The Barter System, page 27
Leaning closer, he asked her softly, “Don’t you date, Riya?” He was very interested in this more relaxed Riya, willing to talk openly.
“Dating would imply leaving the house. I have rarely left my house without an all-out intervention in about three years.” She laughed happily and he grinned. “I’m what you’d call a nerd.”
“Wow, you are the most beautiful nerd I’ve ever seen,” he replied honestly.
“No need for flattery. God, you’re magnetic. As for being a hermit, I just don’t feel the need to be over-exposed, I guess. I don’t mind being alone and I’m picky. I hate feeling like I’ve just lost two hours of my life on some groping Neanderthal I’ll never get back. I’ve been very isolated for a long time, so this…situation may seem easy but it isn’t. Not for me.”
Max was completely focused on her face, her words. “I can’t imagine this situation would be easy for you at all. The repeated risk to your heart, for instance, is something I’m sure you’ve felt keenly.”
Riya nodded her head, the movement slightly exaggerated, “Oh yes, the other subjects were very good men. Kind men, truly. None as beautiful as you, but then, who is, right?” She put her finger over her lip as if telling him a secret, “But I’ve left them all properly matched up so they won’t fall back into their sad states of isolation and loneliness.”
Raising his eyebrows, he digested this tidbit of information, “Riya, love, you made sure all the subjects to date had significant others…before you left them? How did you ever manage that, darling?”
Riya used her fingers to tick off one subject at a time and the mate she’d either pointed out or orchestrated into their personal lives. Max found himself leaning closer to absorb as much of her as he could. She was fascinating.
“So every subject now has a mate?” Riya nodded and gave him a grin that could only be described as smug…as smug as an inebriated woman could pull off anyway. “You are diabolical. What if you wanted to go back to one of them, Riya? Was there not one or two that you considered staying with?”
This was the information he truly wanted and Max couldn’t believe how strangely he was getting it. He said nothing when she drank from her wine glass. He had very horribly refilled it.
“Oh, Max,” she sighed with a touch of sadness, “I’m not able to do that. Each had a particular something that struck me, made me interested in them as a subject when they applied.”
Glancing out the huge window, she closed her eyes for a moment. “They’re good men and any of them, under the right circumstances, would have loved me and I them. But these are hardly ‘right’ circumstances, wouldn’t you agree?”
Riya gave a small laugh but there was very little humor in it. “Honestly, I’m already going from one bed to another like a hussy, I can’t leave them thinking I’ll come back, or leave them alone…all alone like each one was. I can’t send them back to solitude or sadness. That would be wrong.” She put her hands on her hips, “Wronger even…that isn’t a word, I know words and wronger isn’t a word…nevertheless, more wrong…there you have it, Riya…than what I’m doing which seemed like a good idea before it began.”
“Riya, you aren’t a hussy, sweetheart.” He paused, smiling softly. “I have to say you are the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. If you could go back to any of them, if there was a right circumstance, which would it be?” he asked her with a slight ping of guilt.
“Hmm, Sean was most like my father. Victor was the sweetest. Joshua the most energetic. Lucas was the most mature and truly knew me. Ricardo was the most passionate about life.” She shrugged. “Good men, all of them, but I won’t go back. And I made sure they wouldn’t need me to. I feel really good about that.”
Riya laid her head down on her arms and watched him, talking animatedly non-stop. “I’m sorry I seem like a drunken tart. You are very beautiful, Max. I can’t for the life of me figure out why you’re not snatched up.” She tried to snap but failed miserably.
“You and Micah were the first men I chose, you know. Some based on looks, I should apologize for being shallow, but if I wasn’t attracted, well, it wouldn’t be easy to hold up my…side of the bargain. The rest was genuine curiosity, like I was drawn to you both in a way. Your lifestyle is totally out of my experience but I’m not a woman who runs away from something that makes her feel all wonky on the inside. Did I say wonky? I don’t think that’s a real word. I’m pretty sure I made it up. Wonky…wonky…wonky. Yeah, it’s a made-up word.”
She continued to mouth it to herself as another deep British voice said behind her, “I cannot believe you got her drunk, Max!”
Riya lifted her head and turned to see Micah standing a few feet away and knew she was in way, way over her head. His beauty was equally paralyzing. The same height as Max, heavier build, brown hair with lighter browns shot through it. Eyes and skin the color of warm honey. Black slacks and a whisky-colored dress shirt.
Riya sighed. “Shit, you are just as beautiful as Max. Well, this is awkward.” She sighed and put out her hand, which he took, staring over the counter at his lifelong friend while he held it gently, stroking his thumb over the back. “You mustn’t be angry with Max, Micah. My fault entirely. I hadn’t eaten in longer than I’d realized. Normal grown people can handle three glasses of wine without getting snockered but I’m abnormal. Though I am grown. Of that, I can assure you.”
“It is a true pleasure, Riya, love. I think we’re convinced you are indeed a grown woman.” He leaned over and kissed the corner of her mouth. “Max, we need to feed her to counteract the alcohol.”
Max started pulling food out of the fridge. Crab and lobster salad with crackers, fresh fruit, paper thin lunchmeats and cheeses. He gave her far too much but she ate what she could.
“I was not intentionally looking to get her wasted,” Max said, “Though, I can’t say I dislike how…revealing…she is when she isn’t one hundred percent in control. I like that very much. She is a wealth of information.”
He leaned over the counter and kissed her, though Micah still held her hand. He placed coffee in front of her and she picked it up with the hand not being held to sip it.
“Tell me, Riya, you don’t seem the least uncomfortable with two men hovering over you. Why is that?” Micah asked her softly. “I’ve not released your hand yet you were happy when Max kissed you.” He glanced at his friend, determined to get as much uncensored information as possible before her buzz wore off.
“Well, shameless hussy that I appear to be, I’ve been struck somewhat stupid, a new experience for me. You have big warm hands so I’m not at all opposed to you holding mine, and Max has lovely lips perfect for kisses. You both smell fantastic. Plus, my curiosity is peaked.”
“Have you ever been with two men at one time, Riya?” Micah asked her bluntly.
“Are you kidding? Before this project, I’d barely been with one man at one time. Well, I’d been with two men but not at the same time and years apart. Did that make sense?” She seemed to ask herself.
Shrugging, she continued, “Apparently, I’ve got a slut inside me clawing her way out. In three short weeks, I’ve managed to double my initial head-count.” She laughed at her choice of words and both men smiled, “If I end up with both of you that will triple the number in less than one month. S-L-U-T, for certain.”
Micah clucked his tongue at her. “I disagree, Riya. Statistically, women of your age group are well into double digits when they count their total sexual partners. When you ask men, the number is generally twice that. By the time you finish your research, you will still be far below the average. There is nothing slutty about you and we can’t allow you to disparage our beautiful guest in such a way. Right now, we have to get you sober for our charity event tonight. I want you to drink this.”
He handed her a glass filled with fizzy liquid and she downed it, making a face. “I’m going to take you over to the couch and you can take a nice nap. How long do you think it will take you to get ready?”
She hopped off the stool, wobbled, and followed Micah to the huge sofa in their living room. “Not long, maybe thirty minutes. I hope you have a clue what you want me to wear.”
She lay down and sighed as one of the men pulled a soft blanket over her, drifting off to sleep almost immediately.
Chapter Eighteen
“I like her. I want to keep her,” Micah said firmly.
Max laughed, “Me too.” They raced up the stairs to lay out her outfit. Once they’d pulled everything from the closet and laid it on the bed, they went to their separate rooms and dressed in formal wear for the evening. Meeting at the top of the stairs an hour later, they went downstairs to wake Riya.
When she opened her eyes to the sensation of a finger stroking her cheek, there were two absolutely stunning men standing over her. Micah’s brown hair was still damp and he was freshly shaven. Max’s black hair was slicked back. Both of them were wearing tuxedos.
“My god, you’re gorgeous.” She sat up slowly, worried about the headache she always got when she’d had too much to drink. No pain, no dizziness, no nausea. “Wow, what did you give me? I feel great.”
“It’s something we Brits take when we’ve had too much fun. Soothes while allowing you to sleep and recover,” Max told her softly. “We’ve laid out everything on your bed upstairs, do you need help up?”
She shook her head and stood. The top of her head came to their shoulders. “I kind of feel like the ugly duckling right now. You two make beautiful swans.”
“You are ravishing, Riya. Especially looking all sleepy.” Both men took one step back and she walked past them to the stairs. They watched her disappear down the second floor hall.
When she walked into the bedroom, she went completely girly. There was a lovely strapless black dress, floor length, satin on top and piles of chiffon on the bottom. The undergarments were black and there were garters and stockings. She couldn’t believe the shoes.
She stripped naked and took a record-time shower, drying in a rush and wrapping her hair in towel. Pulling on the thong, bra, and garter belt she couldn’t believe how lovely everything felt.
Rolling the stockings up her legs and attaching them to the garters, she had to try the shoes. Just had to. She slipped them on and wore them as she dried her hair and brushed her teeth. Then she applied eyeliner, shadow, mascara and a hint of lipstick.
She silently thanked her mom and Maggie for showing her how to accomplish beautiful yet simple up-dos and worked her hair into twist after twist, piling them on top of her head.
She didn’t realize the two men standing in the hall were about to have heart attacks watching her finish her hair. Her body was long and sleek, made more so by the black thong and bra. The garters and stockings lengthened her legs. The classic Betty Grable high heels tightened her entire lower body and gave her an additional four inches in height. She went light on makeup and worked absolute magic with her hair, twisting the long shining locks and pinning them one at a time until the combined effect was breathtaking.
When she stepped into the bedroom to slip on the dress, she froze when she noticed both men standing there. Then she smiled and reached for the dress, stepping gracefully into it. As she shimmied it up her body, the men watched her carefully.
When it was in position, she turned her back. “Help.” One of them, Micah she realized as she turned, zipped her up.
It fit her perfectly and both men complimented her on it. She grabbed the tiny purse and turned to them. “Ready.”
“Twenty-seven minutes from sleeping to ready. I cannot believe it.” Max reached into his tux pocket, pulling out a tiny box that held diamond and onyx drop earrings set in platinum. Her eyes widened. “Before you say anything, yes, they are for you. Bought weeks ago, in fact. You must wear them.” He removed the backs and put them on her.
Micah reached into his pocket and removed a box holding a bracelet that matched. “Ditto, don’t even think to argue.” He fastened it on her wrist. Then Max stepped behind her and fastened a stunning choker with a matching pendant to her throat. “That includes the necklace.”
They ushered her downstairs, dropping a warm black cashmere wrap around her shoulders before guiding her into the elevator. The ride down was spent with both men staring at her hungrily until she was blushing.
When they exited at the lobby, Carlo smiled and told her she was positively breathtaking. She smiled and softly said, “Thank you.” They walked possessively on either side of her. Henry did a double-take as she passed and doffed his hat, “Ma’am.” She glanced over to smile at him and both men swore the older man melted.
There was a limo at the curb, door held open by Rodney in black finery. He handed her inside and winked before straightening. When the men got in, they sat with her between them. Micah casually took her left hand as they pulled away from the curb, Max took her other. “Can you tell me about this charity?” Riya asked them.
“I can’t really think right now with you sitting here, there is only enough blood flow to run one head at a time as I’m sure you know, but I’ll do my best,” Max replied and was happy when she laughed and lightly blushed. He explained the charity focused on providing medical equipment to children with disabilities who often ended up with substandard selections due to a lack of insurance or funding.
By the time they were pulling into the line to disembark, Riya was asking questions like she’d been part of the board for years. As she bent to gather her voluminous skirts so she’d be ready to get out, the men shared a look over her head. She was exactly what they’d been waiting for.
The door opened and Max climbed out, reaching back for her hand. Flashbulbs were exploding everywhere but Riya wasn’t unfamiliar with the press. She plastered a cool smile on her face and went where she was led. Her hands were pulled through an elbow of each man. They entered together, both men keeping her close.
Stopping at coat check, she checked her wrap and purse before heading into the ballroom. She looked at both of them pointedly and said, “No alcohol. I’ve probably spilled my guts enough for one day.” They chuckled and Max pulled her to the dance floor while Micah made the rounds of the charity board. “You two are very close, aren’t you?”
Max considered her question thoughtfully as he danced her smoothly around the floor, “We work as one person, on equal footing. We cover for each other, I watch his businesses, and he watches mine. When one of us is dating, we respect…boundaries, if there are any. If there aren’t, we test the waters, see what a partner wants.”
He looked at her, loving the way her eyes sparkled as they danced. “We’ve had relationships on our own. The problem is we work a lot and have many obligations. Every relationship we have alone eventually fails due to neglect which results in unintentional hurt feelings. The relationships we share last a little longer. It isn’t just the sex. It’s the attention, remembering the small stuff, paying attention to the details women secretly want you, need you, to notice. Men are ignorant with women. One man alone has a fifty-fifty chance of not making an ass of himself. Two men have better odds.”
“And this doesn’t cause a problem between the two of you? There’s no jealousy? None at all?” She was genuinely interested, curious on multiple levels.
Max sensed it and loved her honesty. “Micah and I grew up together in the same orphanage in London. We were starved and beaten but we lived through it. When you worry about sharing one piece of bread or a single thin blanket, petty jealousy just never develops. We built our fortunes together. We share space and support one another in everything possible. Each of us compliments the other in a way uncommon for straight men…interesting face.”
He brushed his lips over her temple with a grin, “Yes, Riya, we’re completely straight, more like brothers than anything else. I’ve never considered him sexually in any capacity except how he can add to the sexual experience of the woman we’re sharing. Thinking of him sexually grosses me out. However, I hope it doesn’t have the same effect on you.” His look was suddenly predatory and she felt her nipples tighten in response.
“What if I’m terrible at this? I’ve barely had experience being with one man at a time, I could be a huge disappointment.” Her self-conscious smile clenched something in his chest and Max tightened his arms around her.
“Riya, you’re already much more than either of us hoped for. You amaze me. You’re confident yet seem to have no clue how others see you. By the way, you are dancing beautifully in four-inch heels. Where have you been all my life?”
He laughed and dipped her, dropping a chaste kiss on her lips. When he lifted her back up, Micah stood beside them. Max spun her into his friend’s arms and bowed slightly, releasing her hand with a kiss.
He left the dance floor to mingle while Micah pulled her snugly to him and danced her around the room. “The old-world charm or masculine beauty by themselves could melt me into a puddle. You are both so…much…individually. Both of you together, I fear overdose.” She laughed with a small shake of her head.
