It's good to know that I have you all caught up in the story! In fact I love it. Your reviews make me all bubbly inside, lol. Anyways, hope you enjoy the next chapter and those to follow.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with S.M. if only, but sadly no.

Enjoy! ))))))()(((((((

Darien rolled his head as he felt the tension in his neck. The papers in front of him were beginning to make his head throb. He pushed them aside and rubbed his temples.

The merger had certainly made the business much more active. They were wealthier now, but they were much more active with clients and acquiring new properties and now having merged with property developers, they were going to the top.

Only Darien couldn't focus on the success of the business. He kept thinking about a certain blond that would not disappear from his thoughts. Perhaps being 29, his male biological clock was ticking. He heard recently that men too had an internal ticking, a yearning for domesticity and children.

If that were the case, there was only one person he could blame this sudden infliction of yearning on—Serena! But his thoughts were all over when it came to her, but he was such a mess. He didn't know where to begin to right anything in his life.

"Hey Darien," Ken said standing in the doorway. "Who was it that Serena introduced to Chad the other night? He won't tell any of us. Rumor has it that she's some big name."

Darien looked up at his new partner. "Huh," he said, scrunching his face in confusion.

He knew Serena was back from New York but she had been avoiding him or perhaps it was him avoiding her. He wasn't too sure at this point. He just knew since that night that he knew Serena had gone on a date with Diamond he hadn't known what to think.

"Darien, are you alright?"

He shrugged as he swayed back and forth in his swivel chair.

Darien remembered the dream he had had that night. In his drunken stupor he knew his thoughts could be at their most vulnerable. But he dreamed that he had gone to her and told her that he loved her.

"It could have been anyone," Darien said. "Did you ask Andrew?"

Ken laughed. "Damn it, I should have tried him again. I'm not a nosy busy body at all, but well, Chad has been keeping himself out of reach this past week since he was introduced to this chick, whoever she is."

"Well, all I know is that Serena is busy with Rae Hino Mars place this week, assessing it or something."

Ken froze. "Are you kidding me, Rae Hino Mars? Oh my god, why didn't I think of that before."

Darien frowned. "You mean you think it's Rae?"

Ken huffed a loud sigh. "Unreal, who would have thought that Chad would… well, I guess your luck is rubbing off on us," he laughed.

Darien frowned again.

"Well, Andrew is engaged to a beautiful actress, his sister is one hell of a lady and I think I know where the winds are blowing when it comes to her love life," he grinned. "I guess this merger was better than we ever imagined."

Darien rolled his eyes, chuckling. "What a philanthropist you are. Don't quit your day job."

Ken laughed as he left Darien in his own peace. Except Darien's mind kept returning to thoughts of Serena. He knew he loved that girl that much he knew. He just didn't know what to do about it.

Suddenly, not wanting to be a man of words and no action, he bolted up and hurried from the office. He drove across town to Serena's office.

"Mr. Shields!" Molly smiled. "What brings you this way? Did Serena not sign something?"

He shook his head. "No, I just wanted to speak to her. Do you know where she is?"

Molly smiled. "Yeah, I actually was about to grab a taxi to join her."

Darien smiled, knowing a sign when it was in front of him. "I can give you a lift," he said.

She shrugged. "Sure."

They headed to his car and then Molly gave him directions to the mansion on Cherry Hill.

"Isn't the temple just beautiful? Rae is having it restored and I'm going to revive the gardens."

Darien nodded in appreciation as they passed the temple as they made their way towards the mansion.

Once they were parked, Molly made her way to the back patio, where she went to discussing the plans on the blue prints with a tall, long haired man.

Darien entered the house, as the door was wide open. There were workers all over the place, but the rooms being worked on, held the great potential that Serena managed to take from a little sketch and create the real thing.

He stopped when he spotted Serena in the living room that overlooked the temple and distantly the city. She had all the paint samples, and she was matching the fabric swatches with the couches. She was so lost in her work, that she didn't even notice him watching her.

She was stunning, even in her faded blue jeans, and pink DKNY t-shirt. Her hair was pulled back in a bun, but a few strands were falling onto her face. He couldn't resist and he walked over to her and brushed them from her face.

She jumped as though she were only aware of him just then.

"Oh Darien, you scared me."

He gave her a smile. "I must say Serena, I'm impressed. It's going to be beautiful."

Serena shrugged. "It's what I do. What are you doing here?"

He gave her a weak smile. "Well, first I came to apologize. I know that date we went on last week. I know I was a bit distant. I just—well, I've been a little preoccupied."

She waved her hand, brushing it aside. "Don't worry about it."

He took her hand, sitting on the window ledge, pulling her fairly close to him. "I've just wanted to let you know I know I've been stupid. I just don't know how to go about winning a girl's heart. I want to prove to you that I'm serious about you, I just don't know how to go about it other than being a complete idiot."

She frowned. "You're not an idiot."

He gave her a sharp look.

"Ok," she laughed, "not a complete idiot, but you're not so horrible that I never want to see you again."

He smiled. "But I want to make it up to you. I want to prove to you how much I care about you."

"But we're only dating?" she asked, a challenge in her voice, but in her heart she was more than willing to be his, and his only.

He nodded reluctantly. "I think for the time being that we need to work our way towards well, whatever it is that will happen."

Serena took a deep breath and sighed.

Not being able to resist, he pulled her close and kissed her.

It started as a gentle kiss, but then quickly it heated up to an intense, hot, passionate kiss that left them both gasping for air.

"Is that your bargaining chip to convince me to go on another date with you?" she asked, a small smile on her lips.

"No," he said, then kissing her again. "Is it working?"

They kissed again. "I don't know, I think I need a little more convincing."

He pulled her close, wrapping his hands around her waist and kissed her with all the frustration that he had from the last time he was with her.

A little while later, he finally let go of her. They were both panting for air.

"Now?" he smiled.

She feigned a look of consideration.

His eyes widened. "Serena!"

"Alright," she sighed.

She looked him deep in his eyes and she felt herself melting, but at the same time she was terrified. She knew that she loved him, and he had told her he loved her… but he had said when he had been drunk, and as far as she could tell, he did not remember it. But she had known that. That was why she had risked saying the three little words herself, because she knew he did not remember any of it at all.

It was depressing really. She loved the man more than anything, but she refused to give up her freedom, or her power. And she was terrified about giving him her heart, but knew that that was pointless because he already had it, he just didn't know it.

He kissed her again. And she melted into him. She wanted him now. She wanted to take him right there and damn the consequences.

"Serena… oh, sorry," Molly said coming into the room.

They broke apart.

"I'll come back," Molly said, about to leave.

"No," Serena said, pulling herself away from Darien. "He was about to leave anyway."

He frowned at her then nodded.

She turned back to him. Please, you have to go, she thought. I have work and I don't want to answer Molly's questions. I also need to think, I need to breathe, and I can't do that with you around.

He kissed her quickly. "I'll see you on Friday night," he smiled.

She nodded and watched him go.

Molly gave her a questioning look.

"What?" Serena asked her, slightly frowning.

Molly shook her head. "I didn't say anything, but I will ask now. What was that all about? I didn't know you two were an item."

Serena sighed. "Hey, I only agreed to go on a date with the man."

Molly gave her a look. "Right," she said. "It looked like more than that. And you have a look—there's something in your eyes."

Serena frowned.

"oh boy, you have it bad and you're in denial. I don't know which is worse."

Serena sighed as she turned back to her swatches. Either do I.

TBC!

Alright, I know that was short, but it got to the point. So please review. You know the drill, 8 reviews and the next chapter is yours… and I can tell you it's going to get interesting!