Realms and Rebels: A Paranormal and Fantasy Reverse Harem Collection

by C. M. Stunich

  He chuckled. “About that kiss—”

  “—am not leaving her alone,” Sung said as he bustled through the door. “Especially with that psycho on the plane. He projects a very unpleasant aura.”

  Holding a pillow, Thomas followed him in. “You’re just afraid he’s going to retaliate after you messed with him.”

  “He doesn’t scare me,” Sung said. He jumped on the bed, bounced a few times like it was a trampoline, then finally thumped down on his back. “I am protecting Harper in her delicate state.” He wrapped his arms around me, pulled me close, adjusted my head on his chest and patted my shoulder. “Sleep. You are safe with me.”

  “And me.” Thomas tossed the pillow on the floor at the end of the bed and laid down.

  “And me,” Elias said, a pillow under one arm as he dragged a blanket. “Plus, I thought she’d want more of this.” He took off his shirt and slid his hand down his chest and abs. “Help you have some sweet dreams.” He winked then settled himself on the floor.

  “Don’t get so bloody close,” Thomas said.

  “Why not? Am I giving you sweet dreams too?”

  “In your dreams.”

  “No. In your dreams. That’s my point.”

  “You wish.”

  “No, you wish.”

  “You’re such a wanker.”

  “Now we’re getting somewhere. Keep talking dirty to me, my horny bedmate.”

  “Shut up.”

  Sasha entered, took in the scene. “What the hell is happening?”

  “Slumber party, apparently,” Xander said. “Scoot over.”

  Sung wiggled to the far side of the bed, holding tight and pulling me along with him. Xander readjusted the blankets and laid down on the comforter, his side pressed against me. He laced his hands behind his head.

  Sasha scowled. “This is ridiculous.”

  “You’re very greedy,” Elias said. “You got to take a shower, the least we can do is sleep with her.”

  I snickered.

  “That’s not what I meant,” Sasha grumbled.

  “Turn the light off on your way out.” Xander closed his eyes.

  The light went off but Sasha came back with a pillow, closed and locked the door, and laid himself directly in front of it.

  After a moment of silence, Elias said, “I can feel the sexual tension. It’s like an orgy about to happen. Wouldn’t be my first. Did I ever tell you guys—”

  “The only thing about to happen, is my fist to your face,” Sasha said.

  “But then I’d miss the orgy.”

  I heard a thumping sound.

  “Ow,” Elias said. “Okay, okay. No orgy. For now. But—”

  Thump.

  “Ow!”

  Then there was blessed silence and I fell asleep snuggled next to Sung, Xander at my back. And surrounded by a whole crew of deadly hunters. I felt safe for now. But tomorrow was another day. Might as well enjoy it while I could because chances are, it wouldn’t last.

  24

  “Harper?” It was Sung.

  My lids fluttered open. I didn’t think I’d moved. My head still rested on his firm chest, his arm curved around my waist. But I realized that I had flung my knee over his hips, Sasha’s sweater rode up and exposed most of my thigh. And I’d also slipped my hand under Sung’s T-shirt which pulled it up and showed off his fine muscles. My fingers spread over his warm, smooth skin, running back and forth across his chest and abs. He smelled fresh and delicious.

  “Hmmm?” I leaned my head back and looked up. His hair fell down low over his dark eyes, giving his handsome face a sultry look.

  “I didn’t want to wake you, but you seem to be…” He glanced down at my thigh. Then at my hand moving over his body. “You seem to be stirring, and I am not sure it would be best for me to stay much longer before I, um, well, stirred too and behaved…” He cleared his throat. “In a manner you might not be expecting to incite. In your half-asleep and unusual mental state.”

  “Oh,” I said, trying to get past my grogginess. Then my thigh on his hips noticed something indeed stirring on his anatomy, and I realized just what he was talking about. My eyes flew open. “Oh! I’m so sorry.” I glanced around the room. At least we were alone.

  I jerked up and tried to roll away, but his arm grasped my waist and he held me close.

  “No,” he said, holding my gaze, looking determined. “I did not mean to cause you discomfort. I am thoroughly honored by your attentions and pleased that you would find pleasure in being so close to me again, but I am not one to take advantage. My ancestors would greatly disapprove.” He glanced at my bare leg then quickly covered it with the comforter. “Greatly disapprove.” He jumped out of bed, grabbed a pillow, and held it in front of his waist as he scurried out of the room. “Everyone is waiting. You best hurry. We’ll be landing soon.”

  Poor Sung. Seducing him in my sleep. What a devilish thing to do. I smiled.

  But rummaging through Harper’s bag, my smile quickly faded. Everything black, white, ugly, and boring. Well, that would change soon enough. I removed Sasha’s sweater, put on Harper’s basic shirt and black pants and joined the guys for breakfast.

  “What happened to your face?” Elias asked Xander.

  “What do you mean?” Xander said.

  Thomas looked at him. “He’s right. You trimmed your beard. A lot.”

  “Oh,” Xander said, focusing on his food. “It’s nothing. Seemed a bit long. I’ve trimmed it before.”

  Sasha gave him an odd look. “Not in quite some time, as I recall.”

  “It works better for this mission anyway,” Xander said. “Which is what we should be discussing. Let’s go over it again, shall we?”

  The conversation stayed on reviewing the plan and nailing down specifics.

  “And you made the arrangements I asked for?” I said.

  “All is ready,” Sasha replied. “Now let’s get to it.”

  When the plane landed, a car waiting as promised by our unexpected guests who we had never seen again. It was a limo. Nice. With our bags stowed in the trunk, we piled in. As the vehicle drove away, Sasha pulled a briefcase from under the seat and set it on his lap. Still dark as the limo entered the city in the early morning hours, traffic was light. We parked in front of a fancy high-rise. No lights on inside.

  “You sure we’re good?” I said.

  Thomas nodded. The limo driver opened the door. Xander got out, took my hand and helped me out.

  “Lady Kensington-Holt has arrived,” Thomas said into his phone.

  I frowned. “Who’s Lady—”

  But we’d reached the front of the building. A burly security guard opened the glass door and behind him an elegant woman smiled at me and took my hand in both of hers. “Lady Kensington-Holt.” She smiled brightly. “What a pleasure to see you again. It has been far too long.”

  Lights magically turned on as she ushered us through the high-end department store, past counters of affluent makeup brands and expensive jewelry and into the haute couture clothing section.

  The woman gestured for the guys to follow the security guard while she took me into a private dressing room in the back where several other ladies waited. “We received your requests,” the woman said. “Different from your usual desires, but we are happy to cater to your every need. Shall we begin?”

  “As you wish,” I replied.

  “No, my lady.” She bowed slightly. “As you wish.”

  Later, when I stepped out onto the department store floor, the guys greeted me with appreciative smiles and an enthusiastic cacophony of wolf whistles.

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Elias said. “You should burn the rest of your wardrobe and wear that every day.”

  I wore a leather skirt which flared to mid-thigh, and a blood red blouse, tucked in and cinched tight at the waist. It was unbuttoned low to show off a hint of the lacey bra that did wonders to accentuate my cleavage. I finished the look with leather boots that reached my knees an
d a long leather coat. My hair had been smoothed and styled to shiny perfection and makeup expertly applied.

  “Thank you very much.” I opened my arms and did a slow twirl, the skirt lifting high enough to show off the knives strapped to each thigh.

  “Hot,” Xander said, a smoldering look in his sparkling green eyes as they raked me up and down. “And so badass.”

  I smiled and didn’t fight the blush. “You guys look amazing too,” I told them and meant it. They each wore expertly tailored black suits that showed off their fantastic bodies. Strong, elegant, and stylish. Beautiful silk designer ties added to the stunning look. “Like supermodels. Only more handsome.”

  “And hotter,” Elias added.

  “And hotter,” I agreed.

  “They even did our hair,” Thomas said, running a hand over his perfectly gelled blond curls.

  “I know.” The top section of Xander’s hair was pulled back off his face, accentuating his piercing eyes and fabulous bone structure. But the lower section of his hair fell in luxurious dark waves. He touched the ends. “It has never felt so soft.”

  Sasha fidgeted with his tie. “This is absurd.”

  “You’re just jealous because you don’t have any hair,” Sung said.

  Sasha ran a hand over his short buzz cut. “I have hair. I just don’t obsess over it like some idiots.”

  “I love shopping!” Sung grinned. “Look Harper, I have eyeliner!”

  “It’s called guy liner,” Thomas said.

  “Whatever.” Sung waved Thomas off and pointed to his own lower lashes. “Just a touch. They said it brought out my eyes. What do you think?”

  I studied him closely for a moment then said, “Absolute perfection.”

  Sung nodded. “I thought so too.”

  “For God’s sake,” Sasha growled. “Is all this really necessary?”

  “Yes it is,” I said. “Trust me. We can’t go in looking like vagabonds. We have to sell it. Dress the part. I’m the badass rogue hunter and you are my dangerous entourage.”

  “Entourage,” Sasha groaned and slipped on a pair of sunglasses. “I never said I loved this plan.”

  I flipped back my long coat and put my hands on my hips. “You got a better one?”

  Sasha looked annoyed but said nothing.

  “All right then.” Elias clapped his hands together. “Let’s get this party started!”

  For more information on the continuing adventures of Harper, Sasha, Xander, Elias, Thomas, and Sung, please visit us at www.aekirk.com.

  Thanks for reading!

  About the Author

  Best known for their Divinicus Nex Chronicles Series, this mother/daughter duo writes kickass YA and NA paranormal romance thrillers loaded with snarky heroines full of sass, sexy guys with amazing abs, action, adventure, dangerous supernatural creatures, and laugh out loud humor!

  The Amazon #1 Bestselling DIVINICUS NEX CHRONICLES is their exclusive tell-all of supernatural society secrets, continuing the exciting adventures of Aurora and the Hex Boys. You can uncover more paranormal, inter-dimensional classified information at:

  http://www.AEKIRK.com