by Amy Brent
I was surprised when my nipples hardened underneath my dress. I’d seen handsome men in my life but never felt this way inside. My thighs ached, and I felt a tightening deep inside as I watched them, entranced by the sight.
The woman screamed and jerked forward, dropping her face to the bed. He moved hard a few more times and jerked inside before groaning. Callin dropped to the mattress and murmured something to the woman. She breathed a few times before moving over his body and taking him into her mouth. I stepped back and turned to run to the stairs before I got caught. My mind was racing with everything that I’d seen, and I closed the door to my room before running over to my bed.
I dropped down and rested my head in my hands. I was feeling sensations all over my body that were new to me. I squirmed against the mattress, overwhelmed by the intensity of the need pulsing inside of me. What I was watching was rough, dirty sex. I shouldn’t be thinking like this.
I walked into the bathroom and paced the small space. I’d love a bath to calm myself down, but the space didn’t allow that. I’d settle for a shower… a cold one. I slipped off the dress and turned the water on before stripping completely. I stared into the small mirror above the sink and noticed that my nipples were hard. They ached. I slipped a hand over them, squeezing gently.
I’d been attracted to a man before. I was nineteen after all. I’d touched myself before, mesmerized by the sharp points of my nipples and the slickness between my thighs. It had never been this extreme in the past. I stepped under the water, shifting the knob to a lukewarm temperature, leaning my head back under the spray. My first day here and I was losing myself. I’d never seen sex in person before, so I could contribute it to that. Of course, I could. The books that I’d read in the past that had some naughty parts made me feel this way as well. I shouldn’t feel guilty about this but as I slid my hand down my stomach to touch my folds, I prayed for my soul.
I knew that I was going to be different living away from home. I knew that things would change. I couldn’t feel what I was beginning to feel for Callin or his brother though. I needed this job too much and there would be other chances in my life to let a man have me. I remembered the sharp look in the queen’s eyes as she reminded me that fraternization was not an option. I stroked myself to orgasm, surprised by the force of it as I fell back against the shower wall I stayed in there for a while, washing up so I could get to sleep early tonight. I had an early morning.
I dressed in some shorts and a t-shirt for bed, leaving a clean uniform on the bathroom counter for the morning. Mine was the same, boring gray, and I only needed to wear the apron if I was assisting in the kitchen for a big event. I ran a hand through my wet hair and wandered over to the window, staring over the darkening sky as my eyes moved to the lights of the town on the same side of the water as the castle. I went to my bed and pulled out the phone that Mama gave me before I left so we could keep in touch. I decided to text her since I wasn’t sure if I could talk about this. When I sent a greeting, she responded instantly. We chatted about what I thought of the castle so far and I told her about helping with dinner. I didn’t want Mama to feel bad about my doing this for us and assured her that it was a nice place. I’d be safe here and once she had enough money to catch up on our debts, I would come home. We could work together again.
I ended the chat confident that she felt better than when I first sent the text. Mama had cried when I left but this was the best option. She had friends taking care of her now and I just needed to send money. I closed my eyes and settled under the thin blankets, letting the silence of the room settle over me.
CHAPTER THREE
Callin
I was striding up the stairs to my room after seeing Andrea out. She was leaving with her family in their car, looking a bit stricken by what happened between us. I was a lot for a woman to handle so I decided that there was no need to settle down with just one. I’d sample the goods and if one got to me enough, I might make her mine. Mom wanted us married with kids, so she could have the heirs to the castle once she was gone, particularly since Dad was close to death. I hated thinking about that. He was a good man if not too much of a leader at times. We had good memories of him from when we were kids. We were always aware of our place in the country, but my parents had some tender moments with us.
“Callin.” I recognized her voice and turned slowly, waiting for the usual question.
“Yes, mother?” I asked as I sensed my brother nearby. We were close and had a sometimes-eerie connection.
“Did you like Andrea? She seems like a wonderful young woman,” Mom said as I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
“Very nice girl. I don’t want to marry her though.”
Mom sighed, dropping her hands to her side.
“You’re twenty-one now, Callin. Your brother is two years older. We need to have heirs for this castle and this life.” Mom looked sad for a moment and a twinge of guilt hit me. I knew that she’d lost twins shortly after we were born; a boy and a girl.
“Plenty of time, Mom. I don’t want to spend my life with a snobby socialite, smiling for the parties and dinners.” Her eyes hardened as she looked at me. “Let it happen on its own. I meet a lot of girls and I’m sure one will be a good fit.” I didn’t add that Andrea was a great fit for the time we were fucking in my room. Mom knew that Braden, and I enjoyed women while not looking to settle down with any of them.
“I’m going to sit with your father. Hopefully he eats some soup tonight.” Her voice was cold as she turned and walked down the hallway that led to the room that he was living in now. Dad got sick several times over the last few months and each time made him weaker. He was just in a room on antibiotics to keep him stable and pills to help him sleep. Nothing more could be done for him at this point. I tried to go see him when I could, but it was difficult for me and Braden.
I turned to walk upstairs, seeing Braden standing at the end of the hall.
“How did you like Kendra?” I asked, referring to Andrea’s sister. He smirked, and I walked up the steps, joining him in the room that we had set aside for our man cave. There was a big TV on the wall and several gaming systems set up from since we were kids. I went to the fridge against the wall and pulled two beers from it, taking a seat near him on the couch.
“Probably as long as you liked her sister. They were hot but screamed high society.” He replied as I nodded. We were high society, but we wanted more to life than the kingdom. I wanted adventure and memories. “Mom is breathing down my damn neck.”
“Mine, too. I’m not ready for that shit.” I sipped from the bottle and leaned back. “I want to go away. I need a vacation.”
“Not with the Summer Ball coming up. We’ll need to make an appearance.” Braden reminded me as he popped open his own beer. We chatted for a bit while we caught up on sports. We both ran in the morning along with a long hour in the gym, but I wasn’t ready to sleep. I still felt restless despite my tryst with Andrea in my room.
“I saw the new girl earlier tonight. I was coming out to take a call after I was with Kendra and she was rushing upstairs. She looked like she’d seen a ghost.” I glanced at him.
“Freya, right? Mom did a great job of picking someone we wouldn’t want to sleep with. You’d think she learned with Brandy.” We both laughed, and I shook my head. We both got the lecture not to even look at the new seamstress the wrong way from Mom as well as a few other staff members. Freya was gorgeous with her bright red hair and deep forest green eyes. Her skin was pale, and she looked incredibly innocent.
“I heard that she was the best for miles. She worked somewhere making clothes or something like that. Helen was talking about her.” Braden shrugged. “You know Mom and her clothes.”
I preferred shopping for my clothes along with Braden. Mom wanted hers created for her. She wanted to be the only one in the room wearing that outfit. Her ball gowns were famous across the city and she was written about often in the paper. I think that some girls wanted to latch onto us
because of her at times. Mom knew how to charm people when needed and everyone flocked to her when we were out of the castle.
While we were royalty, it was more of the modern kind. We still had the highest power in all of Venice but with a whole host of lawyers, advisors, and assistants. It wasn’t like the old days when people were hung after a quick trial. Dad didn’t make decisions like that and now that he’d fallen ill, Mom let all of those under her handle any situation. She was very much the one to host the parties and the dinners and make appearances around town. She was the trophy wife on Dad’s arm.
It was an arranged marriage after all. I was glad that died after their wedding. Mom would love to pick our wives, but it wasn’t going to happen.
I glanced at the clock on the wall and groaned.
“I have an early run. See you in the morning?” I asked as Braden nodded. He flicked the TV off and finished his beer before following me to the hall. Our rooms were at opposite ends of the hallway, offering us privacy. I walked into mine, glancing at the messy bed as I walked to the bathroom. I showered under the hot water for a long time, rinsing the sex from my body before slipping into boxers to sleep in. I slipped under the covers and stared at the ceiling as the light breeze fluttered my light curtains. It would be hot soon. We’d have parties with friends and time on our boat on the water.
I thought about the redhead sleeping on the floor above me. Based on the look on her face when we passed her to go into the castle, she was attracted to us. It was hard not to be. I knew how women responded to me and my brother well by now. Freya seemed interested as well as intimidated by us and Helen was a total cock blocker. She’d ridden our asses before when we got involved with Brandy. Mom loved her designs.
I went for a jog as the sun was rising alongside my brother. We enjoyed the cool air and quiet of the morning. There was plenty of acreage for us to enjoy privacy but sometimes we went down to the road that led to our castle. We lived high above a lush forest that offered trails and various ponds and streams. It was gorgeous, and we managed to get down there sometimes. It was gated being our property, but Mom always told us that we couldn’t be too careful.
When we came back in the house. I smelled breakfast. Helen always made something for Mom and if we were here, we’d eat as well. Helen was a fantastic cook, and I’d never turn down her food. I poked my head in the kitchen to greet her, watching as the staff looked my way.
“What’s for breakfast, Helen? It smells great.” I asked as she poured me a cup of coffee and walked it over to me.
“Your favorite, Callin. French toast and fresh sausage.” She smiled at me, having been in my life since I was a kid.
“Perfect.” I glanced over the staff, not seeing red hair. Freya was the seamstress and Mom would keep her busy. I hoped that she’d get a chance to eat during the day. “I’ll be in the living room.” I held up my cup and walked out, heading to the couch where the papers were stacked up on the table. I liked to keep up on the world since I was royalty, thought the speculation about Dad irritated me. He was my father, and I hated that it was the talk of the town. Losing him would destroy everyone and Braden would be the new King, with me next in line.
I glanced up as Braden joined me, reaching for another paper.
“We’re on the front page,” I told him in a low voice as we shared a look. Braden read the headline about Dad and let out a sigh. He wasn’t ready for this and I sipped my coffee as I looked at him. We hadn’t been out of the house too much since he grew worse. I didn’t want to be hounded by the press and even the best security couldn’t keep them at bay. My runs were the best part of my day right now.
Mom came into the room and we rose to greet her. I might not always agree completely with her, but she was my mother. I kissed her cheek and asked her how she was doing, inhaling the scent of her expensive perfume. She’d been wearing it for years.
“I’m fine. I have to go to a luncheon today.” She was dressed in ivory silk slacks and a pale pink shirt that was tucked in. Her makeup was flawless, and I realized that my mom looked the same as she did when we were born. I was sure that there was some work involved in that, but she was beautiful either way. Her light blonde hair was in a bun at her neck. I rarely saw Mom not looking this perfect.
CHAPTER FOUR
Braden
Helen stepped into the room to tell us that breakfast was ready. We all walked into the formal dining room and took our seats as our plates were delivered to us. Mom and Braden were brought cups of steaming coffee and mine was refilled as I placed the napkin on my lap. I was still in my jogging shorts, but I had put my shirt back on.
Mom looked at her plate, sipping her coffee as something crossed her face. It looked like sadness and I glanced at Braden as he cut a piece of the toast off with his fork. She didn’t talk too much about what was happening with Dad with us but in her position, she was required to be strong most of the time. We didn’t press the subject since we had each other.
I noted that she picked at her food, mostly just drinking her coffee. I ate every bite and headed down to the basement to lift for a bit. I was vain, and I wouldn’t deny it. I was raised in the public eye and Mom was always mindful of how she looked. I guess it rubbed off on me as well as Braden. He joined me, working on legs as we worked out in silence.
“Do you think she’s okay?” Braden asked me as I dropped the weights and took a deep breath.
“I think it gets to her a hell of a lot more than she wants to admit. Do you think she talked to Aunt Sue or one of her friends?” I asked as he shrugged, pushing the heavy weight slowly.
“She’s out and about living her life. I guess she has to talk to someone.” Braden said as he let his legs fall back against his chest. “I still think that she’s got someone on the side. At least, she did at some point.”
We’d both suspected that for a while. Our parent’s marriage was an arranged one to begin with. It was a pairing made in heaven for their families and likely more of a business agreement than anything at times. They weren’t bad parents, but they had a lot more going on in their lives than just us. We had a nanny that was virtually full time until we were old enough to take care of ourselves. We had the space to fuck around like guys our age did though we had to lay down more rules than the usual player. We used our charm to tell them just how things were. There was no confusion and with any luck, no broken hearts.
We chatted as we worked out and I headed upstairs for a shower. I was meeting a friend to plan a bachelor party for another member of our social circle. He was a successful investor and made a name for himself just after college. He was marrying a scientist who was both gorgeous and smart, planning a full life of travel and fun. It was more along the lines of what I craved over living the life my parents did. Granted, Braden was first in line for the throne but that didn’t change the fact that I lived in a royal family. Nothing would.
I left my room after slipping into some fresh clothes and heard footsteps on the staircase. Freya popped into the hallway and blushed when she saw me.
“You’d think I would have some kind of separate entrance or something. It must be irritating to deal with staff in your home.” She shifted on her feet as I took her in.
“I don’t mind at all. You’re a lovely sight to see.” I watched her stare at the floor for a moment. Why was she acting this way?
“I… I have to go. Lunch is so short, and I need to get some food.” Freya stared at me for a moment and dashed down the stairs. It wasn’t the first time a woman was nervous around me but there was more to this. I shook my head and walked down to the garage, selecting the newest SUV to take into town. We were meeting at an exclusive restaurant where we could plan in peace and I pulled down the driveway slowly. I was appreciative of the tint of the windows as I managed to drive through the streets under the radar. I parked in the back lot of the building and hurried through the back entrance to meet the guys in the smaller private room.
We ordered lunch and drinks as we sett
led down to business. The soon to be married couple was on the adventurous side but he wasn’t looking to have an X rated bachelor party. He was happy and just wanted to have some fun. We planned a dinner at one of the best steak houses in town and then a night at a club that played jazz, which he loved. Both places would be closed to just us given the fact that Callin, and I were going to be there. It was always that way.
The waitress was clearly star struck by us and flirted heavily. I didn’t bite as easily as it would have been to hook up with her somewhere in the building. I chalked it up to just getting some yesterday, but red hair and green eyes kept popping into my mind. She was beautiful and challenging in that naïve way. I hadn’t been with a girl like that in a long time and my cock hardened at the thought of it. I knew that she was off limits but damn if I didn’t want to risk it. Brandy was hot but not worth the pain of Mom and Helen being pissed off. They didn’t even know that we both tapped her, blaming it solely on me. He took the fall in the past for me, so it was fair.
When the raven-haired woman came back with the check, her blue eyes were hard on me. I took it and slipped my credit card into the folder, glancing into her lust filled face.
“Thanks,” I told her dismissively as she turned and stomped out of the room. Ned gave me an inquisitive look and raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you turn one away quite like that. What gives?” The other guys laughed, and I sipped my beer.
“I got some last night. I think I’m good for a while.” I joked as they laughed harder.
“I thought your mom might have found you a wife,” Matt quipped as I rolled my eyes.