Falling For Them: A New Adult Reverse Harem Collection

by C. L. Stone

  “Are you ready to go, Sweetheart?” Max asked with a smirk.

  Truth be told, Evie wasn’t sure she wanted to go. She wasn’t looking forward to trying to teleport again. Her first experience left a sour taste in her mouth every time she thought about it. But, Max wanted her to come, and if she was honest with herself, she looked forward to seeing Cyne and Dashiel again.

  When Evie materialized in a new location, the side effects, while leaving her stomach rolling, weren’t as bad as before. The others waited for her to get her bearings, and together, they walked out of the back alley they’d teleported into.

  Evie followed them silently, taking in the surroundings. They were in the middle of a city. Peeking out of the alley, Evie knew immediately where they were. Evie had been here on supply runs in the past. The uniqueness of the of the warehouse district in Chutney, a large city a couple of hours drive north of Holden, wasn’t easy to forget.

  Max and Caleb took the lead, walking side by side, talking quietly. Evie followed behind and the silent giant kept pace behind her. While Jaxon unnerved her, his presence at her back made her feel oddly comforted. They didn’t have far to go. Max led them towards a building about a block away, on the opposite side of the street from the alley. Max bypassed the door located at the front of the building. Instead, he veered around the corner and stopped at a large side door. A long, red rope suspended from two columns with a VIP sign attached to it greeted them. Max and Caleb nodded at the bouncer stationed at the door.

  “Welcome to Origins. You know the rules. Abide by them or else face the pit.” The bouncer sneered spitefully at Evie. “You’re responsible for the human. If it freaks out and spills our secrets, it’s on you and yours.”

  “Fuck you, Hillax. Now move your ass and let us through.” Jaxon stepped up closer to Evie, placing a hand on her shoulder. He gently nudged her forward, past the hateful gaze of the man guarding the door. He rumbled low in his throat as Evie passed by, but with a quick look from Jaxon, he turned his attention back to his post.

  Jaxon continued to hold onto Evie’s shoulder as they walked down the hallway opening up into the inner room. Max brought them to a bar. Patrons packed into the large space. Multiple leather couches filled the space with occupants situated on and around them. Rows of tables lined the back wall. Max led them to one just past the pool tables.

  Sliding into the booth, Evie was a little surprised to find it already occupied. Cyne relaxed there, grinning at her. She missed seeing him when she approached. Evie was pulled away from her stupor by another muscular body sitting down on her other side. Jaxon had decided to join them on their side of the table. Evie scrunched closer to Cyne to make room for the giant. Cyne was also huge, so his thighs brushed up against hers, causing tingles to erupt along her skin at that small touch.

  Not able to take the silence any longer, Evie spoke up, "What is this place?"

  Max grinned at her from across the table where he reclined next to Caleb. Leaning forward, he whispered conspiratorially, "This is Origins. It’s a club where humans and supernaturals can interact. It’s neutral territory.”

  “What do you mean interact? And what supernaturals? Do you mean other Surmata? Demons?”

  Evie looked around the room, but she didn’t spot anything out of the ordinary. Just men and women, decked out in club clothing, sitting around drinking and chatting. Music played overhead, a few couples swayed to the tune, but there was no dance floor.

  “There are Surmata and a few demons in the inner rooms of Origins. There are other supernaturals as well.”

  Just as Max was starting to explain, a high pitched nasally voice interrupted him, “Whatcha having?”

  The waitress, dressed in skinny jeans and a tank top stood by the table with a serving tray perched on her hip. She ignored everyone else at the table and looked directly at Jaxon. She leaned in closer to him, making sure her girls were on display.

  “Even if it’s not on the menu, you can have it if you ask nicely.” The waitress tried for a sultry pout, but to Evie, she just looked constipated.

  “We want the house special. Now, get lost,” Jaxon dismissed her with a sneer. The waitress frowned at him, her expression a little hurt, but then she shrugged and looked over at Evie. “She seems kinda young. Sure you want to take her into the Abyss? Even with the dampener, she looks like she’d break within minutes.”

  “Just get our drinks and mind your own fucking business.” The icy tone of Jaxon’s voice could have frozen over a mid-sized lake. The waitress finally took the hint and sauntered off back to the bar to put in their order.

  Evie was confused and getting annoyed at being in the dark. “What is this place, and what is the Abyss? I thought this bar was called Origins?”

  Evie squared her shoulders and tried to look intimidating. When the two giants surrounding her started to chuckle, she realized she failed. She turned her head to glare up at both of them.

  “Kitten’s got claws. Retract them, Tiny Tot. We’ll tell you.” Cyne smirked down at her.

  “Cyne!” Jaxon reprimanded.

  “What the fuck, Jax? She’s got the right to know this shit since we brought her along. She’s not a fucking child. Besides, she needs to know. Her father is a fucking fuckhead, you fucking douche. She has to know where she can go to be safe.”

  “She’s too young to know about the shit that goes on in the Abyss.” Jaxon leaned forward, his expression tense.

  “No, she’s not. She’s seventeen. That’s old enou….” Cyne argued.

  “Oh, for christ sake! I can’t stand listening to you two idiots bicker. She’s my best friend. I know what she can and can’t handle better than the lot of you. Now shut the hell up, or else I will tell Dashiel you were both hitting on her, and he will kick your asses for fucking around with a human.” Max was on his feet, his eyes glowing a deep red.

  Evie stayed still between the two giants, not wanting to draw attention to herself. She hadn’t meant to start a fight between the friends. When Cyne and Jaxon stayed quiet, Max sat back down with a heavy sigh. Caleb looked amused by him, his eyes sparkling with laughter.

  Max offered him a soft, private smile before turning his attention back to her. “Evie, Sweets. Origins is a mixed bar, for all races. The room we are in now is referred to as the Dock. It’s mainly for humans to sit, drink, play pool and have a good time with friends. A few Supes will hang out in here from time to time, but most prefer the back rooms. Those rooms are called the Abyss. It’s neutral territory for all supernaturals and also humans. I’m sure you have heard about humans who are fascinated with supernatural. How they talk about being with them sexually?”

  Evie felt awkward talking about this in front of the other guys, but she nodded her head to Max’s question hoping her cheeks weren’t bright red. Her online searches had discovered hundreds of websites dedicated to the very topic Max was discussing so nonchalantly. Message boards, blogs, and online publishing sites were all covered with material that detailed sexual exploits between humans and supernaturals. All labeled as fiction.

  “Well, the same can be said for some supernaturals. They fantasize about sex with a human. The Abyss turns that fantasy into a reality.”

  “How?”

  “Well, Evie. When a man likes a woman, he….”

  “Max! I didn’t mean that!” Evie’s face was fire red now, but she wasn’t going to let her embarrassment stop her from getting answers. ”I meant how is it possible for a Surmata and a human to be together sex…” Evie’s voice trailed off, but she recovered her nerve. “Sexually? Surmata have superior strength. I thought a relationship with a human was forbidden because if the Surmata lost control, they could accidentally kill the human.

  “You’re right. A relationship between a human and a Surmata is forbidden, but a one-night hookup, in a safe zone, is not. The Abyss is one of a hundred or so of these safe zones. A magical dampener is housed within the walls of the Abyss. It equalizes the strength level of all occupants. So o
ne does not need to worry about losing control. There are side effects though if a supernatural stays too long within the dampener’s field. It’s best to get in, do your business, and then get out within a few hours. That’s why it’s only good for a one-night stand.”

  Evie’s mouth hung wide open. Cyne reached over and gently closed it for her. Her eyes were huge, the incredulous expression on her face making the men around her laugh. To say she was shocked would be an understatement. But the heavy feeling in the pit of her belly at Max’s confession wasn’t a feeling Evie was familiar with. Her skin seemed too tight, and she had an irrational urge to cuddle up closer to the men beside her.

  “Shit, man. You rendered her speechless. Good going.” Jaxon stood up right as the waitress reappeared with their drinks. Five dark bottles, still capped, were the only items on her tray. She placed the bottles on the table and turned away without saying anything. Max grabbed his and Caleb’s. Jaxon took one and passed it over Evie’s head to Cyne. Picking up the remaining two, he held his hand out to Evie. “Let’s go play some pool.”

  “I don’t fuckin’ want to play pool. You fucking cheat, you bastard!” Cyne whined beside Evie.

  Jaxon ignored him and took her hand, not giving her a chance to decline. Handing her a bottle, he pulled her towards an empty pool table situated behind a partitioned wall. Evie looked over her shoulder to make sure the others were following them. Sure enough, the other three men trailed silently behind.

  Jaxon deposited her in front of a case holding pool cues. “You four start a game. I’ll be right back.” With those words, he walked away. Evie observed him as he walked towards a hallway she presumed led to the restrooms.

  Dismissing him, Evie turned to the others, waiting on them to select their cues. Evie was paired with Cyne, and together they faced off against Max and Caleb. Evie was a quick learner and held her own against the others. Two hours later, four games done, it was a tie between the teams. Jaxon had come back during the first game, but he had shrugged off playing, choosing to watch. He stood on the sidelines, his back to the wall, silently observing them as they played. Every half hour or so, he would disappear, back down the same hallway. As they wrapped up the fifth game, he disappeared again, this time longer.

  Mildly concerned, Evie turned to Cyne. “You know, they make a pill that can help him with his bathroom problem. You really should recommend it to Jaxon. No reason the poor guy should suffer.”

  At Evie’s comment, Max burst out laughing, but the other two men just looked at her in shock. A hand touched her shoulder, a warm presence at her back.

  “Why’s Max cackling like a hyena?”

  Jaxon’s warm breath ghosted across her neck, causing goosebumps to erupt all over her skin. She had an overwhelming urge to lean back, wrap herself in his embrace. She shook off the feeling, abashed by the turn of her thoughts.

  “Yes, Evie. Why don’t you tell Jaxon why Max is laughing?” Caleb smirked at her, the dare clear in his eyes.

  Evie turned to the man in question. He loomed over her with an unreadable expression, eyebrow quirked up in question. “Um, well, I just suggested a possible medical solution to your problem.”

  Jaxon’s eyebrows arched up even higher. “And what exactly is my problem?”

  Max laughed in the background, but at Jaxon’s question, the other two men joined him. Jaxon’s gaze locked on Evie’s, ignoring the others around them. Evie licked her lips as nervousness started to make her tremble. Jaxon’s eyes dipped down, following the movement of her tongue.

  “IBS,” Evie whispered out huskily.

  The eyebrow goes up even further. “What’s IBS?”

  “Irritable bowel syndrome,” Evie confessed quietly, thinking he would blow up at her the minute the words left her mouth. Instead, the intimidating giant burst out in laughter, joining the others who still snickered.

  Caleb was the first to recover. “Why do you think he has IBS?”

  “Cause he keeps going to the restroom.”

  Evie folded her arms across her chest and glared at all four men, irate they were laughing at her.

  “He wasn’t going to the restroom, Love. That hallway leads to a backdoor into the Abyss.”

  Absorbing this new piece of information, Evie felt her anger rise. He was hooking up with some woman while they were out here playing pool? Hurt lanced her heart.

  Jaxon must have picked up on her inner turmoil, because he was quick to respond. “I was meeting with an informant. Actually, several informants. That’s why we’re here tonight. Following up on a few rumors I heard recently. I needed to find out if there was any truth to them.”

  “What rumors?”

  Stepping closer to her, Jaxon brushed a stray strand of hair back behind her ear. “Don’t worry about it, Evie. It turned out to be nothing. Just unconfirmed ramblings. Are you guys done playing? It’s late, we need to get Evie home before she is missed.”

  “I need to hit the head. Do you need to go, Evie?” Cyne touched her shoulder, grabbing her attention.

  “Yes, please.”

  “We will make a pit stop while you guys settle the bill. We’ll meet you outside.” Cyne told the others, before grabbing her hand, giving it a little tug.

  Evie didn’t resist as he led them down the same hallway Jaxon used earlier. The restrooms were about half way down, but Cyne bypassed them, heading instead for a large black door at the end.

  “Cyne?” Evie questioned, but all he did was look back with a quick wink, then continue forward. Opening the door, he pulled Evie through into a darkened room, the only light source were two sconces that cloaked the room in more shadows than light.

  Closing the door behind them, Cyne pushed her up lightly against the wall, stepping in front of her. Pointing to a cloth covered entranceway, he announced gravely, his expression serious, “This is the foyer to the Abyss. Behind those curtains, a whole new world awaits you. A world you’re not ready for. But I wanted you to see how to get here in case you ever needed a safe place. Just go through those curtains and ask one of the Surmata bartenders for refuge. Then give them Dashiel’s name. It carries weight. His name will ensure we are contacted quickly. Told that you need assistance. Promise me, Evie. Promise me you will come here if you ever need us, and you can’t contact us.”

  The earnest expression in Cyne’s eyes had her promising. She’d agree with anything he said to keep him smiling at her. “I promise.”

  Cyne rewarded her with a brilliant smile before stepping closer. His hand, which had been resting on her shoulder, lifted up, cupping her chin. “Tell me, Love. Have you ever been kissed?” He rubbed his thumb slowly across Evie's cheek as he waited for her to respond. She could already feel the heat rising in her face.

  "Um..." She licked her lips in nervousness. She noticed his eyes lower to her mouth. His gaze darkened slightly as she bit her lip once again in anxiety. Evie swallowed tightly and tried to find her voice while rapidly sorting through her jumbled thoughts for a coherent answer.

  Her indecision on how to respond gave Cyne time to lean his body forward. Evie's heart gave a dramatic thump in anticipation as she watched his progression, and all those rational replies leapt out of her head. Ever so slowly he came closer until his cheek brushed hers. Evie's chest hitched as he breathed softly into her ear. "You are so beautiful. So innocent and sweet. I have to have a small taste."

  His lips brushed hers. A small caress that he didn’t deepen. Instead, he teased her. His tongue licking back and forth across her own needy lips. That slight touch had her lower stomach muscles clenching, stoking, and building in an unfamiliar ache that seemed to be present whenever she was around any of the guys from the Shadewolf Kaveri.

  Unhurried, Cyne’s lips explored hers. Evie reached up to grip his shoulder, desperate to hold onto him, afraid that he would let go and the moment would end. Evie pressed her body closer to his, against the hard plains of muscle she covertly admired when he wasn’t looking. The grip of his hands tightened as he dee
pened the kiss.

  He nipped her lower lip, and she opened her mouth to his silent plea. Cyne didn’t hesitate to take advantage. His tongue glided past her lips, seeking entrance, exploring and taking everything she had to offer. Gripping her by the neck, he forced her even closer to him. The force of his mouth on hers combined with the pressure of his hand behind her neck was too much. All thoughts flew out of her head like they were leaves dancing on a summer’s breeze.

  Evie shuddered as foreign feelings exploded all over her body. Her body came alive for the first time. She never wanted this feeling to end.

  Cyne moved his hand from her neck to curve around her jaw, the other hand quickly following so that he was cupping her face delicately within his hands. He slowly withdrew from her, giving her a quick peck on the lips as if apologizing for ending this moment between them.

  His breath came out in small gasps as he rested his head against hers. Evie’s body was humming. She wanted to curl up into him and never leave.

  “I’m sorry. That got out of hand. I only meant it to be a quick peck.” He raised his head, holding her eyes hostage within his gaze, “I didn’t bring you back here to molest you. I only intended to show you the entrance. Forgive me, Love?”

  Her eyes wide, Evie nodded. She never expected her first kiss to happen like this, with him. She always imagined it would be a drooling teenage boy who slobbered all over her. She was thankful for the turn of events.

  “We can’t do this again,” he said quietly, regret in his eyes. “It’s forbidden. The only option available to our species intermixing is a quick fuck in a backroom of the Abyss in order to scratch an itch.” He gave her cheek another caress. “You are worth so much more than that,” he admitted. “So we chalk this up to me having too much to drink tonight, and we go back to being friends.”