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

the sound of Adrien’s footsteps and sensed he was close. He confirmed that when he asked, “You didn’t have any passion in your marriage?” from immediately behind her.

      She opted not to turn around even though she decided to be honest. “Not exactly.”

      “Then he didn’t do it for you?”

      “I didn’t do it for him.” Too much honesty, she decided. Too much laid bare for him to take the bait.

      And he did when he said, “He told you that’s why he cheated on you.”

      Now who was reading whose mind? “Yes, he mentioned that.” Right after she’d tapped into Richard’s thoughts only to see another woman residing there. A woman who “did it” for him.

      Adrien’s hands coming to rest on her shoulders sent a pleasurable succession of shock waves along her nerve endings despite the disturbing conversation. “Did he ever encourage you?”

      No, but she had tried to encourage him—from intimate meals to sexy lingerie. Eventually, she’d given up. “Define encourage.”

      He breezed his fingertips up and down her bare arms. “Did he ever make love to you in a dark alley after midnight?”

      Had it not been for Adrien’s close proximity and heady strokes on her flesh, she might have laughed. “Heavens, no.”

      “He never made love to you in a car in your driveway because he couldn’t wait to get into the house before he had you?” He moved flush against her back, wrapped one arm around her middle and breezed his fingertips along the side of her exposed neck. “He never arranged for a private dining room in an exclusive restaurant, then touched you beneath the table until you wanted it right then, right there?”

      Selene was certain Adrien had done all those things with a lover, maybe several, even though she couldn’t channel his thoughts at the moment. But she could imagine doing all those things with him, and more. “Richard’s not that resourceful.”

      “Richard’s a damn fool.”

      He wouldn’t get any argument from Selene on that point, but he did manage to extract a slight shudder when he stroked his knuckles above the rise of her breasts, back and forth in a sultry rhythm. She closed her eyes and absorbed the sensations, leaving her mind open for his thoughts, his fantasies. Yet she saw nothing other than white light, heard nothing but the lyrical cadence of his voice as he continued to speak to her in a steady, stimulating tone.

      “We all have the capacity to reach incredible heights during sex.” He slid one strap off her shoulder and brushed his warm lips down the bend of her neck before bringing his mouth back to her ear. “You only have to be open to the possibilities.”

      He lowered his palm to her breast and softly, slowly circled his fingertip around her nipple through the thin knit. Only then did she choose to open her eyes, to watch what he was doing, and she wasn’t at all sorry. “This is only one erogenous zone, Selene,” he said. “There are a lot more all over your body. Even so, just this little bit of fondling has you hot, doesn’t it?”

      Selene could do no more than nod her affirmation. Speaking seemed completely out of the question, especially when Adrien slid his palm down to the waistband on her shorts. “Right here, right now, you want me to touch you everywhere.” He toyed with the button on her fly, twisting it slightly, torturing her with anticipation. “You want me to take these off you and find out how hot you really are.”

      Yes, she wanted it. Wanted it more than anything she’d wanted in a long time, even her hard-won freedom. So much so she thought she might actually beg him to do it. But instead of answering her silent plea, Adrien turned her around and readjusted her straps. When she gave him a look of confusion, he simply said, “Not here. At least not now. Tonight.”

      Selene hugged her arms close to her middle to fend off the unexpected chill. “I’m not sure that’s what I want.”

      He inclined his head and surveyed her face. “You want it as badly as I do, and you know it.” He reached over and tucked a random strand of hair behind her ear. “But I’ll give you time to think about it between now and then. Think about what it’s going to be like with us.”

      He did no more than draw another line with his fingertip down her throat to her cleavage and back up again along her jaw. But it was enough to make Selene lose all sense of reason. Enough to cause her to wrap one hand around his nape and bring his mouth to hers. He let her take the lead, let her explore, cajole, taste and tempt him. He kept his hands loosely about her waist for a time but as the kiss grew deeper, he moved closer until their bodies meshed together. Until every curve and crevice fitted perfectly against the other, practically interlocked like a human puzzle.

      When he pressed one hand on her bottom, bringing her in maximum contact with his erection, and ground his hips against her, she ran her hands up his back beneath his shirt just so she could feel his bare flesh. And she did feel it, every amazing inch of corded muscle, his smooth skin hot and damp beneath her palms. She wanted his shirt gone. She wanted all his clothes gone, and hers, too. She wanted him to lay her down on that ancient cot and thrust inside her, as he had in his fantasy. As the mysterious Z. had taken his lover all those years before. She wanted to know if the reality would be as remarkable, even though she instinctively knew it would.

      Without any warning, Adrien broke the kiss and wrested out of her arms. He ran both hands through his hair and then laced his fingers behind his neck. “We need to go now. Before I change my mind and take you right where you stand.”

      Selene tugged at the hem of her top. “That’s probably a good idea.”

      He sent her a half smile. “Taking you where you stand?”

      Oh, yes. Definitely. “Going back to the house before we both do something we regret.”

      “I promise you, Selene, you won’t have any regrets after I’m done with you.”

      With that, he headed toward the door and Selene followed him outside, her mind whirling with all the possibilities. This time he didn’t carry her, but in a welcome display of chivalry, he did take her hand as he navigated the path, kicking aside any rogue limbs and thorns that might reach out and grab her.

      Once they made it to the back door, he tugged her back against him, formed one hand to her jaw, and kissed her again, but only briefly. “I want an hour of your time, Selene. Tonight. After it’s over, you’ll know your own body like you’ve never known it before. You’ll also know the lack of passion in your marriage wasn’t your fault.”

      Then he disappeared into the house, leaving Selene alone to ponder exactly what she was falling into, aside from Adrien’s sensual snare. Vigilance came calling, along with a voice that implored her not to be too hasty. Not to listen to her carnal needs. Not to throw out all her caution.

      But her sister’s voice telling her not to be so cautious drowned out all the warnings. Tonight, she would give Adrien an hour and hope that she came away with all that he’d promised, and more. Why wouldn’t she? After all, he was a master of seduction.

      “You summoned me, oh master of the household?”

      Adrien spun his chair around from his computer to find Ella standing before the desk. “Yeah. I just spoke with your brother. He’s expecting you tonight.”

      Confusion showed in her expression and resonated in her tone when she asked, “Since when?”

      “Since I told him you were coming to visit for a few days. I’ve arranged for a driver to take you to the airport and the plane will be waiting. You can leave immediately after dinner.”

      “But—”

      “No buts, Ella. You haven’t seen him in almost two years.”

      Ella narrowed her eyes. “What are you up to, Adrien?”

      He leaned back in his chair and stacked his hands behind his head. “I’m not up to anything. I’m giving you some time off to be