I’m nervous enough about having sex with them, but add in not using condoms… It wasn’t something I thought I’d have to worry about until college, and then if I was in a committed relationship, it might make sense. Though we’re kind of in a committed relationship of sorts.
As soon as Eli pulls into the driveway, I’m out the door. He’s promised punishment. Before he can put it into park, I slide into the passenger seat and fasten my seatbelt.
“I’m ready.”
Eli smirks. His brown hair is in disarray from his shower after practice. He has on a t-shirt and gray sweatpants that leave little to the imagination. “Afraid to be alone with me, kitten?”
“Not at all.” I blush lightly at the lie. “Just don’t want to keep the guys waiting.”
“Tomorrow, I’ll bring your punishment when I pick you up for school.” Eli puts the car into reverse and gives me a smile. “Besides, Luke’s in a mood, so you’ll get all the punishment you can take tonight.”
I already figured that out and have a plan of my own. It will probably bite me in the ass, but at least I’ll have gotten one over on Luke.
Anxiety pricks at my skin. Alone in person with all of them. This is going to go sideways quickly, and there’s not a lot I can do to step out of the way of the oncoming train.
Eli shifts into gear, and we drive out of my cookie-cutter neighborhood until we reach the fancy neighborhood with old mansions lined up one by one.
I’ve never been to Caden’s house. Even the times he invited the whole class to birthday parties when we were little. Mom usually had to work and couldn’t get me there and pick me up, so I just didn’t go. Later in middle school, that’s where all the boy-girl parties were.
The closet everyone else knew from seven minutes in heaven is in Caden’s house. In high school, it’s become party central. How many teens have lost their virginities in this house? And not just to the horsemen. Am I about to add to the number?
I tug at the hem of my skirt, suddenly mad at myself for not changing into jeans and a sweatshirt. Maybe a chastity belt?
“Stop fidgeting, kitten. You’re safe with us.” He parks in the driveway and kills the lights.
“Am I?” I can’t help my response, because come on. Other than a few times, I’ve been safe on the other end of a camera. Now I’m about to walk into whatever punishment Luke has planned for me. I wasn’t exactly thrilled with the last spanking I received.
And of course, there’s always his threat of spanking while checking how wet I am. A shiver works its way down my spine. I’m not sure that’s a boundary I want to cross tonight.
“We want to fuck you, kitten, but we want you to want it. No one is going to force you. We’ll give you sucky choices, but at least you’ll be able to pick your poison.” Eli reaches over and tugs gently on my ponytail. “If you want to leave at any point, I promise I’ll take you home.”
“Any time?” I want to believe him as I look into his deep brown eyes, but how can I trust him? How can I trust any of them? They all stir something inside me, and part of me is desperate to explore that. But trust? That’s a tall order.
Especially since I’m not sure I can trust myself around them.
“Any time,” he confirms.
They still terrify me. I feel like I’m a plaything to them, not a person.
“Hey.” Eli touches my chin and nudges it up, so I look him in the eyes. “I swear to you. I will protect you, even from my brothers if it comes to that.”
“Why?” I have to know. Is this just another game? Or will Eli actually help me?
“We all promised you, kitten. We don’t take that shit lightly. When we offer our protection, it’s absolute.” Eli smooths his thumb over my lower lip. Awareness races through my system, crashing over the anxiety.
I swallow. “Have you ever done this with a girl before me?”
Eli smiles and leans forward to press his lips against mine briefly. “No. We weren’t lying when we said you’re special. You’re ours, Harper. Just trust us to keep you safe.”
I push away the burst of tingles from his kiss and nod. “Don’t make me regret this.”
“I don’t want you to regret anything.” He opens his car door and comes around to open mine. Holding out his hand like he always holds out an apple to me at lunch.
I brace myself before I slip my hand into his and let him lead me into the lion’s den.
Caden’s house is enormous, with intimidating columns surrounding a double door that has to be over seven feet tall, but Eli leads me around the back to a door on the lower level. As soon as we open it, we hear music playing and the guys’ deep voices. Eli wraps his arm around my waist and draws me into a large room with a huge TV and an even bigger sectional couch.
Jack and Caden stand as soon as they see me. Luke glances at me through his lashes, giving me a smoldering look that makes my insides burn.
