
“Not exactly.” Serene waited for him to ask another question when he slowed the vehicle down. She couldn’t see much with the foliage around them as he stopped the Jeep in front of what appeared to be a wooden pathway leading down to a private beach.
“We’re going to walk the rest of the way.” Oliver shut off the engine, got out of the SUV then came around to open her door. “Ready?”
“For?” Serene took hold of his hand as Oliver helped her out of the vehicle. He led her forward without letting go of her. Serene paused when the wooden planks gave way to sand. “Wait.” She kicked her sandals off in the sand and Oliver released her hand then bent down and picked them up. “I can carry them.”
“I know, but I’m going to.”
He took hold of her hand again before she could respond and Serene tried to ignore the weirdness swirling inside when her fingers interlaced with his. She considered pulling her fingers fre
e of his, but decided that doing so would only draw attention to the fact that she was uncomfortable. It was bad enough that he already seemed to know she was off kilter. “Do you come to this place every time you visit Tahiti?”
“Not every time. Sometimes when I come I just want to be alone and take a break from it all.”
“Nice.”
Flames from a bonfire drew Serene’s attention farther down the beach. She could make out the outlines of people dancing to the faint strains of island music. The delicious smell of meat cooking on the grill mixed with the scent of burning wood. They drew closer and Serene gasped when she saw many of the women dancing topless around the flames.
“See?” Oliver grinned. “I said you’d be overdressed here.”
Gorgeous Tahitian females twisted and swayed to the beat created by several charismatic drummers playing their instruments a few feet away. A few ladies had partners, but others danced alone, completely uninhibited in their nakedness. There were big umbrellas lying in the sand facing the bonfire, with couples and others relaxing on blankets. Serene eyed lovers who were passionately touching and kissing one another, seemingly unaware that their amorous action could be viewed by all. A man untied a woman’s bikini top, baring the lady’s pert breasts, and Serene’s pulse quickened when he palmed them without taking his mouth off her.
What had she got herself into?
“Oh, my God.” Serene tried not to gape at the scene before her.
Oliver squeezed her hand. “This is a private beach, Serene. Clothing optional.”
“Clothing optional?” Serene shook her head. “Look, Oliver, I don’t think—”
“Don’t think. Come get a drink with me and let me introduce you to a friend of mine.”
Serene tore her gaze from the couple that had moved way past PDA. “I am not taking my clothes off.”
Oliver laughed. “You own a spa. Why are you so anxious about nudity?”
“I’m not.” Serene turned her attention back to the couple she’d just been looking at. They’d turned the umbrella away from the fire, affording themselves some privacy from everyone else. So they do care about having an audience. “But there’s a time and place for everything.”
Soul Temptation (Souls Entwined) Page 6
