When she leaves we begin to eat. Silverware clatters as I cut my steak and do my best to eat slowly, because the meal is the best I’ve ever had. Going out to dinner wasn’t something Mom and I did, considering we were in a constant state of trying to make financial ends meet.
“How is your meal?” asks Sebastian.
“Delicious,” I say. I notice he and Alexander haven’t eaten much. “Is there something wrong with it?”
Alexander sighs dramatically. “I’m afraid we both prefer fish. I don’t know, Sebastian. It’s been so long since we’ve had beef I fear I’ve lost the taste for it.”
Sebastian says, “Yes. Me too, I’m afraid.” He gazes at me. “Please don’t let us stop you, Margaret. There’s no sense in wasting a perfectly good dinner.”
“I’m not going to let you stop me. I haven’t had a steak this amazing ever.” I lift another bite to my mouth. The meat practically melts on my tongue, and while I could take or leave hamburger before, I’ve now gained a new appreciation for beef.
“Filet mignon is definitely the best cut, in my opinion,” says Alexander. “Now, I know some prefer a good rib eye or T-bone, but not me. Prime rib, on the other hand--”
Sebastian clears his throat, and Alexander stops talking. Sebastian says, “Let’s get back to what really living is for you, Margaret. You majored in English. Do you have any aspirations of becoming a writer?”
I take a sip of my wine and let the sweet flavor sit on my tongue before I swallow to wash down my food. I say, “I do like to write, but I haven’t experienced much to write about. I’m not sure the life of a child with heart disease is very fascinating.”
“Oh, you don’t need to experience something to write about it,” says Alexander. “Do you think Stephen King has ever murdered someone? Or witnessed the events he writes about?”
I chuckle. “No. I suppose not.”
Alexander taps his forehead. “It’s all in the imagination.” His gaze darts down to my chest and back up so quickly I’m not sure it happened. “I bet you have plenty of ideas you could write about.”
Sebastian asks, “What do you like to read?”
I grin. “Stephen King. Greg Iles. I’m a huge horror and murder-mystery fan.”
Alexander raises his eyebrows at me. “No romance?”
I shake my head. “God, no. I don’t need to read about men tearing off women’s clothes and making them fall in love in an instant.”
Alexander tsks at me as he leans forward and says, “I think you need to be enlightened.”
His voice makes my body take notice, and I wonder if he has ideas for me beyond books. Sebastian says, “Yes. Go find her something suitable to read tonight.”
I frown as Alexander’s chair scrapes across the floor, and he stands up. I never expected these two men would read romance. I turn to Sebastian. His lips turn up in a smile before he asks, “Surprised?”
“Yes. I would have pegged you as the literary type.”
“I read almost anything.”
Alexander’s feet thump lightly over the oriental carpet when he returns, and he hands me a book. It’s cool in my hands as I hold it. I read the cover out loud. “Teach Me, by Brock McGillis.”
“Sorry,” says Alexander as he seats himself across from me. “I couldn’t resist.”
He has a twinkle in his eye. There’s an image of a girl sandwiched between two men, and when I realize it’s probably a story about ménage, heat rises to my cheeks. I stammer, “You-You mean the title, right?”
“Of course he does,” says Sebastian in a firm voice. “I expect to hear your thoughts in the morning.”
Bertha has come into the room, and when she removes my dinner plate I clutch the book to my chest to keep her from seeing the cover. Sebastian says, “You can retire to your chambers to read, Margaret. Would you like me to have Bertha bring you some tea or coffee later?”
“Yes. Thank you.” My mind is reeling over the fact that my first assignment is to read a sexy romance novel. So much for my idea of flirting with two men over dinner.
Alexander says, “I bet you like cookies. I’ll make sure she brings some of those too.”
“That would be great.” The men stand, so I do too. We all walk toward the front of the house, where I begin to climb the stairs.
Sebastian calls my name, and I turn to him. “Pleasant dreams, Margaret.”
His voice is soft, and maybe the sex I’m about to read is clouding my judgment, but the deep timbre of his words makes my skin tingle, and suddenly my given name doesn’t seem so awful. “You too.”
When I get to my room the book thuds on my bed where I toss it. As I remove my dress I think about the tub and decide to draw a bath. If I’m going to spend my night reading in my room, I may as well enjoy my new amenities.
The old taps squeak as I turn them on, and water rushes with powerful pressure. Candles are on a shelf next to the bathtub, and I find matches in a small box near one to light them. I lift a towel so thick it’s heavy and set it on the bench seat, and I grab the robe I saw hanging in my closet.
Before I slither out of my lingerie I grab the book. It’s not a thick novel, and I expect I won’t have much trouble finishing it in a night. I stare at the image as I wander back to my closet, and I smile when I think about how Alexander picked it for the title. I also ponder what this book might teach me.
The candles I lit fill the bathroom with the same lilac scent of my sachets, and I wonder if it might be Bertha’s favorite. It’s pleasant, and I sigh when I step into the heat of my bath. I grab a hand towel and fold it to cushion my neck as I lean back and open up the book.
Within the first page I’m hooked. The pace is quick, and I’m sucked into the love triangle of a girl and two best friends. When I notice my water is cold I get out and quickly apply lotion to my skin and wrap up in my robe so I can get back to the story.
I take a break when a soft knock at my door reveals Bertha. She enters with a tray that has a small pot, a delicate-looking teacup and saucer, sugar cubes, and a plate of butter cookies. The tray’s contents clatter as she sets it down. The woman refuses to look at me, so I ask, “Did you get this room ready for me?” She doesn’t answer, and as she walks to the door I say, “Thank you. The lilac scent in here is lovely.”
Bertha turns and glares at me as she says, “That was Sebastian’s doing. Leave the tray out in the hall when you’re done.” The door snicks shut behind her as she closes it.
My heart hurts with the emotion of sadness, and I wonder about the significance of lilac. Perhaps I’ll ask Sebastian tomorrow. Hot liquid trickles into my teacup, and I curl up on the love seat in my room to finish my book.
The author is a master storyteller, because I get teary eyed when the heroine thinks she’s lost both men, and the sex scenes make me blush. I finish the book with a sigh and am amazed I’ll probably lie in bed tonight with the characters on my mind as if they’re real people.
After I brush my teeth and change into pajamas I do lie in bed and think about the book. But my mind turns to sexy thoughts as I begin to fantasize about Alexander Hart touching me. The image in my mind assists my self-gratification, and I lie in a drowsy state from it as I stare out my bedroom window. The moon is almost full and glimmers on the water as stars twinkle in the sky. When I begin to think about Alexander again my heart interrupts me to flood me with warmth for Sebastian. It’s clear my donor thinks the tall, reserved brother is the one I won’t be able to resist.
Chapter 4
The next morning I pull on my yoga pants and a T-shirt to wander downstairs and find breakfast. Alexander is in the kitchen drinking from a mug, and the aroma of coffee fills the air. There are windows in the room, but the heavy shades are drawn, blocking out the daylight. I long to let in the sun that filled my room earlier. He hops up when he sees me. “Good morning, Margaret.”
“Good morning.” I smile at him as he steps behind the kitchen island. He’s wearing dress slacks and a tailored dress shirt that emphasizes h
is developed muscles. I’m comfortable enough with Alexander that I take a chance. “I hate being called Margaret. Please call me Maggie?”
He scrunches up his face. “No can do. Sebastian wouldn’t like it.”
How odd. I wouldn’t have expected Alexander to care about his brother’s wishes. I say, “Oh. Okay.”
He asks, “Coffee?”
“Yes, please. But I can get it.”
“No.” He waves his arm at the stools for the island. “Sit. What do you like in it?”
The seat is hard under my bottom when I climb on it and say, “Cream would be nice.”
He prepares my drink and sets it before me as he asks, “Did you like the book?”
A spoon clinks against my coffee mug as I stir. “I did. The writer pulled me in from page one. I was impressed.”
Alexander’s face lights up with pleasure. “Oh good.” A pan clatters on the stove top after he grabs it from a cabinet, and he announces, “I’m making you an omelet. What do you like in them?”
“Just cheese.”
He glances over his shoulder at me and says, “What did you think about the back-door action scene?”
I frown for a second before I realize he’s talking about a racy sex scene. My cheeks heat up, and I stammer. “Ah... um... reading it was a first for me.”
“They’re deliciously naughty, though, aren’t they? Anal is the new blow job.”
His tone isn’t lecherous. It’s as if he wants to giggle with me. But coffee spews from my mouth as I choke, and Alexander pats my back. “Are you okay?”
I manage to gulp in air and say, “I have no desire to critique the sex scenes. Where is Sebastian?”
“Working.”
I still don’t know what he does but decide I’ll find out soon enough. Alexander mutters as he scrapes at the pan. “Damn it. Why is this sticking?”
“Did you forget to put butter in first?”
He turns to me. “Of course!”
I chuckle as I get up. “Let me.”
“I’m sorry.” He flips on the water to wash out the pan. “I wanted to make you the first breakfast you have here.”
He’s so sweet. I wonder if he’s got a crush on me too, and it makes me smile. “It’s fine,” I say as I open the fridge to look for butter. The contents are neatly organized, and eggs are cool in my hand as I grab two more. “I’m used to cooking for myself, and with Bertha I bet I’m not going to do it much now.”
“You’ll get to make breakfast. She comes in later.” I find it curious that I live here but she doesn’t and decide that maybe she has a family.
As butter sizzles in the pan I ask, “So what am I doing today?”
“We get you ready,” says Alexander. He grins at me as if he has an exciting secret. He holds out a plate for me to put my omelet on.
“You aren’t going to tell me?”
“Nope.” He glances at his watch. “But eat up. You need to be in the study in forty-five minutes.”
After I finish my meal and get changed into the one straight skirt and blouse in my closet I make my way to the study. The doors are open, and when I get inside Sebastian offers me a hint of a smile. “Good morning, Margaret. I trust you slept well.” He’s standing with Alexander and an older man that’s dressed in a suit.
“Yes. Thank you.”
The older man walks toward me, and Alexander winks before Sebastian says, “Not bad, Roland, for using a photograph, but I think the skirt needs to be a bit tighter in the hips.”
Roland says, “Yes. The legs are nice. What do you think about shorter?”
They continue to talk about my body as if I’m not there. I glance at Alexander, and he rolls his eyes at me as if this is normal behavior one has to tolerate. When Roland whips out a measuring tape and his pencil scratches as he jots down numbers, I tolerate it just fine, because this has to be for my new wardrobe.
Roland leaves, and Sebastian notices I’m more than a body as he asks me to come sit on a sofa. He and Alexander place themselves across from me, and Sebastian asks, “What did you think about the book, Margaret?”
“It was good. I was drawn in by the story and had no trouble finishing it. I was surprised at the emotions the writer made me feel.”
“Can you imagine reading more?”
I have no idea where he’s going with this, but I answer honestly, “Yes.”
“What do you suppose the author is like?”
I frown, because that isn’t something I’d considered. “Ah. I’m sorry, I haven’t got any idea.”
“Margaret.” His tone reminds me of a teacher that’s annoyed with a student for not trying. “Imagine him for me.”
“Okay. Based on the name I picture a stocky man who’s a bit of a hick.” Alexander snorts, and I glance at him to see he’s covering his mouth as laughter dances in his eyes. I say, “Probably older, because Brock sounds like an eighties name to me. He fancies himself a ladies’ man. But...” I pause as I dig deeper. “He’s got a good handle on what makes people tick. I found the characters’ motivations believable.”
Sebastian asks, “And the sex scenes, did they titillate you?”
I flash to Alexander’s question about anal sex and fight the surge of heat rising up my neck. I’m uncomfortable with the topic considering he’s my boss, so I say, “I’m not sure that’s an appropriate question for you to ask an employee.”
“I suppose not. But it’s an important part of your job, so I’d appreciate it if you’d humor me.”
I cross my legs at my ankles as I recall how I slid my fingers inside myself last night while I fantasized about Alexander, and how for a little while my heart brought Sebastian into it for a ménage scene like the one I read. I speak in a quiet voice as I gaze at the floor. “Yes.”
“Thank you for your honesty.” He pauses before he asks, “Margaret?”
I glance at Sebastian, and he says, “Sexual pleasure is nothing to be ashamed of.”
My ears burn, and it’s most likely my shame that makes me angry as I steel my voice and say, “I’m not ashamed of it.”
He raises his eyebrows at me but doesn’t call me on my lie. “Very well.” He says to Alexander, “How’s the list coming?”
“Well.” Alexander gets up and walks over to the desk. He retrieves a laptop that shimmers, and it should, because it was just unveiled last week for a pretty penny according to the manufacturer’s site. He returns to his position on the couch as he says, “Now that I’ve had a chance to see Margaret in person I have a much better idea of what could work.” Keys click on his laptop, and he leans back a bit to let Sebastian see his screen.
Sebastian studies the list, and his brow knits, then he tilts his head. He raises his eyebrows and finishes with a smile.
My curiosity is killing me, and I ask, “What?”
Sebastian points at the screen, and Alexander says, “That was my first choice too.”
“What do you think about the pen name Kitten Kane?” asks Sebastian.
“Kitten?” I ask. “Sounds like a porn star.”
Alexander asks, “What about Kitty? That has a hip vibe to it, right?”
Hip vibe? My lips twitch with the urge to smile, but I say, “That is much better.”
Alexander sits a little taller and Sebastian says, “Your new name, Margaret, is Kitty Kane.”
“What?” I blink as the two men smile at me. “You’re giving me a new name?” A chill races down my spine as I imagine they’re going to keep me trapped here and hide me with a new identity. The shaded-up windows, the--
Alexander says, “Well, you certainly can’t go by Brock McGillis. A wife-beater doesn’t suit you.” He lifts a finger as he squints at me. “On second thought--”
Sebastian cuts him off as he clears his throat with force. I say, “Hold up here. Did one of you write Teach Me?”
Alexander says, “We both did.”
I guess he’s the one that wrote the anal sex scene, and I recall how I caught him checking out m
y bottom. A tingle of desire runs through me, and since I don’t want to consider the implications of that I ask, “And now you want me to write them with you?”
“No,” says Sebastian. “But you’re going to pretend you do.”
Pieces of the puzzle of Sebastian Hart and my new job click into place. I think I’m going to learn more about romance and sex. I say, “You hired me to pretend to be the woman who writes your books?”
“We did,” says Alexander. “How fun is that?”
My gaze darts back and forth between the two brothers, who wear suits like most guys wear jeans. Sebastian is serious, while Alexander is playful. And these two men write erotic romance. I shake my head, because you can’t make this stuff up. And now I’m going to be part of their charade. I imagine book signings and fancy dinners with publishers and agents. I picture interviews and realize this is certainly one way to live large. I grin and ask, “So what happens next?”
Chapter 5
Alexander says, “See, Sebastian? I thought she’d be excited.”
Sebastian studies me for a moment before he says, “You’re going to need to become familiar with our work. We’re killing off Brock and starting fresh with Kitty.”
I nod, because reading books isn’t exactly a hardship for me.
When neither adds more I ask, “That’s it? All I have to do is read?”
Sebastian glances at Alexander, who says, “We have you scheduled for a head shot tomorrow, but I don’t have anything else.”
The two men stand, and Sebastian says, “Alexander, I trust you can help Margaret get the books to her room?”
“They’re ready to go.” He walks over to a corner of the room where shelves of books reach the tall ceiling, and I notice three cardboard boxes on the floor. I follow him and bend down to take a box. Alexander scowls at me as if I shouldn’t have. It’s heavy and digs into my stomach as I brace it with my body, and I decide he might be right. But when I see him pick up the other two to carry in each arm as though they’re feather pillows I don’t complain.
As we climb the stairs I say, “You two are prolific. How many books are in here?”
Taming the Vampire: Over 25 All New Paranormal Alpha Male Tales of Contemporary, Military, Shifters, Billionaires, Werewolves, Magic, Fae, Witches, Dragons, Demons & More Page 67
