[Title here]

by Brother, Stephanie

  "I could've done, and avoided him on a day-to-day basis. But he's very senior in the organization so he'd still be above me. Anyway, I resigned, worked my notice, and had a new job line up. I'd still be working as a librarian and archivist but in a private corporation instead of a public library. However, it fell through at the last minute, which meant I couldn't afford to rent a new place."

  Decker looked agog as he followed my story. "So what happened?" He raised his glass to his full lips.

  Was it too much to hope I'd get to kiss those lips?

  I'd had a Bridget Jones afternoon trying to find just the right combination of flattering clothes and underwear that might look good if he invited me back to his place. I'd thought about it, and why not? Damn it. If the night went well, then I'd go to his home because I couldn't invite him to mine.

  I took a sip of my refreshing drink before continuing. "My ex didn't throw me out with my clothes in garbage bags. It wasn't so dramatic. You couldn't make a film out of it."

  "I should hope not. About the garbage bags. But you can make a film out of anything, you might be surprised."

  I had a feeling he could surprise me.

  "The lease was up on the place we rented together. We had to move out. We weren't a couple anymore, so my problems were no longer his. He had a place lined up for himself without me. And here I am living, like orphaned Harry Potter, in a cupboard under the stair in my friend's home. I'm not exactly destitute; I have savings and a good education. I've just hit a rough patch and modeling for your brothers is my only income until I can get something else. So I need to get something else quickly before my saving run out."

  "And your family? Would they help out if you were in trouble?"

  "I'm sure I could turn to them for a free meal and a night on the couch, but I left home a long time ago. I don't even know my new step dad. Mom went off and had a sudden secret Vegas wedding just last week and only told me about it after she'd done it. That should give you some idea that we're not all that close."

  Decker raised his eyebrows at that news. "A Vegas wedding, huh?"

  "Yeah, can you imagine? I expect I'll go over and see the photos when she gets back from honeymoon. I don't know whether they made a film of it."

  "There should always be someone to make a film to document everything, every aspect of life, in my opinion." He chuckled.

  I raised my eyebrows at this. "What, in the bedroom, consummating the marriage and everything?"

  He almost chocked on his drink. "Yes, why not? Honest but tasteful," he managed to say while laughing. He rubbed his hand across his jaw. "Let's get back to your story. You didn't come to work for my brothers because you want a career in modeling or because you want a little part-time extra money."

  "Far from it. I need the money. I need a full-time job."

  He bit his lip. "I know a place that needs staff right now, it might not be quite what you wanted but..." He shook his head.

  "It's a job, I'll do anything." My face flushed when the words left my mouth. He couldn't mean anything illegal. "Not anything, I mean most things."

  He chuckled. "Don't worry. It's nothing awful. It's an arts and crafts shop. I have a part-time job there. I know they need more staff, and I can more or less guarantee you'll get the job if I introduce you. I don't like to sound big-headed."

  "That would be fantastic. I'd be happy to take a shop job. How soon can you put in that word and if you give me the address I'll turn up tomorrow to bug the manager."

  Decker chuckled. "You've got the right idea. Working in a shop has taught me that the people who turn up in person and bug the manager are the ones who get hired. The manager's called Frank, and I'll call him first thing in the morning before the shop opens."

  "So what were your reservations? Just for a moment, you looked as if you thought telling me about the art shop was a bad idea." And then the thought dawned on me. "Is it because we'll be co-workers?"

  CHAPTER SIX

  That night

  DECKER

  A hand on my dick, at last. I'd waited for ages. All night, half-hard in her company. Karen turned me on like crazy with her full curvy figure and the dimples in her cheeks when she flashed her innocent smile.

  My hand on my dick wasn't the outcome I'd hoped for at the start of the night.

  I cradled my balls in one hand and drew the other along the length of my slick rod. So fucking hard. A groan escaped my mouth as I lay in my bed and imagined Karen lowering herself onto me.

  From her body language, I thought she was up for it, but I'd insisted on seeing her home instead. I had no intention of going in for coffee; she'd already made it clear that wasn't an option, not at her place.

  We sort of kissed. Our lips brushed, and I pulled back at the very last minute. It wasn't a rejection. I could never reject her. She made my heart pound hard against the inside of my rib cage. And she made my dick rock hard.

  I hoped she felt I respected her.

  She'd looked disappointed.

  Right then, I wondered whether I'd made the wrong decision. She looked as if she expected more, an invitation to spend the night. I should have at least told her my feelings and why I thought we should wait. I could've left the choice to her.

  Right then, that night, she should've been in my bed. I should've tasted her and been covered in her juices while she ground against my face. That thought made my cock throb harder if it were possible.

  I didn't want the offer of the job hanging over us if we fucked. The thought of her believing she had to sleep with me to get the job turned my stomach. My reference for her to get the job didn't depend on her giving a good performance in my bedroom.

  All I wanted was us to come together as equals and fucking show each other a good time because we wanted to. No baggage.

  Precum leaked out over my fingers.

  I could've come. I chose to hold back and think about all the ways I wanted to taste her delicious body.

  I had a three-part plan.

  Firstly, I aimed to stay in this fantasy world a little longer before falling asleep. I intended to edge for as long as possible.

  When I woke up, I would call Frank on his cellphone before the shop opened and put in a good word for Karen.

  Third and finally, after that, I'd fix up the second date.

  Once she had the job, we'd be work colleagues, and there'd be no reason not to date.

  I hoped I wasn't too hasty when I as good as promised her a job at the shop.

  Finishing the task in hand didn't have a number in my plan, but it was a given. Inevitable. I thought about her body. What I wanted to do to her. What she might do to me. How I'd react to the sound of her coming.

  The next morning

  SIMON

  "You asked our model on a date?" Cedric banged his cup down on the counter so suddenly that the dark liquid sloshed over the side.

  When Decker announced he'd taken Karen for a drink, I felt as if punched in the stomach, winded, and the news put me off my breakfast.

  Nevertheless, we had to face the facts. Of course, she'd want to go out with Decker, all women did.

  "She's our model, Cedric, but she doesn't belong to us. If she wants to go out with our brother, we can't stop it." I pushed away my plate of half-eaten toast.

  Cedric walked over to the sink, picked up the damp cloth, and returned to wipe up his mess. "You're missing my point, Simon. I intended to emphasize the word date, not that she was our model."

  "She's a free agent. She can see who she wants. It's not as if we've ever asked her on a date. She thinks we're only interested in her as a model," I pointed out.

  "Yeah, well. nothing happened." Decker grinned, waving his toast in the air. "No need to spill your drink over it, bro. We went for a drink is all I'm saying."

  "Decker, you don't date. That's my point." Cedric dropped the cloth next to his cup freeing his hands to gesticulate with his comments. "We see a steady stream of girls leaving the apartment in the morning. Ladies you've pi
cked up for one-night-stands. So why date her?"

  "I only asked her for a drink. We had two drinks. I took her home, and I didn't go inside. It wasn't a date, but I'm going to ask her to come out with me again."

  "Jeez." Cedric pushed his fingers up through his hair and sat down.

  "What's up?" Decker asked. "I'm going to ask the girl out on a date. I'm not going to ask her to stop taking her clothes off in front of you two."

  "I think Cedric's worried you won't invite him to join you in a threesome if you start dating," I said calmly. I held my distress about it all in check, and I was reasonably certain my brothers had no idea how I felt about Karen.

  Decker's eye's lit up. "I don't know if she'd be into it, but I'm always happy to share with my bro." More messages demanded his attention again, and we fell silent for a few minutes.

  Slowly, Cedric shook his head. "The two of you don't need to talk about me in that way, as if it's only down to Decker's generous handouts that I ever get laid."

  Decker's phone buzzed. He stared at the screen, tapped out a message, and then addressed Cedric. "That's not how it is for me, bro. If girls are into the idea of a fantasy threesome, I like to make their fantasies come true. And I'll be honest; I like watching them get more pleasure than one man can give them. No matter how good I am, I've only got one tongue and one dick. Our threesomes are all about the ladies and giving them the time of their lives. Nothing to do with you. Hell, if Simon would join in, I know some girls would be up for that too." Decker winked. "One man's good, three men are better." Popping the final bite of toast into his mouth, he sat back with a look of smug contentment on his face.

  "Yeah, well. You know this time I thought maybe I could share a woman with Simon instead. Karen seems to like Simon, and he obviously likes her."

  I hadn't realized Cedric had noticed.

  The wry smile stayed on Decker's face as he stared at me. "You'd pop your cherry with Karen, would you?"

  I gulped.

  Cedric turned on me. "I've seen that hard-on in your pants, Simon. Don't deny it. God, for a long while I thought you were gay or asexual, but now I know women turn you on, for sure."

  Decker's grin widened. "Damn you guys. I really like Karen. But I also can't stop any mission to get Simon laid finally. I guess I gotta choose."

  While staring at me, Cedric pulled out a seat and sat down. "Shucks, you can't have both," he snapped at Decker in a snarky tone.

  Under their intense scrutiny, I couldn't avoid saying something. The question was what? Deny? Admit? Or divert the attention somehow?

  "I like Karen." I wanted to give them no more. It was enough. I'd never so much as said I liked a girl before. Being so close to my brothers, they knew I'd never so much as kissed a girl, but it's not the sort of fact I'd broadcast.

  "You like Karen?" Decker leaned closer. "I like Karen, but damn, I'm willing to step aside if there's a chance for something between you and her."

  "Simon might have a hard-on for her, but we all know it's staying in his pants." Cedric rolled his eyes. "And I like Karen too.

  Decker cocked his head to one side. "But you'd step aside for Simon, right?"

  "Simon? He won't do anything about it," Cedric said, waving his thumb in my direction.

  "If you have to talk about me like I'm not here can't you at least wait until I'm not here." I pointed at the door. "Shall I leave now?"

  "Nah. It's alright." Cedric waved a hand at me. "Instead tell us your intentions toward our model; otherwise Decker will date her because I'm too polite to suggest anything after we've taken those pictures of her. It seems a bit creepy like I'm overstepping a line. Oh, God, Decker, the pictures." Cedric wiped his brow with a dramatic flourish and let out a big puff of air. "They're hot. I hope she wants me in for a threesome. Let me tell you she'll definitely be too much for one man."

  Decker shifted in his seat and continued to stare at me.

  It was my turn to sip coffee while I considered my options. Up until now, it had all been in my head. We'd gotten to know her a little while we worked and I'd felt attracted toward her in a way that I had never been drawn to a woman before.

  "I'm not asexual, and I'm not gay," I said. Although I could fantasize about falling in love and having a girlfriend, in truth, I was terrified at the thought of being alone with a girl in that way. What if I said or did the wrong thing? One to one seemed a lot of pressure. I suppose it was down to lack of experience and the fact that my brothers had always been around. Finally, I added, "Perhaps she'll be interested in all of us."

  Decker stood up. "My man!" He held out his hand.

  "Wait." Cedric held up a hand midway between us all. "Are you saying you want an all in foursome with the lovely Karen?"

  "No. That's not what I'm saying. I've never wanted to join the two of you on one of your previous threesomes. And I've heard them. I've seen the bedroom door ajar. No, I don't want to be a part of any one-night-stand. If Karen likes us all, I mean really likes us, then I'm interested in that. A relationship that involves all of us."

  Decker and Cedric exchanged confused glances.

  "You guys know I've always said I want more than a meaningless one night. I want a relationship. I mean, you guys are more experienced. I can see why she'd go for both of you. We've always lived together. We've shared everything. If she wants to date all of us, I'd be interested in that."

  Decker and Cedric exchanged further glances. They still looked surprised, but they were smiling.

  "You're complicated, bro," said Decker. He pushed his empty plate to the middle of the table. "And I don't know if she'd want to go out with three brothers, but there's no harm in asking her."

  "Before you rush in with your weird suggestions, Decker. Remember she's working for us. I don't want to weird her out." Cedric stood up. "Hold on I'll show you some pictures." And he walked away toward his room.

  With Cedric gone, Decker tapped on his iPhone, ignoring me. Eventually, he spoke. "I don't want to screw up your work or mess things up if you have a chance with Karen. When do you guys think you'll be finished?"

  "We've already got a pile of pictures. I'm sure we've enough to use even if we never see her again. Many are great. I don't know how I'm going to choose between them for the class exhibition."

  Cedric returned carrying his MacBook.

  Yet again Decker's cellphone consumed his attention. "Hey, guys." He ignored Cedric, who placed the computer on the table. "Heads up, Dad wants to take us all out to dinner at the weekend. A 'family dinner' with him and Penny. He's bound to email you two too."

  Penny was Dad's girlfriend. He'd been seeing her forever, it seemed. We never understood why they didn't live together already.

  Cedric pushed the laptop across the table toward Decker.

  With his eye's fixed upon the screen, Decker nodded approvingly. "Nice."

  I stood up and walked around so that I could look over Decker's shoulder. I hadn't seen any of Cedric's photos, and we hadn't even discussed them.

  In silence, we watched a dozen photos cycle through on a continuous loop for a minute or so.

  The images were beautiful. The lighting, shade, and camera angles perfectly captured her clear as porcelain skin. Her angelic beauty. Her cheeky suggestiveness.

  "Wow. Every one of these could be in an exhibition. They wouldn't look out of place in a top gallery. Nice work, bro."

  With a shrug, Cedric smiled. "I should probably email Dad a few of these images to show him what we're doing while we live off his money."

  "Send them today and at the same time confirm we're meeting at the weekend. Then we'll have something to talk about at the family dinner."

  Cedric pulled the MacBook back to himself. He closed the photo gallery and opened up his email. "I'll send him a message now. He'll be relieved to see these when he's expecting us to make porn."

  The images were of the sort anyone could show their parents. Portraits. Nothing more revealing than shoulders, arms and hands were revealed in the
frames. I distinctly remember her laid out on display for some of those poses, but Cedric just showed us the look on her face. The finger on her lip.

  Dad loved the arts and having artists in the family thrilled him after our older brothers were more business minded. He wasn't disturbed by the idea of nudes or erotic art. Nevertheless, we all knew he'd have preferred us to focus on the more traditional artistic mediums of painting and sculpture rather than film and photography.

  "After what you two and Karen had said, I expected to see something like porn, certainly more explicit."

  "I'm not ready to share those photographs just yet, and I think I'll show them to the model first. She hasn't seen them, and I've got ideas of different images I'd like to shoot with her." Cedric replied. "You know how she's so soft and curvy and her skin is so flawless."

  "Hold on dude." Decker placed his hand on his crotch, hidden by the table. Though I couldn't see his hand, his movement was exaggerated and unmistakable."It's not fair when you talk about what you guys have seen, and I haven't."

  "I've got ideas for a much better photo shoot, but I guess that needs to go on hold if we're going to ask her out. Unless we find a way to mix business with pleasure."

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  KAREN

  When I entered the shop, all my hopes were on meeting the manager, making a good impression and getting an application form. It went so much better than that. The manager was expecting me.

  True to his word, Decker had called in and given a glowing report already. After an impromptu interview, the manager, Frank, offered me a trial shift in the shop. There were no guarantees anything would come of it, but I felt exceedingly hopeful.

  Apparently, they were severely understaffed, and if it worked out, I could work many extra shifts. Of course, my modeling career paid a far higher hourly rate, but for too few hours. And there was no future in it. I didn't know how much longer they'd actually need me.

  Those brothers had so many photos of me naked and in every possible position already. And with so many props. They probably didn't need many more. They'd even tried me up, which felt amazing. I'd like to do that again.