Indecent Proposal: A Reverse Harem Romance Read online

  Oliver began kissing her neck, nibbling the tender skin, as William pushed his fingers in deeper, moved them faster and harder, and rolled the pad of his thumb over her swollen and throbbing nub.

  “That’s it, sweet girl, come for us. Come all over his hand,” Oliver coaxed. “Show us how much you want our cocks inside you.”

  Sabrina didn’t need any more persuasion than that. The mental images his words provided sent her spiraling over the edge so violently, she had to grab onto Oliver’s suit jacket and William’s wrist, while turning her head to bury her face in Oliver’s neck to stifle the scream that threatened to burst from her lungs.

  She rode that high for so long, Sabrina thought she’d die. In fact, by the time she was able to lift her head again, the world looked completely foreign to her. It took a moment for her to realize where they were, what their objective was, and that they’d come to a stop in front of the office building.

  And the cab driver was watching her expectantly in the rearview mirror.

  Oliver and William snapped to it without hesitation, throwing open the left door to allow Oliver to get out first and extend his hand to help Sabrina onto shaky legs, while William took care of the fare.

  “Oh Godddd,” she whined, fussing over the wrinkles in her clothes as she tried to right herself and gather her wits. “I can’t believe that just happened.”

  Oliver’s hand pressed into the small of her back as he guided her toward the bank of glass doors, one held open by a man who had been working there for the better half of ten years and whose sole mission was to make everyone feel welcome.

  “You can’t believe you just got off in a cab?”

  “That,” she huffed, “and that the cabbie saw it all.”

  While he and William got a good laugh out of it, Sabrina vowed to never again allow herself to be caught in that position again. From now on, she was going to be on her guard. These guys were a handful, and next time, she would be prepared.

  Chapter Ten

  The day sped by. Sabrina was thankful because if she had to sit through another boardroom meeting pretending that she was tuned in when she was really taking into account thinking about what had happened in the back seat of that cab, she’d go insane. That wasn’t even how many times she’d brushed by either William or Oliver in the halls, getting zapped with electricity every time.

  It was as if they were as charged up and ready to go as she was, carrying with them their very own source of energy that reached out and grabbed her whenever she was in the vicinity.

  Sabrina simply could not work in such a distracting environment!

  How could she be expected to get anything of note done if all she thought about was sex? Furthermore, how could she expect to be at the top of her game if every time she made eye contact or heard one of their voices her insides melted into a puddle of goo?

  The fact was, she couldn’t. Sabrina needed to be on for every detail, focused and ready to take on every challenge she faced head-on and fiercely. She couldn’t suffer endless distractions every day. It would be her undoing.

  She never should have allowed them into her office. Hell, her boardroom. As a matter of fact, she should have barred them from the building. The Hargreaves were detrimental to her fiscal and mental health.

  But she’d never before felt alive like she did now. There was a buzz inside of her that was cranked all the way up, giving her a sense of walking on clouds. It wasn’t love; of that, she was certain. It was more like a sudden and amazing zest for life that she’d been missing for who knew how long.

  It was invigorating, is what it was.

  At 5:00 PM, Sabrina found herself sitting behind her desk in her private corner office overlooking the expansive cityscape with the sun pouring in at an angle that highlighted the fine coating of dust on the philodendron’s leaves, propped proudly on its metal stand. She was staring into space, clicking the back end of a black and silver pen that carried a price tag that was downright criminal.

  She hadn’t stopped thinking about the day’s events for a single second.

  Her preoccupation meant that she wasn’t getting any work done, and that was unacceptable, but for the moment, she’d lost her drive. Her focus. What Sabrina needed was some time away from the office to get her head on straight.

  She needed silence and solitude. Maybe a bit of girl talk to get her straight.

  She bent to open the bottom drawer and reached into her open purse to pull out her cell phone from a side pocket. Janet’s number was saved in her contacts, and she hit the little call icon, listening to the artificial ringing on the other end.

  “Hey, girl! What’s up?”

  “Hey.” Sabrina grinned and relaxed back into her comfortable, ergonomic chair, crossing her left leg over her right knee. In her hand, the pen clicked back and forth without purpose beyond keeping her hand busy. “Are you free for dinner?”

  There was a pause, and then Janet asked, “This early? I thought you never signed off until everyone else in the free world was in bed asleep for the night.”

  “Not always,” Sabrina lied. “I thought I’d try something new tonight.”

  “Mm-hmm.” It was clear Janet was disbelieving, and no doubt she would have plenty of questions later. “Are you buying?”

  “She who asks, pays.”

  That was their rule. Girl code, if you will. It was a way of showing appreciation for their friendship, and mutual give-and-take that always ensured they were on equal footing. Despite Sabrina being the higher earner of the two. Hey, not everyone could be the heir to a multi-million-dollar company. So the arrangement was good for keeping both of them on a level playing field.

  “Just tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.”

  Sabrina chatted about nothing of consequence for a moment more before hanging up and messaging directions to the restaurant she’d chosen. It wasn’t as fancy as the one she’d attended dinner at for her meeting with Mr. Thomas, but it wasn’t a dive either. They could have their fill of burgers and fries just as easily as they could stuff themselves with steaks and grilled chicken. One thing Sabrina knew she couldn’t get anywhere else, though, was the magnificent mozzarella sticks and the loaded nachos. Fancy restaurants always lacked that certain element of casual and tasty.

  Once she’d gathered her belongings, Sabrina clocked out on her computer then shut it down. Her hand reached out to skim the light switches on the way out, casting the office into shadows, and then she was breezing past Shawna and ignoring her look of surprise as she waved good night and climbed onto the elevator.

  She held her breath until she reached the lobby downstairs, and then again until she managed to flag down a cab and climbed inside. A part of her had been expecting to cross paths with one of the guys, and then she’d have had to go through the whole song and dance of explaining where she was going and what she was doing to people who really shouldn’t matter. It was her life after all. She was still a free agent, able to come and go as she pleased and dictate her plans to herself and herself alone.

  So why did she suddenly feel guilty for not informing them of her evening plans?

  In some odd way, she felt like she was making a quick getaway, driving off into the sunset like some kind of escapee…or a teenager taking off in the middle of the night without telling her parents where she was going.

  Was it because they’d agreed to be exclusive that she now felt some sense of responsibility toward them? If so, she didn’t like it. Not one bit. Sabrina was used to answering to no one. If this was going to be the new norm, it was going to take some getting used to.

  But she was getting ahead of herself. There was nothing saying that she had done anything wrong. She was jumping to conclusions. If they called or asked, she would kindly let them know what she was up to. If not, then she would go on about her business as usual and enjoy her night out with her friend.

  The cab arrived outside of the Red Robin just before 6:00 PM and she paid her fare before climbing out. She
was a touch overdressed, in her pencil skirt and white blouse with faux tie around the neck, completed by the six-inch black pumps. But Sabrina didn’t much care. She was there for friendship and a good time. With Janet, she was always guaranteed to let down her hair, laugh, and have fun.

  After checking in at the hostess station and being pointed in the right direction, Sabrina made her way through the crowd of patrons and work staff bobbing and weaving between tables and through the general, narrow walkway, back to the booth stationed by a large window covered in blinds where her friend sat.

  Janet had her head bent, staring into a large, three-fold menu so intensely that she didn’t even notice when Sabrina sat down across from her. She smiled, waiting for the woman to finally look up.

  That took a while. So long, in fact, that Sabrina eventually gave up waiting and hooked a single finger on the top of the menu’s edge, pulling it down so she could get a view of Janet’s face.

  As always, she couldn’t get over her beauty. Short golden-brown hair cut into a bob that curled around her ears with a single inch-wide chunk of iridescent purple cut in a swath of bangs was tucked to one side, highlighting the soft-green hue of her hazel eyes, which were always outlined by varying widths of black cat-eye liner, dependent on how steady her hand was that day. Today, it was painted on fairly thick, which told Sabrina she’d had a bit of trouble getting the look just right, but no matter how she did up her makeup, there was no arguing that her friend was stunning. She had that whole emo vibe going on, from her hair and makeup, to the multiple silver rings in her ears, all the way down to the black-on-black clothing paired with a pop of color that could come from either a plaid schoolgirl skirt or a pair of Chucks or simply her choice of nail polish. Which happened to be purple today, to match her bangs.

  “When did you get here?” Janet asked, surprised. She rested the bulk of the menu on the table and performed a quick assessment of Sabrina’s attire, which was a total opposite of her own.

  “Just a minute ago. You were in the zone, huh?”

  “Ugh, I can’t decide what to order. It’s like, they either serve the same garbage for a year, or they suddenly change it all up and nothing sounds good.”

  “You win some, you lose some.” Sabrina shrugged. She’d always been fine with consistency, just as she wasn’t one to complain when variety suddenly appeared on the scene. She was a go with the flow kind of woman. Most days. At least, when it came to her personal life. Not when it was about business. Business was all about methodology, persistence, and balls of steel. In business, it was good to know exactly what was coming your way and how so you could meet it head on.

  “You say that because you’re going to get the nachos and cheese sticks again.” Janet looked at her pointedly. “Some of us need real food to get us through the day.”

  “That is real food.” Sabrina wasn’t unused to this conversation. Janet always accused her of not eating enough or always eating junk. Sabrina, in turn, always reminded her that she ate well and often, but always healthily throughout the week, leaving at least one day to splurge so she didn’t go crazy.

  It was a conversation they both knew well and, even though they no longer bothered finishing it in words, a simple pointed look with an arched eyebrow between them said everything.

  With a put-upon sigh, Janet went back to scanning the menu selections and asked, “So, how was your day? I’m guessing something is up, for you to call me out of the blue and ask me to such a lavish dinner.” That last part was said with sarcasm, because this was the least fancy place Sabrina could think of. It suited the women, though, because neither of them were what society pegged them to be by appearance or job title. Take Janet, for example. Despite her gothic appearance, she was a paralegal with a prestigious firm downtown. While she maintained her dark persona, her office attire was always on-point and put together.

  “Did you change before you came here?” Sabrina asked, taking note of the casual attire.

  “Of course.”

  Sabrina nodded, knowing Janet was never entirely comfortable in her work clothes. She always said it wasn’t “her.” At the end of the work day, she raced to be back in something more her style.

  Sabrina didn’t have such compulsions. Food was at the top of her list tonight. There was nothing like good company and good, greasy food to ease a troubled mind.

  “So…”

  The waitress appeared at the side of their table, staving off the conversation that Sabrina was still trying to decide how to jump into. The women placed their orders, neither deviating from their usual fare, despite the practice of always searching the menu high and low as if to try things they knew they never would. There was nothing wrong with habit. It was comforting, actually, to know some things never changed, especially when everything else seemed to be racing forward and in directions that Sabrina couldn’t predict.

  Once the waitress left, Sabrina was met with Janet’s intent and expectant gaze. No words were needed to know what she wanted: an explanation.

  Folding her hands on the table in front of her, Sabrina cleared her throat, considering her words before she spoke. How did one tell their best friend that they had agreed to enter into a personal—sexual—relationship with not one, but three men?

  She supposed the only answer was to jump in with both feet and see if she sank or swam.

  “So…there have been some…developments.”

  Janet’s left eyebrow rose. “What kind of developments?”

  “Interesting ones,” Sabrina hedged.

  “Explain.” Her no-nonsense delivery demanded nothing short of the truth, no filter.

  Sabrina knew it was now or never, or she’d lose the guts to say anything at all. “I’m seeing three guys.”

  It took a moment for Janet to mull this revelation over. “As in, you’re dating a guy but you have vision problems, resulting in seeing him in multiples?”

  The way she asked the question, it was obvious that Janet fully understood what Sabrina meant but was hoping against hope that she was wrong.

  “No, I mean I am dating three separate men. Although, they do look a lot alike.”

  Janet breathed deeply through her nose, then she folded her hands on the tabletop, too, mirroring Sabrina. “So you have a type?”

  In the interest of keeping this short and sweet and avoiding the waitress returning at an inopportune time, Sabrina laid it out for her. “They’re brothers. I’m dating three brothers.”

  Janet’s eyes rounded and her mouth formed a wide O as she processed this. “I mean…okay…that was unexpected.” She chuckled to herself in disbelief. “Wow, ‘Brina. I’m…well, shocked seems pretty tame, but that’s all I’ve got. How did this happen?” She leaned in, her interest piqued.

  “I don’t know.” Sabrina knew all the steps it’d taken to reach this point, but she was still in disbelief. “There was a business arrangement; they’re working at the office right now, as partners in a way, and the rest of it just sort of…happened.”

  “How’s the sex?” Janet gushed, suddenly excited.

  It was exactly the wrong moment for her to ask that, because that’s when their waitress appeared again with their drinks. As she set them down in front of the women, her face colored red and she rushed out, “Your appetizers will be ready in a minute,” and raced off like her ass was on fire.

  Janet was waiting.

  “We haven’t, uh, gotten to that yet.” And frankly, she was apprehensive for when they did. The logistics seemed complicated, to say the least.

  “How have you not? My God, I would be all over that.” Janet had begun loud and reduced her assertion to a harsh whisper by the end. “Three guys at once? That’s next-level hot!”

  “I know! I just haven’t done anything like that, ever, so it’s a little intimidating.”

  “That’s part of the fun of it! You get to explore something new, learn some stuff, have some fun.” She winked and waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

  All Sabrina
could say was, “Yeah.”

  “You’re not nearly as excited about this as you should be.” Janet’s forehead wrinkled and she studied Sabrina closely.

  Spreading her hands out on the table, Sabrina stared at her raspberry iced tea. “It’s just all so new. I’m nervous, but I’m sure it’ll work out.” She sucked in a breath and covered her face with her hands, moaning, “I can’t believe I told you. This is so embarrassing.”

  “Embarrassing? Do you know how many people I would gladly kill to get three men into my bed once? Dozens, at least,” she clarified, then met the confused and somewhat horrified stare of a man at a table across from theirs. “What?” His eyes darted away immediately, and Janet went on with the conversation as usual.

  Sabrina, in turn, was horrified.

  “So, let’s discuss details. Have you waxed your hoo-ha yet? Gotten those talons you call toenails trimmed and polished?” Janet’s face brightened. “What about a vaginal rejuvenation?”

  “Stop.” Sabrina couldn’t listen to her anymore. It was too much, too soon, and they were calling the attention of too many people for her comfort. “Let’s talk about this later. Somewhere else.” She let her eyes do the talking, expressing to her friend in that way they had without using words that she wasn’t on board with this line of conversation anymore and why.

  Janet scowled at their neighboring tables, issuing warnings to all the eavesdroppers without censor, deepening Sabrina’s chagrin. “Fine,” she conceded. “We can pick this back up later when we don’t have so many busybodies listening.”

  Somehow, she was only managing to make things worse, but Sabrina knew what she’d signed up for when she’d signed on to be Janet’s friend, and she couldn’t get rid of her now. As much as the woman tried her patience and put her in the spotlight more often than she cared to be, she was the best human being she’d ever met. Janet was something special, and if Sabrina was lucky, she would have her through all walks of her life to the very end.

  With what appeared to be considerable effort, Janet changed the subject. “So, how is your dad’s penile dysfunction problem?”