Virile by Virile (Evernight) Page A

had passed without her getting into trouble—until that crazy woman entered the room. It was a surprise Ronnie wasn’t naked too because she was obviously their whore. The humiliation of being seen in all her fat glory by the tall, thin, beautiful bitch with the straight black hair that wouldn’t frizz or become difficult to manage stung like a wasp. Or like the burn of jealousy. That couldn’t be it. She wouldn’t let it be.
    There was no reason to entertain jealousy—she was just here for four weeks and had to get them done and over with. It wasn’t as if it was a probationary period with the best whore getting the permanent job. Like these men had to settle permanently—regardless of the dearth of women on this planet, the ones available would be lining up for the task.
    “Ronnie will be returned to the center, Adara. You need not be concerned.”
    So there was no job competition. Communicate. Okay. “She hates me.”
    “It would appear she isn’t happy with your presence here. She was offered the position of housekeeper or be returned. She chose to stay, and we thought to have a woman keep your home rather than have you extend yourself.”
    So their hearts were in the right place if their cocks weren’t. “And what was her position before?”
    Orion actually squirmed. It appeared he’d understood Kellis’s points made earlier in the morning. He spoke quietly. “She served us sexually as well.”
    “And you didn’t think she’d resent me?” Adara fought the burn. She didn’t want to be here. She didn’t want to serve three men. She hated the idea of being submissive, but it really bothered her that skinny bitch had been fucking these men. Her men. Gods! It was time to be admitted to the psych unit and have her mind healed.
    Shrugging, Orion answered. “She was our submissive, trained at one of the clubs in the center. Women are scarce, Adara, and when she agreed to come here to serve we thought—”
    “You thought it was a handy arrangement.” Oops, that probably bordered on insubordination—and how many words had sub in them anyhow?
    “It was a handy arrangement, Adara.” Thorn glowered at her from the doorway. Kellis had already entered and was leaning against the wall, watching her and Orion with amusement. She frowned at him, and his lips immediately straightened.
    “That is in the past,” Orion soothed, practical as ever.
    Kellis sauntered over and climbed onto the bed, rubbing a hand down the length of her spine. His rough skin made her shiver, and he rubbed harder in a curiously soothing way. “Ignore Thorn, my love. We were unaware of how you would react to Ronnie.”
    “Am I going to be displayed in front of the rest of the people who work for you? The men?” She couldn’t hide her dismay.
    “No.” Thorn growled his response, the single word more reassuring than anything else he might say.
    “We will hire another housekeeper,” Kellis hedged. “She might see you—”
    “I’ll keep your house.” Had she really said that? Adara couldn’t imagine flouncing around au naturel in front of another woman, who would likely be slim and perfect, so she supposed she had. And if she was busy cooking and cleaning she could avoid them. How contrary was she?
    “You will not be a drudge.” Thorn sounded implacable. “We will hire our old caregiver back. You will be comfortable.”
    “I—”
    “It is decided, Adara.”
    Fuck you, buddy. She managed not to say it but knew he read it on her face. It was tough to hide it when she felt at such a disadvantage.
    “We will discuss your outburst in the kitchen later, little one. Now come for breakfast.”
    He just couldn’t let one little godsdamned thing go. It was like being at the mercy of a really strict headmaster. She set her teeth and scrambled off the bed. Their affect changed in a heartbeat. Desire etched their faces and darkened their eyes as they surveyed her body. Big chests swelled and pants strained across enormous