His words thrilled her, even if she knew she shouldn’t trust them. He was a man who made his living with words. He could easily just be saying what he knew she wanted to hear.
“Okay, if you want Lee, he’ll be your companion,” Brax said unhappily.
Krista squealed and bounced off her chair. She threw her arms around Braxton. Steve cleared his throat. They turned. Standing with the housekeeper was a short man with a long face that reminded Krista of a rat. Rat Face carried a briefcase and wore a very nice, tailored suit.
“Hello, I’m Ken Bentley. I’m Kristannie’s caseworker.” He spoke quickly, extending his hand.
Braxton shook it and Krista did the same. They all sat down at the table.
“I’m pleased to see affection,” Ken stated as he opened his case and started pulling out some papers. “Will the others be joining us?”
“Steve, could you please tell everyone Mr. Bentley is waiting?” Brax asked politely.
Steve hurried away. Mr. Bentley looked pointedly at Brax. “Is your housekeeper straight?”
“Yes,” Brax replied truthfully. The caseworker frowned.
“I’m getting a companion, a gay companion, will that resolve the issue?” Krista said nervously. She didn’t like Ken Bentley, but she couldn’t put her finger on the reason why.
“I see,” the man said vaguely. He looked at some paperwork he’d pulled from his briefcase. “You’ll have to have the companion here during the hours the straight male employee is on staff. He lives in a separate building, so as long as you have cameras monitoring his home at all times and he’s only in the residence when Krista is chaperoned, there won’t be a problem. I’ve been reviewing the menus that you’ve sent and they seem in order, however I noticed she was given wine. You do realize this is an off-list item. It’s counting against you. If there’s another instance of this, she’ll be put back into lottery circulation.”
Brax’s quick intake of breath told Krista he didn’t realize how serious the “special” dinner really was. “I’m very sorry. We won’t be allowing it again.”
Krista’s anger rose. The men were talking about her as if she wasn’t in the room. “I’d like to stay here, Mr. Bentley. I’m content with my placement.”
“That’s very nice, Kristannie, however your presence here is a privilege, and no great privilege comes without great responsibility. Do you understand me, Mr. Bray?”
“Yes. It won’t happen again,” Brax replied before gritting his teeth.
Krista squeezed his leg. The realization of how carefully they’d need to tread during this man’s visit made sweat bead on her forehead and her palms began to feel moist.
“I’ve viewed her records from the protection facility and I see that next Monday is the most fertile day of her cycle. I’ll have the forecast emailed to you later this week. Please print off the menstrual cycle tracker.” He turned his attention in Krista’s direction. “Please keep thorough records of your cycle. This will help you become pregnant by allowing us to track any changes to your fertility pattern and provide invaluable information to our experts in Washington. Will you be responsible for this? It will only help keep you placed here.”
Krista nodded, feeling frantic. She’d tell them anything to keep herself from enduring this awkward process of a sexual meet and greet all over again with a new six.
“I’d expect you to allow all six men to have intercourse with you on Monday,” the rat-faced man informed her coldly.
She shivered and bit her tongue in time to stop her declaration that Monday was just for Brax. Once he left, what they did with the schedule was their business. As long as she was pregnant quickly, they didn’t need to know how many men she took on a night. Sitting with the cold, clearly uncaring social worker left Krista feeling dirty. Brax took her hand under the table.
“I’m pleased to see genuine affection, but emotion only goes so far,” the man stated. “We need to see results. Your placement here is about pregnancy, not about romance. I’m sure you know that.”
“Yes, I believe that was covered by the wonderfully informative video presentation I watched on my last day in the protection facility. Thanks for that, really helpful stuff.” She couldn’t stop her natural sarcasm and immediately regretted it as the man began scribbling furiously on his legal notepad. “I know my place, if that’s what has you worried. These gentlemen have performed their duties well, and if I’m not already pregnant, I’m sure it’ll happen soon.”
Mr. Bentley glanced up over his glasses, and then began writing again. She gave Brax an apologetic look, but his quick grin told her he wasn’t angry.
“I will be delighted to provide these fine men with many children. We are working at that diligently,” she added. Once more, the social worker paused in his writing to look at her. She decided it was time to stop talking.
The others came in and sat down. Twenty tense minutes later, Mr. Bentley shook everyone’s hands and left. Krista let go of an audible sigh of relief and slumped in her chair.
“Well, that was uncomfortable.” Jared’s words were met with nods of agreement.
“Damn, I think he hates us,” Max added unhelpfully.
“Hey, dude’s gotta do his job,” Damon said.
Krista glared at him, and she wasn’t the only one.
“Let’s just make sure we do what needs doing and that Steve doesn’t transmit the food list until we double check that only ‘approved’ foods appear,” Jared suggested.
“So what are we doing about Monday? He wants us all to sleep with Krista. I know it’s your day, Brax, but I think we should do our best to maximize her odds of pregnancy,” DeAnthony said.
“I’d accept that, if Brax agrees to it. I’d like to spend the night in your arms again Brax, but how will you feel knowing I’m so…used.” She looked down at her hands, studying her nails so she wouldn’t have to see his face.
“I could never see you as used, Kristannie. If you’re all right with it, then I can accept it. Take them as you want throughout the day, but I’d like us to have supper alone together in my room, and spend the night with you in my bed.”
“I’d like that too.”
“Sorry to interrupt the love fest, but tonight is my night. You okay with that?” Max asked. Krista thought his voice sounded a little off, as if he were nervous.
“Yes, Max. I’m okay with it. Where would you like to meet?”
“I’d like you to come to my room, whenever you’re ready. I’m not too hungry. I think I might just as well skip supper. I’m going upstairs to watch TV.” He left the room quickly and as soon as he was gone Jared snickered. Krista gave him a withering look and he quieted.
Steve started serving them supper. Krista loved the delicious cod, but she didn’t overeat. Knowing that Max felt uncomfortable made her sad. He’d gone through something terrible and didn’t want to hurt her. It made her want to give him the best she had inside to give. When she excused herself from the table, Brax grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
“Max can be a hard man. Do you want me to come with you?” There was worry in his eyes. She knew he was worried that Max might have another outburst.
“I think I’ll be all right. Thanks for worrying about me.” She leaned over and placed a kiss on his lips, as soft as a butterfly’s flutter. There were a few grumbles from the others, but she ignored them. As much as she wanted harmony, they’d have to understand she needed to be human too. If she wanted to kiss Brax, they’d just have to accept it.
She went to her room and put on the dress Max had picked out for her the day they did the internet shopping. It was slutty, definitely not the kind of thing she’d buy. The sleeveless, black dress barely covered her ass. She brushed her teeth and combed her hair. Max was a hard man, Brax was right, but he’d also shown her a human side. He wasn’t impossible to reach. Tonight, she wanted to reach him.
She closed her door and walked quietly down the hall. She heard the TV and saw a light, this was Max’s room. Krist
a knocked softly. The door flew open. She stepped back, surprised.
“Sorry,” he mumbled.
“No worries. Hi,” Krista said as she walked inside. His room was tidy and very plain. Not a single personal effect sat on the dresser and no art or photos hung on the wall. The room looked empty.
“You don’t have to do this, Krista. I’ll tell them you did, if you like. I don’t want you to feel forced,” he said, and she noticed the twitch in his cheek.
“I know. That’s why I’m willing. Thank you, Max, I promise this won’t be rape.”
“Really?” She could see how surprised he was.
“I mean it. I like you, Max.”
He gave her a doubtful look.
“We didn’t start off on the best foot, but I don’t think you’re an asshole…anymore.”
He grinned. “Make yourself comfortable.”
She began unzipping the side of her dress. The zipper was on the left side. Max stopped her hand. “Sit down. I want to relax with you a moment, just talk.”
She nodded, feeling relieved. “Sounds good. So what do you want to talk about?”
“For starters, I hate your social worker. What a jerk!”
“Agreed.” She giggled. Max smiled.
“His visit did make me think. Do you really want to be here? Would you be just as happy if they put you back on the lottery?”
“No. You guys, with the exception of Damon, have been really good to me. I know you’ve done more than what’s expected. This isn’t ideal, but it could be a lot worse. I saw things on the internet—terrible things.”
“Damn internet, so that’s what had you so riled up?”
“Yes, and if I want to look at it, I feel that I have the right to. That’s the thing. You guys are letting me be human. The consequence is that I’m starting to care about you, but also that I’m not blind to what’s going on in the world. Those things could happen to me, I need to know so I can be prepared.”
He grunted. “I get it. I just don’t want you to get upset. If you see something that gets under your skin like that again, just talk to one of us, me even, that way we’ll understand. Geez, for all we knew you wanted a new placement.”
“That wasn’t it at all. I saw some men in military uniforms teaching guys how to restrain a woman without injuring her for sex. Damn it, I just don’t get it.”
“There’s a big push to shut the lottery down. You know they’ve started it out East. One of these days, they might just throw you all back into custody and just go invitro. Things are getting worse. Those who don’t know how to treat a woman—girls who can’t accept things like you do—they’re fucking it all up for the rest of us.”
She made a thoughtful noise. “I didn’t see it that way. I’m sure most don’t. People tend to have tunnel vision when it comes to major life events.”
“You’re grounded. I was worried we’d get some drama queen, but so far you seem pretty normal.”
“Gee thanks, I feel so special.”
“I’m not Braxton. I don’t have his ability to seduce you with words. I think I’ll do a good job with my dick, but probably not my mouth—words, at least. We all have something to offer you, if you let us. Even Damon, I know he feels like shit. I was going to hit him, but he was beating himself up badly enough for both of us. We’re all mad about this. He just really didn’t realize how hard it was to share. I think he’s jealous, and he’s also not one who’s going to be able to say the right words.”
“You seem to be doing okay. I don’t want lies or poetry. I want something real. I want a family, and even if this isn’t exactly a fairytale, I want whatever joy we can have.”
“Do you mean that?” Max’s eyes grew wide. She could see the hope in his expression.
“I do. I want to be loved, and I know I can love you all, even if it’s not all equal or perfect.”
“I’ll take what you can give me.”
She reached out for him and he flinched. She dropped her arm, feeling hurt. After everything he’d said, his immediate rejection was shocking.
“I don’t like to be touched,” he mumbled.
“Sorry.” She didn’t know what else to say.
“Stand up,” he ordered huskily. She did.
Max took hold of her zipper, and slowly began sliding it down. She stood still, listening to the sound of the teeth releasing. The fabric slipped to the floor with a whisper, pooling around her feet. She stepped out, naked. She hadn’t worn a bra or panties. Max’s quick intake of breath and tenting fabric at his crotch told her he liked her nudity.
“You’re beautiful,” he breathed.
She believed he thought she was. There was nothing but awe and honesty in his voice. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“This matters to me. You matter. I appreciate what you’re giving me. Can I leave the light on? I want to see you, all of you.”
She’d rather have it dark—even after all the sex, she was still shy about her body—but it was a small thing to do for him. She nodded.
He was still dressed. Standing before him, she felt so strange to be the only naked person in the room. He ran his fingers gently down her arms. The sensation left her shivering.
“Are you cold?” he whispered.
“No,” she replied quietly.
The only sound in the room was their heavy breathing. His fingers fell away from her arms when he reached her wrists and he lightly ran them over her collarbone. They moved lower, just above her breasts, and finally he touched the rise of them. His fingers were as soft as the merest whisper of butterfly wings over her skin. She sighed. She saw him visibly relax.
“I won’t hurt you,” he assured her.
“I know. Thank you, Max,” she replied gently.
His eyes widened. She could see his surprise. His expression was priceless and put the smallest ghost of a smile on her face.
“Thank you,” she said again.
“For what?” He scowled. Those big brown eyes went from saucers to narrow slits.
“I know it hasn’t been easy, this situation. I’ve noticed how hard you’ve been trying to keep your temper in check. I was afraid of you at first, but I’m not anymore.”
He lunged, pushing her roughly against the wall to her back. His hands imprisoned her wrists above her head and his mouth plundered hers with a passion that left her breathless. When he pulled back, just enough to speak, she saw the darkness in him. It stirred something wild inside of her she hadn’t known was there.
“Don’t decide you’ve tamed me just because I choose not to bite.” He ground the words out, as if they hurt him.
“I didn’t ask you to be tamed. I know you won’t hurt me.”
Disbelief filled his face. “I’m fucking holding you to the wall, woman.”
“I know.”
“You should be terrified.”
A wickedness deep inside that she hadn’t felt before gave her the urge to speak. She didn’t let herself think about the words that tumbled out. “I don’t want you to be gentle. I want to feel the real you, Max.”
He gently pressed his forehead to hers. “You don’t want that,” he mumbled.
“I want to feel you, as you are. Don’t hide from me, Max.”
When he looked up at her, there was a tenderness in his expression she hadn’t seen from him before. “Damn it, do you have to be like this…damn you.”
She didn’t think his words were a compliment and frowned.
He kissed her down turned lips gently, and chuckled. “I’m an animal.”
“I don’t care.”
The humor slipped from his face. “Be careful what you wish for, Krista, I’m more than you can handle.”
The words were a challenge. Whether intentional or not, he’d given her something she couldn’t back down from. “Try me.”
She found herself pulled from the wall and thrown to the bed. Max ripped his clothing off, literally. Buttons flew everywhere. One landed on her stomach and she looked at it, caught in a
surreal disbelief. He was on top of her. The predatory expression on his face made her stomach do a summersault. He smiled, but the only thing she saw was the dark promise that he was right, she wasn’t ready for the real him.
It was too late. His lips caught hers. He nipped her lower lip, and when she cried out with the strange pain and pleasure combination, his tongue thrust inside her mouth. Krista’s whole body lay helpless under him. To her extreme self-loathing, she liked it. He stirred up something suppressed inside of her and she wrapped her arms around his neck, moaning into his mouth.
He stilled, just for a moment, and then his fingers began grasping desperately at her breasts, pulling and twisting her nipples until she cried out, arching her back. He kissed her neck, sucking the skin with punishing force. Her pussy creamed, desperate for more. All her own anger over the helplessness in her life seemed to mix with the hot need he was causing in her, making her wild to have him inside her, and make her forget everything except pleasure.
“Oh God, Max. Fuck me!”
He growled. “Not yet.” He panted.
Her legs were jerked open violently, and she glanced down to see his dark head dip between her thighs. The first lick made her jump, the second tore a long, low moan from her. Her body was hypersensitive with her raging desire. He lapped at her in long hard stokes, and then stuck his tongue deep inside her pussy. She screamed, bucking her hips against his mouth.
A moment of disloyalty filled her. She knew Brax would hate to see how much she was enjoying Max. The devil on her shoulder shouted fuck it in her ear and she thrashed her head from side to side, whimpering.
“Please,” she sobbed, tears filling her eyes. The sensation and emotions battered her, and the demon he’d awoken demanded satisfaction. He gathered her in his arms, straddling her hips, and his dick was inside of her with one powerful thrust. She moaned as the sensation of fullness gave way to the first stirrings of release. He moved inside of her, while simultaneously cradling her against his chest. She felt a deep sigh, almost a sob, shake his torso.
“Damn it, don’t fucking cry. I… son-of-a-bitch, you feel good. Fuck yes!” He thrust harder and faster.
Given Page 15
