“That she did,” Cyrus purrs, the corner of his lips curling. “That she most certainly did.”
But despite his flirtatious tone, my excuse is as good as any. I’d have stuck out more in my drab, dirty maid’s uniform than even this stunning dress.
But truly, I know why I let Sarah doll me up. Part of me, deep down inside, wanted to see if these three gorgeous aliens would look at me the way I imagined they looked at the gorgeous women in their harem. I wanted to feel beautiful. Desirable.
Well, be careful what you wish for.
Now, when these three towering Aurelians look at me, I feel desired in a way I’d never thought possible. I can feel their ache for me. I know that the pounding of my heart is matched by theirs.
You’re playing a dangerous game, Mia.
“Cooking? Cleaning? Other work?” Cyrus’s eyes flash. “That’s a lot of work for one little lady. Are you sure you want us to fire our entire household staff and let you take care of it all?”
One little lady.
I bristle at the comment. Cyrus sees me as a tiny little toy.
I imagine the simple act of scrubbing the floors for these men, and somehow that demonstration of serving them gets polluted with unspoken, erotic undertones.
I imagine being on my hands and knees, scrub brush in hand…
…I imagine their eyes devouring me, and their passions rising as they stare at my ass, and imagine seeding me as I kneel there.
I shiver.
Varian and Gallus walk towards me, and suddenly I feel very, very small – surrounded by these three towering aliens.
"You're trouble," Gallus warns in his deep voice – suddenly so low it's almost like I feel it rather than hear it.
"I was in trouble,” I counter, “but you helped me. I’m grateful for that, and I want to show you I will give back every kindness you’ve shown me."
Just not the way you want me to.
I know simple cleaning and cooking is nothing for these rich, powerful aliens – who could effortless afford an entire army of servants to do what I’m offering. But I'll clean for them anyway. I'll let them get their guard down as they watch me on my hands and knees, scrubbing the floor, or teetering on a ladder, dusting the shelves. Within a few days, or weeks, perhaps they'll stop thinking of me as the new girl – a shiny new prize to acquire – and move on to make another addition for their harem.
That’s what I hope, anyway.
Or do I?
How will I feel if they do stop looking at me with that lustful hunger? Or when their eyes turn to a pretty new toy? Could I ever live in an Aurelian harem for real? Or would the jealousy eat me up?
It's confusing. I've never seen a man before as anything other than a potential target, or a threat. Either men are trying to pin me down and fuck me, or they're rich and naive enough for me to fuck them; by scam or theft.
This is the first time in my life in which I've felt awkward, off balance, and unsure.
It isn’t fair that Aurelians get to have all the women they want. It isn’t fair that they can make me feel the way I do about them. They don’t deserve this!
But, likewise, I know it’s unfair for me to rile up these alien warriors and then resent them for releasing their frustration into another woman.
I just have to focus on the task at hand. I can’t let myself be turned into a little toy – like every other woman that joins an Aurelian harem.
You’re trouble.
I can hear Gallus’s words in my mind, replaying again and again.
Oh, if only you knew!
He stands in front of me, looking me up and down. I feel so naked in this form-fitting blue dress. No, more naked than naked; as if the sexy clothing is more provocative than going without.
Once again, I regret getting dolled up. I wanted to compete with the beauties of the harem, but now I’ve got my wish. Now I’ve got Gallus’s full attention.
How foolish I was.
Gallus slowly hands his paintings over to Varian. Everything he does is methodical – as if he’s holding back something; and has to fight to maintain control. It’s almost as if Gallus is constantly on the verge of releasing a beast within him.
Then, he stands to his full height in front of me, blocking the sun with the silhouette of his huge body. He reaches forward with his enormous hand – and as I stare at it, I’m reminded that he could easily crush the very bones within me without exerting any effort.
I can’t help it. My eyes drop to my feet, as if I’m suddenly shy…
…but then, Gallus cups my chin, gently but firmly, and forces my face up to meet his gaze. When his fingers graze against my skin, I feel an electric tingle down my spine. I’m so small and tiny compared to him. I’m paralyzed before him, frozen like a gazelle staring into the eyes of a hungry lion. I don’t know what I was expecting to happen, but I didn’t expect this.
Gallus stares down at me with his huge, hungry, slate-grey eyes. They’re so hard and merciless – granite orbs that peer right into my soul. That terrifies me – the sensation that he can see the real me, beneath this painted veneer that Sarah adorned me with.
The real me is a liar, a thief, and a treacherous little sneak.
If Gallus knew what I was planning, he’d have me locked up and put onto a prison ship instantly – shipped off to Colossus to face the cold, cruel, and
