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  Serena

  Forbidden Love Series

  Book Two

  By

  Tiffany Parker

  Dedication

  As always, I dedicate this book to my mother—Dot. Mama I love you so much. I continue to wish you were still here with me in body as you are in spirit. You always believed in me and encouraged me to follow my dreams. I hope I’ve made you proud.

  Acknowledgments

  The writing of this book was certainly a labor of love. I’d like to first acknowledge all the readers who read, and loved the first book in this series – My Best Friend’s Sister. I was in complete awe from all the positive feedback I received. Of course, I loved the characters as I created them but I was pleased to see how they touched my readers.

  My husband is next. Thanks for putting up with my long hours on the computer. I know how much you hated it when I took my laptop everywhere we went and I appreciate your understanding. Even though you moaned and groaned at times, your support never wavered.

  Now for my children, thank you! I know I’ve told you before, but I’ll never tell you enough how much it means to me that you’re proud of your mother.

  For my many friends and family that keep me encouraged – thank you as well. Every writer knows what it’s like to have bouts of writers block. I pray they have an incredible support system as I do.

  I’d like to give a special acknowledgement to my girl, Melinda Sejour; Many, many, many thanks for always being there. We spend countless hours laughing, talking and encouraging each other.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Serena by Tiffany Parker

  Red Rose™ Publishing

  Publishing with a touch of Class! ™

  The symbol of the Red Rose and Red Rose is a trademark of Red Rose™ Publishing

  Red Rose™ Publishing

  Copyright© 2010 Tiffany Parker

  ISBN: 978-1-60435-714-1

  Cover Artist: Emmy

  Editor: Keren Childers

  Line Editor: Red Rose™ Publishing

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews. Due to copyright laws you cannot trade, sell or give any ebooks away.

  This is a work of fiction. All references to real places, people, or events are coincidental, and if not coincidental, are used fictitiously. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.

  Red Rose™ Publishing

  www.redrosepublishing.com

  Forestport, NY 13338

  Thank you for purchasing a book from Red Rose™ Publishing where publishing

  comes with a touch of Class!

  Serena

  By

  Tiffany Parker

  Chapter One

  After parking her sleek, red, Suzuki GSXR 1000 at her best friend Darnell’s house, Serena James began her nightly ritual of walking home through one of Atlanta’s less than desirable, West End neighborhoods. Tonight however, her thoughts were plagued with the sinfully handsome, Elray Carter.

  Their first meeting was funny as hell. Around the racing circle Serena frequented, she went by JT, so other racers who didn’t know her wouldn’t know her gender just by her name. Of course, Elray assumed that JT was a man. A relatively new comer to street racing, she was told that he’d bet two hundred dollars on her to win that night after watching a couple races. When she won, he collected his money then came over to congratulate the winner. When she took her helmet off, his surprise was evident, he actually said, “I’ll be damn, you chumps got beat by a girl.”

  Offended, Serena responded. “I suppose you think you’d have done better?” Not waiting for an answer, she left him standing there looking bewildered.

  Now two weeks later, Darnell said he was still asking about her. “Don’t tell him a damn thing.” She instructed. “I don’t need—or want—somebody like him in my life.”

  Serena learned Elray Carter was rich, arrogant, and gorgeous as hell, and worse; he knew it. A self admitted player, who definitely was not her type. At present, he was working her last nerve about getting together. It was pretty obvious that he was a man used to getting what he wanted. Well that was just too damn bad because he wasn’t getting her.

  She would sooner drop dead, than deal with somebody like him. She only had time for one thing; that was racing. Racing would make her the money she needed to get away from a dismal life of poverty and her mother’s perverted boyfriend. An added bonus would be if her success, in some way, would inspire her mother to stop drinking.

  No time to think about it now she thought, as she placed her helmet on her head for her next race. If she won tonight, she would have twenty grand saved up. It was a good start for what she wanted —to become a professional racer—so she could earn some real money. Placing the key in her bike, she was just about to start it up when Darnell and, of all people, Elray Carter pulled up.

  “Hi, Serena.” Darnell said but she ignored him.

  Both men moved to the sidelines to watch. Two races later Serena, Darnell and Elray were collecting their winnings. Darnell pulled her to the side once again to ask her about getting together with Elray. As badly as she wanted to say no, the only way to get him out of her hair for good, was most likely to just go and get it over with.

  “Fine. Let’s do Denny’s on highway 85 and Forest Parkway

  around noon tomorrow.”

  Darnell was really stretching his friendship strings with this request. He was definitely going to have to make this up to her.

  Twelve fifteen the following day Serena roared into the Denny’s parking lot. Unfortunately, she was running late because her mother, drunk as usual, started in on her just before she left. Elray and Darnell were still talking next to Elray’s ride as she skillfully brought the bike to a stop. She got off, pulled off her helmet, and began walking toward them.

  It was a good thing Serena wasn’t a mind reader because her opinion of the handsome Elray Carter would have sunk just a tad lower. The wicked grin on his face as he watched her approach told her his mind was in the gutter. Since he was checking her out, she took the opportunity to do the same with him. Even in simply jeans and a tee shirt; he was sexy as hell.

  No doubt about it, she thought as the waitress seated them. I have got to stay the hell away from him.

  Darnell’s cell phone rang just as they finished placing their order for drinks. He had to leave. Serena didn’t want to stay either, so she got up.

  Reaching out Elray grabbed her hand, “Please stay so we can get to know each other better.”

  Darnell leaned over and whispered. “Yeah, remember you promised.”

  Oh yeah, Darnell’s definitely gonna get his, she thought as she glared at him. Maybe not now, but he was going to get it just the same. Smiling through gritted teeth, reluctantly, she agreed.

  “Bye Darnell. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Somehow I already knew that,” he responded as he walked away.

  Now that Darnell was gone, Elray asked. “So tell me about yourself.”

  “There isn’t much to tell, it might be easier if you tell me what you want to know.”

  “Tell me what you want me to know.”

  “This will be a very short conversation.”

  “Oh really,” He replied while shifting his chair closer to hers. “Why is that?”

  “Be
cause there’s nothing I want to tell you. I’m pretty sure we have nothing in common and I seriously doubt with the exception of Darnell, that we have any friends in common.”

  “Okay, then I’ll ask you what I want to know.”

  Amazingly, she found him extremely easy to talk to. Over the next few hours, he asked questions and she answered. He also told her a lot about himself, she hoped it wasn’t too obvious, that the thing that impressed her most about him was that his brothers were, Rayvon and Rayden Carter. She had been following their careers in racing for years. There were so few African Americans in car and motorcycle racing.

  After lunch while walking to her bike, Elray asked. “Will you have dinner with me tomorrow?”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Why not? You have to eat.”

  Since she had the feeling he wasn’t going to give up easily, again against her better judgment, reluctantly, she agreed. “Okay, here tomorrow at seven thirty.”

  At seven thirty on the dot, the next day both Serena and Elray were pulling into the Denny’s parking lot. When he got out of his car and approached her bike he asked, “Are you sure you want to eat here, we could go some place nicer.”

  “No, this is fine. In case you didn’t notice, I am wearing jeans.”

  The way his eyes suddenly roamed over her body made Serena feel a little uncomfortable. Thank God, he kept whatever he was thinking to himself, because she was sure that it would have embarrassed her. Instead, he nodded and they went inside. After dinner, he asked. “Would you go for a ride with me?”

  Since she didn’t want to leave her bike in the parking lot of the restaurant, he followed her to Darnell’s. She parked her bike for the night and got in his car.

  They arrived at Dillon’s customization shop. Now why would he bring her here? She got her answer when they walked in. His brother Dillon and the twins were inside working on Rayden’s car.

  “Dill, Ray’s what’s up?” Elray asked greeting his brothers.

  “El, what brings you down here?” Rayden responded.

  “I wanted you to meet a friend of mine. Dill, Ray’s this is Serena.”

  Serena was awe struck when she realized just who they were; she couldn’t do anything but stare. She snapped out of here daze when Dillon stepped forward.

  “Hi Serena, I’m Dillon.”

  “Dillon hi, it’s nice to meet you,” she responded just as Rayden Carter pushed Dillon out the way.

  “Serena, I’m Rayden and the young pup behind me is our other brother Rayvon.”

  She giggled.

  “Aren’t you and your brother twins?”

  “We sure are, but I was born first. I’m finer and a better racer.”

  “Whatever. Get out of the way Rayden. I can speak for myself. Hi Serena.”

  “Geesh, you’d think you fools never saw a woman before,” Elray said as he shooed both his brothers away from her.

  “Man, it’s not like you to ever bring a woman around the family.” Rayden said. None of them had ever been one to share their personal life with a woman, so her presence declared her special.

  For the moment, as she took in her surroundings, Elray was totally forgotten. Serena walked around the car they were working on, appreciating the sheer power and beauty of it. This, she thought to herself, was as good as it got, the car was perfection. She stopped in front of the car and ran her fingertips over the engine. When Dillon came to stand next to her, she asked. “What are you working on?”

  “Rayden has a race coming up in a few weeks. During his last race he said the car was sluggish.”

  To everyone’s surprise, she removed her jacket, picked up some tools, and started working. By two o’clock in the morning, Dillon, Rayvon and Rayden had already called it a night, but not Serena. Elray and his brothers sat quietly watching her work on the car. Seeing how passionate she was about what she was doing, Elray wondered if she were that passionate in other areas. Forty-five minutes later, she started the car and the engine purred like a kitten. A triumphant smile lit her beautiful face.

  “You really do love cars don’t you?” Elray asked as he walked around Rayden to get to her. The brothers were in awe. Rayden just looked at her and smiled. His car was definitely ready for his next race.

  Still feeling the high of excitement, she hugged each man there. When she got to Elray, she pulled back when she felt the proof of his desire as he held her. “Yes, I really do.” She responded looking deeply into Elray’s eyes. It was definitely desire she saw in them. Hating to admit it, even to herself, she was attracted to him too—in a big way. He made her skin tingle all over. And the knowledge that he desired her made her blush.

  “Well, it’s been real but I think it’s time I took this lady home.” Elray said.

  “I really enjoyed meeting you guys. Good luck with the race,” Serena said. She couldn’t believe she had actually worked on Rayden Carter’s car. Before she left Dillon handed her his card and offered her a job.

  “Thanks Dillon. I’ll think about it and give you a call,” she said.

  On the ride to her house, neither of them said anything. Part of her silence was because she was ashamed; ashamed of where she lived. She was sure Elray was aware of the fact she didn’t come from money like him, but knowing it—and seeing it—was two different things.

  Elray got out of the car to open the door for her. Not sure if her mother or Jerry were up, she didn’t want him to walk her to the door, but he insisted.

  “I’d like to kiss you good night.” He said as they stopped at her front door.

  She had to make an embarrassing confession. Lowering her head, she said just above a whisper. “I don’t really know how. I’ve never kissed anyone before.”

  Before Elray could say anything about what she had just told him, she slipped her key in the door and disappeared inside the house. Walking back to his car he glanced back once more before getting in. As he pulled away, he thought to himself, “What a woman.” How was she able to be so damn sexy without any effort or experience for that matter? One thing was for sure, he intended to find out. For the first time in his life, a woman completely intrigued him. Serena James was not like any woman he had ever dated and he was determined to get to know her better.

  Chapter Two

  The next morning Elray was awoken by the doorbell. His clock on the nightstand showed it was nine thirty. Knowing it could only be one of four people, he put on a robe and went to the door and yanked it open. Of course he was right; it was Dillon and the twins. Attempting to close the door in their faces, he turned around to head back to bed. Thanks to the lustful imagines of the beautiful Serena, he didn’t get much sleep last night.

  Dillon stopped just outside his bedroom door and yelled, “Are you alone?”

  When he didn’t answer, Rayden just walked in anyway. Sitting on the side of his bed, Elray looked up at Rayden and growled. “Did I say come in?”

  Rayden shrugged. “If you didn’t want us in here you would have said something.”

  Rayvon sat down next to him and handed him the breakfast they brought. While he ate, they grilled him about Serena.

  “There isn’t much to tell.” He said between bites. “She street

  races. Actually, she’s a damn good one. She loves cars and motorcycles; she’s a natural mechanic and has never gone to school for it. Hell, I think she taught herself almost everything she knows. The love of cars and bikes made her want to learn everything she could about them.”

  “Do you think she’ll take me up on my job offer?” Dillon asked.

  “Honestly, I don’t know her well enough to say one way or another.”

  Secretly, he hoped she would if it would stop her from racing. He really liked her and thought street racing was just too dangerous. The thought of her getting seriously hurt, really bothered him. He was grateful for Dillon’s question; it gave him a reason to stop by her house later.

  When Serena got home later that evening, her sister
Starlett was there. They were very close. When Starlett moved out, part of her wanted to follow; but she had moved in with her boyfriend. While Serena understood why Starlett left, unlike her sister, she wanted to be able to stand on her own two feet. She didn’t want to be financially dependent on anyone. Much less, a man like her mother and Starlett seemed content on doing. Speak of the devil—Jerry—her mother’s boyfriend walked in. This was one man she despised.

  “Some pretty boy by the name of Elray Carter stopped by this afternoon looking for you, Serena.” Jerry said. The contempt in his voice evident.

  Starlett looked up surprised. “I didn’t know you knew Elray.”

  “I don’t really. We met a couple days ago. Darnell, Elray and I had lunch. It was no big deal.”

  “Really, then why is he sniffing around here?” Jerry asked.

  When neither Starlett nor Serena responded, he muttered something under his breath and walked out of the room.

  “What a dick,” Starlett said, then turned her attention back to her sister. “Do I look as stupid as Jerry to you? Why is Elray coming by here for you?”

  “Okay, so I had dinner with him too. And he took me to meet his brothers. Like I said, no big deal.”

  “No big deal. Serena, do you have any idea how much money he has?”

  Many people would probably view her sister as a gold digger, but she knew better. Starlett just wanted a better life. She did too. But like their mother, Starlett just kept picking the wrong man.

  “I hope you’re encouraging him. If Elray is coming over here—he’s interested— believe me.”

  “No, I’m not going to encourage him. I don’t care how much money he has.” She politely told her sister. She wasn’t looking for a relationship with him, or anyone else. She liked Elray, but not that way. Or so she was trying to convince herself of that. She wasn’t going to tell Starlett that she might be attracted to him when she didn’t even want to admit it to herself. Since she had already eaten dinner with Darnell, she took a quick shower and went to bed.