by Jenika Snow
Once all the virgins had been showcased and the bids were sealed, the announcer called each woman that had been purchased one-by-one. With each one leaving and Maylene still present, she feared she would be marked as a non-seller. Just when her hopes plummeted even further, her name was announced. Heart beating a frantic tattoo, Maylene gripped her robe and followed the attendant out and back onto the auction block. The lights were dimmed now and she could see into the crowd. Brides stood next to their new husbands, their heads down and their postures screaming obedience. Maylene really shouldn’t even be looking at them, should actually practice the same position, but her curiosity coupled with her excitement had her breaking the number one rule she was taught as a submissive.
As she let her gaze travel throughout the room, she stopped on two impossibly large men standing close to the podium. There were a few girls in front of her, so she just assumed the men waited for their brides. But when they still stood there, their bright blue eyes regarding her severely, Maylene’s mouth dried. Were they here for her? It wasn’t unheard of for two men to purchase one bride to share, and that knowledge sent fear through her. She was worried enough about one husband, but having to please two was unfamiliar and frightening. Worry that she would disappoint them coursed through her veins.
“Masters St. Michaels, may I present your bride, Maylene Steffanos.” The announcer pulled her forward until she stood in front of the two intimidating men. She had her head downcast so as not to upset them, but the images of their faces burned into her brain. Their bodies had been tall, their shoulders wide, and their chests broad and muscular. Even under the expensively tailored suits they wore, the power they wielded was clear. Dark blond hair, cut stylishly, fell across their foreheads. Their eyes were so blue they seemed unreal and made them appear almost gentle in nature. Of course she wasn’t fooled. Looks could be deceiving.
The attendant spoke to her new Masters as if she wasn’t there, as if she had been purchased as nothing more than just a piece of property. Then again, Maylene supposed, that was exactly what she was. They had purchased her like an ornamental object, to do with as they pleased. Her thoughts had taken her away, but when a strong hand cupped her cheek and forced her head back, reality slammed into her. She stared into deep blue eyes, eyes that seemed to be able to read her every emotion. The man next to him had to be his brother, or even his twin. That was how similar they were in appearance. Of course there was a different aura that surrounded each man. They were similar but unique in their own way.
“Tell us your name, pet.” His voice was so deep it vibrated through her whole body and settled in her toes. Maylene knew they had to know her name, because the attendant had divulged every single piece of her information to the bidders. But for whatever reason this man, her new Master, wanted to hear her say it.
“Maylene…Sir.” She didn’t know how they wanted her to address them, so the more formal way seemed appropriate until they told her what they wanted to be called. Her other Master lifted her hand into his and pulled her toward him. Up close to the second man, she could now see the differences between them more closely. Where the first man had slightly disheveled hair, as if he had run his fingers through it, this man’s hair was impeccably styled. Their eye color was identical, as were their builds. Yes, definitely brothers.
He didn’t say anything for so long that her face heated from his clear appraisal of her. The feel of his thumb brushing back and forth along her inner wrist calmed her, but also had her highly aware of his presence. He dropped her hand and grabbed her file from the attendant. Her new Masters led her out of the building. Each took a hold of her hands as they flanked her, as if they were her protectors. It was hard not to look at them, but she forced herself to keep her head lowered and place one foot in front of the other.
A limo stood waiting right outside the doors and they helped her inside. The scent of leather and their cologne filled her nose and greeted her back. She didn’t know their names, and although she was curious she would never speak unless spoken to. That was one of the first rules they taught her in her training. One man sat on either side of her, their body heat permeating through the silk of her robe and doing all kinds of wicked things to her unused body. She shivered, not able to control herself.
“Are you cold?” The Master to her left, the one with the perfectly combed hair, said. There was a note of concern etched into his masculine face and something akin to hope flared in her chest. These men could be the husbands she had always dreamed of: kind and caring, gentle and attentive. They could be the perfect Doms she had always imagined in her life. Maybe it wasn’t too farfetched that they would cherish her and a relationship between them would blossom.
“No, Sir.”
“Griffin. You may call me Griffin.” His eyes were kind as he regarded her. Maylene found herself smiling up at him.
“Thank you, Griffin.” She tensed when she felt the other man place his big, heavy hand on her thigh.
“Look at me, Maylene.” Mouth gone suddenly dry, Maylene turned and looked at him. He was harder than Griffin, especially when he stared at her with his too-knowing eyes. Was she going to experience both worlds—cruelty and affection? It wasn’t hard to imagine when Griffin looked at her like a fragile piece of porcelain, and this Master looked at her like he wanted to devour her. It was strange, but that realization didn’t frighten her like it should.
His hand continued to run up and down her leg, pushing the material to the side inch by inch until her naked thigh was revealed. She was lost in his azure gaze, and when she licked her lips and watched as his eyes tracked the movement, Maylene felt carnal desire pour off him like a tidal wave.
“Sir?” The force it took her to breathe caused her breasts to rise and fall rapidly against her robe.
“You may call me Nikolas…when I give you permission.” He slipped his hand between her thighs and smoothed the pads of his big fingers along her skin. “My brother may be lenient, but you’ll find I expect your complete obedience.” And there was the Dom she expected to marry. “Now open for me, pet.” The fact that he moved fast wasn’t lost on her, but he was her husband now and had the right to her body whenever he pleased. If Maylene was honest, excitement barreled through her at the fact he clearly wanted her so much he couldn’t wait until they got to his home to have her.
Disobeying him was not an option, not only because she was trained not to, but because she didn’t want to. A thrill of anticipation flooded through her as she slowly parted her thighs. He smoothed his hand higher up, until he brushed along her bare folds. Having a shaved, perfectly smooth mound was a requirement of all virgin brides. Would her husbands want her to continue to shave it bare, to keep it soft for their touch? Did it really matter, when his thick finger parted her folds and brushed along her clit? Maylene was forced to breathe in and out of her mouth to get enough air into her lungs.
“So receptive.” Griffin’s voice caressed the shell of her ear and Maylene found her eyes closing as if they had a mind of their own. He curled his fingers around the lapel of her robe and slowly pulled it down, revealing her shoulder. His lips found her skin and he slowly dragged them up and down, eliciting a moan from her. This certainly wasn’t the submission she imagined, but Maylene reminded herself she had only been in their company mere minutes. For all she knew, their real dominance would begin behind closed doors. Would they require a complete D/s relationship, one where she was to be their sexual slave at all times? Or did they only want her submission in the bedroom? It was too hard to think about that right now, especially when Nikolas continued to caress her with expert fingers. Until then, she would absorb their soft touches and murmured words.
During the rest of the drive they continued to touch her. Nikolas didn’t penetrate her, just teased her labia and clit until she wasn’t above begging him for more. Griffin kissed the skin of her shoulder, and dragged his lips and tongue up the side of her neck to her pulse that beat frantically below her ear. Griffin skimmed hi
s tongue and lips all the way to her collarbone, licking and nipping the delicate bone until she writhed between them. By the time they pulled up to the incredible estate, her limbs were like pudding and she was soaked between her thighs. The silk that covered her breasts scraped along her turgid nipples, making them even harder until she had to bite her lip to stem off her whimper. The driver opened the door and she followed Nikolas out. For a moment, Maylene could do nothing but stare at the three-story brick estate. It was impressive and reeked of wealth. A heavy palm on her lower back urged her forward and she looked over her shoulder at Griffin. The soft smile he gave her had some of her hesitance waning.
Once she stepped inside, the marble beneath her feet sent a flash of coolness up her body. When several servants dressed in black and white hustled into the grand foyer, Maylene was acutely aware of her nudity underneath the thin material of her robe.
“This is the Madam of the estate. She is called Maylene.” Griffin’s voice was warm and comforting and wrapped around her like a warm blanket.
“Maylene?”
She looked at Nikolas.
“Shyla will take you to freshen up.” A petite brunette stepped forward. She didn’t smile, didn’t really even acknowledge Maylene. “When you’re finished she will show you to the gardens, where we will dine.” Nikolas’s voice was a complete contrast to Griffin’s—cool, calm, and distant. The brothers disappeared down a long hallway, then Maylene was whisked away to the second level.
Chapter Three
Griffin watched as the sun descended past the thick bank of trees that surrounded their property. The estate had been owned by their parents, and when they passed seven years earlier, he and Nikolas had taken over the property. Kristoff had chosen to live closer to the city, whereas they stayed thirty miles from him in their hometown of Hawkson.
“You seem happy.” Nikolas came to stand beside him and handed a glass of scotch over. Dinner was being set on the patio table, and the outer lights were now being turned on. The glow from the artificial lighting coupled with the setting sun made for an enticing view. Griffin took a drink and went back to watching the sun sink low in the sky.
“Yeah, I am.” When he had seen Maylene walk out on the stage, he had known she was the one he wanted. Everything inside of him had snapped to attention. The arousal had been instant, but it had been so much more than that. Of course it wasn’t just about the sexual attraction, but something deeper. Love at first sight wasn’t something he had ever believed in, and he wasn’t sure if that was what he had felt when he first saw her, but there was definitely a connection. The fact she was so receptive to their touch turned a switch on inside of him. The smell of her, like warm apples and vanilla ice cream, had his dick so fucking hard he couldn’t stand it. But he wouldn’t approach her tonight. He wanted to get to know her, to ease her into what he and Nikolas enjoyed. She was trained as a submissive, and he knew that, so the dynamics of their relationship would have to be built.
Griffin turned and watched Nikolas down his drink. “I know you felt something when you saw her. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t have been the first to place the bid.” Nikolas didn’t look at him, but by the way he shifted on his feet, Griffin knew his twin had indeed felt something for their fiery little sub.
“Yeah, well, I think my attraction is a bit different than yours, brother.” Nikolas turned and looked at him. “You could easily fall in love with her, but I am not in the relationship for that.” Griffin shook his head and felt his anger rise.
“Why does everything have to be about domination with you?” They stared at each other for a suspended moment. “Don’t you feel empty, Nik, like you’re missing something in your life?”
He shook his head. “No, Griffin. I had all the company I could handle and was never empty.” Nikolas grinned but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I agreed to share a wife with you because you’re my brother and I love you. I want you to be happy. But Griffin,” he took a deep breath, “I like what I like and there is no changing that. There is no denying she’s beautiful and her submissive side calls out to me, but I meant what I said.” Nikolas’s eyes were hard and determined. “I never wanted a wife, but…” He looked toward the open doorway and Griffin followed his gaze. Maylene stood in the doorway. She wore a dark green sundress, one that brought out the hazel in her eyes and the redness in her hair. When Griffin looked back at his brother, there was clear desire reflected in his eyes. “A permanent sub holds quite the fascination.” Nikolas murmured, but it sounded like he was speaking to himself. “Having a female submit to me 24/7 makes me harder than hell. I can train her the way I want, teach her what pleases me.” Nikolas looked at Griffin and said, “I can make her scream my name over and over again.”
The Dom in Griffin couldn’t deny that his brother’s words painted a beautiful picture. Even now he could imagine Maylene on her knees before him, the sound of his singletail cracking beside her naked body. She would cry out for more, her arousal tainted with the anticipation of his whip striking her ass and thighs. Of course he wouldn’t touch her, not in the way she thought. Maylene would be anticipating the kiss of his leather, but he derived his pleasure from the psychological aspect of it. The knowledge that she thought she would feel pain by his hand had Griffin soaring high from the power exchange. His brother might be a sadist, but he had seen the fire behind Nikolas’s eyes as he held Maylene’s cheek and looked into her eyes. There had been curiosity and another emotion Griffin had never seen displayed on Nikolas’s face before. His twin might act like he wanted nothing more than a permanent submissive, but Griffin had faith he would grow to care for Maylene on a much deeper level, one that wasn’t strictly about finding his own release.
****
Maylene was led to an ornately decorated room on the second level by Griffin after dinner. French doors graced the wall across from the Victorian-style bed. Colored dressings in light pinks and cream covered the bed and windows.
“This will be your room for the time being.” Griffin’s deep voice sounded behind her and she spun to face him. Surprise flared inside of her at his words. His body was big and imposing and blocked everything behind him. Her instincts kicked in and she sank to her knees before him. The need to please him was strong and she knew what tonight was about. They had purchased a wife, and on the first night they always consummated the marriage. Maylene was prepared, and found herself wanting it more than she ever thought. True, she had just met Griffin, but there was something about him that calmed her and called out to her in the same breath. His brother, on the other hand, reached out to her submissive side. The Dom in him was like a steady beat that pulsed through her. The dual sensations each man caused within her combined in perfect harmony.
Hands gripped her upper arms and lifted her to her feet. “No, Maylene … not tonight.” A beat of silence passed and still she continued to stare at his perfectly shined black loafers. “Look at me.” She lifted her head and stared his eyes. He smoothed his hand down her hair, over the side of her face, and skimmed his index finger along her lips. “Tell me about you, Princess. Tell me about your family, about what you dream of.” His gaze was on her mouth and he continued to brush the digit back and forth over her bottom lip. His words were spoken, soft and melodic, as if his actions hypnotized. She didn’t want to talk about family, didn’t want to discuss her hopes and dreams. She had spent the better part of her life amongst other females just like her. Their only goal was being perfect in every way for their future husbands. Any dreams she may have had existed no longer. They were the fantasies of a young girl, now a wife.
“I…” She looked down, but Griffin was insistent that she keep his gaze, as he lifted her chin up with his forefinger. Before she could utter a word his lips were on hers and his tongue was licking at the seam of her mouth. The taste of him filled her taste buds—spicy and tangy, heated and intoxicating. His groan went right through her and throbbed in the junction between her legs. Wetness coated her to embarrassing proportion
s as her arousal climbed to a fever pitch. She wanted to please him, to make him feel good. His pleasure was ultimately her pleasure. He wasn’t like Nikolas in the clear dominance that poured from him, so she felt a little more courageous going after what she wanted, but first she wanted his approval.
Maylene opened her eyes and found his eyes already open. He watched her intently and she felt bared to him, body and soul. Pressing closer to him, she hoped her boldness didn’t anger him, but the feel of his hardness pressed against her stomach told her he wanted more, too. But why wasn’t he acting on his desires? Surely he didn’t truly mean he wanted to wait. Never had she heard of a husband not taking their bride the first night. Maybe she didn’t please him as much as she thought. Male arousal didn’t necessarily mean anything but a physical response. She dropped to her knees and looked up at him. Hands going to the button of his slacks, she started to undo it. Needing to make him happy was of utmost importance, but when his hands stopped her, disappointment slammed into her. “Do I not please you, Sir?”
Griffin kept his hands loosely wrapped around hers and stared down at her. His jaw was clenched and the bulge that pressed against his zipper was mere inches from her face. He took a deep breath and said, “Maylene, sweet little sub, you please me immensely, but we have all the time for this. I’m in no hurry. I want you to feel comfortable before we take this step in our relationship.” He ran his finger along the outer edge of her lips and said, “Please, rest for now.” He helped her to stand and led her to the large bed. His expression was soft and kind, and when he bent down to kiss her forehead she let her eyes shut. This certainly wasn’t the way she imagined her wedding night, and there were conflicting emotions of disappointment and relief inside of her. She wanted him, there was no doubt about that, but she would be lying if she didn’t admit that having this first night to herself was a relief.