Given (15 page)

“Thanks,” she said quietly. It wasn’t as if Steve didn’t
know she was there for sex, but knowing
Brax
had
asked the housekeeper to bring her intimate clothing to him made her a bit
uncomfortable. She was glad not to be putting on yesterday’s clothing, but it
was just weird that he’d so precisely planned for her to stay. Shrugging, she
put on the nightgown and robe.

“Lay with me before you go,”
Brax
requested.

“Okay.” She crawled into his bed and he wrapped his arms
around her. The smell of his shampoo and body wash filled her senses. She felt
completely engulfed by him. For a long time, she listened to his heartbeat.
They were silent.

“Are you really jealous of the others? Is it just because
you’re territorial?”

“Territorial?”

She chuckled. “They put you in your own area. I suspect it’s
because they see what I see, a man who likes his space and
his
things
left alone. Am I just one of your things?”

“You don’t belong to me,
Kristannie
,
but I wish you did. If this was another world I’d...doesn’t matter now.” He
reached out and touched her. There was so much tenderness in the caress, she
closed her eyes and savored the moment.

“I guess not. I’ll see you later.” She slipped from his
arms, but he grabbed her and pulled her back. He kissed her with a hunger that
left her panting. If she had a choice, she would stay with him, and only him.
She didn’t have a choice though.

Krista pulled away, and saw the fleeting look of
disappointment in his eyes before she left the room without looking back. She
didn’t know whom she belonged with today, but she knew it wasn’t
Brax
and the thought hurt. She didn’t want to be intimate
with the others today, not after spending the morning in Braxton’s bed. She
felt a connection to him that she didn’t with any of the other five. Playing
favorites would just hurt them all.

She hurried through the darkness to her own room and shut
the door. She wouldn’t be getting any more sleep, so she dressed and sat down
on the little couch with the book she was reading. Soon she lost herself in Samuel
Johnson’s struggle.

A soft knock on the door startled Krista.

Jared walked in. “Are you coming down for breakfast? We’re
waiting for you.”

“Oh sorry, I was reading and didn’t look at the clock.”

“So you like the book? I’m kind of surprised.”

“Why? It’s the closest thing to my situation I’ve seen.
There’s a lot that’s different, but
Brax
really got
the emotion right. I’m already almost done with this one. I can’t wait to see
what happens to Samuel when his punishment ends. I just want to cry worrying
about him, ridiculous I know. I almost feel like I know him, even if he’s
fictional.”

“The man can write. Are you okay? There are bags under your
eyes. Did
Brax
hurt…never mind.”

“No, he didn’t hurt me. I’m still just adjusting. Is tonight
your night?” She hoped so, she liked Jared and if she couldn’t sleep with
Brax
, she had a feeling the sweet, young man would be
gentle and it would be over quickly.

“No, Saturday is mine. Last as usual, low man on the totem
pole. Do you want me to write the list down so you’ll know? We promised to
stick by it unless one of us is gone. Then it’s your choice or you get the
night off. Oh Christ, that sounds so wrong. I didn’t mean—you’re not working
for us or whatever.”

Krista bit the inside of her cheek to keep from saying
something nasty. His words bothered her; she did feel a little like a
prostitute, or worse, a sex slave. Having a patriotic duty to have sex for
procreation wasn’t the most wonderful future, but it beat placement with new
men. The stress was bad here, but she felt a connection of sorts with these
men. It would be worse to have to begin all over again with six new men. The
idea of never seeing
Brax
again really bothered her.
She hoped they’d get her pregnant soon and then the pressure would be off her
shoulders and theirs.

Jared grabbed a piece of paper off the small desk. He
scribbled down days and then names before handing her the paper.

“Wow, no wonder you want to be a doctor, your handwriting is
awful.”

He flushed, but grinned. “Thanks?”

She read the paper.
Brax
Monday, Damon Tuesday, Mal Wednesday, Max Thursday,
DeAnthony
Friday, Jared Saturday, Sunday lady’s choice
.

“Thanks for the schedule. I guess I’m Damon’s today. I don’t
think your brother likes me very much.”

“He’s happy, we all are. He’s just not as into the whole
relationship thing. I think he’s scared we’ll lose you and he doesn’t want to
get hurt. Sharing isn’t easy for any of us.”

The explanation made some sense, but Krista wasn’t
convinced. “Okay, thanks. Let’s go eat, I’m starving.”

“If you aren’t doing anything this afternoon, would you like
to play video games?” Jared asked.

“Yeah, that’d be fun.” Krista smiled and gave him a quick
hug.
Being with him almost felt normal—as if they could be
friends.
She liked the idea of a friend they didn’t have to hire for
her. She followed him downstairs.

Jared pulled out her chair and she sat down. They were all
looking at her expectantly. “Good morning,” she said.

“Morning.”
The men spoke in mumbled
unison.

“Have a nice night, beautiful?”
DeAnthony
asked, making her blush.

“It was wonderful,” she replied quietly, before glancing at
Brax
who was grinning from ear to ear.

So much for not playing favorites.
They began eating the mountains of eggs, bacon, and toast. Krista closed her
eyes as she took a sip of orange juice. This breakfast must have cost a small
fortune. Oranges, even the juice, was precious in the north.

“This is delicious. Thanks, Steve,” Krista said as the
housekeeper passed her with another platter of toast. Steve nodded, scurrying
from the room.

The men ate as if they were starving.

“We’re calling the companion service today. Do you have a
preference?” Jared asked.

“I’d like to learn how to cook, maybe to paint too, if
that’s not a problem with you guys.”

“I think it’s a foolish waste of money. Let’s just hire a
gay housekeeper and we’re fine,” Max grumbled.

“Steve has worked for us a long time. He’s good, and I don’t
want to be the asshole. Would you want to be the one who fires Steve?”
Brax
said, frowning.

“Quiet, he’ll hear,” Jared whispered.

“Fine, call the service, but don’t let them talk you into
anything more expensive than the basic services,” Max replied.

Krista rolled her eyes. She stuck out her tongue at Max and
his eyes widened, and then he chuckled.

“Fine, buy her what she wants. Damn expensive woman,” Max
grumbled, but he was grinning.

“She’s worth every penny,” Jared defended. Heat crept up her
cheeks.

She put her napkin on her plate. Steve’s cooking was wonderful.
She’d have to start exercising again or she’d be the size of a house soon.

“Are you done?” Damon asked.

She turned to him. “Yes, it was delicious.”

“Great, let’s go.”

“Where?”
She was surprised he’d
made plans with her for the day. He hadn’t seemed that interested in getting to
know her before.

“My room or yours?”

She looked at the men sitting around the table. Jared and
Braxton looked angry.
Max
glanced back and forth
between Krista and his friend as if he was trying to decide how to feel.

“You don’t plan to keep her chained to your bed all day, do
you?” Mal teased, but she could hear the genuine concern in his voice.

“It’s my day, stay out of it. Let’s go to my room.” He held
out his hand.

She paused, not in the mood to go have sex with him, especially
when they’d just finished breakfast. He shook the hand he held out impatiently.
She didn’t take it, but she did stand.

Brax
also stood, his chair
scraping back loudly. “Do you really think this is the best way?”

“I’ve waited long enough. I want to have sex. She’s here to
get pregnant, not to be my new best friend. You guys are making me a little
sick, acting as if you can all play house with her. She’s playing you, don’t
forget that, Jared.” He pinned his brother with a dark look, then looked back at
Krista. “You don’t love us, Krista, and we don’t love you. Love isn’t something
you can win, but these days sex is. Let’s go.”

She didn’t want to. Her face felt like it was on fire. She
was so embarrassed. Steve was standing in the doorway watching too. “I’d like
to get to know you. I didn’t sign up for this either. I’m sorry you don’t like
me, but could we wait until a little later? Maybe if we could just talk—”

Damon interrupted her. “No. Let’s go.”

She looked back at the others, she felt like she might cry.
“What if I want to pick someone else today? Jared is stuck with Saturday. I
think we should put you on Saturday.” She didn’t look away this time, but
instead forced herself to look into the rude man’s eyes.

“Bullshit! Jared, you fucking know what we agreed to. Did
you go whining about being the one to get her at her most used?”

Krista flinched at the description. She really didn’t like
Damon.

“I didn’t whine. She saw the list. Who’d want to have to
wait? I don’t think Saturday makes her used, but I’d take Tuesday.”

“Okay, Jared is Tuesday and you’re Saturday then,”
Brax
said.

“No. I don’t accept that. We made an agreement. Do you think
I’ll love you by Saturday, ’cause that’s stupid shit, woman.”

“Watch your language in front of Krista. She’s our lady,
treat her like it.”
DeAnthony
stood too. His fists
clenched.

The situation was spiraling out of control. Krista hated
causing turmoil by rejecting the asshole. She hadn’t really wanted emotional
sex, not after
Brax
, but she didn’t want to be used
either. She’d just get him over with and keep on trying to obtain some sort of
Zen and harmony. At least she wouldn’t have to deal with being in his bed for
another seven days.

“Fine.
Let’s go, I don’t want
fighting,” Krista shouted. She looked back sadly at the remaining men. “I’ll
get through it.” Then she took a step closer to Damon. “Lead the way,” she said
as sassily as she could.

He didn’t look any happier than she felt. She followed him
up the stairs. He closed and locked the door behind them and began taking off
his clothes. He paused and looked at her. “What are you waiting for?”

She’d hoped he’d change his mind. She wouldn’t want to be
with an unwilling man. Clearly, her willingness didn’t matter to him. She began
taking off her clothes. He was being a jerk, and didn’t seem to care. His cock
was erect, but his eyes were hard, cruel. He didn’t look horny, just angry.

“Get on the bed.”

She lay down on the bed, still hoping he’d change his mind
and let her leave. This was the first time she thought about the panic button.
The idea of someone swooping into the house to take her away from him was
appealing. She didn’t really want to go through the trauma of being placed with
a new six though, so she remained still.

“Spread your legs.”

She began to panic, but slowly parted her thighs a little.
She lay naked and stiff. “We could talk for a while. I’d like to know you,
Damon.”

“Shut up and relax. You seemed to like it well enough the
other night.”

She watched him get on the bed. Her body wasn’t ready for him
and she knew it. He tried to push inside of her, but she was dry and tight. He
spit on his hand and rubbed it on the head of his cock.
Oh, gross.
Then
he forced it inside of her. She arched her back, crying out in pain. He thrust
inside of her. She thought about
Brax’s
tender touch
earlier. Her mind tried to detach from what Damon was doing.
How can it be
so good with one man and so bad with another?
When he stiffened and cried
out, she felt his limp cock slid out of her body and slap against her thigh.
She shuddered and sat up quickly, covering her breasts.

“Are we done?” Her voice trembled and it made her angry with
herself. The realization that she’d have to endure him once a week was almost
overwhelming. That had been the worse experience of her life, and so far, life
hadn’t been so good.

“If I want to do it again later, the whole day is mine.”

“Fuck no, you had your turn. You will get me again next
Tuesday. I think I hate you.”

“You can’t tell me you like any of them better.”

“I can and I will. You’re the only one who raped me.”

He flinched as she said the words. “Just get the hell out of
my room.”

She didn’t need to hear it twice. Her room was close enough
that she didn’t even bother to put her clothes
on,
she
just streaked down the hall. The moment she was out of his room she let the
tears fall. She slammed her door shut and locked it. Krista let her body slide
down the door and she sat for a moment crying until she realized his
ejaculation was running down her leg.

Tossing her clothes on the bed, she rushed to her shower and
turned on the water as hot as it would go. Once she was under the scalding
blast, she cried again. After washing herself between her legs three times, she
still felt dirty. She stayed in the shower until the hot water turned cold,
then she stumbled out and found a towel.

Krista cried until she was out of tears, then dressed and
sat back down on her little couch with the book. She couldn’t concentrate, but
just holding the book made her feel better for some inexplicable reason. Whether
it was her connection to the character or the fact that Braxton had written it,
she just wanted to stay there alone and having it near her felt comforting.