Then there was the thing about him being in control.
My body sent smoke signals saying "Hurray!"
But my head said, "Wait just a minute."
I'd had enough of other people taking charge of my life. It was my turn. "I'm going through with this. I didn't spend a couple hundred thousand dollars to just up and change my mind. I don't need you here to control anything."
Liar, liar, pants and shirt and hair on fire.
"I'm going to have sex. In fact, I'm going to have orgies. If you don't like it, you can leave. If you think you can handle it, feel free to stay and watch. I know you like that."
Ooh. There's the inner bitch I'd been waiting twenty-some odd years for.
Gray's eyes were so dark I could sink into them and never find my way back out. They bounced down to my lips and back up.
So many flutters, so little time. I waited for him to come that scant inch closer, that ten percent, to kiss me.
His only movement was the fall and rise of his chest and the back and forth of his eyes, boring into mine. "You liked it as much as I did."
True that. But it wouldn't do for him to know it, with his high and mighty attitude. "You wish."
"I know."
Here was my chance. I was cool as a cucumber growing in the North Pole. "Do you? Prove it."
Gray snagged me around the waist and pushed his other hand into my hair. I didn't have time to protest before his mouth came down on mine. This was no school boy kiss. He wasn't waiting for me to meet him part way. He mashed our mouths together and took what he wanted, took what was his.
The world spun around us and made me dizzy. Gray's hands gripped my waist and the back of my neck, holding me still, not letting me fall. He was my anchor in the tempest unleashed. I'd never need anything but his touch ever again.
The sound of throats clearing came from behind us. "Looks like the fun has already started."
Gray broke the kiss and took a giant step away from me, set me aside like a hot and bothered Lolita. I swayed, regaining my balance. We were both breathing hard and I wanted to scream at whoever had interrupted the moment.
Two men stood at the edge of the kitchen, one the epitome of tall dark and handsome, in a Greek god sort of way, the other taller, darker, and as handsome as an African Orisha god.
This was no harem I had, it was a pantheon.
Gray glared at them both and stomped out of the kitchen.
I sighed and shook my head. Then I pasted on a smile and went to greet my guests. "You must be Dominic and Cade. Welcome to my harem."
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Benefits of Being a Sultanette
Gray didn't stay gone long, but he wasn't back for me. He insisted on showing each of my new lovers to their rooms, despite my considerable eye rolls.
"Come back down when you're settled in. We can get to know each other and have some dinner." Then hopefully something more.
"Will do." Cade smiled and looked me up and down. He didn't have a trace of an accent, Polish or otherwise. Interesting.
"I can hardly wait." Dominic's rich baritone and distinct pronunciation of each word had me imagining him as some sort of African prince. I didn't think Nigeria had those, but I was going to pretend they did.
They turned to go, Gray right behind them. He paused at the doorway, gripping the frame in one hand. I was sure he'd turn back, tell me once again I was crazy. Or even better, come back and kiss the wits out of me. Again.
I got bubkes instead. Not nearly as fun.
Voices sounded from upstairs, short conversations. I couldn't hear their words, but I recognized Gray being in each one. What was he saying to them?
It took considerable effort to remain in the kitchen. Having him here surprised me and added a whole new dynamic to what I'd thought we were going to do.
I could work with this. Just as soon as I wrapped my head around it. Gray was begrudgingly in, then he was out, then he was back in.
He wasn't here this time to help me. Not in the way I wanted him to. This time he wouldn't stand idly by. He wanted to be in control.
At my core I wanted him to be too.
But not yet.
If we had any shot of a real relationship he had to see me as an independent, in control woman myself. Until I was, and he realized I wasn't a fairy tale damsel in distress, we wouldn't work. I'd simply be another submissive for him and he'd be another man to fill up that empty place I had inside.
No man could do that. My father hadn't, Marc hadn't. Ian and Hawk had gotten close. Gray had gotten closer.
I wasn't sure I could do it myself, but I had to try.
I arranged the Arabic and Persian finger foods I had catered for the occasion on trays to busy myself until the main attraction started.
None of the men emerged again until dinner time, preceded by Gray. Like a hot guy parade.
I sent them all into the sitting room I'd prepared specifically for spending time together. Gray stayed.
He insisted on being about twelve inches from my side no matter where I went, irritating me.
"Get out from under my feet-" I almost continued – or help me finish up the food. But I wasn't asking for his help anymore. I was doing this myself.
He didn't back off one bit, but he did stare at all the food I laid across the countertop. "You're playing up the whole harem thing a bit, aren't you?"
"What? I like Persian food." The three whole bites I'd tried so far were tasty.
"Really? Then what do you call this?" Gray held up a cigar looking thing that could have been made out of a bird's nest.
Smart ass.
"I call it delicious." Probably.
"I see. And this?" He held up a stick with meat on it.
Smug bastard. I'd kick him out if I didn't get all smushy inside just looking at him. I had to remind myself with a good bit of chastisement that I didn't want to be weak around him.
As casual as could be, I said, "You're supposed to be on vacation. What are you still doing here?"
He snagged my arm midway to the tray with some gooey baklava and pulled it toward his mouth. "I took my vacation days, but I didn't say I was going anywhere."
He could have eaten the small treat in one bite, instead he nibbled at it, skimming his lips along my fingers.
Damn the man was trying to throw me off balance. He'd almost done it too. "Why would you stay here? Take the boat, take the plane, go somewhere." Anywhere.
My newly resolved resolve was already slipping.
"I'm right where I want to be, Angel."
He winked at me and picked up one of the trays, waiting for me to do the same. I would have slapped him, but a simple touch was dangerous. Instead I glared at him, grabbed another tray and headed toward my new harem room, beating Gray by only a few steps.
The sitting room transformed into something out of a movie set. Instead of the couch and club chairs, the room had several chaise lounges, large padded ottomans and pillows galore. I'd had it done in deep browns and blues because it was a male harem after all. The best part of all were the three gorgeous men lounging around, waiting for me.
I lifted my tray to showcase the food and my invitation. "Dinner, guys."
Ilario jumped up and grabbed the tray from me. "Mistress, you must allow me to serve you, not the other way around."
I set the food on an ottoman. "You're sweet, Ilario, but this is my way of welcoming you to my home."
"I agree," Dominic's deep voice boomed. "You have done more than enough for us already. You have provided us with an amazing place to live, an opportunity at a real education, and the chance to touch and pleasure such a beautiful woman."
I almost blushed. These guys were really too good to be true. Gloria had done her job well. Whether they were sincere or not, it felt like they were.
Cade only nodded, remaining quiet. Maybe he saw me and this arrangement for something different. Where Dominic and Ilario were warm and tried to be helpful, Cade had a hardness to him that reminded me a bit of Gray.
I sat on a large leather ottoman that was low to the ground and patted the cushion beside me. "Cade, won't you join us?"
If I hadn't been watching him so intently, I would have missed the exchanged look between him and Gray. He didn't move until Gray gave the tiniest of nods. His head didn't even move, it was more like he nodded with the set of his chin and the blink of his eyes.
Damn. Gray had said more than I expected when he went upstairs with the guys. Instructions? Warnings?
I'd have to take it up with him later. Right now was for relaxing, getting to know each other, and if I was lucky, a little getting lucky.
We ate, we laughed, and we drank. Everyone except Gray. He ate, but his demeanor was the stony set of a secret service guard.