Mikayla [Orchidea: Love on the Bayou 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (4 page)

“I had to investigate the entire family during the time of the case. She had one steady boyfriend for less than a year. She doesn’t really date, and she’s been fully immersed in her business and building it up.”

“She is definitely efficient. Perhaps you are wrong. Perhaps she would be enticed to have four men cater to her every need and take turns dating her and taking her out. We’re all not quite into commitment ourselves.”

Michael got angry with Pierre. He was so hardheaded and hard-hearted at times. The man rarely showed emotion or deep connection to anything.

“Speak for yourself, Pierre. Antoine and I had decided years ago that we would follow our parents’ lifestyle. You have preferred one-night stands and noncommittal relationships. That’s your problem, and I also think Mikayla deserves better. So if you’re not interested in a full commitment with her, then cancel your date and head off to Germany. She’s not a game.”

“She should find out any moment who I really am. Celia sent over the paperwork to confirm the deal. My legal name is on them. We’ll see just how interested she really is.”

“Oh hell. I’ll be here tonight. We all need to talk, including Douglas. I can’t wait to see her. But we really need to discuss our options so Mikayla doesn’t get hurt. Are you going to call Douglas?”

“Yeah, I’ll take care of him.”

* * * *

“Son of a bitch! I don’t believe this,” Mikayla yelled as the documents for the purchase of 1254 Burrens Place came through. She saw the name of the buyer. Mr. Pierre Fromm with Bently Corporation. Why hadn’t he told her who he really was? Was he checking her out for Michael and Antoine? What the hell was going on? Bently Corp was a major international corporation. He was the owner? God, Pierre could afford five places like Burrens place, maybe even more.

Mikayla felt sick to her stomach. Were these men playing some sort of game? The thought brought back memories of Justin and how hard she had fallen for his charms. She wasn’t good at relationships and challenging any feelings of uncertainty. If she had been able to stand up for herself, she would have confronted Justin. Instead she just cried as he walked out of her life, breaking her heart and killing her desire to risk falling in love again.

She shook her head. Why was she thinking these types of thoughts? Perhaps this situation meant nothing and was just a coincidence. Michael and Antoine mentioned having two other brothers, but they didn’t mention introducing her to them. Then of course the case and Antoine’s work were interfering with every plan they tried to make for a date. Would Michael and Antoine be pissed about this? Did Pierre buy a six-million-dollar home just to meet her? Oh God, did he think he was buying her by doing this? He had a reputation as an intimidating business tycoon. The papers and news reports always just called him the owner of Bently Corporation not by Pierre Fromm. She thought about that a moment. Pierre Bently. He wasn’t going by his real name. Where did the name Bently come from?

She felt her hands shaking as she looked over the documents. He even gave the homeowner an extra twenty thousand for making the sale quick. This was some sort of business battle with that guy at the house with Shelly. It had to be. Either way she was walking away with a lot of money thanks to Pierre. She felt a knot in her belly.
Would he expect something in return? Did Michael and Antoine know that he contacted me?
She began to nibble on her lower lip.

Oh God, I need to call Illeanna.

* * * *

“Are you kidding me?” Illeanna asked Mikayla as she stirred the jambalaya and spoke with her sister on the phone. This was getting to be quite interesting.

“No, I’m not kidding. I just sent the documents off to the attorney’s. This is the quickest and largest deal I’ve ever been involved with. I can’t believe he didn’t tell me who he really was. What if he just wanted to have me owe him something? I mean he does have a kind of crazy reputation in the business world. I Google searched him, Illeanna, and he is a ladies’ man. He’s been all over the world. He is so out of my league and nothing at all like my type.”

“If he is as good looking as you described, then, honey, he wouldn’t need to help you land a sale to get into your pants. You were attracted to him immediately. Plus you don’t know what your type is. You haven’t dated enough to know. None of us have. I know exactly who he is. He has also backed some upscale restaurants all over the world. The man is a major business tycoon and hot as well.”

Illeanna looked at Gustave who raised his eyebrows at Illeanna and her words. She winked then went back to cooking.

“Was he flirting with you? What was he wearing? I mean how good looking was he in person?”

“Oh God, Illeanna, Pierre is sophisticated, intimidating, and so out of my league it isn’t even funny. I mean Michael and Antoine are just as good looking, but they’re so down-to-earth. Or at least they seemed that way with the little time I spent with them.”

“I think you’re overthinking this. You should go tonight and see what he wants. It may be just a business deal celebration, and who knows, maybe Michael and Antoine will find out and make sure they make a date with you happen.”

“I don’t want to use one brother against two others. I’ll tell you one thing though. I’m even more concerned about the brother I haven’t met yet. I don’t know if I can take any more of these kinds of surprises. I can’t date more than one person at the same time. That’s just asking for trouble. Oh damn, Illeanna, what if they’re all interested? What if I have to choose between them?”

“Why would you have to choose between them? Maybe they want to share?”

“Oh shit! I can’t handle that. I have no experience dealing with that kind of relationship.”

“Holy cow, Mikayla, you’re acting like such a scaredy-cat. This is the same woman who was pushing me to explore my feelings for Julien, Franco, Louis, Johnny, and Gustave? You told me to sleep with them immediately.”

Mikayla was silent a moment. Illeanna knew she was thinking. This was too funny and rather ironic that Mikayla could be about to emerge in a ménage relationship as well.

“That was different. You were intrigued the moment Angelique shared her story with us. I was sitting there wondering how the hell our sister could handle five men when I couldn’t handle one.”

“Listen, if you’re uncomfortable, just let them know what you’re uncomfortable about. Meanwhile try them out. It’s not like you’ve had sex in a while. This could be exactly what you need to let go and explore your options.”

“Sex? You think they’ll want to have sex with me all together? At once? The first time we get together? You think that?” Mikayla asked in a panic. Illeanna chuckled.

“Not necessarily. Not every ménage relationship starts with a round of sex. There’s the same type of courting process and getting to know one another and if an attraction is there, et cetera. You’re overthinking this.”

“That’s easy for you to say. You’ve been in love with Johnny, Gustave, Franco, Julien, and Louis for years. I hardly even know Michael or Antoine and never mind this guy Pierre. I’m not good at relationships. I’m not ready to date again. I think I should call and cancel.”

Illeanna laughed. “You’ll be fine. You like them, you’re attracted to them, so find out what it is exactly they are looking for. What are you wearing by the way?” Illeanna asked as she felt the arms go around her waist and Gustave begin to kiss her neck.

“Something fitted and classy, thank goodness. I had to cancel four other appointments I’ve been working on for the past few weeks. Luckily they went well. I’d better get going. I need to freshen up before Pierre’s driver arrives.”

“His driver, huh? You lucky lady. Have fun and call me if you need to get out of there. I’ll take Gustave or Johnny with me. They can be quite intimidating,” Illeanna said then heard Mikayla chuckle before she hung up the phone.

“Everything okay, sugar?” Gustave asked as he began to lift her shirt up off her body.

“Everything is fine. What do you think you’re doing?” she teased as she stirred the concoction.

“You look so sexy, sugar, cooking up dinner and talking on the phone. Plus I wanted to be sure Mikayla’s description of some sexy guy didn’t make you lose interest in me.”

“Lose interest in you? Never! Just let me turn this down a sec.” Illeanna turned off the burner, but before she could place the cover on the pan of food, he turned her toward him and covered her mouth with his. The feel of his hands pressing down over her ass then squeezing her to him drove her wild. Oh yeah, she loved her hot Cajun men. All five of them.

* * * *

Isaac hadn’t said a word except “good evening, Miss Aubert,” and that the ride would be about twenty-five minutes. Mikayla stared out the window after she absorbed the fine interior of the top-of-the-line Range Rover. She had fixed her hair and reapplied some lip gloss before he arrived. Now she wished she had a chance to go home and change but knew that she wouldn’t have been able to pick out an outfit once she was there anyway. Her palms were sweaty, and she was feeling that tight sensation in her belly. She went over different possibilities of what might or might not happen this evening in her head. She was glad she showered this morning before work and shaved, too, instead of last night.
Oh God, what the hell am I thinking?

She knew exactly what she was thinking. With a man as attractive and charismatic as Pierre, what sane woman wouldn’t think about potential sex? But she wasn’t exactly good at this sort of thing. She hadn’t even had sex since Justin left her. The tears threatened to fall at the thought of him. Why did she feel so used and not good enough? God, her sisters would go crazy if they knew how Mikayla truly felt about herself. Every time she looked in the mirror she could see all her faults. Her eyes were too big and gave away her emotions. She looked like a damn puppy dog. Her nose was tiny, her lips full, and she had a set of beauty marks that looked like the little dipper along her ear and neck. “Geesh!” she whispered. Why was she even bothering with this dinner date? She began to truly panic. She felt her hands begin to shake and a feeling of claustrophobia nearly overwhelm her. She started to say Isaac’s name but had difficulty speaking, and before she totally freaked out even more, Isaac pulled up to a security gate and pressed in a code to enter what appeared to be a large estate. The neighborhood was one of the best upscale neighborhoods in the area. Each property had seclusion and security. As they traveled up a long driveway, a stunning, very old but meticulous-looking estate appeared. It was breathtaking.

She couldn’t turn back now.
Unless maybe I claim I am feeling ill and better head back home in case it is contagious? Yeah, that sounds good. No, it sounds lame. Damn!

Isaac parked the car then came around to open the door for her. He walked her up the steps, and as soon as the door opened, she saw Pierre. He was dressed in a pair of dress slacks and a dark-colored dress shirt. He looked sensational. Did the man ever look bad?

She stifled the moan that seemed to mysteriously appear in her throat at the sight of the God before her.
Get a grip, Mikayla. Remember that he lied to you. He hadn’t told you his real name. You need to find out why? Cop an attitude and gain some control here.

“Good evening, Miss Aubert, please come on in and welcome,” he stated as he motioned with his hands for her to come and follow him into the other room. The center hall was magnificent, with a winding staircase and a huge crystal chandelier that hung from the cathedral ceilings.

She stood in position and placed her hands on her hips as she stared at him, trying her hardest to give a stern expression.

“Mr. Pierre Bently or is it Pierre Fromm?” she questioned him, and he walked closer to her and smiled. Man, could she get lost in a smile like that. His lips were firm, and confidence poured from his shoulders. She imagined him kissing her, and she felt her heart rate increase. She would surely feel a kiss from lips like that clear to her toes.
Get a grip, Mikayla, you’re angry, remember?

He took her hand and bowed his head as he brought it to his lips and laid a soft kiss on the top of it.

He looked up, holding her gaze. “It is Pierre Fromm, however I use my mother’s maiden name for security purposes. I was adopted and my brothers were not. They use the family name. My business does not allow for such pleasantries.”

He brought her hand to his chest causing her to move closer toward him. “You are a stunning woman and our paths were meant to cross. Please give us the opportunity to explore our attraction to you.”

“Us?” she asked, feeling her insides tighten with a mix of anticipation and fear.

“Yes, Mikayla, us.” She turned to see Michael and Antoine standing in the doorway. They looked so damn handsome her heart fluttered inside. She absorbed them, every ounce of them. Antoine, with his loose-fitting jeans and white button-down polo, held a glass of red wine in his hand. Michael wore jeans and a blue T-shirt and held a beer.

“What’s going on? I don’t appreciate being some expendable toy in a game of who can mess with the woman the most. I haven’t heard from either of you in weeks. Then this guy comes along, lying about who he really is and turns out to be related to you. What the hell?” she yelled, and when all three men looked at her, she instinctively knew she was in a heap of trouble. Power radiated from all three men. It radiated from their broad shoulders, and angry determination glittered in their eyes. She took a step back, unsure if she stood a chance to make a run for it in the high heels she wore.