CHAPTER 3

“ Okay. So if you still don't love your future husband at the end of a year, you get to inherit all his grandfather’s properties.” 

Celestine’s eyes widened. “What?!” 

“Yes, Celeste. Although we told him not to, he insisted. He wanted to compensate you for whatever you must have faced during the marriage.” 

Celestine had a frown on her face. 

“Why don't you think about it, Celestine? I promise if you meet him and give him a chance,” Maria tried placating her daughter. 

Celestine sighed “I need to... I'm heading to the club; I need some time alone.”

 Her dad stood up and carried his keys, “Come on, I'll drive you.”

“ Dad–”

“Just come with me, young lady.” 

They got to the club in record time, and Maverick turned to his daughter with a sad smile.

“I'm sorry for throwing all these at you at once. I know how overwhelmed you must be.” He pulled out his card and handed it to her.

“Go have fun; let out steam.” 

Celestine stared at her dad with amazement. “Dad,” she drawled.

He chuckled as she grabbed his card, and someone caught his eye. He smiled and nudged Celestine. 

She turned in the direction he was pointing. 

“He’s hot, isn't he?” Maverick chuckled as he watched his daughter’s jaw drop.

“Fuck me, Dad!” She slapped her palm over her lips and said, "I mean...” 

Maverick waved her away and said, "I get it. He's quite the catch.” 

“Are you telling me to...” She trailed off. 

“ Yes. Have one last fun before your marriage.” He chuckled and said, "I'll leave your car here and take the bus. Don't stay out too late.” He winked at her, and Celestine chuckled as she got out of the car. 

She searched around for the hunk that caught both her and her father’s eye but couldn't find him anywhere. 

She sighed, her shoulders slumping, grabbed a wine bottle and a glass, and went to the roof. She wanted to be alone, and that was the perfect spot. 

When she got there, she didn't notice him at first, but as she walked closer, there he was. 

The Hunk! 

 He had silky black hair that was slicked backward and glowing in the moonlight. 

He'd lost his suit and was just dressed in his shirt, trousers, and motherfucking suspenders.

She stared at his broad back and imagined her hands stroking them. 

He hadn't noticed her yet, she realized, but she was glad because it gave her more time to drink him in. 

He was standing closer to the edge of the roof and turned his face to the moon. His hand came up to his hair, and the scene made Celestine gasp. 

He heard her.

“Goddammit Charlie! I told you to fuck off.”

He stopped, but that was enough to slap her out of her daydream. 

Oh my goodness! I was eye-fucking him. She thought to herself, Oh dear Lord, please have mercy...

Her legs wobbled at the sight. His shirt was opened two buttons down, exposing a lightly hairy, broad chest. He was ripped all over, and he was huge. 

The man looked like he walked out of a fucking erotic novel. 

He cleared his throat, and she blinked and quickly apologized for invading his space.

She turned to leave, but then he grabbed her arm, and Celestine’s whole body jumped. 

Get a hold of yourself. She reprimanded her own body. 

And when the stranger apologized, his voice was deep and smooth, and her eyes met his. She couldn't help but smile at the warmth she found in them. 

“Are you running away from something as well?” The stranger asked. 

And she didn't know why, but she felt the urge to offload everything on him and open her heart to him, which is crazy because she just met him.

“ Yeah.” She sighed and ran her hand through her hair out of frustration. 

Celestine turned to him and asked, “What about you?” 

And she wished she didn't because, the way he was staring at her, Heavens, she could almost jump the man. 

“Of everything that happened today, I have to say meeting you is the nicest thing that has happened to me.” 

She blushed.

Okay! So he's a sweet talker... But what guy isn't?

“I'm Rhys, Rhys Alastair, you?” 

She frowned. The name sounded familiar, but she couldn't remember where she heard it. 

“ Selene.” Giving him her other name because he didn't recognize her. She didn't want him to either. It made their attraction more mysterious. “You must be famous. A celebrity?” 

He laughed, and the sound sent the butterflies in her tummy into a frenzy. 

“Why'd you say that?” 

“One, you look expensive; two, your name sounds popular; and you're on the rooftop of the most exquisite bar in the country.” 

He smiled, almost as if my words pleased him. 

“I can say the same for you, but I don't think I've met anyone with the name Selene.” 

“I hate being in the spotlight. The press is like a leech for people like us, and I am not built for that kind of life. So I stay off the grid, under the radar, and they seem to forget I exist.” Celestine grinned. 

“I wish I could be like you. But since I can't, I'd like to have you instead.” He winked, and she burst into laughter. 

“That's so cringeworthy. Was that on your list of pick-up lines? It's horrible.” 

“ Maybe. But at least it made you laugh.” 

She looked at him and saw his eyes sparkling with desire, which mirrored hers.

The breeze messed with her hair, causing it to fly about, and she watched with a hitched breath as Rhys raised his hand to push my hair behind her ears. 

Dad! Thank you,she thought to herself.

Their eyes locked, never breaking. His hand slid down to her neck, cradling it and pulling her softly towards him till they met in the middle. 

His other hand slowly wrapped around her waist in an embrace, and he pressed their bodies flush against each other. 

His eyes darkened with desire, a low groan escaping his lips, and he bent slowly, his lips taking in a gentle kiss, and she responded in kind.