by Riley Walker
I pat Ridge on the chest. “This is why I called Zoe an hour ago and had her meet us here with a U-Haul. I also have a couple of guys waiting for us at the apartments to unload and put the boxes in the apartments for us. All we have to do is load it up here. Easy peasy.”
“Easy peasy, my ass,” Ridge mutters.
“Come on, brother. We can do this. I bet Alice will even feed us after all this is done.” Oren winks at me.
“Absolutely. I’ll feed you whatever you want.”
Ridge bends over and whispers in my ear, “Is that a promise, Hot Lips?”
I shudder at his words. I’m going to need some air, stat.
Once we have the U-Haul loaded, Zoe and I follow Ridge and Oren back to the warehouse where we are met with a dozen guys ready to help us unload everything.
It doesn’t take long before everything is in the correct apartment and the guys I hired are busy putting all the furniture together. We decide to leave them and head back to my house for dinner. We already have security in place to let them out when they are done. We stop for Chinese takeout on the way home, per Ridge’s request.
After dinner I can’t stop yawning, so Ridge and Oren kiss me goodbye and I head upstairs to take a shower and get ready for bed. All that shopping and loading up furniture has left me feeling sweaty, gross, and exhausted. I’m soaping up my loofah when I hear the bathroom door open.
“I’ll be out in a few minutes!” I holler.
The shower door opens and Ridge is there smiling. “Mind if we join you?”
I’m standing there with my mouth hanging open. My mouth and brain aren’t computing what he is saying. Did he say we?
Ridge smirks and throws off his shirt. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
He continues removing the rest of his clothes and I am still standing there holding a soapy loofah. Ridge enters and takes the loofah out of my hand. I take in his muscular body and wowza, that erection is something to behold.
He motions for me to turn around. “Let me scrub your back for you.”
Ridge starts slowly soaping up my back when I hear the shower door open again. I look over my shoulder to see Oren stepping inside. Yes, they are identical twins in every way. He walks over to stand in front of me, and I have just became the ham in a twin stud sandwich.
I feel Ridge kneel behind me, as he sensually soaps up my backside then down the back of each leg. The sensation is causing goosebumps to erupt across my whole body.
Oren grabs the back of my neck and pulls me in for a kiss. The kiss is hard and urgent, making me weak in the knees. I open my mouth to his tongue just as Ridge pushes my legs apart so he can thoroughly clean my throbbing pussy.
“Turn around so I can clean the rest of your gorgeous body,” Ridge growls.
Oren stops our kiss and spins me around. He applies shampoo to my hair and starts massaging my scalp. It’s all I can do to not melt into a puddle on the shower floor. Ridge begins soaping my shoulders and then down to my breasts. He cleans one breast while sucking on the other one. Oren leans my head back to rinse my hair and then he applies conditioner while running his fingers through it. Ridge continues cleaning the rest of my body one agonizing inch at a time. Oren steps up to my back and I feel his hardness pushing against my bottom. I grind back into him while he palms my breasts, alternating between kneading them and pinching my nipples. Ridge stands up after thoroughly cleaning my legs. His lips crash down on mine and there is a fire igniting in my core. I can feel his hardness pressed up against my stomach. I’m about to reach down and stroke his shaft when I hear loud beeping.
“What is that horrible noise?”
I open my eyes to find out that I’m in bed alone, with wet panties. Damn, I was only dreaming and didn’t even get to take my shower last night. Not in real life or in dreamland. I reach over and shut off the alarm. Today is moving day for the working girls so I better get my ass moving, but first things first. I open my nightstand drawer and pull out my trusty Rocket Rabbit. I’m going to have to relieve the pressure myself or I won’t make it through the day. I would hate to jump the first man I see.
I arrive at the warehouse an hour later. I’m still humming from the dream with the Michaelson twins. My Rocket Rabbit was not enough today.
“Hey there, Hot Lips.”
I jump at the sound of Ridge’s voice. Get a grip, Alice. We don’t want to scare him away too soon. “Ridge, what are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you.”
He grabs my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “We wanted to be here for support. Besides, you don’t know what all they’ll be bringing and you can always use the extra hands to carry bags upstairs.”
I look past Ridge and see Cash, Oren, and even North heading toward me. I’m shocked to see the youngest brother here. I haven’t seen North since he came over to the house, apologizing for Vivian’s behavior.
“Pretty Girl, come give Cash some sugar.”
I laugh and jump into Cash’s open arms. “You are so silly.” I raise my chin and give him a swift kiss on the lips then lean in to whisper in his ear, “I’m so glad to see you here, but why is North with you? Last I saw him, he wasn’t very happy with me.”
Cash bends over and whispers back, “When we told him where we were going, he insisted on coming. He put Vivian on a plane the morning after the disaster dinner. I don’t think we’ll be seeing her anymore.”
“Stop hogging my Alley Cat,” Oren says as he physically removes me from his older brother’s arms. “We’re here to work, so tell us what you need.”
I put my arms around Orens waist. “We have about fifteen minutes before everyone starts arriving. I have the coffee cart set up, it just needs to be turned on. Do you think you could handle that? There’s water and juice boxes back there also.” Zoe was supposed to come and handle that part, but she said her buds needed some extra attention this morning. I didn’t want to work the cart, I’m here to personally meet and welcome each new family.
Oren takes off to get the drinks ready. Ridge, Cash, and North stand behind me as we watch the first van pull in.
Cash opens the van’s side door and I get my first look at my new tenants. I walk over, lifting my hand to her.
“Hi! Welcome home. I’m Alice Du-Kane and these guys are Cash, Ridge, and North,” I say as I point to each guy. “If you head on in, Sally is at the desk with your key and apartment number.”
The woman still has a grip on my outstretched hand. “Alice, my name is Twyla, and this is my son Keiten. I couldn’t believe it when Sally told me what you were doing. We can never repay you for taking a chance on us.”
I smile at Twyla then bend down to get eye level with her son. “Hello, Keiten. I’m so happy to see you. While your mom is inside getting her key, my friend Oren is at a coffee cart. He has some water or juice if you’re thirsty.”
Keiten hides behind his mom’s legs, but at the words “juice box”, he shuffles out a little and graces me with a toothy grin. I watch them walk off and into the building. Turning around, I come face-to-face with another woman, followed by two smaller kids. I again hold out my hand, but this time it’s pushed aside and I’m engulfed in a bear hug.
“Darlin’, after everything you’re doing for us, we don’t shake hands. This is a hugging moment. I’m Kassie and these are my kids, LeeLee and Tootie.”
“It’s very nice to meet you. Sally is waiting inside with your key, and we have a cart set up with coffee, water, and juice for the kids.”
The next three families to exit the van go about the same way. I welcome Vicki and her three kids: Craig, Sariah, and Arizona. Next is Bea and her daughter, Skye. The last family to exit the van is Tina and her son, KJ. By the time I’ve welcomed them all and sent them inside to see Sally, the next van is pulling up. I go through the motions again, welcoming the last five families.
Mary with her two kids, Kelly and Brandon; Diane with her daughter Bianca; Stella and her three kids, Kay, BooBoo, and George; Lanie with her son, Levi; Erica and
her twin daughters, Becca and Iza.
Once all ten families are assigned their keys and the guys have helped them unload their bags in their new homes, they meet me downstairs by the front desk. I show them how to get into the warehouse, where the fitness room, spa, and mailboxes are located. We go over the Wi-Fi information, and they meet the security team I hired to be on the premises 24/7. Lastly, we tour the daycare, and watch the younger kids run and play with the new toys we purchased.
“You did good, Alice. You should be proud of this,” North speaks over my shoulder. I turn my head, looking up at him as he smiles down at me. “When Oren told me about your project, I didn’t know if you’d be able to pull it off. These families look very happy, Alice. If CronCorp can do anything to help, all you have to do is say the word.” He runs his hand down my back, stopping right above my waistline. After a few lingering moments, he removes his hand, turns, and walks out of the daycare.
“Alley Cat, everything looks great. Give us a call if you need anything.”
“Yeah, Hot Lips. Let’s get together the first of the week and have dinner.”
“Call me later, Pretty Girl.”
I watch the four Michaelson brothers walk off and get into Ridge’s truck. I feel air blowing across the nape of my neck. When I turn to see what's behind me, I start laughing. Twyla is standing right behind me, a piece of paper in her hand fanning herself. “Gurl, those are some fine men right there. If you aren’t tappin’ at least some of that, you need to be.”
Twenty-Three
Shiny New Toy
Over the last two weeks, the third floor of the warehouse has been finished, and we welcomed in the remaining ten families. We have all the apartments filled now with twenty families, and Sally managing the building. Zoe has harvested the buds and they have to cure for two more weeks before we will be ready to put FLAG out on the streets.
I’m a bundle of nerves.
Oren just called to let me know his private investigator has dug up enough incriminating evidence on Uncle Richie to take it to the police and invites me over to take a look at the report. This is the perfect distraction. I want to look my best without being too obvious. I grab a cute pair of denim shorts that hug my ass, a red tank top, and my red cleopatra sandals. I apply some mascara and red lipstick right before grabbing Dobey and heading out the door.
Dobey and I arrive at the Michaelson house. As soon as I open the car door, he bounds up the stairs with gusto. I ring the doorbell and when the door opens, I’m reminded of my twin sandwich dream. Ridge stands in the doorway with nothing but a pair of basketball shorts on. His hair is wet, probably fresh from a shower. A hot, steamy, shower. I have to shake my head to pull my mind out of the gutter.
“Well, hey there, Hot Lips,” he says while leaning against the door frame.
I’m still staring at his chest when Dobey decides he needs some attention, too. He practically barrels Ridge over to get inside the door. North must be home because that damn traitorous dog only acts that way when he’s around. Ridge grabs my hand, bringing me through the door and shuts it behind us. Apparently I can’t function around a half naked Ridge.
Oren bounds down the stairs with a huge grin on his face. “Alley Cat, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.”
“Hey, Oren.”
North comes around the corner with Dobey on his heels. “Alice, your hellhound just bulldozed his way into my room. Can’t you control this beast?” he asks while rubbing the so-called hellhound’s head.
“Awwww, Northy Poo, he loves you,” I snicker.
The twins are laughing behind me. I can’t help but smile, knowing North is a big ole softy on the inside.
“I’m hungry,” Ridge says while rubbing his belly.
I giggle at him. “You’re always hungry, big guy.”
He wags his eyebrows at me. “I’m definitely big, baby.”
North rolls his eyes. “What do you want? I’ll call takeout.”
Oren speaks up before anyone can. “Oh, order from the Vagina Tandoori Indian Cuisine.”
North looks at me. “Is that alright with you?”
I shrug. “It was delicious last time. Why not?”
“Hey, Alice, I’ve got some stuff to show you. We can go to my office while we wait on dinner to get here.”
“Sounds good to me.” I follow Oren upstairs to his bedroom slash office.
Oren sits down in a desk chair and I lean over him as he boots up the computer. He pats his lap. “Sit down, Alley Cat. You’ll get a crick in your neck.”
I shrug and take a seat in his lap, and my dream suddenly rushes to the front of my mind. I wiggle a little trying to get comfortable and I hear Oren grunt. “Oh no. I’m too heavy aren’t I? I must be crushing you.”
I try to stand but he holds me down by my waist. “You’re fine. Just quit wiggling please.”
That’s when I feel it under me. Oren is growing hard beneath my ass. I freeze when I feel it twitch. A warmth spreads throughout my body and straight down to my core. I rub my thighs together tying to ease some of my tension.
Oren groans, “Ally Cat, you’re killing me here.”
He grabs the back of my neck, turning my face to his, and starts to gently kiss my lips. I grab his neck and turn the kiss into something more as I open my lips to him and massage my tongue with his. After a few minutes I can’t take it anymore. I need to focus on what we came in here for or throw him on his bed. I pull away from him feeling breathless.
“So, Oren, what was it you have to show me?” I ask while facing the computer.
His response is to push my hair over my shoulder and kiss my neck. He grabs my hips and grinds his hardness into my butt. Good Lord it just keeps getting bigger.
“Oren, show me what you got. Ugh! I mean, please show me what the private investigator sent you.”
He gives me a lopsided grin and pulls up the files. He shows me all kinds of incriminating evidence: tax fraud, embezzlement, and slumlord to name a few. Oren thinks we’re on the right track to getting him out of my life and Du-Kane, Inc. for good.
Ridge yells up the stairs, “Dinner is here!”
“Thank you for helping me. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
He winks at me. “Anything for you, Alley Cat. Can you go downstairs and save me some food? You know Ridge will eat it all if you don’t.”
I cock my head at him. “Aren’t you coming downstairs?”
He runs his hand through his hair. “Um yeah, but I need to get something to settle down first,” he replies while looking down at his pants.
I feel my face turn red, so I just walk out the door. When I get to the kitchen, I notice Ridge has already made himself a plate that is big enough to feed three people. By the time Oren has entered the kitchen, I’ve made both our plates. He grabs them both and I follow him to the game room. North, Ridge, and Cash are already sitting on the sectional digging into their food. Dobey is laying at North’s feet, the traitor. I sit down and Oren hands me the plate of food.
He gives me a smirk. “Hope you can handle this.”
Ugh, I blush and look around at the other guys. “Thanks, Oren.”
North clears his throat. “Alice, we were waiting on you to pick out the movie.”
This surprises me. “Why? I’m sure I’ll like anything y’all pick out.”
Cash laughs. “Pretty Girl, we need you to pick for us because we can never agree on a movie. I like action, Ridge prefers horror, Owen loves a good crime drama, and North is a rom-com lover.”
“What the what? North with a stick up his ass likes romantic comedies? Am I being punked? Where is that Ashton Kutcher?”
All the guys are laughing hysterically except North. He glares at us and growls, “I don’t have a stick up my ass, I’m just more reserved than the rest of you heathens.”
“Sure dude,” Cash says under his breath.
Oren hands me a remote and points to the TV. “Just pick out a movie and save us an argument, please.”
>
I scroll through the options and find one I haven’t seen yet.
The movie starts up and Cash yells, “Yes!”
I shrug and say, “Jurassic World has action, romance, comedy, and horror.”
Ridge pouts. “Where’s the horror?”
“Chris Pratt has his shirt on throughout the entire movie. That’s horrific!”
The Michaelson brothers all groan, but settle in for the dinosaur fun.
I watched the beginning of the movie and drooled over Chris Pratt. That is the last thing I remember until I wake up to hushed voices. My head feels like it’s in someone’s lap and my feet are being kept warm by large hands. I stay as still as possible, trying to hear what the brothers are saying.
Cash whispers, “Oren, what happened in your bedroom earlier?”
“Nothing. Why?” Oren whispers back.
“Alice came down the stairs looking flustered, and everytime she looked at you, she blushed.” I feel thighs tense under my head. I must be laying in Oren’s lap.
“I’m not going to kiss and tell. I really like her though.”
“Guys, we all like her. The way I see it is, we all date her or no one does,” Ridge says in a hushed tone.
North speaks up a little louder. “You mean you all like her. I’ve got enough to worry about, and I just broke up with Vivian. Who, by the way, is not taking it well.”
“Who are you kidding, little brother? You like her just as much as the rest of us. You have always been the stubborn one.” Cash chuckles.
Ridge says, “I say we give it a go. As brothers we basically share everything, why not Alice?”
“I’m in,” says Oren.
“Me too,” whispers Cash.
“Don’t you think that you should ask Alice before making this decision?” North grumbles.
I can’t take anymore of this discussion. How can they sit here talking about all of them dating me? How would that even work? How could they possibly share me without getting jealous because I know if I were to date any of them, I wouldn’t share. I need to get out of here without having this conversation tonight.
