One Bride for Five Mountain Men: A Reverse Harem Romance

by Jess Bentley

  “These are really incredible. I think I like all of them. Especially this one with the space camper van.”

  His genuine appreciation of her work made Rory delirious. Only an artist hungry for adulation knows the worth of every little praise. Her grandmother had encouraged her like this, till her dying day. On days when she was tempted to give it all up for a regular job, her granny had egged her on.

  “Which is why I am gifting this T-shirt to you.” She smiled.

  “For real? Whoa! That’s so cool.” He was excited. “Y’know, Rory, ever since I was a child, I liked camper vans and I was obsessed with space.” He chuckled. “For a while, I really wanted to be an astronaut. This T-shirt reminds me of my childhood. Thank you for this.”

  “My pleasure.” Rory beamed. This was the best compliment for an artist. That others could relate to their work in their own unique way.

  Arsen was like a curious child, noticing every little detail of every small thing in the room. Rory found herself reminiscing as she broke through her exterior shell and told Arsen anecdotes and stories about the different objects that populated the room. Memories of her grandmother that she deeply cherished and kept hidden deep inside of her came rushing out and she unabashedly shared them with him. As Rory got lost in her narrative, Arsen listened with patient interest.

  “You really miss her, don’t you?” he said after Rory had paused and had become visibly emotional at the thought of her dead grandmother.

  “More than anything.” Rory raised her hand to her mouth to stop any sobs from escaping. Damn this sangria.

  “You are lucky, Rory, that you were able to spend so much time with her. Not many of us get enough time with the ones we love. And from what you told me today, she did indeed live a great life. It seems to me that in her later years, it was made all the greater because of your presence by her side. In an age where old people die alone and ignored, you’ve been a great gift for her. The greatest she could’ve asked for.”

  At his words, Rory was overwhelmed by a rush of emotions, but she did not want Arsen to see her like that. Neither could she stop the single tear that slid out of her eyes and rushed down her cheek. Arsen quickly engulfed her into his arms.

  When was the last time that I have been held like this? Rory hugged him tightly in return, burying her face in his broad chest. She wanted to cry, to let all the emotions out, but the way he patted the back of her head, the calmness and the surety with which he held her close, soothed her greatly. Her breathing eased and the tornado of emotions that was rolling through her passed over.

  “Thank you,” she said as they parted. For what seemed like forever, they just stared into each other’s eyes. Arsen’s eyes moved gently down to her lips, and back to look into her eyes again. Rory wasn’t sure which one of them took the step forward, but they were closer to each other than before.

  Her hands moved and brushed his. As they did, Arsen held them and his fingers gently clasped hers. His other hand glided down her forearm to her fingers, his thumb brushing her palm. His eyes were on her lips and hers were busy taking in the masculine beauty of this man’s face. A wickedly sexy smile curved his lips. His face was lit by the natural light of the room, showcasing the hard set to his jaw, the dark lines of his close beard.

  His gaze shifted between her mouth and her eyes. They had picked up right where they left off in that room in the villa. That moment of spark that Rory never thought would appear again was well within their grasp. Rory wanted to move, to step up and kiss this man deep and hard, but she froze still.

  Arsen’s dark eyes stared into hers as he moved his hand softly along her delicate jawline, an electric sensation rushing down her spine as her heart screamed at her to make the move and kiss him. He didn’t take his gaze off of her, taking his own time to drink her in. She felt desire, attraction, and after the longest time, she felt awareness of the fact that she was a woman.

  The space between them lessened. A slight smile crept up on his face as he moved in slowly. She exhaled gently and closed her eyes, ready for him to take her, to claim her as his own. And then the room came alive with the sound of music. More precisely, with the sound emanating from Arsen’s phone as it started ringing.

  Goddammit. She screamed in her head. Another perfect moment ruined. Arsen let the phone ring a few times, hoping it would cut off on its own, before he took it out of his jeans pocket. He looked down at the phone and then looked up at Rory.

  “Gimme a moment.” As Arsen turned around to talk on the phone, Rory composed herself. Out of the corner of her eye she had seen that the name on the caller ID was Tanya Cox. For the second time in a row, Tanya had spoiled a moment between her and Arsen.

  Maybe it’s just not meant to be. In a matter of minutes, she had gone from feeling hopeful and happy to feeling jealous and inadequate.

  I wonder what is going on between these two? She bit her nails. Rory hated that she was thinking and feeling this way. This rollercoaster of emotions was eating at her.

  “When I didn’t go with the band back to LA, Tanya offered me a ride on her own private plane. I thought we were to leave later, but I guess they’ve decided to leave right away,” Arsen said as he turned back to her.

  Why is he going on a plane with her? Why didn’t he leave with his band? Suddenly a lot of questions rushed through her head.

  He came closer and gently put his hands on her shoulder.

  “I guess this is goodbye. For now.” The smile was melancholic. Rory’s heart sank, but she wasn’t sure if it was because Arsen was leaving or because something had changed inside of her. She hated Tanya Cox more than ever in that moment.

  “I’ll walk you out,” was all she said. She was trying to speak in as calm a tone as possible, but finding it difficult to make eye contact. As she was about to turn, Arsen leaned in gently and kissed her forehead. Oh, don’t do this now. Her heart began to melt, but she ordered herself not to dissolve into his embrace. She quickly turned away and walked out toward the outer living room.

  “I would invite you out to LA to our big award show gig, but you have already told me that you hate LA.” He smiled. Yeah, that is some invitation. Rory preferred that he stay quiet. A part of her realized that the distress building within her was unjustified, but she couldn’t help but be angry at him.

  “Well…” she said as they approached the garden exit that was right next to the wall where Arsen had created a hole with his Ferrari. The place where they had met for the very first time.

  “Well…” he replied, not smiling this time.

  “Have a safe flight, Arsen,” she said with an impassive face and a neutral tone. She had no doubt that Arsen had picked up on the change in her mood.

  “Take care, Rory,” he replied, stone-faced. “Good luck with everything.”

  He didn’t look back. She didn’t wait to wave goodbye. Every step she took was heavy, as if her feet were chained with iron. She wanted to be inside the house away from his gaze, were he even looking, before she broke into tears. Rory didn’t know why she was feeling like this. It was not as if he were hers to keep. Not as if he had professed his love to her, and yet she had handed him her heart to break.

  I am empty and aching and I don’t know why.

  The house engulfed her. She barely shut the doors behind her as she rushed in. Throwing herself on the sofa, the same sofa where Arsen Ford had spent the night, she buried her face in the cushion and broke into tears. For once she did not care who heard her. She needed to cry, and she needed to let it all out right away.

  Chapter 17

  Considering how upset she was as she drifted off to sleep the previous night, Rory found it funny how soundly she had slept. Usually she woke up a few times in the middle of sleep, but that night she slept like a log. Crying her troubles out must have played a big part. As she stretched herself and let out a big yawn, she felt pretty refreshed.

  Given all the problems in her life, the last thing she wanted was to feel groggy. Rory jumped
out of bed and started functioning on autopilot, going through the motions like a robot, being very careful not to let any big thoughts rise up in her head. She reminded herself of the bills and the bridesmaid’s dress and unlike before, she didn’t wince.

  Rory was sick of shying away from her problems and was determined to confront them instead. I am going to take care of the bills, even if it means asking for a loan from Dad, and I am also going to fit in that damn dress and look fabulous while wearing it.

  Rory decided to ask Lizzy for help after all, especially since she had done such a great job getting Rory ready for the party. The party. She immediately brushed off that thought and distracted herself by going to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

  Rory had a quiet breakfast by herself. Eggs and half an avocado, simple and healthy. After a long time, she sat peacefully and read the local newspaper. Nothing ever happens in Montcove, she smiled to herself. The biggest news in this town was someone’s shop window glass being broken because of the storm. Rory sat there for quite some time, taking it slow, browsing leisurely through each section of the newspaper.

  It wasn’t till she came to the entertainment section that a frown came on her face. The page was full of various pictures from Tanya Cox’s Montcove vacation. The newspaper reporter seemed very pleased that such a distinguished celebrity had descended upon their little island. As the anger rose within her, Rory’s eyes locked onto the last picture, right at the bottom.

  It was Arsen and Tanya walking into the airport. Smiling, Arsen was ushering her inside the airport and Tanya had a huge grin on her face. As much as Rory hated this woman, she had to concede that even while traveling, she managed to look stunning.

  Rory felt numb and her heart sank. How naive am I? Her eyes stared into oblivion, focused on nothingness. She had been warning Lizzy about Mickey. About how he would just use her and then walk away. She had warned Lizzy about a fling with a rockstar, and then she herself had gone out and fallen for one. How stupid is that?

  It almost made Rory laugh—and not in a good way. She slammed the breakfast table in frustration. I am nothing but a fool. Thinking that a guy like Arsen would settle for a plain girl like me. She wasn’t completely sure why he had been paying her attention, let alone giving her compliments. He had plenty of girls around him who would readily sleep with him. Rory was certain that all of them were more glamorous and prettier than her.

  Was it some strange fetish? Some strange idea in his head? Was I just a conquest for him? Maybe he just got bored of the blonde bombshells that surround him and wanted a simple girl for a change. But then why did he not go through with it?

  Tanya Cox.

  Both the times Arsen was about to make a move on her, Tanya Cox had interrupted. Maybe I should thank her for saving me from falling deeper into this rabbit hole.

  Had Arsen walked into the room at that moment, she would’ve probably thrown a lot of stuff at him. Rory hated herself for being foolish to fall for such a man. She put her head down on the table and closed her eyes. Arsen’s handsome face, with that dimpled smile, came up in her mind. He seemed real. He seemed genuine. Being with him made me feel whole. A part of Rory still believed all that he had said, and she hated that part of herself.

  “Enough,” Rory said out loud. There was work to do, and there was no point wallowing in self-pity.

  Rory checked her phone, but there were no texts from anyone. There was a call from what looked like her sister’s office phone number and a couple of missed calls from Lizzy’s home phone. I bet she’s calling in sick again. She hadn’t turned up yesterday and Rory had decided to let it slide, thinking that Lizzy probably had a big hangover to deal with, but she would hear about it today if she didn’t show up.

  After two hours of going through the paperwork, Rory was sure that she couldn’t handle all of the expenses herself. She had come face-to-face with the harsh reality that she would need to make a solid payday were she to pay for all the maintenance expenses. Unfortunately at this point, she had no prospects and no hope for earning a solid, steady income.

  Rory had two choices: either ask—or rather beg—her parents to bail her out, or concede the property to Tara. Maybe she will let me live here as a caretaker. There was indeed a third choice, but it saddened her just to think about it—to sell all the inventory in the bookstore at half price and close up shop. She would indeed be incurring a loss, but at least she would generate some much-needed cash.

  Rory had to make one of the three choices and she had to make it right away. Maybe my parents will be in a good mood at Tara’s wedding and I can ask them then! As she was without any other ideas, this seemed like a chance worth taking. If not, then it was goodbye to all the precious books that sat in the bookstore. Maybe a sale wouldn’t hurt. I need cash for LA anyway.

  Rory had just pulled out a piece of chart paper to make the For Sale sign when she heard the door to the shop open and saw Lizzy’s mother enter. Rory was taken aback for a moment, considering that Marla, Lizzy’s mom, rarely ever made her way to the bookshop.

  “Hey, Marla.”

  “Rory,” Marla replied, her lips pressed together. Whether she was angry or upset, Rory couldn’t decipher. It was only when Marla’s lips started twitching that Rory knew that something was wrong.

  “What’s going on, Marla?” She rushed to the older woman and held her hands to steady her.

  “Rory. It’s Lizzy. She has been missing for two days.”

  Chapter 18

  It was a sometime after sunset when Rory realized that she had not eaten anything the whole day. She felt starved, even though she was in the middle of a crisis. The day had been a rollercoaster of emotions, and Rory had no clue what to do about the Lizzy situation. What Rory did know was that it was all her fault.

  Marla, Lizzy’s mother, had broken down crying. She was a hysterical mess and it took a long time for Rory to calm her. Her frantic calls to Lizzy had gone straight to voicemail. There were no texts from her either, and she was offline on all messaging apps.

  Rory was worried. She forgot everything else that was going wrong in her life. This was far more important. Lizzy, her flower child, the little sister that she never had, had gone missing. Oh, where are you, Lizzy? I hope you haven’t gotten yourself into a serious mess this time.

  Realizing that even Rory had no clue where Lizzy was, Marla wanted to call 911, but Rory advised her to hold off for the moment. As worried as she was, Rory’s first thought was that Lizzy was onto some silly mischief and calling the cops would only embarrass her mother. But why wouldn’t she answer phone calls?

  Rory had checked her emails but there was nothing from Lizzy. It was only when Rory logged in to Instagram that she found a message from Lizzy that was sent a day ago.

  Roryww. Can u believe I’m still at Mickey’s villa and u won’t believe what I am about to do? Mickey is flying me on his private plane to LA for the award show and OMG, I can’t believe it. I think I’m in love!!! Don’t worry, he’s treating me right. He’s not the bad guy everyone thinks he is. I think he likes me back 2. He’s so amazing Rory. I’d marry him right now if he asked me to and make babies with him. lol Oh Rory I wish u were here. I am so happy right now. I will see u when I get back from lalaland. Lots of love. Xoxo. P.s. Will u please tell my mom I’ll be back in some time. I’m scared to call her myself or she will guilt me out of it. U R the best!!! Muaahh.

  It didn’t take long for Rory’s temper to rise and if Marla was not sitting in close proximity, Rory would’ve hurled a hundred epithets at Mickey. Goddammit. I should’ve made sure that Lizzy came back with me after the party. Shit. Why did I even agree to go to that damn thing? Why did I even bring these people into our lives? God knows what Lizzy is up to, what that uncivilized bastard Mickey has gotten her to do.

  The thought scared her. She had read enough stories of eccentric rock stars and what they do with groupies to fear for Lizzy. The worst was that Lizzy probably wouldn’t see it coming till it was too late. It�
��s all my fault. Shit, Rory, how could you be so stupid? Leaving Lizzy alone in a mansion full of celebs.

  “Rory?” Marla’s voice brought Rory out of her guilty thoughts and she immediately put on a polite smile.

  “Any news of Lizzy, Rory?” Marla asked.

  “Oh yes. It looks all good. She says that she has gone to LA with some friends and will be back in a few days,” Rory lied.

  “To LA?” Marla’s eyes grew as big as golf balls.

  “Yes. That’s what she said.”

  “She hasn’t ever been out of Montcove. She can barely make her way around town by herself. What the hell is she doing in LA?” Rory had never heard the word “hell” out of God-fearing, churchgoing Marla, and it said everything about how hysterical she was at that moment.

  “Well, Marla you know how kids are—impulsive and unafraid. But I don’t think you need to worry about anything. She is with… good people.” It took a lot for Rory to get the words out of her mouth, but to alleviate Marla’s fears, she lied again.

  “But… she didn’t take any luggage with her. Oh Jesus! LA is such a big city. My poor baby, all by herself in that city. What if something happens to her?” Marla covered her mouth with her hand as worst-case scenarios played in her head.

  “Marla, please don’t worry like that. She messaged me to tell you that she’s okay.”

  “Why isn’t she taking my calls then?”

  “Maybe there’s some problem with her phone or maybe she’s just scared that you’ll yell at her.”

  Marla sat in contemplation for a moment, half-believing what Rory said.

  “Rory, you’re from LA.” Marla said it as if it were a bad thing. “Is there someone who you can call… someone who can check up on Lizzy?”

  “Marla, there’s really nothing to worry about.” Rory patted her back and tried to console her.

  “But Rory… I know Lizzy. She’ll never be okay by herself. You’d be doing me a huge favor if you could figure out a way to check up on her.”