by Amy Brent
Freya was more. She was worth fighting for although Mom would not agree with that idea.
I went inside and decided to go to sleep. All of this could be handled later, and I’d make a point of seeing her the following night. I needed to sleep even if I wanted her in my arms to do so.
I woke up late the next morning, turning to see that the sun was high in the sky. I got up to shower and dress for the day, knowing that I was taking Mom into town. I tapped on Callin’s door on the way downstairs, hearing him grumble on the other side of the door. “Can I come on?” I called out as he told me to go ahead. I walked into the room that mirrored mine, seeing him in bed half-asleep. “What kicked your ass last night? You came home early.”
“Freya,” he replied as I raised an eyebrow. “I spent the night in her room.” He held his hand up as I started to ask what was wrong with him. “Leave me alone. I got up before she needed to work. Everything is fine.”
Deep down, I was jealous. I pushed it away and ran a hand through my damp hair. “Want to go into town with me and Mom?”
“Is she in a good mood?” He asked as I chuckled.
“She is currently hoping that we’ll meet the right women at the party this weekend. It’s going to be a star-studded occasion in her eyes.” Callin rolled his eyes.
“We know them all and have for years. Been there, done that. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with it.” Callin was known for sleeping with women in our large group of acquaintances and breaking hearts. I doubted that anyone would fuck him now given his reputation.
“I agree but she can have her hopes. If it keeps her going, fine by me. We’re going to the attorney to change some stuff since Dad’s getting better and getting lunch.” Dad was moving back into their room within the week and making a strong recovery. Mom would be in a good mood, anyway.
“Let me shower. I’ll meet you both downstairs.” He told me as I nodded and left his room. I glanced up the stairs where Freya probably was, tempted to go see her for a minute while I waited. It was too risky. Mom was in there with her discussing clothes a lot these days. I’d go after she was done working. I walked to the first floor and grabbed water from the fridge, sitting outside while I waited for Callin. I’d been skipping my runs lately staying up late with Freya and being tired. I looked down at my still flat stomach and reminded myself that I was not going to be twenty-four forever. Sex was a great form of exercise, but I needed to mix it up.
I heard the door and glanced over to see Mom approaching me. She was dressed in dark slacks and a light pink silk blouse with her hair expertly braided. I wondered if she ever regretted ending up with two boys instead of a daughter. They’d tried, but it just didn’t happen. I knew that she had friendships with some of the girls working for her, including Freya. That must be why. “Morning, Mom.” I kissed her cheek, and she looked around.
“Is your brother coming?” Her voice was low, and I gazed curiously at her.
“He’s headed down soon. It’ll be nice to spend time together.” I told her as she nodded with a smile. “Even better when Dad can come. I think everyone wants to see him out in public now that news broke that he’s better.”
“I cannot wait. This has been such a trying time.” She was strong in the presence of others, but I knew she cried when she was alone. Mom was raised in royalty and knew how to be the perfect queen. She was raised around it the same as my brother and me, but we were more on the wild side. We both turned as the door opened and Callin strolled out dressed like I was in slacks and a button up shirt. He smiled and kissed Mom’s cheek, greeting her with a grin.
The three of us saw the lawyer to change some paperwork and then took Mom to a bistro for lunch. There was a lot of people and press wanting to talk to us and we politely told them that Dad was headed towards recovery. We said that he was looking forward to seeing everyone as soon as he regained some strength, making our way inside as staff waved everyone away. We had a private room here where we could just eat.
Mom brought up the Summer Ball, and I looked at my brother. We both knew where this was going but my mind stopped when she mentioned Freya. “She’s such a sweet girl. Her talent with clothes is the best I’ve ever seen. She’s making me a beautiful dress for the occasion. I may never want to shop again.”
“I’m glad you found someone you like. Think you’ll keep her around?” Callin asked as I held my breath.
“I’d like to.” She looked at us sharply. “I haven’t seen you around her. You’re behaving yourself.” Sighing, she sipped her water. “I suppose if I did want one of you with someone that wasn’t in our world, it would be a woman like her. She’s a hard worker that loves her family and will make a great wife and mother. Maybe I should try to set her up with someone that suits her.”
I reached for my water as I started choking. Mom reached out and touched me with a worried look on her face.
“Are you okay?” She asked as I nodded.
“Wrong pipe.” Callin leaned forward as I recovered from my shock.
“Mom, calm down. You don’t need to match the whole world up. She’s going to live here for a while, so she’ll meet someone when she’s ready. Let’s worry about Dad and the upcoming summer. We might be able to go to the beach house this year.” I shot him a thankful look for the distraction that made her forget all about Freya. We headed home when we were done eating and Mom went to see Dad while I walked upstairs.
“Holy shit. I almost heard that she’d approve of Freya. Did you?” Callin asked me in a low voice as we went into the man cave.
“Almost. Freya isn’t one of us and besides that would force her to choose. Do you think Freya wants to do that? It’s a bad position to be in.” I told him, not saying how difficult it would be for me.
“I don’t think times are modern enough for the princes to share a woman. Pity. I like her.” He walked over for a beer, bringing us each one.
“Me, too.” I muttered as he gazed at me. “She’s different, Callin. I never realized how vapid the girls we have been hanging out with our entire lives were.”
“What can we do?” He asked as I sipped my beer.
“I don’t know. I can’t stay away from her but it’s not like we have women to hurt by being with her.” I reasoned as he nodded. “It has to fade at some point, right? Everything has before.”
“More than likely.” We watched a game for a while until I realized that Freya was done working. I excused myself and Callin gave me a knowing look as I stood. I made my way out of the room and glanced around before going to the third floor. It was going on seven and I tapped on Freya’s door, waiting for her to answer. There was nothing, but silence and I stood impatiently, waiting for her to answer. Where was she? I tapped again and there was no answer, but I heard footsteps approaching. I darted to the stairs and waited until they stopped, unlocking a door nearby, I grinned, knowing that it was Freya. When the door closed, I moved back in front of it, knocking softly. Freya opened it, looking out curiously at me before I pushed my way into her room. “Hi,” I greeted her, turning her to press a kiss to her lips while I trapped her against the door with my big body.
Freya slipped her arms around my neck, returning the kiss. When I pulled away to take a breath, she gazed into my eyes. “What was that for?”
“I missed these lips,” I replied, kissing her again. “Were you out?”
“I go to the courtyard after work sometimes now to eat. It’s a great way to unwind and I enjoy the fresh air.” She replied as I slipped my hand into hers and pulled her to the bed.
“I heard that you’ve been keeping busy,” I told her as she nodded. “Mom likes you. She speaks highly of you.”
“That’s nice,” Freya blushed as she snuggled close to me. “She wouldn’t if she knew that you were here with me.”
“I almost thought today that she wouldn’t mind. Maybe it’s wishful thinking or something.” I stroked her long hair, hanging over her shoulders.
“I’m a commoner. Isn�
�t that the term?” Freya asked as I nodded uncomfortably. “Your lives are about power and business, not just feelings. I couldn’t imagine that.”
“I can’t either most days.” I looked around her room in the dim light, feeling at home here. “My parents were arranged from when they were kids. They’re lucky because they care for each other, but I would never want my kid to do that.”
“I think you’re a bit on the romantic side, Braden.” Freya teased me before pressing a kiss to my jaw.
“Maybe I am.” I claimed her lips with mine as she moaned softly. I tilted my head to deepen it, feeling her respond eagerly. The idea that my brother was in this bed with her just last night flashed through my mind, and I waited for it to bother me. It didn’t. We were close to begin with and Freya was amazing. She had enough in her heart and body for both of us.
I pushed her down on the mattress slowly, kissing her breathless. She groaned and arched against my hard cock in my pants, mewing against my mouth. I moved down to her jaw and neck as she struggled with my shirt, pulling it off. I made quick work of removing her gray dress and opened her bra, moving my mouth over her needy nipples “You’re gorgeous, Freya. You’re one of the best people I’ve met in my life.” I returned to her skin, sucking a nipple between my teeth.
“That’s because I’m letting you have your way with me,” she murmured as I laughed and shook my head. I made her come with just my mouth on her nipples before scooting down her body to taste her. Freya never disappointed me, and she was wet with heat. I flicked my tongue over her folds, focusing on her clit as she rocked back. “Braden.” Her voice was soft as I sucked her into my mouth, getting all her honey that I could. I’d never bore of this taste. I teased her to another orgasm, sucking in her sweet juices as she gripped my hair. “Oh, God. You feel so damn good.”
“I want to be inside of you,” I told her, reaching for the drawer with the condoms in it.
“Wait, Braden. I’m protected and obviously safe. Are you?” She asked as I stared at her.
“Of course. I stay on top of that and I’ve never had sex without a condom.” I knew that in my position that an unplanned pregnancy would not do. “What are you saying?”
“I trust you. I made this choice with Callin and I want to feel it with you as well.” A streak of envy raced through me at the idea of him being the first to feel her as well as the first to go bare. “I want all of you inside of me.” I knew that I should say no with the risks involved. She wouldn’t lie about the protection but there was always that chance. If she got pregnant like this, it could be my baby or Callin’s. That would rock this kingdom in a way that had never happened before.
I stiffened at the idea of feeling only her heat. “Baby, are you sure?”
“Are you?” Freya asked me as I breathed in. I nodded and kicked my pants off before settling against her entrance. I pushed in, groaning at the feel of her gripping me. I would never wear anything with her again. Fuck the risks.
We rocked together slowly, both caught up in the sensation of it. I told I needed to go harder, and she wrapped her legs around me, telling me to fuck her harder. I did, driving myself in deep as she clung to me. We came together, and I felt her wash over me just before shooting deep into her pussy. Freya moaned as she stilled, taking all of me as her legs tightened around me. I moved from her, dropping to my side as I held her against me.
“I love fucking you,” I told her as she grasped my hand over her stomach.
“Stay with me. I need your arms around me,” she told me as I nodded. I set my alarm for two hours before she had to be at work since nobody would probably be up. I locked her door and returned to bed, cuddling her against me as we made out like teenagers. We made love again, and I took her on her knees, thrusting deep inside of her. Freya buried her face into her pillows to keep from screaming my name as I came inside of her again. I stayed there, keeping our come together as she breathed in deeply. I dropped beside her again as she sighed happily, kissing her hair. I didn’t spend the night with girls. I slept with them and left or kicked them out. Freya felt too good as she closed her eyes, falling asleep in my arms.
I shut off the alarm and kissed her gently before rising from the bed. I checked to make sure that she set her own alarm last night and I walked out quietly, locking her door. The castle was silent, and I walked downstairs to my room, slipping inside with a quick glance around. I felt alone again and stripped for bed, deciding to sleep a little longer and go for a run.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Freya
My alarm chimed, and I groaned as I reached for it. I slept hard last night after Braden came in. I reached for his side of the bed, realizing that I didn’t even hear him leave. I rolled to my back and yawned, sitting up to take a shower before I started working. I dressed as I smiled at my bed, playing back the last two nights spent in it. My life was spiraling into something more than I could have ever asked for. These men that I invited into my bed were turning my world upside down.
When we were all together, I reached a pleasure that I didn’t think existed. I wanted more and thought that they could never satisfy me completely. I wanted to let them corrupt me in every way possible. It embarrassed me deep down and I sighed as I left the room, securing the door. When I went down to get coffee, I noticed Braden and Callin getting some water from the fridge, sweaty from working out. It was the hottest sight I’d ever seen, and I had to force myself to look away, greeting everyone in a cheerful morning voice.
The guys looked over at the sound of my voice as the girls tittered around me. I nodded at them as if we’d never met, pouring coffee, and taking my bun to the work room to start my day. I was nearly finished with the dress for the ball and now I was working on a new one for a dinner of royalty somewhere in the city. Now that the king was better, she was asking how I was at making men’s clothes. I was going to be busy!!
I sewed with all the windows open and fresh air coming into the room. It felt great as music played, keeping me focused on the task at hand while I daydreamed about princes. I knew that it wasn’t possible to end up with them but what a life it could be. I could see cooking meals for them and taking care of them in every possible way. The vague image of children with red hair running around made me smile as I worked, imagining Braden and Callin playing with them. I looked down at my stomach, knowing that while I was protected; accidents happened. Was that what I wanted? I just loved being as intimate with them as possible. I’d always want Braden and Callin no matter how long I was away from them. I’d always look back fondly at what we shared.
If I did end up pregnant, I’d probably disappear. I’d go home and make a life with Mama to raise the baby rather than tarnish the royal family with a scandal. I wouldn’t tell a soul other than Mama.
I finished the dress, steaming it after it was hung up for the queen to try on. I reached for a pair of pants that needed hemming, surprised that she bought anything at all anymore. She was always coming to me with this design or that picture, excited about something new. Katherine wasn’t the cold person that I made her out to be at first, but she did run a tight ship. I was careful what I said to her, not wanting to raise any suspicion of my relationship with the men that I was sleeping with on a regular basis now. I told her about Mama and our life in Paris because I missed my mom so much. I told her about my love for clothes and ideas that I had for her. It was a simple work relationship that I didn’t want to tarnish.
Days were spent sewing and nights were in bed with one of my men or both. They did have responsibilities with their parents and the castle, something I tried to be understanding about. I kept my insecurities about other women quiet since they both assured me I was it for them. We were having sex bare every time, and I trusted them not to lie to me. I wondered on the nights alone if I was insane. Why would they give so much to me without a planned future?
I spent time with Violet and got to know a few of the other girls. We were all busy during the week and didn’t hang out then, leav
ing me time for my men. We did things on the weekends, like dinner and movies. It was fun, but I had to work hard to hide my secret life.
Of course, the girls talked about the brothers. They giggled and fantasized what it must be like to have one night with either of them. They had their preferences, but I just laughed and said they were both hot. I kept that subject simple and participated more in other things. I felt like I was building a life here even with the lies.
The Summer Ball was fast approaching, and the queen was making many preparations. Her gown was done, and I was working with the king on something for him. He was a kind man and handsome just like his sons. They were the perfect mix of their gorgeous parents.
It was to be held in the ballroom on the corner of the first floor. I’d never been to that part, but she brought me in one day to talk about flowers. It was nothing short of amazing. There were windows at the top that allowed a lot of light in and gorgeous chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling. The room could be set up for a large dinner or a dance easily with enough room to have both. It was done in colors of cream and gold with a splash of pink to give it a feminine vibe.
I agreed that she should stick with the colors for the event. It made sense, but she could vary the tones of the blooms and add some greenery. Mama loved plants, and I’d learned a lot from her. I told her how nice it would look with candles lit for atmosphere as well as something warm from the shimmering chandeliers.
When I walked back to my work room, I played back the part about how many gorgeous people would be there. It made me sad to think that she was so eager for her boys to marry and start families. I knew that she meant well and had no idea about me, but I imagined making a dress and dancing around that romantic room. I’d take turns with them but have their attention all night. There would be no other women vying for it.
At the end of the night, we’d go somewhere together drunk from champagne and the attraction between us. We’d take off the fancy clothes, and I’d let them worship me before I pleasured them.