Harem House Chapter 50 Part 3 (Patreon)

Arthur stepped out of the shower and dried off as quickly as he could. Kat did the same, following him as soon as he stepped off the bathmat. She’d been careful not to get her new henna tattoo wet, but scrubbed herself otherwise. Arthur had helped her put the plastic wrap over it, and she’d need his help to unwrap, too.

Kat didn’t want hers to be the first to fade. Its visibility on her collarbone was a pleasant reminder of her status in the absence of her collar. It was strange to belong to Arthur as his submissive, date him as his girlfriend, and maintain a friendship with the other girls she shared him with. Strange, but not unpleasant, or even unwanted. The day had been fun. She’d hoped for more fun in the shower, but they were trying to be quick.

She was busy drying her legs, propping one on the tub, when she noticed Arthur staring at her reflection. His eyes zeroed in on her jiggling breasts, and his tongue swiped across his lips as he watched her. It didn’t matter how many times he saw them, or how many pairs he saw. Whenever she was topless, he got that same goofy grin and a hungry look in his eyes. The idiot. She glared at him.

“Really?” she asked. 

“What can I say?” Arthur held out his hands in inquiry. “I find my girlfriend very attractive, especially when she’s naked and alone with me.” 

Kat blushed despite herself, unable to hold her glare in the face of his corny admiration. Damn him and his stupid face, with his cheesy smile and hard, rippling muscles. Muscles that dripped droplets of shower water along his arms and chiseled legs. His ridiculous cock, hardening as she covered her nipples with one arm, barring them from his view. 

“Stop it,” Kat said. “Save it for the main event. You’re gonna need your energy for these girls Rani’s throwing at you.” 

Arthur chuckled. “Maybe I’ll get lucky, and the guests will split off to the other guys so I can focus on you and Katelyn.”

Kat didn’t think that was likely, but she couldn’t lie and say that wasn’t her preference either. They’d won the tournament after all, and it’d been a while since Arthur had given her a proper lesson. He still hadn’t even sent her a lesson plan for their next session. Perhaps they could kill two birds with one stone and add Katelyn to their next session? 

No, she wanted him to herself for a night. After this weekend, she’d fucking earned his one-on-one attention. She wanted it to be just her and Arthur, with no one else in the room.  

“Yeah, right,” Kat said, drying her short, wavy blonde hair by scrunching it in the towel.

“I owe you alone time, though,” Arthur said, admiring her backside as she turned away from him. “My plan for tomorrow is to spend the day boxing up your and Selene’s apartment, and mine if I have time. The others will be busy. Maybe we can squeeze in a session?” 

“Yeah?” Kat asked, trying not to show how hopeful she was. “And what will you teach me? What’s the lesson plan?” 

“Back to basics might be a good idea,” Arthur said. “We can experiment with basic bondage, hot wax, and sensation play, or see how long you last tied in different poses before you utter your safeword.” 

“Really?” Kat asked. “Ropes? That’s your big idea? You don’t think I’ve been tied up enough to know what bondage is?” 

“Yeah, you’re right. I’ve put you in most basic ties,” Arthur said. “We could do more advanced ties. Proper rigging, different poses, or suspension. I might even tie you up, put you in a box, and drive you over to the house if I’m convinced you can handle it.” 

Kat scoffed. “Why would I want that? That sounds like something Selene would enjoy.” 

“Yeah, you’re right,” Arthur said. “She’d probably last longer than you in that kind of tie, too.” 

Kat turned and glared at Arthur. “Fuck you.” 

Arthur laughed. “How about it? You can always see which of you has more endurance?” 

“Don’t pit us against each other,” Kat said. “No comparisons, remember?” 

“Why? Because it’s effective?” Arthur asked. “It’s a friendly competition. No real loser, no stakes, just bragging rights.” 

“Bragging rights are stakes,” Kat said. “And I won the tournament; that should be enough.” 

“You tied with Katelyn,” Arthur reminded her. He helped her into her robe and closed it over her, hugging her from behind. The fluffy white material wasn’t luxury-grade, but it still helped her relax. “But if you don’t want to, that’s okay,” Arthur said. “I’m sure I can think of something else. I like the idea of sensation play, though. The theme of switching between hot and cold suits you.” 

Kat enjoyed his embrace, closing her eyes so that he couldn’t discern her enjoyment in their reflection. He was only teasing her, getting a rise out of her. She couldn’t complain when she so often got a rise out of him. She’d tried to get a spank or aggressive snarl out of him with the ‘fuck you,’ but he hadn’t taken the bait. Pity. 

“Come on,” he patted Kat’s ass through the robe. “Let’s wait in the room. I’ll let Rani know we’re done with the shower.” 

Kat rolled her eyes, but followed him out of the bathroom. They’d glimpsed the room when they entered and disrobed, but there wasn’t much to see. The gray wallpaper wasn’t peeling. That was its most attractive quality. The window had one solid curtain pulled over it, forming the final gray wall of the bland room.  

A narrow aisle cut across the center, separating two queen-sized beds with a nightstand between them. Across from them, a countertop ran the length of the wall. A mini-fridge and chest of drawers rested beneath the counter. A TV hung on the wall above it. The counter became a desk toward the window, with a cheap office chair tucked into it. Between the bed and the window, a more comfortable armchair and stool filled the rest of the space. 

Her, Katelyn’s, and Arthur’s luggage sat by the window, sitting atop the trunk. 

“How many people are we cramming in here?” Kat asked as she hopped onto the bed and put on her collar. The pink leather bondage collar wasn’t as stealthy as the others, but she didn’t wear it outside of her time with the harem. She swapped it for a simple pink choker when they needed to go out. Tonight, she wore her bondage collar. 

Arthur texted Rani after looking at his phone with a quizzical expression. 

“What’s the matter?” Kat asked when he didn’t answer. 

“Nothing, just trying to figure out who Damsel is,” Arthur said. “Katelyn added two tabs to my spreadsheet. One for Pet, and one for Damsel.” 

Kat raised an eyebrow. “And you’re so clueless you haven’t sniffed out Damsel’s identity? Or are you being intentionally obtuse again?” 

“Well, you know Katelyn the best. Is she trying to adopt a persona? Someone she wants to roleplay as from time to time?” Arthur asked. 

Kat blinked at him. “You’re an idiot. A lovable idiot, but an idiot. You know as well as I do that Damsel is Yvonne,” Kat said. “I don’t know why you even bother to play dumb. Is it a humility thing?”  

Arthur sighed and sat on the opposite bed, across from her. “Yeah, maybe,” he said. “I’d be an arrogant asshole if I walked around thinking every woman I met wanted to get on her knees for me.” 

“Well, not every woman you meet,” Kat said. “And I don’t know that getting on their knees is their first instinct. Maybe on their backs.” 

Arthur laughed, sensible enough to know when Kat was teasing him. 

“So you have a list of Yvonne’s kinks?” Kat asked. 

Arthur nodded, reading the list on his phone. 

“And how does that make you feel?” Kat asked, smirking at playing anyone’s therapist. 

“Conflicted,” Arthur answered honestly. “Katelyn said what I did with the knowledge was up to me. Everyone wants me to go after Yvonne, but I still have my reservations. I didn’t think she was into kink, and I’m worried she might be compromising to get what she wants, even after she agreed to be friends.”

“Yeah, what kind of rational person makes compromises?” Kat said. She raised an eyebrow at him in challenge. “You know, there’s always the possibility she was into whatever she’s into, and just didn’t mention it to you. I mean, why would she? You were her crush. She wouldn’t admit any of her dark desires to you until she knew it was safe. Discovering you’re into what she’s into? It’s probably killing her that she fucked up getting with you.” 

“Are you rooting for Yvonne?” Arthur asked. 

Kat shook her head. “No, but I’m curious if you’re rooting for her.” She wanted to discover whether Selene was right, whether Arthur was attracted to Yvonne but unwilling to admit it, or whether he truly wanted nothing to do with her. 

“I wouldn’t say I’m rooting for her,” Arthur admitted. “But I’m understanding her better.”  

Kat nodded. “She has it bad for you. Risky move putting her details in your phone, especially her deepest, darkest kinks. Any fun ones?” 

Arthur frowned. “Maybe.” 

Kat sighed. “Look, Sir, I’m not a fan of women throwing themselves at you, or Selene and Rani hurling them at you, but I don’t blame Yvonne. I’d fight my way in if I were stuck on the outside and thought there was a chance.” 

“Really?” Arthur asked. “You don’t think me telling you no would be enough?” 

Kat stared at Arthur as he met her gaze. 

“I love you,” Kat said. “You think I’d stop loving you if you didn’t return my affection?” 

Arthur blinked. “Wouldn’t you?” 

“You, of all people, know that’s not how love works,” Kat said, leveling a significant gaze at him. “When you love somebody, it’s difficult to turn off, even after a rejection.”

Arthur swallowed, conceding the point in silence. “And what do you think of Yvonne?”

“She’s made mistakes, but is trying to make it right,” Kat said. “Selene is into her. Rani won’t say no to anyone. Kelly is into breasts, so she’s on board. I’m not sure where Mindy stands on her, and judging by how chummy they were, Katelyn likes her. To be fair, though, she likes anyone if she gets a good ‘vibe’ from them. Whatever that means.”

“And do you like her?” Arthur asked. 

“I don’t know her,” Kat said. “Hell, I barely tolerate some of the other harem members, but from what I’ve seen today, she’s trying. She helped me out, helped you, seems apologetic; she’s working to make up for what she did with the rumors, and that’s great. But I have no idea who she is or what she’s into outside of her being a Disney-girl and, from what Selene tells me, an overbearing diva.” 

Arthur chuckled. “Well, that’s accurate. She’s definitely a diva. And barely tolerate? You love them, and you know it.” 

Kat shrugged. “I barely get your attention enough as is. The last thing I want is another attention-hog who doesn’t know how to share.” 

“That’s your job, right?” Arthur asked. 

“Hey!” Kat said, crossing her arms. “I’ve been good! I’ve been sharing you just fine, thank you very much!” 

Arthur nodded at that and moved to her side of the aisle. He sat next to her on the bed and checked the tightness of her collar. Satisfied, he kissed her cheek, which made her blush. 

“What was that for?” Kat asked. 

“For being a good girl,” Arthur said. 

Kat’s face pinched into a frown. “I’d better get more than that. I’m talking hugs, kisses, a good thorough fucking, and–” She tilted her head toward him and pointed to her forehead. 

Arthur kissed her forehead, mollifying her. “Patience, Brat,” Arthur said, flopping onto his back. He checked his phone. “Katelyn and Mindy are on their way,” Arthur said. “They have a key.” 

Kat cuddled into Arthur from his side, resting her head on his shoulder and wrapping one arm and leg over him. “Can we cuddle until the orgy starts?” Kat asked. 

“Sure,” Arthur said. “I’m all yours.” 

Kat rested her head on his chest and slid an arm and a leg into his robe. She enjoyed his heartbeat and the sound of his breathing until the beep of a keycard and the click of a lock signaled their time alone had ended. 

“Aw, look at you two,” Katelyn said, her voice high and adorable as she jumped knee-first onto the bed, jolting both of them with the rolling wave of the mattress. “I thought for sure you’d be fucking.” 

“Me, too!” Mindy said as the door closed. “Come on, Pet, let’s get this over with, then we can join them!” 

She took off her witch’s hat and started taking off her boots. 

Kat watched her and Katelyn undress, putting their costume pieces on the counter beside her and Arthur’s. It intrigued her sometimes, how varied Arthur’s tastes were in women. Her curvier body had always been both a source of shame and pride for her when she compared it to Selene’s lithe, ballerina-like form. Pride in her bigger breasts and butt diminished with the harem. Rani had a bigger butt. Mindy had bigger boobs, but narrow hips. She had a cute butt, though, and her long black hair was shiny and gorgeous when she let it down. 

Katelyn’s fairy costume came off in pieces, revealing the tall, skinny girl. She had a well-shaped ass, but outside of her butt and hips she had no curves. Kat watched her as the clothes came off, her long legs flexing and moving to shuffle out of her skirt. 

“We have to shower, right?” Katelyn asked, looking at Arthur. “We can’t just join you on the bed, Big D?” 

“You heard Rani,” Arthur said, pointing toward the bathroom. “Hit the showers. Cover your tattoos first, though. The plastic wrap is on the counter.” 

“I’ll do you if you do me?” Mindy asked, raising an eyebrow at Katelyn. 

Katelyn grinned. “That works for me, but we still have to shower first.” 

“Har, har,” Kat said, mock-laughing over Katelyn and Mindy’s giggles. “You know she was talking about the plastic wrap.” 

“Don’t be jealous, Kat,” Mindy said. 

“Envious,” Kat corrected. “And I’m not.” 

“No,” Mindy said, shaking her head. “I meant jealous. You can’t get possessive over Katelyn if you’re not willing to do her.” 

Kat glared at Mindy, but her steely gray eyes lost their razor’s edge while she was cuddled into Arthur’s side. 

“That’s not how she meant it,” Katelyn said. “She’s just being a brat so Arthur will throw her over his lap and get the party started.” 

Arthur chuckled. “The quicker you’re in the shower, the sooner we start, so don’t take too long.” 

“Yes, Boss,” Mindy said. She curtsied, but she did so with an invisible skirt, considering she was wearing nothing but fishnet stockings. 

Arthur stirred beneath his robe and closed his eyes. 

“Oh, looks like he enjoyed what that curtsey did to your breasts,” Katelyn chuckled. 

“Oh, like this?” Mindy asked, dropping faster into her curtsey so they bounced more. 

Arthur groaned, putting his hand over his face. “Go,” Arthur said. “Or I’m tying you to the chair and making you watch for the night.” 

“Yeep!” Mindy didn’t challenge Arthur at all, but took his threat seriously as she jumped and ran into the bathroom. 

Katelyn laughed, following her with the roll of plastic wrap. She walked, letting her long legs cover the distance in fewer strides. She turned and winked at Kat and Arthur before she slipped into the bathroom. Mindy had started the shower water. 

“Don’t wear him out before the main event,” Katelyn said. “And don’t forget, the three of us get to share a bed tonight.” 

“We won’t forget,” Kat said. “Now, shoo.” 

Katelyn giggled and closed the bathroom door behind her. Kat would have to thank her later. She knew they wanted privacy.

Arthur scooted on the bed, shifting from lying back on it sideways with his calves hanging over the edge to sitting up against the pillows. Kat followed him, cuddling into his side as he put his arm around her. He picked up the remote and turned on the TV, flipping through channels as they waited. Meanwhile, Kat watched with him, holding him as he held her, letting her heartbeat match his. 

~~~

Several Months Ago, Last Spring

~~~

Kelly stared at her phone, panic coursing through her. She’d gotten two texts from Lori half an hour ago. The damn library had made her turn her phone on silent, so she hadn’t noticed when the texts came through. 

Lori: SOS! SOS! SOS! 

Lori: Are you on campus?!? 

Kelly texted her back at once. 

Kelly: I’m at the library! Where are you? 

Lori: Health center. 

Kelly: I’ll meet you there!

Kelly shoved everything she had laid out on the desk before her into her bag. She didn’t organize it or place it nicely, but she dumped it in with such force and noise that the other residents of the library raised their heads in inquiry. She didn’t pay any attention to them. They didn’t matter. 

She zipped her bag closed, breaking the zipper’s tassel off in her hand. She’d fix it later. Kelly shoved the tassel into the pocket of her dress and threw her bag over her back. She took off her shoes, holding the high heels by their straps with her fingers while holding her backpack straps. Then she ran. 

She was not delicate about her path. She was direct. People turned to watch the blur in her green knee-length dress race past them at well beyond jogging speed. Once she was free of the building and could make a direct line, she hit her new personal best despite the extra weight on her shoulders. Alarm spread through the surrounding people, but no one stopped her. Nothing could. She was a juggernaut, a cannonball, rushing past pedestrians, jumping over sunbathers, hurdling over shrubs, and screaming for people to get out of her way whenever they endangered her trajectory. 

She reached the health building in record time and smashed through the doors. 

Everyone in the lobby turned to stare at her, wide-eyed, as she rushed to the front desk. The two people waiting in line jumped apart, not even bothering to protest against the force of nature that didn’t stop to notice them. 

“Ma’am, I—” the poor nurse at the front desk had to try, but Kelly didn’t care. 

“Lori Boudreaux! B-O-U-D-R-E-A-U-X! What room is she in?” Kelly asked. 

“Ma’am, I—” 

“WHAT ROOM IS SHE IN?” Kelly asked. 

“You need to calm down!” The nurse said. 

“Grah!” Kelly shoved herself away from the desk and tore through the side door. 

“Ma’am!” the nurse called after her, but the door closed behind her. 

It took three rooms before Kelly found her, and the scene wasn’t what she expected. She’d expected Lori to be in one of the exam rooms, sitting on a medical table, waiting for a doctor. Instead, she was in a wellness room, sitting on a sofa. 

“LORI! ARE YOU OKAY? WHAT HAPPENED? WHERE ARE YOU HURT?” Kelly asked as she rushed into the room, checking her for blood or damage. There was none. 

Lori looked up at her, wide-eyed. Her makeup was ruined, and tears of mascara ran down her face. Her hair and clothes appeared disheveled, but not torn. She appeared as alarmed at Kelly’s visage as the people in the lobby.

“I’m okay!” Lori said. “I’m not hurt.” 

“What happened?” Kelly asked, her head whipping around. “Is Arthur hurt? Did something happen? Were you in a car accident?” 

“What?” Lori asked, confused. “No! Kelly! Calm down!” 

Kelly huffed and puffed, breathing indelicately despite her athleticism. She looked around, noticing the calm atmosphere of the room. “You said SOS! I thought somebody died!” 

“It is an SOS!” Lori protested. “But nobody crashed their car or anything!” 

“But you’re okay?” Kelly asked, confused as adrenaline fatigue seized her. She dropped onto the sofa beside Lori, catching her breath. 

“I’m not wounded,” Lori said, grabbing Kelly’s hand and holding it. 

“Oh, thank God,” Kelly said, hugging Lori and holding her tight, which made Lori’s tears break forth. 

Lori wasn’t a crier. Whatever had happened, it was huge. Big enough to land her in the crisis center waiting for… a mental health professional? 

“Ma’am,” a strong, masculine voice at the door interrupted her thoughts. Two security guards stood in the doorway, with the nurse from the desk pointing at Kelly behind them. 

“Oh, it’s okay!” Lori said, putting her hand up to stop them. “She’s with me. I’m okay with her being here.” 

The guards looked at each other, then at the nurse. 

“She can’t rush past. She has to sign in, and I have to have her name on the approved list.” The nurse protested. Her words rang as cold as steel, as if Kelly had personally pissed on her peonies. 

“You’ll have to come with us,” the security guard said, gesturing for Kelly to rise from the sofa. 

Lori clung to Kelly, holding her in place. “She can stay!” 

The security guard tried to explain. “She needs to sign—” 

“Then bring me the fucking list, and I’ll add her to it!” Lori snapped. “She’s my best friend; she’s fine! I asked her to come here!” 

The nurse rolled her eyes and stormed away. She returned a moment later with a paper list, and Lori filled it out. Kelly signed a different clipboard, signing in as a guest, then the nurse and the two security guards retreated after a stern warning not to repeat the offense. 

“Thanks for coming,” Lori said, settling into the couch once the door shut. The anger she’d shown the guards had faded, leaving her soft and cuddling against Kelly, who held her and let her cry. 

“Of course,” Kelly said. “You know I’m here for you. What’s wrong? Why the SOS?” 

Lori’s tears started again, and she shook her head. 

Millions of fears flooded Kelly’s mind. There were too many options to choose from that could land Lori here. Arthur was the most likely suspect, but he’d never harm Lori. So it had to be something else. Had a professor or a peer done something? Had Lori’s dad come to campus looking for her? No, he was dead, right? 

So what had Lori so upset that she was inconsolable and crying this way? 

“Lori,” Kelly said, putting as much patience into her voice as she could muster to combat her rising fear. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.” 

Lori pointed at her purse, and Kelly’s heartbeat picked up again. She reached for it, and Lori waited for her to open it and look inside, searching for her answer. A pit dropped in her stomach. She’d seen and read this scene too many times. She knew what she’d find before she even looked. 

Yet, to her surprise, when she looked, she found a small velvet cube, not the pregnancy test TV and movies had trained her to expect. Kelly blinked. Was there a finger inside? That was the only thing she could imagine that might warrant the sad tears on Lori’s face. She double-checked. They didn’t seem to be tears of joy.  

“Lori, what is this?” Kelly asked. “Arthur proposed?” She couldn’t hide the excitement in her voice, the happiness she felt for her friend. She looked at Lori’s hands, but no ring decorated her finger. It must still be in the box. She pulled the box out and opened it. 

The ring was gorgeous. It took Kelly’s breath away. An inline set of seven diamonds sat between the Art déco scrolled edges of a white gold band. It glittered under the room’s overhead light. Kelly couldn’t take her eyes off it, even as Lori continued to cry. 

So, what was the problem? Arthur was a catch, according to Lori. Hell, by any standard or metric, he measured well against his peers. Arthur had a good head on his shoulders, was in a profitable major, and his work ethic was through the roof. He had a handsome face, a good jawline, a body he sculpted in the gym, and the kindest soul Kelly had ever encountered. If any of the guys at this stupid university were marriage material, it was Arthur. He and Lori had so much in common, and they loved one another. They were living together. Marriage was the next step. And if they wanted to wait until after graduation, well, there was nothing wrong with a long engagement. 

“He didn’t propose,” Lori said, as if the words pained her. 

Kelly stared at her, open-mouthed. “That bastard! Why not?” 

Lori shook her head. “He was going to. I found the ring in his nightstand. He was probably going to do it over spring break. Arthur has no idea I found it. You can't tell him!” She sniffled, wiping her face. Kelly offered her a tissue before Lori could reach for one. She took it, blowing her nose with all the delicate grace of a mammoth. She pointed at the purse. “There’s more.” 

Kelly turned back to her purse, confused. She put the open velvet box on the coffee table and searched under it to find a large white envelope. Lori had torn the edge off in ragged teeth, and Kelly fished out the letter. 

“Congratulations, Miss Boudreaux. We’re happy to accept your application for enrollment in…” Kelly’s lips went still as her eyes followed the rest of the words in the letter. “When did you even apply for this?” Kelly asked, surprised. 

“After finals last semester,” Lori said, wiping her tears with another tissue. “It’s my dream program, and an elite school. The best one in the country for this specialty.” 

“Addiction medicine?” Kelly asked, surprised, but not. “Lori…” 

“Don’t,” Lori warned. “It’s important to me.” 

Kelly grimaced, unsure of what to say. Mothers were a sensitive subject between the two, and Lori had the misfortune of viewing her parents from the outside. She saw positives and negatives, treating them as people she barely knew because they’d never been proper parents to her, even during those brief periods when they had custody. 

“Lori,” Kelly said, hugging her. “It’s okay. This isn’t a crisis, right?” From her perspective, it was a straightforward choice. Lori’s chance for happiness was right there, sparkling in a velvet box and waiting for her to slip it onto her finger. Even just to try it on, right? She could see how it looked. 

“I’m going,” Lori said.

“What?” Kelly asked, surprised. “Where?” She pulled back, expecting Lori to stand and leave the health center, but Lori didn’t move. She didn’t mean at once, or going somewhere else. Lori meant the letter. “Oh.” 

Well, that was okay. Arthur could transfer. Every college had business majors. It wasn’t as if he’d break up with Lori or give her an ultimatum. He wasn’t that guy. Hell, if anything, he’d support Lori and her dreams, even if they didn’t make sense to Kelly. 

“I have to break up with Arthur,” Lori said, sniffling again. 

“What?” Kelly asked, confused. “No, you don’t.” 

“His family is here, his life, and his five-year MBA program. There’s nothing for him on the West Coast,” Lori said.

“There’s you,” Kelly protested. “He’ll follow you.” 

“I’ll be busy, and I can’t afford the distractions. I need good grades to keep my scholarships, and he’ll have expectations.” She pointed to the ring. “Expectations I can’t fulfill.”

“You can survive a long-distance relationship,” Kelly said, encouraging her.  

“No, we can’t,” Lori said. “I don’t want that. I’d prefer a quick death to something long and drawn out.” 

“Lori,” Kelly said, holding her hands in hers. “What are you talking about? You have a great, gorgeous guy who wants to marry you, and you just got accepted into your dream school with your preferred specialization. We should pop the champagne and party until the sun rises. Why the waterworks and an SOS?” 

“Kelly,” Lori said, trying to be patient, but her voice was too hurt to hide her frustration. “You’re not listening to me.” 

“Explain it to me,” Kelly said. 

“I can’t give Arthur what he wants,” Lori said. “I’ve known that for a while. We’re a perfect match in the bedroom, sure, but outside of it? We want different things. If he follows me, it’ll come with expectations, and I don’t know if I even want marriage.” 

“What?” Kelly asked. 

Lori pointed at the ring. “That comes with expectations. Strings. Arthur might be husband material, but I’m not wife material. And after that? I’m not fit to be a mom. Not a good one. Even if I could get pregnant, I wouldn’t want to.” 

Kelly arched an eyebrow. “Wait, what?”

But Lori continued, “Deb’s already hinting about grandchildren, and they talk as if I agreed to marry Arthur ages ago,” Lori said. 

“I thought you wanted to marry him?” Kelly asked. “Eventually.” 

“Sure, one day in the distant future, I’d considered it,” Lori said.

“But not anymore?” Kelly asked, confused. 

“I can’t give him a family,” Lori said. “I’m not good at it, at loving him. All I can offer him is sex, and one day he’ll realize that I have nothing else to offer. He needs more than I can give.”  

“Lori, you have so much to offer,” Kelly said. “You can have it all: be a doctor, a wife, even a mom if you want to, one day.” 

“No,” Lori said. “You’re not listening, Kelly. That future, the future that Arthur wants? I don’t want it.” 

“Is it because you don’t want kids? You can get married and not have kids,” Kelly said. “People do it all the time. You and Arthur love each other. You can be a family of two. That would be enough for him.” 

“No,” Lori said. “Arthur loves me. He feels everything so, so deeply, Kelly. And I—” she sniffled. “I can’t love him that deeply. I can’t feel things the way he does; I’m just not built for it.” 

“Lori,” Kelly said, trying to support her, but also wanting to smack her. “You love Arthur. You know you do. So what if you’re looking at marriage and kids differently? You can talk it out.” 

“Maybe,” Lori said. “But Arthur wants them. We’ve discussed it. He says he’s willing to go without them, but I can tell he hasn’t closed the door on the possibility. I have. When we discuss the future, he slips in little what-ifs and contingencies about having kids one day. We have two different futures in mind. He wants to graduate, get married, and settle down. Be a family. I want to pursue my medical degree and save the victims that everyone claims deserve their fate.” 

Kelly blinked, not sure what to unpack first. “Lori, you can have both.” 

“No,” Lori said, shaking her head as she looked at the ring. “I can’t. There’s no room for him. At best, he’d be an afterthought, and he deserves better. He deserves someone who wants what he wants.”

Kelly had the sense not to say what she was thinking. She wanted that life, but Lori knew that. Kelly idealized taking care of house and home; being a wife and mother was her dream. Even Lori wasn’t knocking the idea, or denying that it was a valid role for someone to play. How each couple split their responsibilities was up to them, but Kelly knew what she wanted. Realistic or not, she wanted the ideal life that Lori was ready to toss aside. Of course, she couldn’t say that. 

But it was too late. Lori had already seen her expression and read her thoughts. 

“Are you seriously thinking about making a move on him right now?” Lori asked, shoving Kelly away. 

“No!” Kelly said, protesting, but it fell flat. She liked Arthur. A lot. Lori knew that, but she’d never do anything to steal Lori’s man. 

“You were!” Lori said, her volume rising with her as she stood. “You were thinking, oh, here’s a man who wants a wife and a homemaker, and he’s about to be single, maybe I can swoop in and take him! I’ll be his arm candy at office parties, and pity poor Lori who couldn’t hack it.” 

“Lori, I’d never—” 

“You fucking would!” Lori said. 

“Lori, I’m your friend,” Kelly said. “Not your competition.” 

“Just admit it,” Lori said, calming in an instant, as if she’d flipped a switch. Kelly sensed danger and moved to her feet, if only to keep Lori from looming over her. Lori’s anger didn’t always burn hot; sometimes it grew cold and heavy in her heart, like ice. 

Kelly readied herself for Lori to take a swing at her. She appeared to want to, but between them, Kelly was the fighter. Lori was fit but soft, and she didn’t box. Kelly was hard-bodied and ready to end any physical confrontation in seconds. Not that she’d hurt Lori, but she’d defend herself if claws came out. 

This fight had been a long time coming. They’d met Arthur freshman year, and over the three years of their friendship, various comments had become small arguments. She never thought a single expression would ignite the fuel for this fight, but it was out of Kelly’s hands. 

“Admit what?” Kelly asked, backing up a step to put distance between her and Lori. “That Arthur’s fucking perfect and you’re being an idiot? Who cares what you might do if you make it through medical school? You don’t owe your mom anything, Lori. You didn’t even decide to become pre-med until last semester, and now you want to pitch the man who loves and supports you aside because you're afraid of the future?”

“Admit that you’ve always thought you’d be a better match for him than me!” Lori said, throwing one of the couch’s aptly named throw pillows at Kelly. 

Kelly caught it and slammed it back onto the sofa. “Don’t put your insecurities on me! You’re always making those comments, and I’ve said nothing like that!” 

“You don’t have to say it!” Lori said. She closed the velvet box, snatching it up and throwing it at Kelly instead. Kelly blocked it, deflecting it. It arced into the center of the room, tumbling away from them. “I can see it in your fucking face!” 

“Oh, fuck you!” Kelly said, pointing an accusatory finger at Lori. “I love you, Lori, but I’m not going to stand here and take these accusations! I’ve never made a move on Arthur!” 

“You wanted a threesome with him!” Lori said. 

“I was joking!” Kelly said. 

“You were not!” Lori said. 

“You told me about the one you had,” Kelly said. In truth, she’d added far too much detail, as if she were trying to make Kelly jealous. “I made a flippant comment about signing up for the next one! It was years ago! And that’s not the same as suggesting that I join the two of you!” 

“Well, you’re never going to!” Lori said. “But don’t worry! You’ll get your fucking chance to be with him! This time next week he’ll be free as a bird!” 

“Lori, I’m not after your boyfriend, but for God’s sake, if you’re going to act that jealous and insane, don’t dump him!” Kelly suggested. “You can take him with you. He loves you! And you act as if it’s a foregone conclusion that you have to break up! Have you never loved him at all?” 

“I don’t know! What happens five years from now when he realizes he’s wasted his best years waiting for me to finish med school?” Lori asked. “It’s better if we break up now.” 

“Lori, you can’t be serious,” Kelly said, dropping her voice and moving closer to her. “Come on. You’re lashing out because you’re scared. Grow a pair of ovaries and talk to Arthur. He’ll transfer with you. He’d never pressure you into marriage or kids if that’s not what you want.” 

Lori sniffled. “I can’t,” she said. “Because I know he’ll wear me down. I’ll compromise and give up my career piece by piece, and then what? What happens when Arthur realizes that I’m not what he wants? I’ve never been what he’s wanted. I was just the first girl to ask him out and help him work through his shit. He feels obligated. That’s why he’s with me.” 

“He loves you,” Kelly said. “You know that.” 

“Sure,” Lori said. “But he doesn’t even know me. He knows the version of me that’s with him, but we come from two different worlds, Kelly. You don’t even get it. It was fun, but I got in too deep, too fast. I’m not you. I can’t pretend the world is sunshine and roses. And the life he wants? It might be luxurious, but it’s a fucking cage. We’d never be happy together after college.” 

“Lori,” Kelly said again, trying to break through to her. “Come on. You’re talking in circles here.” 

“Just go,” Lori said, pointing at the door. “Get out.” 

“You called me here!” Kelly said. “S-O-S! Remember!” 

“That was when I thought you’d understand,” Lori said, not changing her mind. “I thought you’d help me, not see it as an opportunity for going after my boyfriend!” 

“Your ex, you mean?” Kelly asked. She grabbed her purse, but she hesitated before she made her way to the door. She picked up the velvet box and put it back in Lori’s purse. 

Lori stood there, watching her, waiting for Kelly to leave. 

“I am trying to help you, Lori. I’m on your side. Talk to Arthur,” Kelly said. “And be honest with him. Don’t break his heart so you can pretend you might’ve been able to save your mother.” 

She knew she had said the wrong thing the moment the words left her lips. It came from the heart. She’d meant well, but that didn’t make it any less brutal. Lori responded to her brutality with brutality. Kelly couldn’t even get her hands up before Lori rushed her, slamming her against the door. 

This wasn’t a catfight or a girl-fight. This was a roaring, screaming, pummel-fest as they rolled onto the floor, knocking everything around them over. Security rushed in, followed by the professional Lori was here to see. Pulling the two of them apart wasn’t easy, and to her shame, Kelly landed several protesting strikes against the guard who grabbed her.

“You bitch!” Lori screamed. “I never want to see you again!” 

Kelly grimaced, wiping the blood from her mouth where Lori had punched her jaw. “I was trying to help you,” Kelly said, standing and pushing against the guard who refused to release her other wrist. 

“Ma’am, you’re coming with me,” the guard said. 

“And don’t go near Arthur! You hear me!” Lori said. “Do you hear—” 

Her screams cut off as the guard hauled Kelly through the door and closed it behind them. The doctor and the other guard were with Lori, and Kelly’s guard led her into a medical room to check her injuries. 

~~~

Kelly released a long exhale. She was sure she’d mangled the story, but Selene had listened to it with minimal interruption despite their location change. 

“I had a few scratches and bruises, but nothing major,” Kelly said, turning off the shower water and stepping out. She and Selene had taken turns, given Kelly’s current situation, but she’d stayed in the bathroom and dried off while Kelly was in there. 

“Wow,” Selene said, offering Kelly her towel. “I guess you and Lori had a lot of history between you and Arthur over the years.” 

“Yeah,” Kelly said. 

“And Lori was a total bitch to you,” Selene said. 

“Understatement,” Kelly said. 

“And you were a bitch to her,” Selene added. 

Kelly didn’t respond to that. She dried off as she looked at her reflection. It was true, but she much preferred Selene not mention that. She wasn’t blameless in their altercation, but from where she stood, Lori carried more of the blame than she did. 

“I’m not saying it was your fault,” Selene said. “But it makes sense that things are the way they are between the two of you.” 

Kelly nodded. She could agree to that. She dried her hair, then commandeered the counter to fix her makeup after wrapping the towel around herself and sliding on her panties. 

“You could leave the makeup off if you wanted. Everyone loves your freckles,” Selene said. 

“I don’t,” Kelly said, covering them up once more. 

“Okay,” Selene said, kneeling on the bathmat. She’d remained naked after her shower, putting the towel under her, but had put her chainmail collar back on. 

“So, now that I’ve explained what happened, are you going to block Lori?” Kelly asked. 

“I—” Selene hesitated. “I don’t know. It makes me want to hug her.” 

Kelly checked Selene’s expression in the mirror. 

“Don’t get me wrong, I agree we can do without the drama. Arthur especially. He doesn’t need to know what she said. That would only hurt him,” Selene said. 

“Agreed,” Kelly nodded, then held her head still as she applied her mascara. 

“And her coming for Thanksgiving is an awful idea,” Selene said. “It’d be a tease, and from the sound of it, a reminder of a life she doesn’t want. Why would she even consider coming?” 

“Because Deb’s the only mother-figure she’s ever had who gave a damn and supported her unconditionally,” Kelly said, not holding back. 

Selene flinched, looking at the floor as she ran that through her head. Deb was maternal; that much was true. She’d taken the girls under her wing, and was even trying to help Mindy with her parents. Kelly didn’t doubt she’d do the same for the others. If any of them needed Deb, she was a phone call away, and she was in their corner. That was who Lori had thrown away as if she meant nothing to her. Not to mention Arthur, who loved, supported, and encouraged her.

“I couldn’t do it,” Selene said. “I’d never throw any of you away, even if I transferred schools or dropped out. I never understood how Lori did it, but it sounds like she didn’t love him as much as he loved her.” 

“She’s broken,” Kelly said. “Inside, I mean.” 

Selene nodded. “Yeah, I gathered that, but that only makes me want to help her more. Not less. But I don't know how. I wouldn't even know where to start.” 

Kelly didn’t comment on that. She couldn’t. She wanted to help Lori, too, once upon a time. Lori hadn’t talked to Kelly after that fight. Not once the rest of the semester before she moved away. That was their last conversation until she answered Arthur’s phone. 

“Can we agree to shelve everything Lori-related until tomorrow?” Kelly asked. “I’ll tell Arthur that I blocked Lori on his phone in the morning, and we can discuss it then, if he wants to.”

“Yeah,” Selene said. “That might be best.” Selene took a centering breath, then assumed the Nadu position. “Green light, Mistress.” 

Kelly grinned, but it was weak. She was happy Selene agreed to shelve it, but she couldn’t just flip back and forth between angry, sad, and drama-intense to sexy as Selene did. Her stomach churned. Not sick or queasy, but the usual pains roiled in her, and she was tired. Being in the sun, walking around, and now they had an orgy to get through. Coffee and energy drinks could only keep her awake for so long. 

She took a deep breath, bracing herself against the counter, and checked her makeup. “How do you do that? Slide between Selene and Slut so easily?” 

“I’m still working on it,” Selene confessed. “It’s harder to come out of the headspace than it is to go into it. Sometimes it feels like being just Selene is the version of me playing a character. Not the other way around.” 

“Like the real you is the one on her knees, and the pretender is the girl who has to go to work and class?” Kelly asked. 

“Yes, exactly, Mistress,” Selene said. 

Kelly nodded, hesitant but understanding. “I get it. I feel the same way when I’m role-playing with Arthur. Pretending to be his wife, enjoying each other on the couch, it was as if it were the first breath I took after drowning.” 

“I’m glad you understand, Mistress,” Selene said. “And for what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re my mistress. Despite how awful things were last semester with Lori, it makes me happy to realize that everything worked out for the best. Even with all the drama, Master is happy, and he loves you, and me, and the others, and we love him.” 

Kelly smiled. “It sure ended up differently than I imagined,” she said. “But I’m glad it worked out this way too.” 

Selene smiled, then resumed her Nadu position as Kelly doffed her towel and hung it over the shower bar. She slid on a pair of panties and tight lycra gym shorts and rolled the waistband low. Then she donned the robe hanging on its hook and offered the other to Selene, who stood and donned the robe. 

“Come on, let’s join our master for the orgy,” Kelly said as she re-fastened her three-strand pearl choker collar around her neck. “I can’t wait to see who comes to Arthur’s room first. My money’s on Faith.” 

Selene grinned, holding the door open for Kelly as they left Manasa’s hotel room and joined the others in the hallway.