Author's Notes:
Welcome back to my story, my faithful readers! Thanks for hanging with me, and especially to all of you who have taken the time to comment or send me feedback messages. They're greatly appreciated. Especially those that provided ideas on future characters or encouragement about chapter length. There were some very interesting characters suggested, and I'm looking at ways that I might be able to take the story to incorporate some of them into future chapters.
This installment is longer than my usual, and I must say that it ended up being (quite) a bit heavier on the sex than originally intended. But, some really cool stuff happens to and with Carson that will help to move the story along as well. I promise the next chapter is going to wrap up some big story threads that have been hanging loose for a while. As such, it's unlikely to have a lot of sex in it. So it all balances out, right?
Like always, if you haven't read the previous chapters, you're going to get lost. I don't make much of an effort to explain references to earlier events and characters (of which, there are a lot).
Standard disclaimer: Please, if you like the story, or if you don't like the story, take a moment to comment. It's especially helpful if you have something constructive to add. It helps me quite a bit to see the story through others' eyes.
Finally, as always, all sexual activity takes place between adults.
—MB
*****
From Ch. 10—
Their laughter was cut off when the visitor strolled into the room and said, "I find it fantabulazing that my sister-in-law is fucking another man in my brother's bed."
To her credit, Aria didn't back down at being caught in the compromising situation. That didn't stop Carson from being wildly surprised by what she said. "Isana, I just had the best sex of my life with a man I actually love and plan on fathering all my babies. You can say what you want, tell your father or your brother; I don't really care. Or," she added with a smirk, "You can strip off and let Carson show you how a real man handles your inner slut."
Carson managed to keep a straight face. There was something happening here that he didn't understand, but he figured it was between Aria and Isana.
With a smirk, Isana reached for the hem of her blouse and began drawing it upwards. "We'll see if he's man enough to handle me."
Well, that's a lot easier than the plan I had, thought Carson.
*****
Watching, though, as she exposed a simple white bra that encased a lovely bosom that included what Carson estimated were probably large B or small C cup breasts, he realized that he wasn't actually after a quick hookup with Isana. His plan was to figure out if she was "Lioness" material. If so, he'd endeavor to bring her into his Pride and have a child with her. What better way could there be to demonstrate to her father the consequences of taking something from Carson? And, if not, he'd just have to get a little more creative at thumbing his nose at her father. He had to think quick before things got out of control.
Ignoring Isana for the moment, he leaned over and gently kissed Aria's lips. "Thank you for a lovely evening. Why don't you come by the house tomorrow and we'll make sure you're expecting?" Aria blushed slightly, but she couldn't keep the grin from her face.
"Try and keep me away," she replied.
He winked at her and said, "You better bring a bag. It might take a while." Aria giggled in response.
Then, he slipped out of bed and began dressing. He was doing his best to avoid looking at Isana. If he had, he would have seen a comical vision of a woman frozen in place, an expression of shock on her face. Her blouse dangled from one hand, seemingly forgotten in her surprise at being ignored.
"What are you doing?" she asked quietly.
Carson sat to tie his shoe. Without looking up, he replied, "Going home. My wives will be anxious to hear how tonight went." Then he stood and started towards the door. Behind him, Isana was turning in place like a slow-motion jewelry box ballerina, staring after him in confusion. Aria had a twinkle in her eyes at how Carson was ignoring her sister-in-law. They were friendly, but not exactly friends.
Before he reached the door, Isana shook off her stupor. "Do you know who I am?"
He turned and said, "Of course I do, Isana."
"So, you know who I am, you can see what I'm offering," she gestured at her semi-naked state, "And you're
still
walking out the door? I don't understand."
Nonchalantly, Carson shrugged. "I didn't come here for you. I came to help a young woman who deserved better than life had dealt her. Aria asked something of me, and I agreed." As he started to turn, she interrupted him again.
"Wait a minute! Am I not attractive to you? Most guys are anxious to get into my pants so they can get in good with my father. What makes you so special?"
Carson feigned exasperation with a heavy sigh. Quietly, he asked, "Do
you
know who
I
am?" When Isana shook her head, he continued. "My name is Carson Jayne. I am a successful lawyer, and since joining the project, I've become wealthier than I ever dreamed possible. But you know what? My true riches live with me. I have three wives and four live-in lovers. Between them, I have 8 children, and we're hoping for more on the way soon.
"So, I ask you? What do I need you, your father, or your money for?"
He might have had an inkling from the research Xavier had provided, but he couldn't be certain until after the fact. At the moment, he had no way of knowing how his words had sparked a flame for him within her breast.
Three years ago, she'd been engaged to be married when her fiancée was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing a street leaving work one day. Her Phillippe had not been
Orriri
, a fact that had vexed her father to no end. But he was kind and caring, a far cry from the stuffed shirts she was subjected to these days.
After a suitable period of mourning, she'd tried to recapture the warmth of that relationship. So far, she'd yet to find a man who was interested in her for more than her family's money and connections. She'd been only too happy to burn a couple of would-be suitors at this year's Project Social after overhearing them discussing marrying her to get to her father. Those two had gone home from the Social with blue-balls and no company but their hands; she'd put the word out through the women's network: they're cut off. They'd break through sometime, she was sure, but it wouldn't be with
her
.
Thus, to hear Carson's devotion to his wives and, more than that, his denial of her offer
despite
knowing who she was, intrigued Isana to no end. It didn't hurt that he had the body of a god, was hung like a bull, and apparently knew exactly how to use his gifts. She watched until the gorgeous man disappeared from view before turning to Aria. At a glance, Isana immediately felt a spark of jealousy at the dreamy look on Aria's face as she absently rubbed her belly. Clearly, she was dreaming of carrying Carson's baby. Quietly, Isana slipped her blouse back on and took a seat.
She sat there watching Aria for a moment, fascinated at the expression on her face. Finally, she smirked and said, "He couldn't have been
that
good."
Aria's eyes drifted to meet hers, but she seemed to lack the energy to move much more. Softly, Aria said, "You have no idea what you're talking about." She struggled up to her elbows and said, "I've
never
had a man satisfy me so completely."
Isana quirked an eyebrow. She knew some of the reputation that Aria had developed before marrying her brother. "Come on.
Never?
" she smirked.
It took a few seconds, but Aria managed to roll to her side. She leaned her head against her upraised hand and firmly replied, "