Love was what was wrong with Serenity. Damien's stomach clenched and his skin went clammy and cold. She loved him? He'd been too late with his warning. The seat next to his wife was open and Damien followed his laughing family inside the dining hall and the staff handed him a full plate. Everyone else seemed halfway done with their meal.
His mother called out to him. "Damien, you look unwell. Are you okay?"
The last thing he needed was his mother's concern too. His face felt hot, but he picked up his fork and met her concerned gaze across the table. "I'm fine, Mom. Just hungry."
He ate a few bites and hoped this was the end of the conversation.
Glasses clinked and their guests all dug in. Suddenly his mother said again, "Serenity seems perfect for you."
He glanced up to see his family had finished their meals. He placed his hand on Serenity's chair and nodded at his mother. "She is. I enjoy having her as my wife."
He went back to finish his chicken. Serenity put her fork and knife down, smiled at his mother and said, "And Damien's a good man, even if he hides his heart."
His ears felt like he had steam coming out of them like in one of those cartoons, but he put his fork down. "I don't hide anything from you, Serenity."
Serenity snagged his fork and pointed to his untouched mashed potatoes. "If you say so. The cook really outdid herself. This is delicious." She swiped a bite and gave his empty fork back.
His wife was on the thin side so if she ate the carbs, it was probably good for her and his unborn baby. "You can have the rest, if you want."
“I’m fine. You eat.”
Everyone continued to chat while he finished. Once he was done, Serenity put her napkin on the table. She motioned toward the glass doors that opened to his yard. "Oh, look the tea is coming. Shall we take our dessert on the patio and enjoy this beautiful day?"
"Sounds lovely," his mother said.
His family stood and walked outside. Serenity laughed and spoke with Tess and Catherine, but his mother stood in his way to follow. "Damien, can we speak for a minute?"
Of course. Once his mother had an idea in her head, she never let it go. It was why she still claimed to love his father. The door stayed cracked open, but he asked, "Mom, what’s going on?"
His mother tugged on his arm to sit and he followed. "You don't look well. I wanted to ensure you're okay and that you're not going to throw away your relationship with Serenity because of your father."
Neither he nor Serenity were ruled by their parents anymore. He blinked and stared at his mother. "Because of my father?"
Her face went bright red. "And me. I know Mitch almost lost Tess because he was afraid to love and I wanted to make sure that it isn’t your problem too."
So she wanted to interfere. As soon as they left, he needed to get Serenity alone. He couldn't lose her but she shouldn't believe in fairy tales. "Mom-"
"It is. I can see it on your face." She shook her head. "When we leave, just spend the day with Serenity and understand you are not him and she is not me."
His jaw clenched. Sometimes, no, oftentimes, his mother made no sense. He took her hand. "I don't get it."
She reached up and traced his face with the palm of her hand. "Serenity seems scared and unsure of why she’s put her heart on the line. I recognize it because I did that every time your father came to me. Don't break her because you're afraid of love."
Fear wasn't his motivation. No one should believe that romantic love was in any shape or form real. He took her hand off his face. "I'm not afraid of anything. Love doesn't exist and if it does get the heart involved then it's something to avoid. It makes men weak."
She made a tsk with her tongue and crossed her legs. "Is Mitch weak?"
"No." He answered fast. His older brother was at the top of his game and making more money than ever before as well as smiling more.
She made a ha sound next and leaned closer. "Is Peter, John, or your sisters’ husbands' Colt and Rafe weak? Is Luke weak for planning a wedding?"
This conversation made no sense. He shook his head. "No. None of them are weak."
"All of them love their wives or fiancées." Energy drained from his body. His mother continued, "So why can't you be like them and not like your father?"
No answer surfaced. He stood and offered his arm to help her stand. "Mom, Serenity will wonder what's keeping us."
She took his hand and joined him. "Okay. Just don't lose out on love because of me."
Enough of this conversation. He couldn't lose Serenity but she had to understand that what she’d said made him break into a cold sweat. They'd talk, after his family left.
Serenity sat at a table with Mitch and Tess discussing something that held their collective interest. Damien took the seat next to her, and her arm linked with his. Across from them Axel, Galen, Catherine and their mother all joked together about something while nibbling on key lime pie and sipping tea. "Serenity, this is perfect."
"Glad you enjoy your family." She straightened in her chair and he realized that he’d interrupted a conversation.
A servant brought him a slice of pie and tea. He put his napkin on his lap. "That's not it. Serenity, after dessert, I want to take you for a walk on the beach."
She nodded and gestured for his brother to continue, then rested her chin on her palm. "Okay, but for now, Mitch is talking to me about investing in Calm Serenity through his bank."
He picked up his fork but stared at Serenity, confused. "Are you open to me and my family helping you grow your business?"
She faced him and her brightness almost blinded him. Serenity seemed pure and somehow she was his wife. She motioned for him to join their conversation. "His ideas are interesting and above board."
"Good." Damien tasted the pie. It was heavenly and almost fell off the fork being so light. He finished it in a few bites.
She smiled at him. "And yes, Damien, I'm willing to listen to your full proposal for my spa too."
He needed her in his life and had to find a way to calm his racing heart. Would she leave once his guests did? She’d agreed to go out with him so he held onto that and set out his basic ideas for Serenity's spa. "I think you should re-incorporate here, in Florida, where we'll control the finances and contracts under one corporate house. Then Galen and I can use our real estate knowledge to get you good places to open your spas in growing markets. And Mitch and his efforts with Morgan Enterprises can invest so we have the numbers we need."
Serenity met his gaze and her clear blue eyes focused on business. "In our spa, I'd like to use House of Morgan towels and robes, if they make them. Certain clients are very interested in named designers."
She was now a Morgan too and it was wonderful that she’d use his name. He leaned closer. "Victoria and Caro already mentioned having an association with their bridal couture and your spa."
His brother nodded and his blue eyes sparked like their fathers had when he expected to close a deal. Unlike him, his brother inherited his father’s looks and gestures. This was happening. His wife was his to keep. He leaned back in his chair and his heart slowed as anxiety receded. "Mitch can draw up contracts so you can see everything in writing."
Everyone was done and Galen looked at his watch, which was his tell that he was leaving.
Damien stood and Serenity followed as she said, "Sounds good. And it was a pleasure having you over today." They walked his family to the front door and everyone hugged his wife. She repeated goodbye multiple times, each one sounding sincere, and finally they were all gone.
The house seemed quiet without all the chatter. He pressed his hand on Serenity's shoulder to get her attention. "Serenity, now that we're alone, we need to talk."
"I thought you wanted to take a walk on the beach." She pointed for them to go outside where they had just been.
"I do.” He saw no reason not to go there, so they went back into the sunshine. “But I don't want you to believe that love exists."
She turned toward him and shrugged her shoulders. "I know it does. I looked around today at your family and saw love everywhere." She crossed her arms, the blue waters of the Intracoastal and the ocean beyond a lovely backdrop for her beauty. "Your mother and your brothers all love you and you love them."
He shook his head. His mind raced to correct her, to tell her that she was wrong and that she didn't understand. "It's not the same thing. My family is loyal."
She brushed her hand over his shoulder and smiled at him. "My own family never had the love I see in yours. If you want to call it loyalty, who am I to say, but I know I love you."
Her words scared him but also stirred something inside him. Suddenly, he wondered if he was the one who didn’t understand? Instead of digging into his own head he said, "Serenity, let's get ready to go."
"Let me grab a sweater." She rushed inside and up the stairs.
He watched her closely until she disappeared. Love had never been part of what he’d planned. But she’d brought to life something that no one else touched inside him. If he lost her, he'd be lost himself. Did all this make it love? He wasn't sure and refused to say what he didn't understand.