Playing Favorites: A Reverse Harem Romance Read online

  We both laughed. I put my empty glass on the table mat and looked out of the window behind him. The sun was setting, now, a warm honey-dark light spreading out between the leaves of nearby trees.

  “Thanks, Heath,” I said quietly. “That means a lot.”

  He sighed, shifting in the seat. “I should have said it ages ago,” he said. “I wish you could just see yourself for how good you are.”

  I winced, feeling uncomfortable. I had gotten so used to being down on myself, the thought of being anything else felt a bit off. Yes, I’d had my fair share of a wild life, but I still held to this image of myself as a shadow of Heath.

  “I’m not, you know,” I said quietly. “You know Kelsey didn’t even glance my way.”

  “No,” he said musingly. “That isn’t true.”

  “Okay,” I admitted, letting myself see the amusing side. “Maybe she glanced at me.”

  Heath grinned. “At least you admit that much.”

  I laughed. “Yeah, I do.”

  He frowned, biting his lip.

  “What?” I shot him a glance.

  “Nothing,” he said innocently.

  “Heath…what?” I asked.

  “Nothing, Grayson. Really,” he said. He sounded sincere, but I wasn’t too sure. No, he didn’t lie. But I wouldn’t put it past him to bend the truth.

  He was planning something, I knew it.

  I just didn’t know what.

  5

  Kelsey

  I spent the evening before dinner in the park. I really needed to cool off and think. At home, I worried about dad or work, or myself. Here in the park it was easier to let all that worry go.

  I looked up at the blue sky, so intense between the branches of the shade tree. I tried to remember last time I felt really relaxed. It was so long ago I couldn’t remember it. College had been a ball of nerves—so many things to worry about with exams, social pressures and relationships. Then, before that in high school, grades and boys and friends and dad.

  Now, I was worrying about my job. Dad, despite his best intentions, made me even more worked up than I’d been before. His researching the company made me feel like he was concerned about me and whether or not I could manage my new job.

  “Kelsey, learn to relax.”

  I took a steadying breath and let it out in a big sigh. I needed to de-stress, or I’d mess up badly tomorrow.

  I took out my phone and flipped idly through my messages, hoping Greer or one of my other friends was online and could chat. I saw the messages from Heath from the previous night.

  Kelsey, have you ever had such an amazing lover?

  I grinned. My heart thumped and my insides throbbed and I realized that there was, after all, an easy way to de-stress. Heath was certainly distracting, and we’d more or less agreed that we were just in this for fun. I was about to text him when a thought crossed my mind.

  He suggested his brother.

  I frowned. There was something rather arousing about the thought of getting involved with one of his brothers. They were all so stunning and it felt, well, a bit like I would have my own selection of stunning guys—a bit like when I’d been through two or three football players.

  A bit like Quality Street candy—half the fun was choosing which one you wanted.

  I felt a flush creep up into my face. What was I thinking? I couldn’t choose guys the way I would Quality Street. Could I?

  I smiled. Nobody said it was wrong. After all, Heath suggested it.

  Fine. I’ll just see if I can find Donnell’s number. I’ll just drop him a line. After all, I did feel bad about him last night.

  It proved fairly easy to find his mail address, so I decided to just drop him a mail instead. After all, it would seem less bold. I could just write a friendly, “nice to have met you, thanks for the drinks, all the best.” That way, I was opening the line for him to contact me if he wanted to.

  The message I typed was brief and noncommittal. Thanks for a nice evening, it was good to meet you and your brothers.

  I felt a little silly sending it, but I also felt a delicious tremor. I couldn’t help the fact that I was attracted to dark, sinister guys. And they didn’t come much more dark and sinister than Donnell. I was smiling by the time I’d sent it.

  “Kelsey,” I told myself firmly, “stop being silly.”

  It didn’t help. I was feeling much more lighthearted by the time I got home. I breezed in at around seven.

  “Hey, sweetie,” my dad greeted me. “Ready for dinner?” he asked.

  “You bet,” I nodded. “I’m starving.”

  He laughed. “You always say that,” he began hesitantly.

  “…and I always am.”

  We both laughed as we ended the sentence. It was a time-honored ritual. A joke from my college days, when I was always hungry.

  We went upstairs to dinner. Rochelle had made it for us—a simple meal of roast chicken and potatoes. It happened to be one of my favorites. I ate it with relish.

  While we ate, we chatted about our plans. I was a bit noncommittal, and if Daddy noticed, he didn’t say anything about it. He told me more about the latest deals his company was making. I tried to concentrate and say intelligent things. In my heart, though, was a flurry of apprehensive excitement.

  What have I just done?

  I had never actually done something as naughty as considering dating brothers. Not that Heath and I were dating—not exactly. We had made our own arrangement—a sort of agreement to see each other casually if we chose. So everything was above board and he’d more or less suggested it himself. But still.

  “And so I said we should set our next target as…Kelsey?”

  I blinked in surprise as I realized my dad had said something. I was more aware of the fact that, in my pocket, my phone had just made a noise.

  “Kelsey?”

  Dad was looking at me quizzically and I blushed. “Sorry, Dad,” I said. “I guess I’m just tired.”

  “Oh.” He smiled fondly. “Well, I shouldn’t keep you up, talking about my nonsense.”

  “Daddy…” I rolled my eyes at him. “It’s not nonsense.”

  “Well, okay,” he said grudgingly. “But compared to family stuff it is.”

  I smiled. “I’m so glad you always felt that way.”

  “Of course I did.”

  We had finished the meal and, much as I enjoyed spending time with Dad, I was impatient to check my phone. Long ago we had agreed that at meals nobody checked their phones—that was time to relax and talk. It was rare enough that we all sat down together for a meal as it was.

  Eventually, I was up in my room. My fingers tingling with anticipation, I read the message.

  Kelsey. Nice to hear from you. Maybe we could meet up sometime? Here’s my number.

  I smiled at the boldness. It wasn’t exactly like I’d made it clear I was interested, and he’d already assumed I was. An arrogant guy, indeed.

  I smiled to myself. There was something quite exciting about that level of arrogance. I texted him at his number. Great. Maybe tomorrow after work?

  I leaned back on the bed, letting myself imagine what it would be like if he and were to get, well, intimate together. Would he be like Heath, or different?

  This was an exciting thought.

  It was weird, though too. Of the four brothers, Heath and Grayson were easily the most attractive. Clarke probably came next, whereas Donnell was relatively plain—with a firm, square jaw, but not as heavily muscled as the rest. The chief attraction of Donnell was those big brown eyes. Somehow more brooding and dangerous than those of his brothers, they had drawn me in like nothing else had.

  I felt my tummy tingle, at the thought of seeing him. I wondered if he was going to reply. I also wondered if I was being weird, focusing on him. After all, Heath had said that Grayson was interested in me, and, on paper, Grayson was probably hotter than Donnell. I wondered what I was thinking. Then I decided to forget about it—after all I had work.

 
; I worked for a bit, just reading through stuff I might need to know for tomorrow, but in reality my mind was far away. When I went to bed I noticed with some amusement that I was already aroused.

  Kelsey, I told myself sternly, go to sleep.

  I smiled in spite of myself. My stress management was sorted out for the months ahead. As I was drifting off, my phone made a noise.

  Tomorrow at eight? Max and Lamar?

  Heck. That was fast. My body heated up with excitement and I considered what to say. Should I try something to test the waters, something a bit provocative?

  I smiled to myself. Sounds good, I wrote. An intimate setting.

  Waiting for his reply was a sort of pleasant torture.

  Yes, he wrote. Appropriate?

  I laughed. Depends.

  His reply made me laugh even louder. On what?

  I leave that to your discretion.

  I felt my insides tingle as I waited to see how he’d work his way out of that one. After a moment, the reply flashed back.

  I have no discretion.

  I really did laugh. I had to. I wondered whether or not to reply to that, and flashed back, good.

  He didn’t say anything, just a quick emoticon of a big smile.

  I put my phone down—it was almost eleven and I wanted to get a good long sleep so I was fresh for my new job. I sneaked a hand between my thighs and noticed a slippery wetness there. I smiled to myself. I recalled Heath’s touch on my body and how it had made me feel. I wondered if I would feel the same if Donnell were to be as bold as he claimed to be in his texting.

  I slept deeply and woke refreshed and ready for work.

  The day went excellently—my new boss seemed to be really nice, and my colleagues were friendly and ready to help out with all the things I didn’t know—like where to go to get my new office keys, and how to work the photocopier.

  I left at five on the dot—after all, most of the day had been spent on administration, not any real work yet—and reached home with half an hour to get ready.

  I selected a nice white tube dress with a high collar and short skirt, made of a stiff silky fabric. Paired with some small silver studs, I reckoned it hit the right balance for Max and Lamar, which was an upmarket restaurant.

  Hair?

  I frowned in the mirror. My severe French plait seemed a bit, well, severe. I undid the clips and turned it into a loose chignon. With some wisps of blond around my face and lip gloss instead of lipstick, the look changed into something quite approachable.

  Perfect.

  I headed off on the long drive into town.

  “Good evening, ma’am,” the doorman greeted me politely. “A table for one?”

  “I’m meeting someone,” I said quickly. “I don’t know if he’s…oh.”

  I looked around and my eyes fell on Donnell. In that moment, all my doubts about my decision flew away: In a black suit, with his severely cropped hair and no tie, he was absolutely hunky.

  6

  Donnell

  I stared at her when she walked into the restaurant. With her blond hair loose around her face, and that short dress, she was so sexy I gritted my teeth to stop myself actually groaning.

  Heath was so lucky. I wonder if he has any idea?

  I smiled at her. The grin she gave me was breathtaking.

  “Hi,” she said.

  “Hi,” I said back in what I hoped was a cool, level manner. In reality my insides were throbbing. I stood and drew back her chair. She sat down and I couldn’t help noticing her sexy ass lowering itself to the chair. It was such an unconsciously elegant and provocative way she had of sitting. Weird that even how someone sat could be sexy.

  “So,” she said, facing me. Her eyes on mine were warm. “Nice place.”

  I nodded. “Of course. I couldn’t choose anything but the best for you.”

  She shot me a look. “Flattery,” she said in that stunning voice, “will probably get you somewhere.”

  I laughed. Sexy and quick-minded. I really liked this woman. I didn’t really deserve her. But, since she was here, I was going to do as much as I could to take advantage of the situation.

  “It will?” I asked flippantly.

  “Perhaps, but not necessarily where you think.”

  I laughed again. “So?” I frowned. “Ready to order?”

  “I’ll have vermouth,” she said, glancing at the drinks list. I raised a brow.

  “Different,” I commented.

  “I feel like it,” she said with a shrug.

  “Well, I’ll stick with wine,” I decided. I made my selection off the list and waved down a waiter. “A glass of the Van der Gratcsch Sav, and a vermouth,” I ordered.

  “Very good, sir.”

  After he’d gone, I turned back to Kelsey. She was leaning on the table watching me with a raised brow.

  “So,” I said, clearing my throat as I let my gaze wonder to those pink lips, glossed and begging to be kissed, “how was your first day?”

  “At work?” she shrugged. “Nice. Your workday?”

  It was my turn to shrug. “Same as usual,” I commented. “Stressful.”

  She laughed. “I know the feeling. People don’t know how stressful the position can be.”

  “Mm,” I nodded. “Looks like we need a way to de-stress, eh?”

  She smiled. “Quite.”

  I felt my stomach tingle. Under the table, I slid my foot forward, discovering hers. I let my foot rest beside hers. She didn’t move and I felt the tingle turn to an ache.

  “Thanks,” I nodded absently to the waiter as he brought our glasses. When he’d gone, I raised mine to her.

  She nodded and the glasses clicked and I felt my body catch fire as I looked into her hazel eyes.

  I had to look down a moment, feeling my insides ache as I slid my foot between her own. My knee brushed hers. She didn’t move away. I didn’t know how I was going to sit through a meal with her. I had an overwhelming excitement spreading through my veins like fire.

  “So?” I said tightly, “Shall we order?”

  “Great,” she said. “I’m having the salmon pasta.”

  “Sounds good,” I said, feeling momentarily silly—I hadn’t actually looked at the food menu and she’d already made up her mind! I perused it quickly, selecting the grilled trout.

  We chatted about work until the meal came. It was interesting to discuss finances with her. She had a new outlook compared to me.

  “Oh. This looks good,” she smiled, looking at the meal. It did.

  I watched her eat. Just seeing the fork slide between those pink lips was sexy. I imagined what it would be like to have my tongue pushing into that pink mouth, tasting its warm sweetness as my body pressed against her body firmly.

  I let my knee slide between hers, my foot stroking a smooth thigh. I felt my cock throb. I wanted her so badly. She smiled at me, setting aside her plate. “Dessert?” she asked.

  I raised a brow. “If you like?”

  She smiled. “Depends what’s for dessert.”

  I knew what I was thinking. But I wasn’t sure if I could take the risk of saying it Despite what my brothers thought of me, I was shy.

  “Are you?”

  She laughed. “I could be,” she said. “If you ask nicely.”

  “I’m asking nicely,” I said. “Just tell me what’s nice.”

  She grinned. “I will indeed.”

  I tensed with longing. I needed to get home now. I frowned. “Shall we go?”

  She nodded.

  I paid and then we were outside in the car park. I turned to face her, suddenly breathless and tense. I looked into her eyes. I breathed in the scent of her perfume. She raised an eyebrow.

  Her face moved toward mine and I leaned down and my lips met hers. I closed my eyes and let my tongue slide between her lips.

  She was so soft! She tasted so sweet. I drew her into my arms and held her tight against me. Her body was soft in all the right places and I wanted to never let go of her
. I pushed my tongue into her mouth and felt it entirely enveloped by her mouth, soft and warm.

  I could taste the sweetness of her and smell the floral scent of her perfume. I let my hand slide up the back of her neck into her hair.

  I let my tongue probe against hers and I could feel her body pressing into her, my arousal obvious now.

  When she looked up at me, her eyes were huge and inviting. “Let’s go,” she whispered.

  I nodded and we walked to my car.

  We went to Donnell’s home. Unlike his brother, he chose to live in the busy, bustling part of town. I followed him up the stairs and into the lift.

  His body against mine was hard and lean. I could feel how aroused he was as he drew me to him, and I was also aroused, my body throbbing and slippery.

  We kissed and I felt my insides heat up. When we arrived at his apartment I had a light tremble in my limbs. He was easily more exciting than Heath had been—there was something dangerous about him.

  “Here we are,” he said tightly. I could hear the tension in his voice, aching with need like mine was. I nodded.

  “Good.”

  We reached the bedroom.

  I looked around, noticing how scrupulously ordered everything was. Then he was upon me.

  We kissed and lay down on the bed together. His body leaned into mine and his tongue shoved into my mouth, hard and insistent, calling an answering passion from me. I was actually shivering with need, my clit aching.

  He started to undress me. His hands were gentle on my body, warm and strong and capable. I felt my dress slide down off my body, over my hips to the floor. He leaned forward, and his mouth moved lower, exploring the hollow of my throat. I pressed into him, liking the way my breasts felt pressed to his leanness.

  He gasped and moved lower, his eyes unseeing as he kissed me. He sat back, shedding the jacket and starting to unbutton his shirt. I reached up to unzip his pants and he slid them off. His chest was hard with muscle, his build slighter than that of his brother, but in a lean, hard and exciting way.