Three Rich Men: House of Midnight Fantasies / Forced to the Altar / The Millionaire's Pregnant Mistress. Michelle Celmer

to parties?”

      Selene might have resented Hannah had she not said it in such a teasing tone. “Very funny. I’m overseeing the house’s restoration from top to bottom.”

      After a long silence, Selene asked, “Are you still there, Hannah?”

      “Yes, I’m still here. I’m just trying to picture you gainfully employed. Didn’t the jackass leave you enough money to survive?”

      “He left me plenty of money. A nice check every month. And I need the job because I need to be my own person. I thought you’d understand that.”

      “I do understand that, Selene. Mother, on the other hand, doesn’t. You need to give her a call and explain so she’ll quit bugging me.”

      Their mother understood little beyond untimely disruptions of her social calendar, and that was one phone call Selene would put off for as long as she could. “I will eventually. In the meantime, tell her I’m fine and I’ll be in touch. I just wanted to let you know I’m still alive and kicking. And to make sure you’re okay.”

      “I’m wonderful. Doug’s been great. He treats me like a queen. I have no real complaints.”

      Selene had secretly envied Hannah’s relationship with Doug. The man had been a saint during his and Hannah’s five-year marriage, even though their mother and father hadn’t approved of Hannah’s choice—a man whose blood was lacking a certain shade of blue, but not his collar. A car mechanic, no less. Dear, rebellious Hannah, who’d always gone after what she wanted, and who’d had the temerity to ignore their parents’ ideas on what constituted a good match for their daughters. If only Selene had been so strong. If only she hadn’t kowtowed to their insistence that she and Richard take the next step, before Selene had been ready. Come to think of it, she had never really been ready.

      “I’ll definitely be home for the baby’s birth, Hannah. Just give me time to get there if you can.”

      “Great, and Selene, just one more question. Are you happy?”

      Selene rarely asked herself that question these days, or over the past few years, if the truth were known. “Yes, right now I’m happy. For the first time in a while, I feel free.”

      “I’m glad.” Hannah sounded as if she truly was. “But I hope you finally decide to take a few chances, make a few friends. Maybe even meet a man.”

      Selene released an abrupt laugh. “It’s only been a year since I got rid of one man. Why would I want another one so soon?”

      “You don’t have to marry him,” Hannah said. “It’s just nice to have a guy around for other things.”

      Those other things had weighed heavily on Selene’s mind over the past few days, thanks to Adrien Morrell. “Actually, I’ve met someone.”

      “Wow! Who?”

      “The plantation’s owner,” Selene said. “He’s very nice looking although he’s somewhat mysterious.”

      “Nice looking is good. Mysterious is really good. Have you two done it yet?”

      “We haven’t done anything yet.” With the exception of the kiss and the shared fantasy. “I’m only saying that I find him interesting. Nothing may come of it at all.” And that was likely considering Adrien’s continued absence.

      “You should make something come of it,” Hannah said. “You’ve been lonely for too long, Selene.”

      How well Selene knew that. Yet she had the feeling that even if she did take a few chances with Adrien, she might still be lonely. Worse, she might even be in danger of many things, the least of which was getting her heart crushed. “Look, Hannah, I’ve already made one mistake with Richard. I don’t want to make another. So don’t get your hopes up.”

      Hannah released a long sigh. “Don’t be so cautious, Selene.”

      “What’s wrong with being cautious?”

      The door creaked open right before the very deep, very clear male voice said, “Because playing it safe isn’t very rewarding.”

      Selene’s grip tightened on the cell phone, her mind unable to register what her sister was saying. When she didn’t respond, Hannah asked, “Are you still there?”

      “Yes, but I have to go now. I’ll call you next week.”

      After saying goodbye and hanging up, Selene swiveled the chair around to find Adrien filling the doorway, wearing a tailored white shirt, plain black slacks and a half smile.

      “I was beginning to believe you were permanently living in your office,” she said in a slightly unsteady voice.

      “I only come out when I have something important to do.”

      “And what would that be?”

      “Another adventure. With you.”

      Selene wasn’t certain she could handle any more of his kind of adventure, especially after the one she’d experienced two nights ago, both in his study and in his mind. “Give me the details and I’ll decide if I’m interested.”

      He leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb. “Did you finish reading the diary?”

      “Yes, but there wasn’t very much left.”

      “I know. I’ve read it. But that doesn’t mean other journals don’t exist.”

      “You have more?”

      “No, but I know where the cabin is. We might find one there.”

      “Where is it?” Selene’s eagerness came out in her tone, despite the fact she didn’t want to seem too excited, even if she was.

      He favored her with a slow smile. “It’s at the back of the property, next to the swamp. I can take you there.”

      Selene definitely wanted to see it, but she wasn’t sure that was wise. At least not with him tagging along, bringing with him a surplus of sensuality. “If you’ll just point me in the right direction, I’m sure I can find it myself.”

      “I want to show you the way.”

      She had no doubt he did, and no doubt that he could show her many things. Make her feel things she’d never felt before, if she gave him any indication she wanted that from him. But did she?

       Don’t be so cautious, Selene ….

      Maybe Hannah had been right. Maybe she was too cautious. Perhaps that caution had prevented her from knowing the best things in life. And no maybes about it, she was tired of playing it safe. As long as she kept a cool head, remained in control, she could avoid any emotional entanglement.

      After pushing back from the desk, she came to her feet.

      “I’d love to go with you, but I still have a few things I’d like to do today.”

      “So do it.” He pushed away from the door. “I’ll meet you at the back door at five this afternoon.”

      “Fine. I’ll be there.”

      He turned and walked away, leaving Selene to ponder her decision, and definitely to question her sanity.

      Standing at the kitchen door, Adrien Morrell looked like every teenage girl’s fondest dream—and every over-protective father’s worst nightmare. He wore a black T-shirt cut off at the sleeves that revealed his “power” tattoo, his thumbs hooked into the pockets of a pair of jeans that were faded in several notable places. His air of confidence was palpable, his raw sensuality undeniable. Selene wanted to run—straight into his strong arms. She cautioned herself to remain tough, although that seemed incredibly difficult when he smiled.

      As Selene approached him, he gave her a long once-over and a disapproving stare. “That’s not a good idea,” he said.

      Selene