THANK YOU Dyros for providing more than just a little proofreading.
*****
As she stared at the ceiling, Ella reviewed the last twenty-four hours wondering if she had lost her damn mind or won the lottery. Twenty-four hours, three men, and five, or was it six, orgasms later and here she lay. A virgin.
Certain that her status had been tactlessly explained, although fully understood by the brothers, she suspected that they had decided she would remain intact if she refused their proposition. As in her past, another person was deciding her life for her but, unlike her past, there were being considerate of her physical and emotional wellbeing. Smiling in the dark, she was overcome with gratitude for her men. If she were to decide to leave, would her gratitude be enough?
The brothers had designed a marriage contract that some would define as controlling, maybe even sick. Presented with the same choice three days ago, Ella would have probably agreed. But she had not met the Montgomery brothers three days ago and that had made the difference.
Shifting in the bed, Ella paused when she felt the evidence of her farewell to Ryan. She was wet and sticky. As she moved her hand lower, she giggled when she found the substance drying on her thighs, stomach, and pubic hair. After a moment's hesitation, she swiped her finger across her thigh and brought it to her mouth. She frowned. It did not taste the same as it did when it was...
"Oh, my god," she grumbled at the memory.
Only a few weeks ago, she had actually told her roommate that she could never imagine doing such a thing. With the high rate of diseases, which were spread through sexual contact, she would never endanger her life just to please a man. And it was just plain gross.
Of course, her roommate had laughed at her like she was some kind of imbecile, and maybe she was, but it would have been fairly easy to explain that pleasing him offered a great deal of pleasure too. She had pleased Ryan. The drying mess on her body proved it, she hoped.
Chuckling to herself, Ella decided she would ask her men and they would tell her. If she could move beyond the blushing, stuttering and shock then they would teach her, well, everything. And there was no better time to begin her lessons than the present.
Rising from the bed, she stumbled to the window to get a look at the view. She had not yet toured much of the home and none of the property. Ryan had promised; check that, he had made her promise to let him be the one who showed her the fitness building. He had said it a grin, which could only mean she would probably see more than free weights and a sauna. Peering through the glass she noticed that rain was now washing away the remains of the wintery mix that had brought her to the Montgomerys.
Still dressed in Ryan's t-shirt, she touched the sticky substance drying on her thighs. Ryan might be gone but he had certainly left part of him with her. Ella stepped back into the shadows and looked around to make sure no one was watching before exploring more. This could be inside her if she would only say yes.
Saying yes to accept a life of unknown relationships and experiences was not an entirely new concept. Since her parents' death, she had had to learn a little about human nature and coexistence. In the past, she had watched and learned. Now, she would learn more and participate. She would be expected to step out of the shadows.
Her hand reached for the light switch and stopped. If she were unable to watch herself, how would she manage with all three men watching her? She held her breath as a soft, golden glow filled the room. The room was clean, the bed was slightly rumbled and she stood in a t-shirt hanging below her thighs as though she were terrified. On hot nights, she had slept in less than this, so why was she shaking now?
Because the shirt belonged to Ryan. He had dressed her in it after he had undressed her from her own clothes and put his cock in her mouth. Ella touched her lips and considered her feelings. Should she feel regret? The only regret she could admit was her lack of experience and understanding. He had seemed pleased but not satisfied. A small child eating their vegetables pleased their parent. A woman who possessed and eagerly used certain skills pleased her man.
Reaching for the hem of the shirt, she tugged it over her head and held it close. It was saturated in Ryan's unique scent. She wondered how identical twins could smell so different and yet both scents could be so intoxicating. Scott was sweet and warm whereas Ryan was all spice. One made her want to cuddle. The other made her want to drool. And Connor? God forgive her but the man made her want to crawl on her hands and knees begging for what she could only guess.
Opening a dresser drawer, Ella folded the shirt and placed it inside. It would need to be laundered. It should be returned to Ryan. It was going to stay where it was. Maybe she could keep something from each of her men and add to her collection. Maybe she needed to quit acting like a virgin, even if she was exactly that, and remember that they were giving her a chance to become something more. She could be someone more.
Glancing at the clock in the sitting room, Ella decided to take a bath and find Connor. It was early enough for big boys to be awake. Maybe he would be willing to talk to her or do that thing he did this morning. She turned on the water and waited as it heated. Turning toward the mirror, she squinted and stepped closer and frowned. She had thought there would have been more evidence of her after dinner escapade.
Scratching at the dried remains on her belly, Ella looked at it. If she said yes, this would not only be inside her but it could also be the beginning of a child. Was she ready for that? Having a relationship with three men was one huge step but adding a child to it was another. She wanted children. She needed someone who belonged to her while at the same time she would belong to him or her.
Stepping under the warm spray, she sighed and groaned in relief as the various showerheads performed their magic. For the first few minutes, she pressed her hands against the tiled wall and leaned forward. The pressure streams soothed and excited her skin as she rotated her shoulders and wiggled her bottom. When a rotating pulse jetted against her nipple, she gasped aloud. She turned, trying to catch the spray at the right angle, but failed to find the friction she craved.
Suddenly, the bathroom lights faded until the room was in darkness. The dim glow of the shower light could not penetrate the blackness outside the glass walls. Without the light, Ella knew she would not be able to locate her towel, let alone find her way out of the bathroom. A bench, a chair, a tub and other obstacles were all waiting to send her crashing to the floor before she would ever reach the door.
When hands gripped her shoulders, she cried out and quickly turned to find Connor in the stall with her. The speed of her movements caused her to slip against the tile floor. She barely faltered as his hands dropped to her waist and pulled her against his body.
"Careful," he chided. "I don't think my brothers would forgive me if you were injured during my watch."
"I...I..." she stammered. "Damn it. I was just startled. Sorry."
"I startled you and you apologize for it," he mumbled as he reached for the dispensers on the wall. "We'll work on that. Later. Turn around."
Ella obeyed and sighed as he lathered shampoo through her hair. As his fingers followed the strands from her scalp to her waist, Connor chuckled at her sighs and moans.
"This is what I like," he finally said. "Sweet Ella, responsive and ready."
"Ready?"
"Maybe I was wrong. First time for everything," he mumbled as he moved her under the warm jet to rinse her hair. "I like your hair. When we're together, leave it down."
"Connor," she started and then hesitated, "I will...and I think I'm ready. I know that you might be waiting until I sign the agreement but...I'm ready."
