“Oh, I don’t think she’s embarrassed,” Aric said slyly. “I think your Miss Jones likes the idea of being taken to task by her boss. Have you had that fantasy before, Poppet?”
Pippa made a strangled noise in his arms. Was it true? Had she had a fantasy like that about him?
“Miss Jones,” he asked in a low voice that he injected with steel. “Have you had thoughts like that? Have you imagined me taking you to task in the office? Bending you over my desk to punish you?”
“I . . . maybe,” she whispered, going bright red.
“There is nothing to be embarrassed about,” he reassured her. The need to soothe her overcame him and he settled on an armchair with her on his lap. “Matek, grab a blanket. She’s cold.” He glared at the others. The weather outside was warm, yesterday’s storm had passed over. But he kept it cool in his room. Something he was regretting now.
Matek covered her up with a blanket. And sad as he was to lose sight of all that creamy, delicious skin of hers, he felt satisfied at having taken care of her. Matek sat on the floor, facing them and leaned back against the bed. Tavi shifted into a similar position at the other end of the bed while Aric sat between them, on the mattress.
On his bed.
Had they taken her on his bed? He sent them all a sharp look. Aric held up his hands. “We didn’t have sex with her, Kassim. Promise.”
“Then why does it smell like sex in here?” he demanded.
Pippa squeaked in his arms. Then she buried her face in his chest. “I’m sorry, Sir. I didn’t mean to get your bed all dirty.”
“It’s not dirty,” Tavi said sharply.
“Nothing we did is wrong, Pippa,” Aric added.
Matek got to his feet, staring down at him threateningly. Kassim held up a hand to quiet them all. Thankfully, they obeyed him. It was always fifty-fifty whether they would. Despite the fact he was the oldest.
“Miss Jones, eyes on me.”
She didn’t look at him.
“Miss Jones,” he said warningly. “Eyes. Now.”
She raised her gaze to his. She looked horrified. Embarrassed.
He nearly cursed. This was the last thing he wanted. She should never feel ashamed about her needs or what she did with him or his brothers.
“Miss Jones? What’s wrong?” he asked calmly. He cupped the side of her face to ensure she couldn’t hide from him again.
“I . . . we . . . did things on your bed. Without you. I’m sorry. I know that wasn’t fair of us. I’ll change the sheets on the bed and air out the room so it doesn’t stink.”
“Did I say that it stinks?”
“Um, I . . .”
“Did I, Miss Jones?” he asked sternly.
“Kassim,” Aric said warningly.
He shot his youngest brother a look. He knew what he was doing and Aric wasn’t to interfere.
“Well? I don’t like to be kept waiting, Miss Jones. Do I need to add an extra punishment into the naughty notebook?”
Her mouth dropped open as she gaped up at him. “There isn’t a naughty notebook.”
“Oh, there is. Matek, would you look in the front of my briefcase, please.”
Matek drew out a bright yellow notebook that Kassim had sent someone into town to buy.
“Open the front up and show Miss Jones what is written there, please,” he directed.
Matek opened it.
Pippa’s Naughty Notebook.
She sucked in a horrified gasp. “You didn’t!”
“Oh, I did. Shall we make our first entry?”
“No!”
“Then you’re going to answer my questions, aren’t you?”
“Aren’t I allowed some privacy?” she asked.
“No,” Kassim said firmly.
“What?” She gave him a shocked look.
“I know that is probably considered old-fashioned. I’m not sure what you would label it.”
“Neanderthal?” Aric added helpfully.
“Caveman,” Tavi added.
“Necessary,” Matek said.
He and Matek shared a look, completely on the same wavelength. And he knew that Tavi and Aric were too, mostly. They all wanted her closely guarded.
“You have no secrets from us, Miss Jones,” he informed her. “Whether you are afraid or unsure, happy or mad, excited or elated, we will know all of it. You are to keep nothing from us.”
“So you want to know when I’ve got really heavy periods or when I have reflux from eating too much rich food or when I stub my toe or get a paper cut or have chafing?”
“Yes,” he replied. “We want to know all of it.”
“And you’re going to do the same?” she asked suspiciously. “You’ll tell me everything?”
“No.”
She glared at him. “Well, why not?”
“There are four of us, Miss Jones.”
“Yep. Kind of aware of that,” Pippa replied sarcastically.
Kassim sent her a look that had her squirming. She needed to remember who was the Dom and who was the sub. While he might like her fire, he still intended for her to know who was in charge.
She had his brothers wrapped around her little finger.
Matek was already a giant teddy bear when it came to her. And the other two, well, he wasn’t sure he could rely on them to put their foot down with her.
So he needed to make certain she knew who was in charge.
“That means there are four of us and only one of you. That is a lot of emotions and issues to get piled on top of you. We’re trying to lighten your load, not make it heavier. It’s our duty to take care of you.”
“And I don’t get to take care of you?” she asked, sounding hurt.
“Of course you do. But we can’t overload you. We’ll share what is important. However, the last thing any of us want is for you to run yourself ragged trying to cater to all of us, understand? Your main job is to let us care for you.”
“That doesn’t seem equal.”
“I don’t really understand why people have this need to make things equal. The heart of the home should always come first. Should always have her needs met, her desires realized, should be protected and cherished above everyone else.”
If they’d chosen an Escanaian woman, they wouldn’t have this conversation. She would demand their care as her given right. But not their independent girl with her insecurities and self-doubt.
“Things aren’t equal and they don’t need to be. But you’re not to hide from us. You’re our priority. Your care. Your health. Your protection. Your happiness. We will do whatever is necessary to ensure all of those.”
“Then best you take away that naughty notebook,” she muttered. “That would make me happy.”
He felt a smile threatening. Such a brat. “Hmm, would it really, though? Because I think that notebook will help you feel safe. Knowing that if you break a rule there will be consequences. That we will always follow through on those consequences. You might test your boundaries but I know you need them.”
“That’s a very arrogant assumption.”
“Well, I am a prince. Pretty sure I’m supposed to be arrogant.”
She puffed out a breath. “What are these rules?”
“Number one is communication. If we do or say something to upset or anger you then tell us, don’t bottle it up or run.”
She bit her lip, her gaze going to Tavi. “I’m sorry I ran off yesterday.”
Surprise filled Tavi’s face. “We've already talked this out, little one. You have nothing to apologize for.”
She nodded. “I’m not great at talking about my feelings and emotions. Growing up with my dad, we didn’t talk about things like that.”
“It’s all right, we’ll be patient with you,” Tavi reassured her.
She sighed, some of the tension draining out of her. Kassim lightly massaged the back of her neck with his talented fingers.
“What if one of you gets jealous? How do I spread my time evenly? I don’t want to upse
t anyone.”
“You don’t need to concern yourself about that,” Kassim told her. “That is something we won’t burden you with.”
“That’s one of the things we work out between ourselves,” Tavi said.
“Really?” She looked up at Kassim, feeling her cheeks flush. “But when you walked in here, you seemed um . . . upset. I didn’t want you to feel left out. That wasn’t my intention. And I feel really bad that we did this in your bedroom, where you deserve privacy.”
Kassim sighed. “I handled that badly.” He ran his thumb over her lower lip. “It surprised me, walking in to find you half-naked sitting on my brother’s lap. And maybe there was a touch of jealousy. Because I wanted to be the one in his place. But I like that you were bonding with my brothers. Just like I know you’ll bond with me. It doesn’t have to happen all at the same time. Or in the same ways.”
Bonding wasn’t a term she would have used, but when she thought about it, well, it worked.
“As for being in my room, that is something I wasn’t expecting. Although you never did tell me what happened in here.”
“I . . . I . . . do I have to?”
“Oh, yes. I wasn’t here but it is my room. And I am your Dom and your Daddy. So you will tell me.”
“Yes, Sir. I, umm, I needed to, umm . . . ”
“She begged us to make her come,” Aric supplied. “Matek had been teasing her. Poor girl was really suffering.”
“Aric!” she snapped at him.
Aric just grinned back unrepentantly. “You’re denying it, Poppet? Because lying is definitely something that will end up written down as a punishment in your naughty notebook. Good idea there, oldest brother.”
“I occasionally have some,” Kassim said dryly. “But Aric is right. There are to be no lies between us. That’s rule two.”
“No putting yourself down, either,” Tavi said sternly. “She has a habit of saying bad things about herself when she feels embarrassed or awkward. When she thinks she’s undeserving of the praise being heaped on her.”
She wriggled around. Drat them all.
“Hmm, yes. I’ve seen her do that as well,” Kassim said, grasping hold of her hips with a groan.
She stilled. “Oh no, did I hurt you? Am I too heavy?”
“You certainly are not,” he told her.
“He just doesn’t want you rubbing up against his dick,” Aric said helpfully. “Probably worried he’ll blow his load in his pants. Like a teenager. Although not sure Kassim ever did that as a teenager. Was he even ever a teenager?” Aric scratched at his head with a cheeky grin as Kassim sighed.
“Thank you for that, Aric.”
“Always willing to help you out in whatever way I can, big bro. Oh, except with that hard-on you’re sporting. Because, eww, we’re brothers. Not that we mind getting naked in front of each other, Poppet. Don’t worry about that. And sure, swords cross occasionally. But never on purpose and we don’t ever mention it. Or stare at each other’s dicks. Especially at Matek’s, because that anaconda would give the rest of us a complex.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
Matek reached up and whacked Aric around the back of his head.
“Ow. What was that for?” Aric rubbed the spot where Matek had hit him.
“Because you’re an idiot for making her worry about the size of Matek’s cock,” Tavi explained.
“Forewarned is forearmed,” Aric said. “Maybe we should get her one of those monster cock vibrators, warm her up to his size—”
Matek dragged Aric onto the floor before straddling him, his hands around his throat.
“Oh my God!” she squeaked, trying to get off Kassim’s lap.
Kassim just tightened his hold on her. “Let them sort it out.”
“But Matek will kill him! Matek, don’t kill him!”
“Matek won’t kill him,” Kassim reassured her. “Just punish him a bit. Don’t worry, Aric deserves it.”
“Tavi, stop him, please,” she begged, still trying to fight free.
A slap landed on her ass, making her freeze. She stared up at Kassim. “If you keep fighting, you’re going to hurt yourself. Especially your head.” He frowned. “You shouldn’t be stressed and this is upsetting you. Matek, stop. You are upsetting Pippa.”
Matek let out a rumbling noise then let Aric go. Relief filled her as Aric sat up, rubbing at his neck but looking unharmed. Matek gave her a wary look. Something filled his face that she didn’t like.
Then he turned to head towards the door.
What was happening? Where was he going?
“Matek, stop!” she called out. To her shock, he paused at the door.
“Go to him,” Kassim murmured to her. He helped her rise, pulling away the blanket. She walked over to Matek, placing her hand on his back.
He flinched and she drew it back. “Sorry, did I hurt you?” she asked, even as she knew that was silly. How could she ever hurt him?
But something was wrong. Something she’d done? Oh no, she was messing this up already. Her breathing came faster and she felt kind of light-headed. What was wrong with her?
“Matek, you need to talk to her. She’s panicking,” Kassim warned. His voice was patient but she got the feeling he was close to getting up and sorting this himself.
No, she had to learn to deal with each of them alone. If she’d done something, she had to fix it. She forced back the panic then waved her hand at Kassim to get him to remain where he was.
He narrowed his gaze at her. Oops, was he about to go all alpha on her ass? Under other circumstances that would likely turn her on. But right now, she was too worried about Matek.
“Matek? What’s wrong? Tell me.” She turned to him, placing her hand on his back again. This time, he didn’t flinch. But he didn’t turn to look at her either. “What is it? What did I do?”
“Not you.”
“No? Then what happened? You’re mad at Aric?”
He shook his head. “He’s always been annoying.”
“Hey!” Aric complained. There was a scuffling noise but she didn’t turn around.
“Then what?” she asked calmly.
“I scared you.”
Scared her? “Scared me? Over the size of your um, cock? I mean, I’m sure it’s impressive but I’m not scared of it.” Should she be?
Matek shook his head. “I scared you. When I attacked Aric. You thought I had lost control. That I might hurt him. You think I might hurt you.”
“Hurt me? Oh, Matek. That’s so silly.”
“What?” He stiffened as she moved on instinct and wrapped her arms around his waist, knowing she was probably flashing her bare ass. Shoot, she couldn’t even get her arms fully around him. He was that huge. Maybe she should be scared of his monster dick. Maybe getting a larger vibrator wasn’t the worst idea Aric had. Although she was kind of mad at him for teasing Matek like he had. It seemed insensitive for the normally playful and easygoing man.
Unless . . .
She turned her head to give Aric an assessing look. He was watching her with worry, but schooled his face into a carefree smile when he saw her looking.
Yeah, she wasn’t buying it.
Had he known that Matek would worry about scaring her? Had he pushed him until he’d attacked? Knowing she would soothe Matek?
Manipulative little prick.
“Your timing sucks, Aric,” Tavi told him.
Right. It seemed she wasn’t the only one having these thoughts.
“What?” Aric asked.
“We are supposed to be keeping her quiet and unstressed,” Kassim added darkly. “We’re doing a terrible job.”
“I feel fine,” she protested.
“At this rate, you will end up back in the hospital,” Kassim warned.
Yeah, that wasn’t happening.
“Matek, you didn’t scare me. I mean, I was a bit worried you would kill Aric. But he did deserve it. He was being a jerk.”
“Hey!” Aric complained. More scuffling. She assumed Tavi was
keeping him quiet.
“But I never thought you would hurt me.”
He was taking deep breaths and she wasn’t sure he was listening to her.
“That never occurred to me. Because I know that all you ever want to do is keep me safe.”
Suddenly, Matek turned. She had to take a step back not to be knocked over. He reached out and grasped hold of her hips.
Thank God.
“You weren’t frightened?”
She shook her head. Then studied him. Ah, fuck it. He could hold her. Reaching up her arms, she attempted to wrap them around his neck. She couldn’t quite manage it without him leaning over, because he was that much taller than her. When he didn’t immediately give in to her silent demand, she decided she’d have to voice it.
“Up.”
Okay, more than a bit of her Little went into that demand. And she was definitely sounding more like a toddler.
His eyes widened. Then he glanced over at his brothers.
“Up.”
“I suggest you do it. She sounds like she’s not taking no for an answer,” Kassim said, sounding amused. Oh, so she got to make demands sometimes? Good to know.
Matek lifted her gently and she wrapped her legs around his waist, holding onto him tight even though he had a firm grip on her ass.
She sighed with satisfaction. Oh, her Little liked this. A lot. She wondered if she could convince him to carry her around like this all the time.
Her thumb moved towards her mouth. A throat cleared behind her, reminding her that this wasn’t the time to go Little.
She reached up until she could speak quietly in his ear. “Don’t tell the others, but out of all of you, it’s your feelings I don’t worry about or wonder if you’ll tire of me. Because I already know you’re all in. Your need to have me close, to know I’m safe, it makes me feel secure. Out of everyone in the world, I think I’m the one who is completely safe from you.”
He held her tight. “You are. Never fear me.”
“I don’t.”
“Others do. But you can’t.”
“I promise, Matek. I don’t fear you. Or your anaconda cock.” It might have been wrong to make a joke right then, but she didn’t think so. And he let out a short bark of laughter, making her smile.
“Been told I’m too rough, too much like a beast to be with a woman.”
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