by Cara Adams
“Possibly, but I think it was born in me. I was always a bossy little boy wanting to organize everyone and everything. I was convinced if people just did what I planned for them to do, the world would run more smoothly.”
“Nothing’s changed. It’s just that nowadays he’s more subtle about how he bosses everyone around,” joked Kairu and they all laughed.
The conversation drifted from BDSM and childhoods to other topics as they sat on the picnic rug and simply enjoyed each other’s company. But Xola couldn’t completely relax. This was how he wanted life to be. Him and Kairu spending time with Esther forever. But always lurking at the back of his mind was the meeting with Okapi tomorrow. Depending on what Okapi said, Esther would make some decisions and he couldn’t relax until he knew she’d choose him, them, over all the other bachelors on the farm.
* * * *
Xola knew Okapi was always at his desk in the office building by eight, whereas he usually didn’t start until half past. So on Monday he arrived at work five minutes earlier than usual, hoping to have a chance to talk to Okapi and book an interview time for Esther before the day got too busy. Okapi’s door was shut, which wasn’t a good sign, so Xola went to his own office, booted up his computer, checked his desk calendar, and went and got a cup of coffee, before looking at Okapi’s door again. It was still shut.
Everyone who worked on the farm was supposed to do at least one professional development activity each year, for which the farm paid the expenses. Unlike some larger companies though, these were no team-boding times in luxurious resort hotels, but usually a couple of days at a workshop or similar. It was time for him to send out his annual quarterly reminder to anyone who hadn’t been to a training event, or wasn’t booked to go to one, yet this year.
Xola pulled up the relevant files, then checked Okapi’s door. Shut. He updated his staffing list then went back to Okapi’s office again. No change. At least I’m getting plenty of exercise today, but this isn’t getting things organized for Esther or getting my work done.
Xola considered sending Okapi a text message as he’d originally planned to do, but time was passing and he’d told Esther he’d meet her at ten thirty. He supposed she was eager to find out the answer, too, and didn’t want her to wonder all day about when the meeting would be held. Although, to be fair to Kairu, it really shouldn’t be until he could be present as well, which meant around six tonight.
Xola sighed and did some more work, before heading around to Okapi’s office again. This time the door was open but no one was there. Xola supposed he could have looked for Okapi in the staff lunch room or in the men’s room, but it was easier to wait here. If he started running all around the building he’d be just as likely to miss him as to find him.
Okapi came back, his arms full of old files. Just as well I didn’t go looking for him. I hadn’t thought of checking the storeroom.
“Hi, Xola. Are you waiting for me?”
“Yes. You’re a difficult man to catch this morning. I’ve looked in half a dozen times already today and your door’s been shut each time.”
“Sorry. It’s been one of those days and it’s not even lunchtime yet.”
Xola laughed. “It’s even earlier than that.”
“So why are you chasing me? Do you need something done?”
“Yes, please. Esther wants to ask you about what the townspeople think of the women coming here.”
Okapi looked at him blank-faced then grunted, dumped the files on his desk, wiggled his computer mouse, clicked on a couple of icons and said, “Just Esther? Or you and Kairu as well?”
“Esther is the one with the questions, but Kairu and I would like to be present, if that’s all right.”
“How about six fifteen then?”
“Perfect. Thanks, Okapi.”
Okapi just grunted again and Xola got the clear impression the man’s mind was on something else important to him. Likely something related to all the files he’d put on his desk. Xola hurried outside. It was exactly ten thirty. He’d only just got the appointment in time. Esther was standing on the sidewalk, looking down the track that led to the orchard. She turned to him and smiled and he couldn’t help but smile back at her.
“He’ll see you at six fifteen. That means Kairu will be home from work so we can all go.”
“Oh, great. Thank you. Am I allowed to walk around the farm? I mean, not interfere with anyone working, but just walk to look around?”
“Of course you can. This is your home now.”
“Thank you for organizing the appointment for me. I’ll be back here at six ten.”
He wanted to kiss her but thought perhaps she’d be embarrassed about public displays of affection, so simply touched her shoulder gently before returning to the building and to his work.
* * * *
Esther had enjoyed just wandering around the farm. She’d seen the chickens and the crops and walked beside the river, but she’d been careful to be back at the barracks in time to shower and put on a clean shirt before her meeting. She had no idea who Okapi was, and how old he was, but guessed he’d likely be middle-aged like Mr. Cooper was.
As she’d walked she’d gotten clear in her head what she wanted to say. Undoubtedly Okapi would be a very busy person and she ought not to waste his time. She was lucky he’d even agreed to speak with her, a nobody.
As she’d walked out of the women’s building and onto the sidewalk, she almost wished she’d agreed to let the men buy her a nice skirt. Meeting an important person wearing jeans didn’t seem quite right to her. But her jeans were clean and almost new. They were a present to her from her sister and a gift far more valuable than the money they’d cost. Her sister had given them to her with love and from a position of having no spending money herself. She must have saved all her pennies for months to buy them, so to Esther they were a doubly precious gift. And jeans were far more useful overall than a pretty skirt would be.
Kairu was wearing business pants and a button-down shirt with dress shoes, but Xola was still wearing jeans and boots, although with a smart-collared shirt. Her own shirt was a long-sleeved collared one, so she was more dressed up than if she’d been wearing a T-shirt. She smiled at the men and deliberately put her thoughts about her clothes behind her. What she needed to know was far more important than whether or not she was wearing pretty clothing.
Xola led the way to Okapi’s office, and Esther suddenly panicked realizing she didn’t know what to call him. Since everyone on Cooper’s Farm shared the last name Cooper, should she call him Mr. Okapi? Oh shit, why didn’t I think to ask the men about this!
The man sitting behind the desk in the office was ten or even fifteen years younger than she’d expected, but she waited to hear how Xola introduced them so she’d know what to call him. Unfortunately Xola used only first names which didn’t help her at all.
“Esther, you had a question about the townspeople, I believe?”
“Yes, sir. I wondered what they had been told about the presence of us women on the farm.”
“Would you like to explain that a little more for me?”
Shit! Esther was surprised her knees weren’t knocking together she was so scared of upsetting this important person, but she’d thought through her worries and clarified them in her mind, so she knew what she had to say. “The werewolves have brought in an entire airplane full of women to live on the farm. My question was in relation to whether the people in Coopersville think this is a little unusual, and why they might assume we’re here.”
“And what made you want to know about this? Has someone said something to you?”
“No, sir. In the neighborhood where I’ve been living, unemployment is high and the only work available for a female was as a topless waitress. The wage was two dollars an hour, which no one can live on. People had plenty to say about the women who applied for those jobs. It’s possible that sometimes they were correct, but most applicants were simply women trying to feed themselves and their families.”
“But you won’t be applying for a job like that in Coopersville.”
It wasn’t a question, it was a flat statement. Nevertheless she answered him. “No, sir, I won’t be applying for any jobs in the hospitality industry. But I wondered if that sort of comment might still be passed about me even if I applied for an office job. I’m grateful for the opportunity for a fresh start here in this community, and don’t want to bring any unwelcome attention on it.”
“No one is ever universally popular. The world holds as many jealous and small-minded people as it does nice ones. However, if any of the women text me the name of the company she’s considering applying to work for, I can run a check on them to ensure it’s a legitimate job vacancy. That will also help any of you who might otherwise apply for phantom positions.”
“Phantom positions?” asked Kairu.
“Yes. You know, where the company is obliged to advertise a job even though someone is already working in it and everyone inside the firm knows that person will be reappointed after a few formalities.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,” said Esther. Her brother-in-law had met a few of those phantom jobs, as well as far too many other jobs where two hundred applicants vied for a single position.
“Unemployment in Coopersville is around five percent. If you wish to work you’ll find a job quite soon. I cannot imagine you will be looked down upon. Cooper’s Farm is a respected part of this community. But you don’t have to work. If you want to remain on the farm and rest that’s perfectly acceptable as well,” said Okapi.
“I’d like to work, if I can find an office job,” she replied.
He nodded and she guessed it was dismissal, so she said, “Thank you for your help,” and let the men lead her out of the room, down the hall and back into the town square or whatever it was called.
“What do you call this open area here?”
“What do you mean?” asked Kairu.
“Is it the town square or what?”
“We don’t call it anything. I guess a hundred years or so ago it would have been the town square. The little store was the original farmhouse, but many of the other homes have been built on the site of original houses or are renovated and extended from older homes,” said Xola.
“That makes sense, but I’m surprised you don’t call it Cooper’s Square or something.”
Kairu laughed but she could tell Xola was already thinking of something different. “Can we take you out for a meal now?” he asked.
“Only somewhere casual where I can wear these clothes.”
“No worries. There’s plenty of family-style restaurants in town. Let’s go, I’m hungry.”
“I’m hungry, too.”
“You’re always hungry,” she said to Kairu, but followed them happily enough. She always seemed to be hungry here as well. It must have been the fresh country air or something. And now she knew she could start thinking about getting a job and prove herself as a more worthwhile person. It seemed so long since she’d been meaningfully employed. There was a lot of self-esteem tied up in working. And having some money to buy clothing and take a turn at paying for food would be good, too. Perhaps she could send some money home to her sister and brother-in-law as well. She knew that’s what Dera wanted to do, to help pay off the debts from her mother’s hospital care.
The men took her through different neighborhoods this time, and to a different part of town where there were half a dozen restaurants in a line opposite a row of furniture stores. “Wow, buying furniture obviously makes people super hungry,” she said.
“Nah, it’ll be all about the parking lot,” said Kairu.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“The furniture stores will be closing for the day right when the restaurants are opening for the evening meal trade. It means they only need one parking lot shared between them instead of two. Everyone benefits. If people don’t find the coffee table they want in one store, there’s another furniture store right next door. And if they don’t feel like a burger, they can go next door to the Greek tavern. Everyone benefits,” explained Kairu.
“What would you like to eat tonight?” asked Xola.
Esther looked at the different restaurants and wished her sister and brother-in-law were here as well. She would send money home to them as soon as she earned some. “Fish, I think. Apart from the Thai fishcake the other day, I haven’t eaten fish in a long time.”
“Fish it is,” agreed Xola, leading them into The Sea Shanty and choosing a table where she could see out the window.
While they waited for their meal Esther stared out the window at the people passing by. She thought the people here seemed happier than in her former town, possibly because there was more work, although happiness didn’t necessarily accompany wealth. There were plenty of millionaires who weren’t happy. The celebrity magazines were full of the rich and famous getting divorced for the third or fourth time. But it might be harder to truly enjoy life when unpaid bills were a major worry, she supposed.
“Can we get a Coopersville newspaper on the way home, please?”
“Of course. Do you want to catch up on all the local news?” asked Kairu.
“That might be fun, but I was more thinking about the job vacancy pages.”
“There will be pages of job ads, but these days most jobs are advertised online. Didn’t you find that in your old neighborhood?” asked Xola.
“Yes, but at home I could borrow my sister’s laptop. I used to go down to a mall that had free Wi-Fi and look for jobs there every few days. But I don’t have access to her laptop anymore. Although I suppose one of the other women might have one, or an iPad. Is there Wi-Fi on the farm?”
“Everyone has Internet in their home and the Wi-Fi from the offices extends over the store and the community hall. Likely we should have thought about that and brought a spare computer across for you to use. I’ll get someone to do that tomorrow,” said Xola.
“Is that okay? I don’t want to cause you trouble.”
“No, it’s our fault. We should have thought of that, and there’s bound to be some spare terminals somewhere,” Xola replied.
“Besides, someone might want to play computer games,” added Kairu, making them all laugh.
She really loved his lighthearted attitude. Often what he said was very relevant, but he made everything seem like fun. Xola was more serious, but they were both intent on making her life better, and she loved that they went about it in such complementary ways—Xola the planner and designer, Kairu the tension breaker.
* * * *
Kairu was sure Xola would ask Esther to spend the night with them again tonight, and so he didn’t want to blurt out anything that might spoil Xola’s plans. He knew Esther was keeping a little distance between them and he could see her reasoning about not wanting to totally commit to them yet, but that didn’t mean he was happy about it. He wanted her in their bed permanently, and the sooner, the better. Then her mated to them and living with them forever. At least none of the other pairs of bachelors had tried to attract her attention.
That’d been a terrifying fear of his. That she would be more attracted to another partnership than to him and Xola. Okapi, for example, had way more status than he did. And Maitho seemed to understand women much better than him. And—but it was stupid to fill himself with fear. Esther seemed content to be with him and Xola so it was good. All they had to do was wait patiently for her to agree to join them permanently, and to love her passionately and endlessly so she couldn’t bear to leave them in the meantime.
Kairu was relieved when Xola finally asked Esther, “Will you come home with us again tonight please?”
Her soft “yes” almost had him reaching out to hug her, but he managed not to until they climbed the porch steps and entered the house.
In the bedroom Xola asked, “Are you ready to fuck us both? It’ll be the best orgasm you’ve ever had, I promise you.”
She looked down at the floor for so long Kairu almost
groaned with the agony of the wait, but when she finally said yes, he had to bite his bottom lip to prevent himself cheering. His emotions had never been this tightly strung in his life before. Other girlfriends, family events, tests and grades at college, nothing had drawn his nerves as tight as they were now, wanting Esther to be theirs forever.
“First we need to open your ass and make you ready. Have you ever had anal sex before?” asked Xola.
“I haven’t been in a relationship for quite a while,” she replied. Kairu noted she hadn’t answered the question and was sure Xola would have picked that up as well. Didn’t she want to say she’d never experienced anal sex before? Or had she been ass fucked and not liked it? Or was there a third option he hadn’t thought of? Oh well, they’d make damn sure she liked it this time.
Xola indicated to him to undress Esther, and happily he began by unbuttoning her collared shirt. He liked the look on her. It was so prim and proper, yet underneath it all her glorious pale flesh was begging for his hands and mouth. He kissed her neck when he opened the top two buttons, then kissed her shoulders, the tops of her breasts, and then her belly as he opened the shirt wide and dropped it onto a chair. Once it was off he licked a hot, wet line along the inside of her arm, sucking the skin on the insides of her wrists and elbows, watching her shiver as he did so. Next he unsnapped and unzipped her jeans, pushing them off her hips and kissing her hip bones and the small of her back. She helped him by toeing off her shoes and socks, but he was happy to lick and kiss the insides of her thighs and behind her knees anyway.
By the time he was ready to remove her bra, she already had his shirt half-off and his pants undone. He shook his arms and legs free of the clothing, then took a breast into his mouth and sucked hard, rolling the nipple against the roof of his mouth before turning his attention to other one.
Xola kneeled behind her, spread her legs wider, and began preparing her ass. Esther hissed. Kairu was certain it was with pleasure but he redoubled his efforts with her breasts anyway, sucking as much of each mound as he could fit into his mouth, first one, then the other. He teased her nipples, tugging on them stretching and elongating them, before sucking them again. Next he licked a line down her sternum, down, down to her bellybutton, playing with the tiny divot until she was wiggling and squirming. He still wasn’t sure whether it was from his actions or Xola’s, but it didn’t matter. She was enjoying their touch and that was the important thing.