Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Jesus.
Ten men want to deflower me. They want to strip me of my virginity in a way that seems almost medieval.
Everything that I thought about last night was on their minds, too. Just hearing them say the words has me slick between my legs. This kind of macho bullshit shouldn’t turn me on, but it seems my innate biological impulses win in a competition with my rational mind.
“Hey, Allie,” a deep voice calls out behind me.
I turn to find a stream of men loping down the stairs. Dressed in swim shorts, they’re all ready for a day at the beach.
“We’ve been looking for you all over,” Carson says. With the sun directly behind him, I have to hold my hand up to see more than a darkened form.
“Russell said you might be down here.” Oliver drops down onto the sand next to me smelling good, of alpine forests and fresh spring water and when he stretches his long lean legs out in front of him, I notice what nice feet he has. “What are you doing?”
“Just transcribing the audio from last night,” I say, wondering if anyone will show any reaction to the revelation.
“Really?” Oliver’s voice seems a little higher and tighter than usual. “Did you get everything you needed?”
“Sure did.” I fold down the top of my computer screen and post it back into my bag, hoping that will give him the hint that I’m not going to divulge any more information. He clears his throat, and I catch a glance between him and Theron. The Greek was the main one involved in driving that discussion forward. He’s looking at me like a new land to conquer. Alexander the Great, eat your heart out.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Russell conversing with someone who’s not part of our group. As I squint to get a better look, I realize the neighbors I watched enjoying their pool next door are taking a stroll up the beach.
Three gorgeous men - who I suddenly notice are triplets - one beaming woman, and adorable twin boys who are both holding their momma’s hands. Intrigued, and eager to get away from Oliver’s questions, I leave my bag where it is, and jump up, making my way closer.
“Hey,” I say, taking in the woman’s pretty cream crochet beach cover-up and brown gladiator sandals. Effortless beach-chic.
“Hey.” The woman smiles broadly in a way that involves her whole face, lighting up her prettiness from the inside. “I’m Natalie. We’re neighbors.” She indicates her head toward the house next door. “At least, temporarily. We’re staying at my father-in-law’s place for a mini vacation.”
“Nice,” I say. “This is a beautiful spot to have a home.”
“It really is. We try to come up here as much as possible. The kids love it.”
I glance down at the sweet dark-haired boys who look so much like the adult triplets, it’s as though they’ve been cloned.
“And you guys?” she asks, eyeing the group with interest.
“I’m writing an article,” I say. “The guys are my interviewees.”
“Wow…Interesting. I’m a photographer. Mostly studio stuff now, but I used to be involved in eco-photography and still dabble. My pictures are sometimes picked up by magazines.”
We grin at each other, and I feel as though I’ve met a kindred spirit. At least, someone I could form an easy and interesting friendship with.
“How long are you here for?” she asks.
“Six more days.”
Her eyes scan behind me at the various groups of men talking, and then to Russell, who’s been joined by Carson and Clay talking to the triplets she’s with.
“That’s a lot of masculine energy you have around you.”
“Tell me about it.” I roll my eyes like a wife who’s grown tired of her husband. Except there’s not just one man to be annoyed by, but ten.
Her laugh is warm and deep and she leans in conspiratorially. “It’s not so bad.” Her eyes drift to the triplets. “Having lots of men around, I mean.”
“Which one’s yours?” I ask.
“All of them,” she whispers, her eyes searching my face for a reaction.
I wasn’t expecting that and I’m not quick enough to stifle my shock before she notices. Clearing my throat, I try to rescue the situation. “So you’re polyamorous?”
“Yeah,” she says. “I know it’s not very common and I didn’t set out wanting that kind of relationship. They grew on me and then I couldn’t imagine choosing between them.” She shrugs and I raise my eyebrows, awed at the laid-back way she describes something so extraordinary. I thought Dawn was a freak for her relationship choices, but Natalie seems perfectly ordinary. I want to know more but with the kids tugging at her arms and her men glancing over to see if she’s done talking, it’s not the time to ask questions.
“Would you be up for taking a walk along the beach sometime?” I say. “You could bring your camera and tell me all about your fascinating life. I need some female input into my article.”