Seven Roses: Reverse Harem Romance Page 4

  Even with the butterflies in my stomach, I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

  Chapter 6: Markus

  Here I go again.

  The last time I was on Seven Roses, I didn’t come prepared to play a game. The politics of a reality show, the alliances necessary to get to the finals, and all of the drama that went along with it annoyed the shit out of me. Over the course of the seven days we spent with the woman we competed for, it was my naivety that got me to the finals.

  When the others realized I was in the lead, they started telling the contestant, a beautiful young woman named Janie, that I would never be there for her. They used my occupation against me, even though it was their asses I was fighting for when I put on my uniform. After watching the show, I wanted to pay each of them a visit and show them I was more of a man than they would ever be, but I let it go. I did another tour of duty, put a few more souls in the afterlife to spend eternity with whatever deity they believed in, and returned home to an empty apartment—just like always.

  When Charles Montgomery called me and said he had a second chance for me, I accepted without hesitation. I didn’t have much time to prepare, but I was used to that as a SEAL. I planned to make the game my bitch the second time around.

  But now the game is different—it isn’t a game anymore—it’s a new kind of arrangement that is unlike anything I’ve ever heard of.

  I wasn’t sure how seven men could ever put aside their egos to love one woman. I made it my mission to react enthusiastic when I heard the twists. Some of them had made me look like a deer stuck in the headlights the last time they came rolling my way. There was a lot of uncertainty once my mind actually processed it, but I tried to react the way I had rehearsed on the ride over. I was glad to be the first man chosen to take Lyn on a date, but I wasn’t sure it would matter with the structure Charles outlined. We weren’t competing for exclusivity, we were competing for a prize I wasn’t sure I even wanted to win.

  After hearing why Janie didn’t choose me, I had understood her decision, even if I thought it was bullshit that she reached the conclusion because the other guys played dirty. It had weighed on my mind. Was I really the kind of man that a woman wanted? Was it fair to leave a girlfriend, and one day a wife, behind while I served my country? Guys did it every day because it was necessary, but there was no guarantee I would ever come home. I had witnessed firsthand the heartache that caused.

  Fuck it—all I am going to focus on is giving Lyn the perfect date.

  “HELLO, GORGEOUS.” Lyn appeared at the top of the stairs wearing a red dress that fit every curve with absolute perfection.

  “Hi.” She smiled sheepishly as she started to descend down the stairs. I met her at the bottom and offered her my arm, which she immediately took.

  We were headed to Broadway in Chicago to have dinner and see Les Misérables, my favorite musical. It had been years since I had gotten a chance to see it live. Movies never seemed to capture the same essence that live actors did, even when Hollywood threw their checkbook at them. I hoped Lyn could appreciate it, especially since she was hoping to become an actress.

  Lyn was ravishing when she came down the stairs. It was hard not to look at her beautiful curves and think about taking her somewhere other than the theater. It had been so long since I held a woman in my arms that just walking beside her made me tingle a bit. I couldn’t help but wonder how she really felt about the show. She seemed so hesitant when Charles outlined what we were doing, but she did relent to giving it a try. It surprised me to say the least.

  Seven Roses provided us with a car and a driver, so we climbed into the backseat where we found a bottle of champagne on ice and a few light snacks. I took my seat beside her and the driver started to pull away from the house and the other six guys who had come outside to see us off.

  “Do you want some champagne?” I turned the bottle and looked at the label. “It’s an expensive brand.”

  “I don’t think I want to start my night with champagne.” She shook her head back and forth. “If we’re not going to dinner, I could use a snack though.”

  “Dinner is definitely up first.” I looked over to her and smiled. “The show is footing the bill, so I figured we should go for something expensive.”

  “I don’t have a problem with that.” She smiled and looked towards me. “I loved you the last time you were on Seven Roses. I was so angry when that girl chose someone else.”

  “You saw what happened though. I didn’t have a chance. The other guys were filling Janie’s head with all kinds of stuff and it worked.” I let out a slight grunt and shook my head. “Water under the bridge now, because if I would have ended up with her, I wouldn’t be here with you.”

  “I’m glad you are.” Lyn’s smile broadened and she scooted a little closer. “I would never throw away a chance at happiness because someone has a job that keeps them away—especially if the feelings are real.”

  “Too bad you weren’t the contestant that season.” I reached down and took her hand in mine. “I might have found real happiness.”

  “You don’t even know me.” She looked down at our hands as I interlocked our fingers. “I might be a train wreck that sends you running for your next mission with no plans to ever come back.”

  “I doubt that.” I shook my head back and forth. “I’d always come running home if I knew you were waiting on me.”

  I continued my shameless flirting as we arrived at the restaurant and ordered dinner. Over bites of steak and under the constant shadow of the camera crew, we discussed our lives. Lyn told me about growing up on the South Side of Chicago where every penny came at a cost. She told me about her dreams of becoming an actress and practicing lines from her favorite movies with her best friend Jessica. Jessica seemed to be the one that made it—or at least she had found more success earlier. I hadn’t seen Lyn’s appearance on the television show she mentioned, but I made it a point to find it when the night was over.

  If our date had been typical, I would have considered it a budding success. We were actively engaged in good conversation. The cameras definitely didn’t create the most romantic mood, but I still found ways to casually touch her hand and show her I was interested with my body language. She seemed to reciprocate and I wished we didn’t have the cloud of the arrangement hanging over what was becoming a wonderful evening. When dinner was finally over, we walked towards the exit with the crew moving silently behind us.

  “So where are you taking me now?” She looked over at me as she walked through the door I was holding open for her.

  “Do you like Broadway?” I grinned and walked towards the car, taking her hand in mine as the driver opened the door.

  “We’re going to New York?” Her eyebrows raised as we climbed into the car.

  “No, Broadway in Chicago.” I chuckled and slid into the seat beside her.

  “Yeah, what is playing there now anyway?” She leaned against my arm as the car started.

  “Les Mis.” I squeezed her hand. “It’s my favorite.”

  “I’ve only got to see it live once before—I’ve always wanted to see it again. Don’t even get me started on the movie version...” She shook her head back and forth.

  “See, you get it too.” I smiled and nodded.

  The producers had secured us tickets in the front row, so the camera crew was forced off to the side where they could only capture us with wide shots. It was the closest thing to privacy we would really have. Lyn seemed to be as interested in the show as I was and her eyes flickered when the action heated up. There was something gritty and real about Les Mis, with so many twists and turns that it captured my attention the first time I got to see it.

  Lyn held my hand during the entire first half of the performance and when intermission came, we both needed to stretch our legs a little bit. We walked to the lobby which was bustling with activity. The camera crew was struggling to keep up with us, and I took advantage of the sea of people. I pulled Lyn into a hallway and wr
apped my arms around her waist. She locked eyes with me for a moment and then looked down. There was something happening between us and I wasn’t willing to let the moment pass, even if there was nothing but uncertainty in the future of the arrangement.

  “I’m going to kiss you now.” I put my hand under her chin and lifted it, finding a smile waiting for me.

  Chapter 7: Lyn

  Why did the perfect date have to be shrouded in the arrangement Charles Montgomery laid on us? I knew Markus Cole was more than a tank with a gorgeous body, but I never expected to find out he had a softer side. He was more closed off when he was on the show before, keeping a lot of himself guarded. He seemed more open with me, willing to share things about himself that went deeper than the tough-guy exterior he showed the world. I also realized every guy back at the house was watching the date, which meant they could see every glance I shot him. They had to be picking up on my rapidly developing attraction to the Navy SEAL. When he pulled me into the hallway out of the view of the cameras, I couldn’t deny that it was exactly where I wanted to be. His words echoed in my ears before his lips found mine, but there wasn’t a hint of resistance in me.

  Why can’t I have a shot at him on my own—he’s so freaking perfect.

  His arms squeezed me tight and pulled me close as our lips met. I felt my crimson lipstick smearing as he crushed my lips beneath his kiss. His lips were filled with the fire of passion and they formed a perfect seal with mine. I could taste the drink he had with dinner, a hint of oak underneath the bourbon. I had decided to stick with water so it was stronger than I expected.

  As our bodies pressed together, I could smell his cologne drifting into my nostrils. My heart was racing and there was so much desire building up inside of me. I melted into his powerful arms as his tongue slid between my lips and ravaged my mouth. His hands drifted up my back and one locked on my neck, holding me in place as he continued to kiss me. I didn’t want it to end.

  My mind swirled with nothing but a need for the moment to last forever. I didn’t care about Seven Roses or the arrangement. I only cared about the slice of perfection served to me by Markus. It was the kind of romance I had always dreamed of, yet never experienced. When the crowd started to move back into the theater, he finally pulled away and I saw the cameras catch the final seconds of our tender moment.

  Holy shit. That was incredible.

  “It’s time to go back.” He let his hands fall to mine and he pulled me towards the entrance of the hallway.

  “Yeah...” I muttered, feeling the absence of his kiss and wanting more. The show was no longer the best part of the date.

  The kiss was the only thing on my mind as Jean Valjean delivered his musical verse with incredible passion. The only passion I cared about was the one still storming inside of me for Markus. When the show ended and he started to lead me through the crowd, my body was on fire. The instant we were in the car, his lips were on mine again. We started kissing as the car drove away from the theater. His hands moved along my thighs, pushing underneath my dress.

  That was where I stopped most of my dates. I never let them take it further than the middle of my thigh. Markus passed that spot without a single hint of hesitation on my end and when his other hand started to squeeze my breast, I simply sank into his embrace.

  Rational thought was trying to creep into my mind and fan the flames of desire. I was a virgin. I had never been with a man before. Regardless of what happened with Markus, I still had six other dates to go on before I even got the point where I got to choose my future. Even if I eventually fell in love instead of just head over heels in lust, we couldn’t be together. There was more than that—more than just inhibition. I felt like I did know Markus from watching him during the previous season.

  When we got close to the house, he finally pulled away and I got a moment to catch my breath.

  “I want you.” His eyes locked on mine.

  “I’m not sure the rest of the guys will be happy if I say I want you too.” I felt my heart beating in my chest so hard it sounded like thunder in my ears.

  “Who gives a shit.” He took me by the hand as the door opened.

  Markus and I walked up the steps and I expected to find the rest of the guys waiting when we opened the door, but I didn’t see a soul when I stepped into the house. The door to the living room was closed and I didn’t hear a sound from the other side. The camera crew didn’t follow us into the house since it was rigged with enough cameras to catch the action without them.

  Markus walked up behind me and put his hands on my arms. He leaned forward and started kissing my neck. I shivered and my body instantly became covered in goose bumps when I felt his lips on my skin. He moved them up the edge of my neck and immediately started to kiss my ear. After a couple of kisses, he nibbled on it lightly and wrapped his arms around my waist. There were so many reasons to say no, but all I wanted to do was say yes. Markus moved his lips back to my neck and traced along my shoulder blades to the other side, leaving a trail of saliva as he did. He kissed the other side with the same passion and started to nibble on my other ear. I squeezed his hand and walked towards the stairs, not saying a word. He followed, kissing my neck again at the bottom of the stairs.

  If he follows me up the stairs, there is no way I can resist him.

  I took my first step and felt him behind me. I was in uncharted waters, swimming into a sea of passion with an anchor of lust pulling me towards Markus. We got to the top of the stairs and I walked towards my bedroom. There were no cameras inside of it, so once we were behind those doors, it was just the two of us. I waited with my hand on the doorknob—expecting the rest of the guys to finally show up. Were they really going to let me go into the room alone with Markus without lodging a single protest?

  I pushed the door open and he followed me inside, closing it before taking me in his arms again. There was no turning back. I was going to lose my virginity on my first night as a contestant on Seven Roses. I wasn’t sure how the nation would react to seeing that. They would either be consumed with jealousy or hate my choice. I wasn’t sure I cared anymore. No man had ever made me feel the way Markus had. None had ever shown so much passion and desire for me. He turned me around and smiled as our eyes met.

  “This wasn’t how I expected the date to end.” I blinked a couple of times and sighed. “I really like you, but I know we won’t be able to be together once the show is over.”

  “Don’t think about that. I know you’re a virgin and I know you’re probably not sure about this. It doesn’t have to be sex—just let me take care of you tonight.” He started to kiss me again and his tongue ran along the edge of my lips.

  I quivered at the thought of feeling that tongue between my thighs. I wasn’t just a virgin, I had never experienced anything with a man. I came close a couple of times, but the spark wasn’t bright enough to take me any further than a kiss.

  Markus moved his lips down to my shoulders and reached behind my back. His fingers clutched the zipper and started to slide it down. I felt like putty in his hands, molded by the feeling of his fingers on my exposed skin. I wished I would have had some champagne on the ride back. It would have made me feel a little more relaxed. When my zipper was all the way down, he caressed my back until his fingers started to squeeze the clasp on my bra. His kiss was keeping me suspended in desire as he removed the straps of my dress from my shoulders. When they started sliding down my arms, my bra started to slide down as well. He tugged until my breasts were exposed and began caressing them with his hands. A thumb traced each nipple and made me tingle even more.

  “You’re so beautiful.” He pulled his lips away and leaned down, lightly caressing my nipple with his tongue.

  “Oh god...” I let out a gasp as I felt his tongue on my tender flesh. My nipple got even harder as he swirled his tongue around the nub.

  While his tongue worked on my nipple, his hands pushed my dress down the curve of my hips. It slid down to the floor and I was naked in front of
him except for my panties. One of his hands clutched my inner thigh and started moving towards the last barrier between us. The silk was already wet from the excitement I was feeling from his tongue and when he rubbed the wetness, I felt an even stronger sense of desire. Even with the thin layer of fabric between his finger and my pussy, I felt the twinge of pleasure rush through my body. He rubbed along the wet fabric, making it more saturated as he caressed it.

  I ran my fingers through his hair and let out a moan of pleasure. There was no going back at that point. I was so turned on I didn’t care what he did to me as long as I kept feeling the magic of his touch. He moved to my other nipple and after licking around it a few times, he started moving me towards the bed. The back of my knees touched the edge of the mattress and he gently pushed me back onto it, supporting me with a hand until I was on my back. He pushed my legs apart and started kissing my inner thighs as his finger continued to move along the exterior of my panties.

  “I’m gonna make you cum.” He let his tongue drift along my inner thigh until it was nearly against the thin fabric between my legs.

  I was enraptured by the sensations shooting through my body. I couldn’t control them and I didn’t want them to stop. He rubbed along the edge of my panties and then pushed them aside, pressing his finger into my wetness. My pussy resisted, so tight that he couldn’t even get his meaty finger past the entrance. I had explored it myself during the heat of masturbation, but I never really tried to penetrate myself because it hurt so much. I was so wet that the pain was tolerable and my body was craving it so much that I found myself wishing it was something besides his finger being pushed inside of me. He worked his finger in to the first knuckle and then started to lightly thrust against my hymen. The feeling made me shake with anticipation, but he didn’t push it further than that.