“Can I touch you too?” DeAnthony asked, and she liked the deep rumble of his voice as well. He sounded unsure, and she realized just how much this had to mean to him, to all of them.
Krista reached out and took his hand with her free one. “This is so strange, all of it,” she told DeAnthony.
“I know. We’ll make it work,” he replied.
Chapter 3
They pulled up to an extravagant home in a gated neighborhood just outside of Minneapolis. The geography here was so much flatter than the bluff country she’d grown up seeing glimpses of on the other side of the compound walls, but the small community was beautiful. The security guards got out first.
“Why do you have two guards?” Krista asked.
“Because we aren’t taking any chances,” Damon replied. “They live on-site twenty-four seven in a private guesthouse and work twelve-hour shifts. Yesterday was their first day. Living with security will be new for all of us. These gentlemen are Carl and Timothy, both are gay and both come from an elite company that provides services to men who’ve won the lottery.” The others began getting out of the limo. Damon helped her out of the car. “You’re safe, Krista.”
She gazed up at the house. The building looked fairly new. Brick walls stood three stories high. There were large windows, and the design was very modern and geometric. The lawn was perfect and the gate to their property looked impenetrable. The driver used a call box to have it opened. Trees obscured the fence, but she could still see it. They’d built a compound. She frowned at the thought that she’d left one fenced home for another.
The driver got her bags from the trunk, and DeAnthony took her arm. His touch was warm and she saw the gorgeous contrast between his dark skin and her fair flesh. He smiled down at her and her stomach did a little flip. He was so handsome, and she could feel how hard his body was just standing next to him. Jared ran up and took her other arm, and DeAnthony rolled his eyes at the younger man.
The two men led her up the stairs and ushered her into the house. The design was open and everything appeared spotless. The art was cold, modern. The furniture looked new and unused. It looked more like a showcase than a home.
“We aren’t here often, most of us travel frequently for work. I’m sure that’ll change now,” Malcolm told her as he took her bags from the driver. The man nodded and left. “Let’s show her to her room.”
They all followed Malcolm up the stairs and down a long hallway. Her room was very large. A king-size bed with fresh, white, plush bedding sat in the center of the room. Malcolm set her bags at the foot of the bed. There was a walk-in closet, as large as the room she’d shared with Cina. She had a private bathroom with a garden tub and personal vanity table. There was a big, white couch and television in the corner. Everything looked new and untouched.
“This room has been waiting for you for four years, ever since we began the process to participate in the lottery. This is your home now, Krista. When you finish unpacking, come back downstairs, we want to show you around,” Brax said.
They left her alone. She sat down on the bed and air whooshed from her lungs. She shook a little due to nervous anticipation. Oh God, who should I pick? Choosing felt so very wrong to her. She may belong to these men for a long time, and the idea of alienating any of them, or getting off on a bad start, twisted her stomach in knots of nervous anxiety. She stood up and unpacked her few belongings. The closet looked so empty after she’d put her scant possessions into it. She began walking down the stairs and she heard their voices. Krista paused to listen, feeling a bit evil for eavesdropping.
“It’s only right that she pick.”
“We’ve all waited so long, shouldn’t we draw straws or something?”
“For God’s sake, she’s a human being, not a new toy. Let the girl have her pick. We’ll all have a chance.”
“What if we all share her tonight? Then it’s fair to all of us.”
“It wouldn’t be fair to Krista. If she was your new bride, would you want to pass her around to five other guys?”
“There’s no more marriage, so the question isn’t valid. The world isn’t nice and romantic. The fact is, she’ll have to sleep with all of us.”
“For tonight, let her have some peace. I say no one should touch her.”
“Are you fucking kidding? Hell no, she picks at least one of us and that’s final!”
“Shh, she’ll hear you.”
“It’s not like it’ll hurt her the first time, they have their cherries popped by the doctor. I say we ask. She seems understanding.”
She’d heard enough. She finished walking down the stairs, one squeaked. They all turned, giving her guilty looks.
“Yes, I heard. I was thinking about the same thing. I don’t know if I can pick. I don’t want to cause infighting here, and I don’t want anyone to feel hurt. I don’t know what to do,” she finished miserably.
“We won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do, but you should sleep with at least one of us tonight,” Damon said.
“If you want to pick more than one, that’s okay too,” DeAnthony amended. Krista blushed.
“Let’s show you the rest of the house and have some dinner,” Mal said, his tone quiet and even. He took her hand and led her through the house, showing her the other bedrooms, the numerous bathrooms, and the game room. She could tell they used the game room most often. It was the only room that felt lived in. In the kitchen, a man stood at the stove stirring something. “This is Steve, our housekeeper.”
The man looked at her with intense longing, but quickly cleared his throat and wiped his hands on a dishtowel. He held out his hand and she took it; they shook awkwardly. “Do you have a favorite food, miss?” The housekeeper wouldn’t look at her.
“I’m not picky, but I’m a huge fan of strawberries.”
“I’ll remember that,” he said, still not looking at her. “Supper will be ready in a few minutes, if you’d like to have a seat in the dining room.”
“Thanks,” Malcolm said as he took Krista’s arm. “I want to show you the garden. It’s been my personal hobby when I’m not on tour.” He led her out the side door onto a big outdoor patio. Everything was magical. The garden was huge. She noticed a koi fishpond too.
“It’s perfect,” she said honestly.
“Thanks. It’s how I’ve dealt with my celibacy,” he replied tongue-in-cheek.
Krista giggled. “You are funny.”
“Yep, that’s what my agent tells me.” He smiled.
“Soup’s on, come in,” Jared called out the door.
Malcolm walked her back toward the house, but before they went in, he turned to look into her eyes. “Will you chose tonight?”
“I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt any of you.”
“I won’t lie. I want you to pick me. Krista, can I kiss you?”
He was holding the door closed. She stood trapped between his arms as he leaned in, putting his weight on the door. They were alone. She wet her lips in anticipation of her first kiss. The shade trees near the house obscured the late afternoon sun. Looking into his face with intensity, she swallowed nervously. “Yes.”
Malcolm smiled and leaned closer. His lips brushed hers gently and then she was in his arms and he was pressing her against his body, hard. Something poked her in the side. His erection. Her heart pounded with the realization that his body was ready for sex. She hadn’t realized men could become erect while still wearing clothing. Her cheeks heated. For a fleeting moment she worried he might try to claim his right to her immediately. There was no doubt Malcolm wanted her. When he didn’t start ripping her clothing off, she relaxed enough to enjoy the kiss. Instinctively, her arms wrapped around his neck. His lips moved over hers and she moaned, leaning against him. His hands moved through her hair and she heard him growl as he pushed away from her.
“Damn it, you taste so good.” He was breathing heavily. Desire was evident in his expression. She saw him struggling for composure. “You
have no idea how badly I want you right now. The next time I kiss you, I won’t stop at your lips.” His face flushed. He opened the door and she ran past him, rushing inside.
Jared turned and his expression darkened. “What happened?” the youngest of her six queried angrily. When Malcolm came in, looking disheveled, Jared glared at him. “What did you do?”
“Let’s eat.” Malcolm brushed past the other man, bumping him with his shoulder. Krista saw Jared’s fist clench.
“It’s fine, Jared, really. It was just a kiss that I gave permission for.”
“You kissed him?” Jared looked hurt. “He got the first kiss? That son-of-a-bitch, we agreed no sneaky stuff. If I’d known we could just ask for a kiss, I’d have asked first.”
“I’m sorry.” She blushed and looked down at her feet, feeling odd.
“God, I’m sorry. Don’t look like that, Krista. I’m just so afraid they’ll push me to the side because I’m the youngest. I have the least to offer. I’m still a student. If it weren’t for my father’s money, I’d still be waiting to apply for the lottery. I’m afraid of losing my chance with you somehow. This whole process has made me a little crazy.”
She stepped closer to him and put her hand on his cheek. It was so weird, but she felt sorry for him. It was nice to feel sorry for someone other than herself for a moment. Krista leaned forward, closing her eyes, and brushed her lips lightly against his. When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her.
“Thank you,” he said tensely. They walked down the hall and Jared opened the door for her.
The others glared at Jared suspiciously and he flushed deeply. He held her chair for her and she sat down, quietly thanking him. Steve served them in courses. She couldn’t remember a meal she hadn’t eaten cafeteria style from a rectangular plastic tray. The meal was tense. She noticed them giving her longing looks, and glaring at each other. By the time a dessert sat in front of her, she’d had enough.
“I won’t pick,” she stated flatly. She heard a few forks clatter and the men all looked at her with varying degrees of anger and horror.
“We’ve waited so long. Fuck,” Max mumbled.
“Tonight, I want you all to join me in my room. I don’t know what will happen, but I can’t stand this…whatever this is!”
“Are you sure about this, Kristannie?” Braxton asked, raising his eyebrow.
“Yes. I can’t live with you all fighting over me. I want everyone to be as happy as this terrible situation allows for. I refuse to live in a house filled with intrigue, designed to get in my pants. Just promise me we can go slowly, please. Okay?”
“As slow as you need,” Max reassured.
The dessert sat on the table, forgotten, as they all looked awkwardly at each other.
“So were any of you…you know, sexual with each other?” Krista asked, and immediately she heard choking. She turned to see Damon struggling to swallow his water. Jared patted his brother on the back.
Malcolm snorted out a laugh. “When I was younger, I used to get a lot of blowjobs from fans. I’d close my eyes and pretend they were female, but no, I’m not attracted to guys, so it’s been rough on me.”
“We aren’t that kind of friends, and worse, some of us are related. I’ve been with men, but it wasn’t what I wanted,” Damon told her.
“Dude, you never told me that,” Jared said, looking pale.
“You got a problem with it?” Damon asked his brother.
“No, it’s just—you’re my big bro and I guess I never thought you’d be with a guy.”
“Deal with it, Jared. I had needs and found a solution to my problem. I cared about the man I was seeing, but the relationship felt empty. We were both lying to ourselves. Both of us knew we wanted a woman. We’re still friends, but it just wasn’t what either of us truly wanted. Does that disturb you, Krista?”
“No. If the situation reversed, I might have done the same thing. No one wants to be lonely. I didn’t mean to cause more drama, but I was curious.”
“Well, I’m finished. Anyone else finished?” Jared said. He wiped his palms on his pants nervously.
“I think we should just get night number one over with. I’ll be upstairs and you can all come to me as you please, together.”
“Wait just a goddamn minute here! No fucking way! Just because we share you doesn’t mean I have to see all their asses naked!” Max shouted at her. Krista flinched.
“You, calm down. Now. She’s offering this for us, not for herself, you asshole. I’m in, and I bet everyone else is too. If you don’t want to see my ass naked, then go to bed. I’m going to her room!” Damon shouted at his friend. The two men glared darkly at each other. Max threw his napkin on the table, but didn’t make a single move to leave. No one said anything else.
She stood and the sound of every man in the room scooting back his chair was loud and conclusive. She couldn’t watch as they stood graciously for her to leave. She didn’t blame them for being eager; none wished to be her last. She just couldn’t choose, or make them do it. As scared as she was, the idea of them all being there the first time was actually slightly comforting.
Krista went quickly up the stairs to her room. Hastily, she shut her bedroom door and looked around at the unfamiliar setting. Everything felt so strange. Outside her window, evening was beginning to darken the sky and the room had a dreary, purplish cast as the natural light died. She flipped on a small table lamp. The cheerful glow chased some of the shadows away, but Krista still wrapped her arms around herself, trying to calm down.
Panic contrasted with the resignation she felt over the situation. These men would all, at some point in the near future, have intercourse with her. Now seemed like just as good of a time as any to get over the awkwardness of them all vying for physical release inside of her. She’d never have a flowers-and-candy romance, but she wasn’t without common sense. Having every one of them participate the first night avoided her concerns over jealousy and infighting. These men would be keeping her in the beautiful prison they’d built to house her, and she wanted to live as peacefully as possible. Her destiny didn’t belong to her, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t wise enough not to know subtle ways to shape it to her liking. She was glad to have such a lovely home, but it still didn’t excuse the fact she may never leave here again. With the dangers lurking beyond the gates, she wouldn’t have let herself leave if the decision had been hers.
Krista knew her situation could be worse, but right now, everything felt bad. Knowing some of them had some sort of sexual experience was both disturbing and reassuring. She worried that perhaps her inexperience would make them feel she wasn’t as good in bed as the men they’d been with, or worse, they wouldn’t know what to do. She didn’t really know what to do. Someone had to lead, and she knew it wouldn’t be her.
Slipping out of her navy blue dress, she looked down at the lacy, black bra and matching panties. They contrasted nicely against her pale skin. She pushed her hair off her shoulders and took a deep breath before looking in the mirror. Her face was grim. Krista thought about how different her first time would have been with a single man who’d taken her on dates as love had slowly built between them. No woman would ever experience that again.
She was as ready as she’d ever be for them. Krista lay on the bed awkwardly. She pulled her legs up, and then stretched them out. She spread them a bit, but it all felt too weird. Huffing with exasperation, she stood again and began pacing the room. Six men would have her tonight, and she’d have to endure it all. What if it hurts me, what if they’re rough? I don’t care what Miss Stanley said, this could be painful.
Glancing at the couch, she sighed. Krista sat down on the pristine, white cushions and tucked her legs under herself. The lamp’s light surrounded her. Darkness chased the dying daylight away completely; she forced herself to look away from the window and forget there was a world beyond the walls of this pretty cage. This house was her world now, and the population of her new world was six men who had every
right to her body. No one was coming to rescue her from this duty.
Startled by a noise outside the closed door, she jumped. She could hear feet in the hallway and whispered voices. She turned her attention to the white, wooden door. Such a minuscule barrier between who she was right now and whom they’d create in the next hours. If they were rough or cruel they might destroy her, and that’s what she feared the most. Her six were coming to claim her. A soft knock sounded on the door.
“Come in,” she called out hoarsely.
Jared, Max, and Mal vied to be the first in the door. The sight would’ve been comical if she wasn’t feeling sick from nervous fear. DeAnthony followed them and then Damon. Finally, Brax brought up the rear of the group, he looked pensive and his lips were pressed into a hard line. They all stopped and gazed at her with lustful and excited expressions. Brax was the only one who didn’t ogle her with open desire.
The heat crept down her cheeks, neck, and chest. For an awkward and extremely uncomfortable moment, they just stood silently, unmoving. She didn’t know what to do. This didn’t feel natural. She’d heard of women overcome with need who enjoyed sex, but she just felt uncomfortable. Krista nibbled at her lower lip, fighting tears. What if I’m the other kind of woman, the one who doesn’t like sex? She knew she’d be having sex at least six days a week, possibly more often. The thought that intimacy would be a chore was terrifying. If only I had time to get to know them. I should’ve chosen one, this is so much worse. Why did I think I could handle this?
The men all seemed content just looking at her mostly nude body. She felt so dirty. “What do we do now?” Krista asked quietly, looking away from them. “Do you want me to just lie on the bed and close my eyes until it’s over?” Her voice was the merest of whispers. Her face was so hotly uncomfortable, she put her chilly hands on her cheeks to take away some of the burning.
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