Flirtation as thick as honey, and then hard truths.
Erin blinked at me, her face going completely blank, once again sending me spiraling into that familiar abyss of not knowing what the hell she was thinking.
“Hey. Erin?”
“Date… in what way? Like, go to dinner? A movie?”
I couldn’t tell if she was being deliberately obtuse or genuinely blindsided. With Erin, it was hard to know. But if she hadn’t picked up on how much I liked her by now, then I’d finally found the one thing she was oblivious about.
“As in… date,” I said. “Boyfriend. Girlfriend. Finish each other’s—”
“Sandwiches?”
That made me smile. “Something like that.”
She gave me a long look… then glanced back toward Natalie.
My stomach turned itself inside out like a pair of socks.
“What about Natalie?”
Fuck. I knew where she was going with this, and I didn’t like it.
“What about her?” I asked.
She looked back at me. “Aren’t you trying to start something with her?”
“Maybe,” I admitted. “But I don’t know the shape of it. And I don’t know the shape of us, either.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“This whole exclusivity thing you’ve got going on… it sounds a lot like boyfriend privilege.”
“Hey,” Erin said, pointing an accusing finger at me. “You asked for that. I didn’t. For the record, I did say that was a little disappointing.”
I felt my heart in my throat. I knew I was being a hypocrite. Hell, most guys in my situation would want what I had—a bevy of beautiful women they didn’t have to share with anyone else unless it was with another woman. Who would turn that down?
It wasn’t like I was forcing anyone’s hand. If Erin wanted to date other men, she was more than welcome to do so.
But that would likely be the end of whatever this was between us.
“If I said I didn’t have a problem with it, would you date other men? Do you regret our agreement?”
“Do I regret our agreement?” Erin echoed, chewing on the words. She shook her head. “No. Would I date other men?”
She took too long to answer—long enough that it started to ache.
“No,” she finally said.
“Why not?” I asked, more surprised than I wanted to admit. The unreadable glances, the pushback—it made me wonder if someone else had drifted into her orbit. Someone I didn’t know about. And the quiet, irrational hatred I felt for that hypothetical suitor made one thing painfully clear: I wasn’t nearly as cool with the idea of her dating someone else as I’d pretended to be.
“I like what I do.” She glanced back toward Natalie, Tara, and the others.
Then, biting her lip, she looked up at me with those big brown eyes and said, “I haven’t had opportunities like this before… getting to explore who I am. That’s thanks to you.”
“You weren’t sexually active before we met?” I had a hard time believing that.
“Oh,” she said, her eyebrows climbing high, “I had plenty of experience, but I had a couple of near-misses with some nasty situations and decided to be a little more careful. A lot of my adventures over the last year were limited to friends—girls, mostly. It was simpler. Less messy… more fun.”
“I was starting to get a little itchy for some good dick when Helen reached out. I’m not gonna lie and say I don’t want something more than what I have now—but I was being honest when I said I wasn’t looking for a relationship. You gave me a safe space to play around without worrying that the guy would get jealous if I brought another woman into the bed.”
“That’s not a thing,” I snorted.
The look Erin gave me suggested I was naive. “Oh, that is very much a thing.”
“Guys get jealous over their partner sleeping with another woman?”
Erin shrugged, as if simply accepting one of life’s great mysteries. “I’ve seen it more than once.”
I glanced out into the crowd, contemplating why a guy wouldn’t enjoy having a woman bring a friend home to share with her man.
“So,” she said after a beat, “I’ll ask you again. What about her?”
I took several moments to study Natalie, taking in her beauty. My God—I had dreamed about her for so long. And now, she might actually be within reach.
“I want Natalie,” I admitted.
Looking at Erin, I met those big, beautiful eyes. Those sharp, elfin features. That big, mischievous grin.
Erin had so much personality for someone so small.
And she was insatiable.
“But I want you more.”
Erin didn’t have Helen’s poker face. Try as she might, something slipped through the mask. Her brow crinkled slightly above her nose, and her eyes shimmered a little brighter.
Despite her obvious pleasure, Erin asked a serious question. “Marcus, how would dating me change what we already have?” Every syllable sounded like she was trying to tiptoe across a minefield.
It was a good question.
If I could already sleep with whoever I wanted, whenever I wanted, then what was even the point of pursuing a relationship?
Why not just remain a free agent and sate my appetites on endless women?
Emotional fulfillment?
Didn’t I already have that?
Erin’s affection had saturated me over the last two months. Helen’s devotion... the slow erosion of Bobbi’s hatred… even Emily’s quiet, sisterly love. It wasn’t like I was deprived.
But despite all of it… there was a certain loneliness I couldn’t explain.
Aside from the forest, I hadn’t spent much time alone since Helen showed up two months ago… and yet somehow, I still felt hollow.
Sure, I was sharing my life with these women, but it didn’t feel like I was establishing a home. It felt like I was building an empire. Helen, Bobbi, even Erin… they felt more like subjects. Affectionate subjects. Loyal ones, even… but it was still transactional.
I paid Helen. I gave her protection and made her a partner in her own firm.
Bobbi? I wouldn’t pretend there was affection there. Maybe a little, but it was hard to read through all the petulance and rage. Sometimes, though, under the surface, I saw something.
Still… I doubt she would have given me the time of day without the protection and structure I provided.
And Erin… even she felt transactional when I let myself think about it too long. I was her boss. I paid her a ridiculous salary. She got to say she worked for one of the most powerful men in the world, which looked good on a resume.
Plus, there were the benefits. The sex. I’d be the first to admit that I enjoyed the fruits of Erin’s hard labor—erotic adventures with beautiful women. Still, Erin seemed even more enthusiastic about it than I was. Her appetite for sex was voracious, and she enjoyed other women so much that I’d started to wonder if she might prefer them.
I hadn’t once seen her show interest in another man, except Dillon, and that had been a mindfuck aimed at Jessica.
But now… now that she’d reminded me of our agreement, I saw it for what it was. She’d honored it so well, I’d forgotten it was even in play. She’d gone above and beyond in giving me her exclusivity.
That kind of loyalty? It made me question everything I thought I knew about what she felt for me.
She wouldn’t have cared that much if she didn’t feel something toward me.
“It would change a lot of things, Erin. You wouldn’t just be my assistant anymore. You’d be my priority.”
“And the other women?” she asked.
“I mean… do you want to stop having sex with Helen?” I nodded toward Tara. “What about your little project?”
“That’s not what I’m asking,” Erin said. “Would you stop sleeping with other women if we were dating?”
I hadn’t expected that question… not from her.
The music started back up, as the DJ’s break was over, and there were a few cheers from the small crowd around the dance floor. Natalie and Natashya both raised their arms and whooped in joy. Tara whispered something to Natalie, who nodded, took the lesbian’s hand, and was led back toward the music. She glanced my way, saw me watching them, and waved, all smiles. It looked like she was having a good time.
“No,” I said, my eyes fixing on Natashya as she started pulling Emily back toward the dance floor. Emily draped one arm around her girlfriend’s shoulders, and they both laughed as they followed Tara and Natalie.
“I’ve seen the friction in Natashya’s relationship with my sister,” I said. “If I had to be exclusive, I could do it, but I don’t think either of us wants that.”
A small smirk played across Erin’s lips, and her eyes flashed with delight. She was suddenly letting me read her again. “Good.”
I tried to get a little more from her. “Good… as in…”
“As in, ‘that’s good,’” she said and pointed toward the dance floor. “Because you’ve been throwing yourself at a girl who’s probably expecting something from you soon.”
Fuck.
Had I fucked up?
Lost in the moment, I started a serious conversation about how I’d like to date her while actively trying to woo someone else. Erin never showed signs of any serious jealousy, but trying to be romantic with her in a moment like this had to be monumentally bad timing, no matter who the girl was.
“Erin,” I said. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t—”
“No!” Erin said, suddenly looking concerned. “No! That’s not… I didn’t mean it like that. I just mean…”
For the first time, Erin looked completely unsure and flat-footed. It was cute.
“I mean that if there was going to be anything between us, we should probably go on a proper date. I know that there’s nothing conventional about this, but…”
Those big brown eyes could have asked me for the Grand Canyon, and I would have bought it for her.
“I’d like to go on a regular date with you,” she said. “Not as the boss and his assistant, but just as us—Marcus and Erin.”
“Yeah,” I said, suddenly feeling on top of the world… like that night in Paris. “I’d like that too.”
“But,” she said, turning her attention back to the dance floor, “If you want anything to happen with us, you need to figure out what to do with her.”
She meant Natalie.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you want her to be your girlfriend? Friends with benefits? Something Platonic?”
The idea of having Natalie and Erin as my girlfriends seemed appealing, but I could also see the potential for problems. I was pretty sure Erin would be free of any sort of jealousy, but Natalie…
“Marry her, kill her,” Erin said, “do whatever you want.”
Wait… kill her?
“But if you do want to go on a date with me, I have one stipulation.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“You have to fuck her brains out.”
“Just so I’m clear,” I said, “in order to go out with you, I have to fuck Natalie.”
Erin snorted. “You make it sound like I just gave you some kind of Herculean task. Her panties are practically soaking. I can smell the pheromones.”
“But why do you want me to fuck Natalie before you agree to go out on a date with me?”
“Because I need you to get her out of your system, at the very least,” Erin said. “You’ve had Natalie-shaped sparkles in your eyes since we met.”
“That’s not entirely true,” I said.
“Yeah,” Erin said. “It wasn’t as bad in Europe, but every time she texted or someone brought her up in conversation—”
“That was a handful of times,” I said defensively.
“Yeah, it wasn’t that many,” Erin admitted, “But it put a damper on our fun for at least an hour. I want you to experience her at least once so she’s no longer the one that got away.”
Erin stepped a little closer, placing a hand on my chest as she chewed on her bottom lip. She had the look of a tiny succubus who could easily eat me for breakfast. “Or, alternatively, I want a promise that she’ll be more involved in our lives and eventually between my legs.”
I swallowed. Hard.
Placing my hand over the smaller one resting on my chest, I curled my fingers around hers and gave a gentle squeeze. She gave me that cocky, challenging look—eyes dancing—then squeezed back, her dark fingernails dragging lightly across my shirt.
“So,” I said. “That’s what I have to do to win a date with you? Sleep with another woman?”
She cocked her head, jaw tilted in playful thought. “Not just any woman.” She nodded toward the dance floor. “That woman.”
What an incredibly Erin thing to do.
I grinned. “Challenge accepted.”
Erin’s smile widened, gleaming. “All right then. How about you get out there and woo that damsel!”
“A kiss for good luck?”
“What if she sees? Don’t you think that might hurt your chances?” She smirked. “Eye on the prize, Upton.”
I looked around. Erin had a point. But I wasn’t about to take no for an answer. Natalie looked distracted, weaving in and out of the dancers with Tara close at her side.
“Let’s go,” I said, grabbing Erin’s hand and dragging her toward the edge of the garden.
“Excuse me!” Erin protested, mock offended. “I believe the girl is that way.” She pointed in the opposite direction.
Ignoring her, I pulled her just past the brush, tucked us behind enough greenery that we were mostly hidden from the rooftop.
Then I turned to face her, wrapping an arm around her tiny waist and pulling her tight against me. Her hands pressed to my chest, and she looked up at me with those big brown eyes. A small gasp escaped her parted lips. Her tongue flicked out to wet them. She looked so vulnerable.
Before she could say anything—before the snark could surface—I crashed my mouth onto hers, filling it with my tongue.
Her hands slid to my biceps, kneading with delicate fingers. I felt her nails digging through the fabric of my shirt. Her lips closed around my tongue, sucking on it. She moaned into the kiss, her mouth vibrating with want. I could feel it… recognize it... because I was burning, too.
I wanted her.
I’d had her—so many times—but the need never faded.
It was her size. So small in my arms. I could wrap my hands around her waist. She couldn’t weigh more than a hundred pounds. I wanted to throw her down right there and take her.
It was the way she kissed—wet, hungry, enthusiastic. Very French. Her tongue circled mine, coaxing and massaging it. It reminded me of all the wicked things she could do with something else in her mouth.
It was her beauty. God, this girl was stunning. Those liquid brown eyes could pull anything out of me. That silver hair contrasting with her bronzed skin. Her lips—just pouty enough to be addictive. Plush and sinful. Her fine, elfin features could shift from girl-next-door to femme fatale in a blink.
Erin wasn’t just a woman.
Erin was the woman.
My hand slid from her waist to her ass. I grabbed it and squeezed, kneading that perky little rear with all the enthusiasm I could summon.
Erin pressed her hips into mine, moaning into the kiss. Her teeth raked across my lip as her right hand slid up my arm and into my hair.
I could take her to my room right now… for the rest of the night.
Fuck Natalie.
Fuck everyone else.
A throat cleared behind us.
We broke apart like we’d been hit by lightning. Erin gasped, instinctively covering her chest with one hand in a reflex of modesty I hadn’t expected from her.
Henry Psalter stood roughly five feet away from us, holding a small plate of finger food in one hand and a beer in the other.
“I have to ask,” he said, pointing between the two of us. “Is this the employer giving a bonus… or the employee going above and beyond?”
I blinked.
It took me several seconds to process what he’d just said.
Erin and I looked at each other. She looked just as confused as I felt.
Psalter smiled. I could see a flicker of regret in his expression.
“Apologies,” he said, raising the beer in his hand. “One too many of these, I’m afraid.”
“I didn’t know you were up here,” I said, still trying to decide whether I should be amused or annoyed by his question.
“I hope that’s all right. Gleaning information from Ryo Tanaka can engender quite the appetite.”
“No,” I said quickly. “It’s fine.”
Psalter popped the rest of a half-eaten pinwheel into his mouth and chewed as we watched.
“To tell you the truth,” he said, after swallowing, “refreshment was the secondary reason for coming to your rooftop. I thought you ought to know—we’ve located James and Nate Lucas.”
“Already?” I asked.
“You doubt my ability, Mr. Upton?” he asked with an arched brow.
“No,” I replied, distracted by the implications of Jim being found. “It’s just… with Roger VanCamp still on the loose…”
And then I realized I’d actually insulted his skills this time.
“Well,” he said, looking less offended than genuinely impressed, “I could take offense to that.”
“Sorry,” I said quickly. “I didn’t mean—”
“It’s all right, Mr. Upton. I suppose I had it coming after my catty comment upon arriving. What would you like us to do about Jim and Nate?”
“Where are they?” Erin asked.
“Sioux Falls.”
“South Dakota?” I asked.
“Yes,” Henry confirmed, taking another swig of his beer.
“That’s where he and Phoebe are from,” I explained to Erin, recalling Phoebe’s story about how she and Jim met.
“They’re actually from a small town nearby called Fulton,” Henry added. “It’s how we found them so easily.”
“Okay,” I said, thinking through the next steps. “We need to get Nate back, but I’m not sure how to go about it. What do you suggest?”
“Well,” Henry said, “we could involve the police. Safest route. But there are more… unsavory options.”
“Like what?” I asked.
He stepped closer until he was within arm’s reach. His eyes flicked around in the low light of the garden.
“I suppose we could find a way for him to disappear, if that’s what you need. It’d be overkill—and costly—but it’s your money.”
“Uh… think I’ll pass on that one,” I said.
“My recommendation as well, but it’s my job to give you all the options.”
“Don’t you think we should ask Phoebe?” Erin asked.
She was right. If anyone deserved a say in this, it was Nate’s mother—and Jim’s victim.
“You’re right,” I said. “Erin, can you find Phoebe and bring her to my study? I think she’ll want to hear this in person.”
“You got it, boss,” she said.
Boss. I guess things were back to normal.
“Henry—”
“Best I stay out of that conversation,” he said. “Too many people knowing what I do for you would be… disadvantageous.”
I nodded. “I’ll let you know what she wants.”
I looked back at Erin. “Could you get her in maybe thirty minutes?” I cut my eyes in the direction of the dancers. “There’s something I need to take care of before I meet with her.”
Erin gave me a knowing look and nodded. “Yeah. I can do that. In the meantime, I’ll make myself scarce.”
“See you in thirty minutes, then.”
She turned and headed back toward the party.
“Thanks, Henry,” I said. “This was good work. And sorry about what I said… I didn’t mean anything by it. I know I pulled you off the VanCamp search to get me.”
“It’s fine,” he said. “Speaking of VanCamp, once this Lucas business is wrapped up, I plan on visiting Europe to assess the situation. I suspect he’s slipped out of Amsterdam by now, so we’ll have to find his trail.”
“What about Ryo?” I asked.
“He’s well-protected here, and I’ll make sure one of my best continues to press him for information. Garrett is something of an artist when it comes to not leaving bruises.”
“Jesus,” I said. “Okay, then.”
I was aware that there was a very good chance that Roger VanCamp was lost to the wind forever. Helen might never get the closure she needed from confronting the man, and I might never get the revenge I wanted on the man. He was responsible for killing one of my security detail and nearly getting Natashya and me murdered. I wasn’t sure what ‘revenge’ meant, but I hoped I had the chance to confront him one day.
“Well,” I added, “I’ll let you know what Phoebe decides. In the meantime, enjoy the party.”
“Before you go,” Psalter said, falling into step beside me, “I wanted to ask… who initiated the relationship between you and Chloe?”
I side-eyed him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Hmm. She told you not to tell anyone. If I had to guess, I’d say she came onto you.”
I didn’t answer… just stared straight ahead as we walked back toward the crowd.
“She likes you,” he said. “If I were you, I’d release her. Let her find work elsewhere.”
“Chloe’s a big girl,” I said. “She can make her own decisions.”
“I’m well aware,” Henry replied. “I’m simply asking a favor. Beneath all that iron and stone is a little girl swimming in an unimaginable ocean of grief. I’m just asking that you not contribute to it.”
I gave him a full stare. Then glanced back toward the entrance to the garden.
“That’s why you said the thing about a bonus?”
“No,” he said. “Listen, I know you’re busy, and I’ll leave you to your decadence. Just think about what I said… and let me know what you decide regarding the Lucases.
Without waiting for a reply, Henry took a long sip of his beer and split off.
I wanted to call him back, but I also didn’t want to draw unwanted attention to him while I was out in the open… which might have been just what he wanted. Psalter was a crafty guy, that’s for sure.
Why did he care about Chloe enough to call me, his employer, out like that? Was she like a daughter to him?
I searched around the rooftop, scanning the myriad of people present, but I couldn’t find any sign of Chloe. Perhaps she’d already left and gone to bed—she wasn’t exactly the party girl type.
Giving Psalter, who was now talking to Chandler, one final glance, I decided to move on for the moment. I made a mental note to follow up with him later for more details.
Continuing toward the dance floor, I stopped next to Rose, who was engaged in deep conversation with Ian. Stopping beside the slender beauty, I watched as Natalie, Emily, and Shea were all dancing together to some kind of hyped dance music. Nearby, Richie was dancing with Natashya, and looked absolutely smitten with the exotic dancer as she moved. She wasn’t being overtly sexual as she danced with her girlfriend’s younger brother, but with her Eastern European good looks and killer body showcased in a bikini that didn’t leave much to the imagination, it was hard to ignore one’s libido.
“Looks like your brother’s got a crush,” a voice said. I glanced beside me to see Charity standing next to me, chewing thoughtfully on the edge of a cup as she studied the dancing couple. She cut her eyes up at me as her dark-painted lips curled into a smile.
“Well, that would be awkward,” I said.
“Considering she’s his sister’s girlfriend?”
“And his brother’s former fling,” I said.
Her mouth fell open as she gaped at me. “You fucked your sister’s girlfriend!?”
“No,” I said. “I fucked Natashya. My sister started something with her in Vegas… after we’d fucked.”
“It wasn’t…”
“While I was kidnapped?” I shook my head. “No. I wouldn’t have let Emily live that one down.”
“Geez. How’s it feel to get cucked by your sister?” Charity asked, clearly amused by the situation.
“It’s a little weird,” I admitted, “but it’s better than being cucked by my brother.”
Poor Richie looked like he didn’t stand a chance of keeping his heart intact despite knowing that she was already dating his sister. At least he had good taste in women. I remember being enamored with the exotic dancer when I first met her.
“She’s fucking gorgeous!” Rose said, interrupting my thoughts as she laid her head against my shoulder. I glanced at Charity to see what she thought of this display of affection, but she didn’t seem to have a problem with it—not surprising considering she’d been in open relationships before.
“Who?” I asked Rose.
“Natalie,” she sighed. “After the way you two danced together… I expect to see announcements in the paper any day.”
More shit to muddy the waters that were my feelings. I would have swooned over that kind of statement only a handful of months ago. Now, considering everything, it was just confusing.
“What? Are you jealous?” Ian asked. He grinned and winked at me, letting me know that he had my back.
“No,” Rose said, throwing a glare toward Ian. She held out her empty drink. “Go get me another, servant boy, before you say something that’ll get you in trouble!”
He sighed, rolled his eyes, and took her drink. “If you insist!”
“Made a new friend?” I asked as Ian walked away.
“Yep!” Rose said, looking up at me as she kept her head on my shoulder. “He’s fun!”
“Should I be jealous?” I asked.
“Boy, if anyone’s going to be jealous over Ian, it’s me.”
Charity snorted, and I glanced her way, wondering if they were calling me out for being a man-whore. “Am I missing something?”
“Just that Ian is gay,” Charity said, grinning at me as she chewed on her cup. The oral fixation was more charming than it had any right to be.
“Whoa! Really!?” I hadn’t picked up on it at all. Ian didn’t give off any of the signs I usually looked for.
“It’s hard to tell,” Rose said, “but he’s definitely all about the D. Not interested in bush at all.”
“Richie’s smart,” Charity said.
“Bringing a gay friend?” I asked.
“Bringing a charming and handsome gay friend,” Rose chimed in.
“Ian reels them in,” Charity continued, “and Richie cleans up after they’ve had a bit of time to know him.”
“Richie’s got a girlfriend,” I pointed out.
“Where’s she at?” Rose asked.
“Back home,” I said.
“No, he doesn’t,” Rose replied. “That boy’s already got one foot out the door. He left Smalltown or wherever you’re from, and now that he’s had a few weeks of New York—especially partying with his big bro—he’s starting to wonder if the little miss back home is enough.”
I glanced at Charity, but she simply shrugged, then nodded.
“So,” Rose said, returning to the previous subject. “What’s the deal with Natalie?”
“We’re not dating, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“Is that changing at any point tonight?” Rose asked.
Knowing Natalie and me, neither one of us was likely going to commit to anything tonight, if at all, after what I planned to disclose to her. “Probably not.”
“Good,” Rose said smugly.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.
“It means,” Charity said, “that when the party guests leave or pass out, Rose and I are cooking up something a little special.”
“Oh really?” I asked.
“Yes, really.” Rose’s warm breath near my ear caused a tingle to run down my spine.
“Any spoilers?” I asked, turning my head so that our lips almost brushed each other. The dancer didn’t pull away like most people would have. She simply stared into my eyes and blew gently, teasing me.
“Nope!” Charity said. “Just drink plenty of fluids!”
What a way to celebrate coming home.
“Can’t wait!”
The song ended a few minutes later, with everyone leaving the dance floor. Natalie immediately spotted me flanked by Rose and Charity, and she approached, all smiles as she wiped at her forehead.
“Hey! Did you see us out there?” She asked, her gaze lingering briefly on Rose, who still had her head propped against my shoulder. Charity stood on the other side, her tits brushing my arm as she chewed on her cup.
“I did!” I said. “I didn’t know you could move like that!”
Natalie ducked her head, tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear, and blushed. “Thanks. I enjoy dancing in my living room. It’s a great workout.”
“I can think of a few other workouts,” Rose muttered.
“Hm?” Natalie said.
“Nothing!” Rose straightened and held out a hand, introducing herself.
They spent the next few minutes talking to each other while I chatted with Charity, Emily, Natashya, and Richie. Emily and I insisted that Richie take one of my apartments so that he didn’t always need to stay at the dorms. Ian showed up and cheered on the idea, saying that Richie would never be clean enough for him, and it would give them enough breathing room so that they could remain friends.
Once I'd secured a yes from my brother, I begged off from everyone else and collected Natalie. As we made our way toward the garden, I glanced over my shoulder to see Rose and Charity watching our departure, both of them with shit-eating grins on their faces.
I couldn’t help but wonder what they were planning.
“Where are you taking me?” Natalie asked as we stepped into the garden.
“I wanted to talk with you before it got too late,” I said.
“Talk?” Natalie asked, eyeing me.
“Yeah. I feel like we’ve been dancing around things a little too much,” I said as we wandered through the garden toward one of the entrances to the house.
Natalie could tell something was up. “What do you mean?”
“Our talk earlier today. We talked about how we changed and how we weren’t sure where to go from here, but that we didn’t want to lose each other.”
“I remember,” Natalie said, her tone suggesting that she still didn’t know where I was going with this.
We reached the door and I opened it for her. She stared at me, hesitant to walk through.
“Then, you showed up here, and we danced, and now I can’t stop thinking about you,” I said.
She stared back as if waiting for more.
“And I’m not interested in playing some kind of will-they-won’t-they game,” I said. “Not anymore.”
“What are you suggesting?” Natalie asked, finally walking through the door. I followed her inside.”
“I’m suggesting I lay everything on the table—and let you decide what you want.”
“What do you mean by everything?”
“Expectations,” I said. “Boundaries. What I want.”
Her pace flagged a little, and when she didn’t catch up, I halted and turned so that we stood in the hallway near the foyer facing each other.
“My life isn’t conventional anymore,” I continued.
“That’s putting it mildly,” she said. She looked wary… uncertain.
“I don’t mean the money, Nat. I mean that I’m sleeping with most of the women in this house.”
That’s it. Rip the Band-Aid off.
“Oh…”
I sighed and decided to tackle the most sensitive subject first… one Natalie had brushed with early on in my journey of being wealthy. “You saw Bobbi earlier out on the roof?”
“Yeah,” she said, still a little lost.
“She lives with me now. I sometimes sleep with her.”
She stared at me.
“I sleep with Erin. I’ve slept with Natashya. Shea—you may not have met her yet.”
“I did,” she said. “She’s sweet.”
“Yeah, she is. There have been others, too.”
I could almost see the steam pouring out of her ears as she processed all this information. Again, it was better just to put everything on the table. I didn’t want another Danni—she’d had expectations that I suspected, but never confronted. By the time I did, she had already been hurt. I didn’t want that to happen to anyone else.
“Why are you telling me this, Marcus?”
“Here… let’s sit down,” I said, and led her the rest of the way into the foyer. It was currently empty, save for one of my security personnel standing near the large window, looking somewhat bored.
Once we were settled on the couch, I continued. “Because I want you. I’ve wanted you for a long time, Nat. If you’d been available, I would have asked you out the first week after I started at Marduke. When you broke up with your boyfriend, I was half-tempted to end things with Jess so that I could shoot my shot with you.”
“And a huge part of me still wants that, but I’m not that guy anymore. There are others in my life.”
“I don’t know what that means for us… but if you feel anything, I want to explore it. Only if you have the whole truth, we’re both a hundred percent honest with each other, though.”
Natalie chewed on the inside of her cheek, staring up at me with those big, dark eyes. Erin’s eyes flashed in my mind for half a second. They weren’t the same, but there was something in the way they both looked at me.
“Feel free to say no,” I said. “We can just be friends. I won’t hold it against you. But if you still want to give this a chance… I’ll show you the rest.”
She didn’t answer for what felt like minutes, though it was probably only seconds.
Finally: “I won’t pretend I didn’t know any of this. When you showed up at that house with all those girls, I had a feeling. I didn’t realize it was that many, though.”
My stomach slid south, like sand through an hourglass. “Is that a problem?”
She hesitated. “I… don’t know yet.”
“But you’re still interested?”
“I’m… not… not interested.”
One of Natalie’s hands rested on the couch cushion where she sat, and I reached out to place my palm on top of it, giving it a light squeeze.
“I just want to make sure this is all spelled out for you. Monogamy isn’t in the cards here. Erin is part of my life, and she’s not going anywhere. Same with Helen and Bobbi.”
“Bobbi?” Natalie said, her face contorting in confusion. “You’re telling me that you’re in some kind of relationship with Bobbi?”
I hesitated, trying to think of the best way to put this.
Deciding that there was no good way to sugar coat it, I decided to be blunt.
“Bobbi’s mine,” I said. “She belongs to me.”
More confusion. “I don’t get it.”
“I mean, I own her. She only has one job, and that’s to do what I tell her. In exchange, I take care of her.”
Confusion started to give way to another expression… one that I did not like.
“You mean—”
“No… not like that,” I said. She gave herself to me. It was a whole process, but… she’s mine, now. Helen is, too.”
“The lawyer,” Natalie mused.
I nodded.
Natalie chewed the inside of her cheek, glancing around the room like the furniture might offer answers. I gave her a lot of time to process, but eventually, I started growing antsy.
“You okay?” I finally asked.
She looked me in the eyes and simply said. “Show me.”
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