Harem House Chapter 35 Part 4

Kelly set up the one-bar prison in the corner between the door to Arthur’s bedroom and the bathroom door. She moved Katelyn to it, spread her legs as Katelyn stood, and pushed the vibrator until it nestled against Katelyn’s pussy. Katelyn licked her lips but didn’t step away. The lubed silicon hadn’t parted her lips yet but pressed where the stimulation to her clit would be unbearable if Kelly turned up the intensity.

Kelly took the vibrator remote and placed it in Arthur’s hand. Then she returned to the head of the column and took Selene’s leash. 

“Slut, you’re going to stand, spread eagle, in the center of the room, your back toward me.” Arthur said. “Whore and Concubine, each of you hold onto her by the wrist. Actually, connect your wrist cuffs to hers. Wifey, fetch the flogger. You’re going to remove Slut’s top and flog her until I say otherwise.” 

Kelly nodded. She untied Selene’s top, removed her bra, and disappeared into the bedroom again. She emerged with the leather flogger, holding its rigid handle in one hand and the leather strips in the other. She stood between Arthur and Selene, off to the side, and gave a few practice swings before she put the flogger in her hand and brushed it against Selene’s back. 

“What should I do, Master?” Kat asked, now the only one still kneeling in place. 

“Isn’t it obvious?” Arthur asked and pointed to his dick. “You’re going to be a good girl and suck my dick while I watch your sister’s punishment.” He explained. “So crawl over here, take off your top, and get to work, Brat.” 

Kat took her top off first, then crawled over. Her breasts hung and swung as she crawled, and Arthur enjoyed the show. 

“Wifey, take off Whore and Concubine’s tops, too.” Arthur said. “And yours.” He added, which made Kelly smile. 

She did as told, and soon he had four girls in topless slave Leia outfits before him, one kneeling between his feet with her mouth open and waiting for his cock, and a fifth in full costume standing with her back to them, in the corner. 

“Pet, lift the back of your skirt and drape it over your arm.” Arthur said. 

Katelyn swept her right hand behind her and scooped her skirt out of the way. Her pert cheeks were small but shapely on her backside, topping her long, gorgeous legs. 

“Perfect.” Arthur said, admiring the frame Mindy and Rani created on either side of Selene.

Mindy stood facing Arthur, and Rani did the same. Each of them held Selene’s hand with one of theirs and her wrist with the other, lifting their arms to expose their breasts to Arthur’s view. Their wrist cuffs connected to Selene’s by clips. 

Her outstretched arms were level with her shoulder blades. Her braid, longer than the others, was tossed forward over her shoulder. Exposing a swath of fair, pale skin, her bubble butt hidden by the rear panel of her skirt, but her legs, hips, and the outer slice of cheeks on each side exposed. He had a spreader bar for her feet, but it wasn’t yet necessary. 

“Hands behind your back, Brat.” Arthur said, and Kat frowned at him but obeyed. He gestured to Kelly, and she clipped Kat’s cuffs together, trapping her arms behind her. She didn’t protest. 

Arthur scooted his chair forward, bringing the soft tip of his rigid penis to within a breath of her lips. Kat licked her lips and moved her head forward. She kissed the tip of his dick softly with her plump lips, then repeated the kiss, moving her lips along the underside of his shaft from tip to balls. She licked his balls, letting his cock cover her face and rub against her until it was even harder. Then she shifted out from under it and kissed the side, worshiping him with her lips and tongue as she made out with his dick. 

Arthur looked at Kelly, who was watching Kat with curiosity and interest. “You may begin punishing Slut, whenever you’re ready. Remember, upper back, ass, and thighs only. Start slow, and let it build. You can always go harder but can’t take a stroke back once you’ve landed it. Every blow is permanent, just like every word. Every promise.” 

Selene gulped as the weight of his words settled over her and Kelly. Selene had broken her promises or tried to, and she’d accept this as her punishment if he accepted it as her atonement. 

“Yes, Master.” Kelly said, nodding as she warmed up her swinging arm. Her anxious eyes turned toward Selene and mapped her backside, judging where to land the first few blows. 

Arthur studied the remote in his hand. There was a continuous button on this one, which would last as long as he held it down and stopped if he lifted his finger from the button. He smiled and waited. 

Kelly swung back with the flogger and landed a soft blow against Selene’s upper back. Arthur pressed the button in time with her efforts so that when the flogger landed against Selene’s back, the vibrator against Katelyn came to life and died like a strike of her own. 

Katelyn gasped but didn’t complain. 

Arthur glanced between his legs at Kat, and his expression told her everything she needed to know. If she didn’t stop messing around and start sucking his cock in earnest, she would get a punishment of her own. She took him into her mouth and started bobbing on his cock as he leaned back and watched Kelly flog Selene. 

“Good girl.” Arthur whispered, stroking her curls as goosebumps formed on Kat’s bared back. 

Every strike, no matter how soft at first, jostled Selene. The strike shook through her, and the vibration moved her arms, which were braced against Rani and Mindy’s; this traveled along their arms to their breasts, which hung slightly forward and jiggled with every strike. Their wide-leg stances let the panel skirt fall between their thighs and dance with every blow. 

Kelly flogged Selene, and Arthur watched the strikes grow hard enough to leave red marks on Selene’s pale back. The sound grew from a soft -thwump- to a harsher smack, and Selene’s jostling grew as her breathing shifted, but Rani and Mindy held her in place. 

“I’m sorry, Master.” Selene said. She alternated between that and “I’m sorry, Mistress.” with every blow. 

In time with the strikes, which often came at irregular intervals, Arthur activated Katelyn’s vibrator. It might have been a reward to some, but the sudden, intense, and irregular stimulation was jarring and less than ideal. She gasped and jolted with every buzz. She had no warning for when it came, either, with her back to the scene. He tormented her with delightful torture. 

Arthur almost hoped she’d turn her head to peek, but she proved a good girl and faced the corner without turning. Not that she could turn more than her head. The one-bar prison pressed against her from below, and even if she moved to her tiptoes, she couldn’t escape it. She’d have to step back, and leaving the corner would earn her a harsher punishment. 

Kelly’s breasts swung with her arm. She held them, supporting them with her forearm occasionally. She tried not to, but the pain on her face presented itself a few times, and Arthur almost felt bad for having her undress. Lori’s breasts had always gotten sore during her period, turning a go-to erogenous zone into a no-go for a few days before and during her period. Everyone was different, but it wouldn’t surprise him if Lori and Kelly had that in common. 

Between his thighs, Kat bobbed her head, going deeper with every bob until he pressed against the entrance to her throat. She deep-throated but didn’t plunge to take him all the way. Instead, she drifted back and forth at a steady base and increased her suction, pumping him with her mouth. 

Arthur wanted to fuck at least one of them tonight. It was a weeknight, he couldn’t pleasure them all, but they were doing this for him. The slave costumes were for his benefit, and their effort on his behalf touched his heart. He put a lot of effort into planning a session for them, so he enjoyed the reverse, too. As for his improv, he felt this was going well. Mindy and Rani weren’t getting any stimulation, but they seemed to enjoy themselves. They were getting handsy with her breasts and pussy as Kelly worked her back. One hand held Selene’s, cuffed to her; the other played. 

He’d spent last night with Mindy and Rani, so tonight should be someone else’s turn. That was fair, right? Kelly was the ringleader, but out of commission, he assumed. Selene was being punished, so she should be one of the last considered. So that left Kat, whom he’d taken Monday night, or Katelyn, the newbie. 

It should be Katelyn, but he missed Selene and Kelly, too. 

He closed his eyes briefly and blinked slowly to appreciate the scene. They were doing this for him. They wanted to pleasure him as much as he wanted to pleasure them, and they worshipped him. Kat was literally worshipping his cock, begging him to cum with her tongue in silent prayer. Her hair wasn’t in a braid like the others, but her curls bounced as she quickened her pace. She’d felt his balls tighten as she played with them, and he was close. 

“Harder.” Arthur said, his tone firm. 

Kelly glanced at him to check, and he nodded. She struck harder, causing Selene to cry out from the flogger. 

“Again.” Arthur said, his muscles straining to suspend his release. 

Kelly struck Selene’s back with the flogger. The -thwack- of leather across her skin added to the flushing red color that now painted her upper back in strips of impact. 

“Again.” Arthur said, and Kelly obliged. “Keep going.” He said to Kelly, who obeyed. She looked worried, but Arthur didn’t intend for her to continue for long. 

“Slut, are you going to break your promise to me again?” Arthur asked. 

“No, Master!” Selene cried. Tears had already ruined her makeup in stops and starts; now, they fell freely. 

-THWACK-

“Are you going to obey me?” Arthur asked. 

-THWACK-

“Yes, Master!” Selene staggered at the blow, but Rani and Mindy pushed her back in place. “I’m your obedient slut!” 

-THWACK-

“Are you going to obey Mistress when she reinforces my rules?” Arthur asked. 

-THWACK-

“Yes, Master!” Selene cried. “Please, Mistress! I’m sorry! I’m sorry I disobeyed you! It won’t happen again!” 

-THWACK-

Arthur flexed inside Kat’s mouth and suddenly grabbed her head, holding her still and at the base of his cock as he spasmed inside her. She almost choked but didn’t slap his leg or signal, turning her choke into a swallow as she quickly swallowed him down. Her throat milked his cock as he twitched. He released her, his eyes never leaving the sight of topless Kelly flogging Selene, all dressed in their princess slave outfits. He hoped these became regular costume pieces. He might not be as hardcore a Star Wars fan as Mindy, but the outfit was positively delicious. 

“You can stop now, Wifey.” Arthur said, and Kelly stopped mid-swing, redirecting the force of the blow so quickly the leather flogging straps snapped against empty air. Selene didn’t flinch but relaxed when the impact never came. “Good girl.” 

Kelly seemed unsure whether he was talking to her or Selene, but she took it as her and bowed to him. “Thank you, Sir.” 

“Unbind her, strip her, and bring her to me.” Arthur said, and Kelly set the flogger down to do so. 

Arthur stroked Kat’s face, petting her. “Good girl, Brat. Did you swallow it all?” 

Kat rolled her eyes but opened her mouth wide to show him it was empty. Nothing had fallen either, though her chest glistened with some saliva that had fallen during the blow job. 

“Good girl.” Arthur said and stroked under her chin. “I appreciate you being so obedient tonight.” 

Kat smiled. “Thank you, Sir.” 

“Now, I want you to help Pet out of her corner time.” He said, gesturing to Katelyn. 

Kat nodded and rocked back to her feet. She turned, presenting her bound hands to Arthur. He unclipped them and watched her cheeks slip in and out of the panel skirt as she walked. His erection hadn’t fully faded, and its slow fade stopped as he watched her ass. 

Kelly unhooked Selene and brought her to stand before Arthur. She held Slut by her leash and stood beside her. 

“Nadu.” Arthur said, pointing to the floor. 

Selene knelt before him, taking up the perfect Nadu pose between his feet. She only winced slightly as she pulled her shoulders back. 

“How do you feel?” He asked, bringing his eyes to hers despite the attention her breasts deserved. 

“Thankful, Master.” Selene said. “Thank you for punishing this slave and using my punishment to secure your release. I hope my sister enjoyed her treat.” 

“I did.” Kat said, rubbing it in as she helped Katelyn off the one-bar prison. 

“You should thank your Mistress.” I said, gesturing to Kelly. 

Selene nodded. “Thank you, Mistress.” 

Kelly looked at Arthur, then at Selene after he nodded. “You’re welcome, Slut. I hope you'll listen next time I tell you not to do something.” 

“Yes, Mistress.” Selene said. 

“Good luck.” Kat said, her tone teasing. “I’ve been trying to get her to listen to me for years.” 

“Have you tried flogging her before?” Arthur asked. 

Kat laughed. “No. You’re right. I bet that gives you an edge I’ve lacked all these years.” 

Kelly smiled. 

“There are lotions in the red bag in the trunk.” Arthur said, gesturing to the bedroom. “Slut, I want you to lay face down on the floor. Concubine and Whore, you’re going to apply them. Then Slut, you’re going to thank your Mistress properly. Make her cum.” 

“Oh, uh…” Kelly shook her head and signed ‘no’ across her throat. “No. She can’t go down on me tonight. I’m uh…” 

“Oh, right.” Arthur said, nodding. “Of course. Then she’ll serve you however you wish for the rest of the night. Perhaps a vibrator?” 

“Hmm…” Kelly said, surveying the girls. “Would it be okay if I pleasured Whore, had Slut pleasure our Concubine, and left Pet and Brat with you, Master?”

“Of course.” Arthur said and sat back in his chair. “I have one more in me tonight, and I plan to cum in my new slave.” 

Katelyn stepped forward at that, dripping with desire from her time aboard the vibrator that pleasured her with every strike Kelly landed across Selene’s back. Her pale pink, puffy nipples were hard, and she’d dropped her top as soon as she’d stepped away from the corner with Kat’s help.

Kelly disappeared into the bedroom and emerged with the bag of lotions. Selene laid face down on the floor, her arms under her head, her head turned to see Arthur. Mindy crouched beside her and pushed her braid out of the way. She and Rani applied the lotions in gentle, circling strokes. Kelly supervised. 

“What should I do, Sir?” Kat asked. 

Arthur stood and lowered himself to the floor, laying down with his head toward Selene. He gestured for Katelyn to step over him, and she did, so the panels of her skirt swept his abs.

She gazed down at him with hunger in her eyes and licked her lips. 

“Help Pet.” Arthur said, gesturing. “We know what happened last time you rode the bull, but would you like to take another ride?” 

Kat laughed while Katelyn frowned. Kat stepped behind the skinny girl and lowered herself to straddle Arthur’s calves, effectively sitting behind Katelyn. 

Katelyn got the hint and lowered herself slowly onto Arthur’s standing cock. It pointed toward the ceiling, then directly to her as she lowered herself. The squat wasn’t her best, but she moved into a catcher’s squat with his cock in front of her and her back pressing against Kat’s front for support. 

Kat stood on her knees and reached over Katelyn to stroke Arthur to full hardness. She stabilized Katelyn, and Katelyn did the rest. She lowered herself against Arthur and hesitated. He locked eyes with her and nodded. She parted for him, slipping onto him and gasping as he forced her narrow tunnel wider with the girth of his cock. 

“Holy fuck, you feel good.” Katelyn gasped. “Oh shit.” She stammered, trying to bounce but not moving much. 

“I’ve got you.” Kat said, holding her steady with her arms around her from behind. “You can lean back if you need to.” 

Katelyn steadied and experimentally lifted and lowered herself again and again and again. She didn’t try to take all of him, but she took a quarter of his cock inside and bounced lower every few strokes. She gasped and seized when he struck deep but opened her mouth in pleasure and let her tongue hang out of it. 

Arthur wondered if she’d seen the ahegao face in porn or hentai and thought he might enjoy it or if she did it for herself. Either way, she seemed to enjoy herself. He glanced above to see Rani had shifted, no longer crouched near him. 

Rani laid on the floor with her head and shoulders against the wall. Her legs spread, and her skirt panel pulled aside. Selene lay face down in her muff, eating her out, lapping at her pussy as Rani clutched her head and held her there. 

Using Selene’s ass as a pillow, Mindy sprawled on her back facing Kelly. Kelly knelt over her, groping her breast with one hand and playing with a dildo in her other to drive those high-pitched chirping gasps from Mindy with every thrust. 

“Slow down.” Kat warned Katelyn. “If you break his dick, Kelly will do worse than flog you.” 

Katelyn slowed her squats and moved to her knees, trying to push more of Arthur into herself. Arthur gripped the carpet, raking his nails through the soft tufts. It wasn’t as lush as the carpet in his new bedroom at the house, but it was better than a hardwood floor. 

Katelyn moaned, breathy and high. She rolled her upper half, trying to repeat the belly dance move Selene had done earlier with much less success. She lifted her arms and made a noise like she was in pain. A sharp cry.  

“Are you okay?” Arthur asked, moving his hands to hold her by her tiny waist. “Yellow light!” 

Everyone slowed down and went still, turning to see what was happening. 

“I’m okay!” Katelyn assured him. “I’m just getting tired. And I moved my arm too much. The shoulder is still really sore.” 

“Get the sling.” Arthur said to Kat, who got up and ran for the second bedroom. 

“Is she okay?” Kelly asked. 

Katelyn gave her a thumbs-up. “I’m okay! Green light! Go back to what you were doing!” 

Kelly looked at Arthur, who couldn’t quite see her from above but mirrored Katelyn’s thumbs-up, and that was enough. Rani, Selene, Mindy, and Kelly returned to their lovemaking, while Kat returned with the sling and helped Katelyn put it on. 

“Sorry.” Katelyn said. “Master.” 

“It’s okay.” Arthur said. He stroked her cheek and dragged his hands along her stomach, which made her giggle and twitch. She lifted off him and moved to retake him, but he stopped her. 

“Are you mad at me?” Katelyn asked, surprised. 

“No, Pet.” Arthur said, cupping her cheek in his palm. “I just want to change position.” He stood, with some help from Katelyn and Kat moving around him, and brought them to the kitchen table. It was the perfect height for what he wanted, but it would do. He picked Katelyn up, making her squeal in delight, planted her ass on the table, and pushed her back. She laid against the top of the table, her legs hanging off the edge. Arthur lifted her panel skirt aside, draping it over the outside of her thigh and baring her naked, hairless pussy to his gentle, stroking fingers. 

Kat stood beside him and wrapped her arm around him. Katelyn spread her legs below him. Kat stroked him and guided him into Katelyn. Katelyn’s face fluttered with ecstasy. Arthur started slow, then quickened his pace until he leveled out. He fucked Katelyn with steady pumps. Kat kept her arm around his waist, her other hand on his chest, her breasts and body pressed against his side. 

He looked at Kat and kissed her, scooping her up with one arm and bringing her lips to his. She giggled and made out with him, increasing his fervor as he fucked Katelyn. He clamped his free hand over her exposed clit as he drilled her and circled it with his thumb, toying with her while he fucked her. Katelyn’s legs shook and bent, drawing up to her chest as she tried to hold back her release. She hooked her fingers through the rings in her ankle cuffs, holding her arms straight and her legs folded, opening herself on the table. 

“Cum for me, Pet.” Arthur whispered. 

Katelyn shook her head, straining the muscles in her legs and torso as Arthur pounded her. Kat kissed his neck, and Arthur growled as he bit his lip, clenching his butt and leg muscles as he worked. 

Arthur smacked Katelyn’s clit with his fingertips as if to spank her for trying to deny herself. She flushed at the sudden impact, bucked against it, and came as Arthur’s fingers rolled her clit in tiny circles. Her pussy seized his cock inside her and ground it like a vice. Arthur’s stroking stilled as he couldn’t push himself any further, nor could he withdraw. Instead, he exploded, filling her with his load that shot a surprising amount of cum. 

“Fuck that’s hot.” Kat gasped, watching Arthur’s expression of bliss and relief after he came. “That soft smile you get when you’re satisfied.” She stroked the small of his back, where his muscles softened beneath her touch.

Arthur kissed her as his muscles unclenched. Relaxation swept over him, and he might have staggered if Kat hadn’t embraced him. She returned his kiss with a hungry fervor, stirring him, and his relaxation pooled into peace. He squeezed her in his arm. “Good girl.”

He pulled out of Katelyn, his glistening cock dripping with a mixture of her juices and his cum. He glanced at Kat. “You want to clean it up?” 

Kat scrunched her nose and made a face of distaste. “Gross. Absolutely not.” 

Arthur weighed that response. Kat could be tricky sometimes, protesting the very thing she wanted. “Do you want me to make you?” 

“Just try it.” Kat said, glaring at him. 

Oh, okay. She wanted him to make her do it. 

“On your knees, Brat, or I’ll have Mistress use that flogger on your behind.” Arthur said. 

“You wouldn’t.” Kat hissed. 

Arthur didn’t bother convincing her. “On. Your. Knees.” Arthur grabbed her hair from behind and guided her descent to her knees. He turned, placing his cock in front of her face.

She opened her mouth, her hot breath stirring his cock. Her tongue slid forward and licked his dick, scraping it clean and swallowing after every lick. Selene watched between Rani’s legs, resting her head on Rani’s pubes. Rani had enjoyed her orgasm, but Selene was trapped under Mindy, so Rani wasn’t going anywhere. 

Mindy moaned her release as Kelly increased the vibrator’s intensity to its upper limit. She held Mindy still, but the younger woman thrashed beneath her and then curled into a tight ball. Kelly had a satisfied smile as she withdrew the vibrator, and Mindy slumped against Selene, using the back of her thighs for armrests. 

Katelyn blinked her eyes open on the table, meeting Arthur’s gaze. He patted her thigh, and she smiled at him. “You okay?” She asked. 

“Yeah.” Arthur said, amused that she asked him. “You?” 

She gave him a thumbs-up and closed her eyes again, taking a deep breath as she relaxed. Her legs hung over the edge of the table, dangling past Kat’s face as she sucked Arthur’s cock clean. 

“Good girl.” Arthur said, patting Kat’s head. 

“Okay.” Rani breathed from her spot on the floor. She patted Selene’s head and slid out from under her, fixing her skirt’s panels as she stood. 

“You look amazing in those costumes.” Arthur said.

“Thank you, my King.” Rani said. “We wanted to show them off Saturday, but somebody got tired of our fashion show.” 

“Well, someone can’t be right all the time.” Arthur said, helping Kat to her feet. He helped Katelyn sit up and then slide to her feet from the table. Kat took one arm, Katelyn took the other, and they walked to join the others. Kelly helped Mindy to her feet, and Selene rose with help from Rani. 

The cleanup didn’t take long, and Arthur passed the water bottles around. He checked Selene’s back and held her hand as she cuddled against him on the sofa. She cuddled into his side, holding him close as he rested his arm over her shoulders. Kelly sat on his other side, his arm over her shoulders as she leaned against his other side. The girls took up the kitchen chairs again, circling them around the coffee table. Rani took the office chair, as was her right. Mindy, Katelyn, and Kat sat in the kitchen chairs across from the sofa. Arthur swept them with his eyes, enjoying the bared breasts and the narrow panel skirts between their naked thighs. 

Arthur yawned, resting his head against the back of the sofa. Sleep felt so near and yet so far. He felt so relaxed, physically, but mentally, his mind was racing with anxiety, trying to outpace the knowledge of what he had to discuss with them. He didn’t want to think of Lynn or rehash the past. 

“Back to business?” Katelyn asked. 

Rani clacked the wooden dildo against the coffee table for order, making the girls giggle. Mindy picked her notebook off the coffee table and clicked her pen. Arthur appreciated the lean over and the way her breasts swung with the movement. 

“I don’t have my phone.” Kelly pointed to it on the coffee table, but Rani waved the notion away. 

“Master’s here. He can set the agenda.” Rani said, sitting back in her chair like a queen. “He had something he wanted to discuss… right, my King?” 

All eyes turned toward Arthur. 

“Uh… yeah.” Arthur nodded. “I had an idea after having lunch with Katelyn.” He gestured across the table. “Lunch dates. I was thinking we could do some non-sexual one-on-one time on a rotation during the weekdays, depending on when people are available. Is that… something you’d be interested in?” 

“What about group lunches?” Mindy asked. “I always enjoy having lunch with everyone.” 

“And non-sexual?” Selene asked. “Wouldn’t it be better to take the opportunity for one-on-one sex?” 

“Except we need to eat lunch.” Arthur said, squeezing Selene. 

“You eat lunch, I’ll take a liquid lunch.” She squeezed his sack, and Arthur cleared his throat. Selene giggled. 

“Behave, Slut.” Arthur said, his tone full of warning. 

“Yes, Master.” Selene rolled her eyes. 

“I’m down for lunch dates.” Rani said. “I think it sounds kinda cute, which isn’t normally my thing, but… fuck it. I’ll try anything twice. No promises I won’t get handsy, though. A girl has needs.” 

“I think it sounds nice.” Kat said. “I wouldn’t mind having an intelligent conversation with you.” 

“Yeah, I’m in.” Kelly said. 

“I had mine yesterday.” Katelyn said. “So I’m good with it. I think it’s a great idea.” 

“Wait, is that why you asked me to lunch today?” Selene asked. 

Arthur nodded. “Yeah.” 

“Who did you end up eating with?” Selene asked. 

“I ate in my car on the way to the house. I changed the locks this afternoon between work and class.” Arthur said. “I have keys for you guys in my bag.” He pointed to his bookbag by the door.

“So, no more Lynn in the house?” Kat asked, her voice sounded hopeful. 

“No more Lynn in the house.” Arthur said, relieved. 

“And speaking of Lynn…” Rani said, looking directly at Arthur. 

“She is on the warpath.” Kelly said, surprising everyone. “She outed Mindy to her mom and showed up at Selene’s work today.” 

“Yeah, what happened with that?” Kat asked. 

Selene told them the story, catching them and Arthur up on Lynn’s brief visit to her store. They didn’t interrupt, letting her give the blow-by-blow account. When she finished, Selene sighed. “She didn’t get me fired but made it clear she could if she wanted to.” 

The girls all glanced at each other, none looking at Arthur until he spoke. 

“I think I may need to confront Lynn.” Arthur said. 

“Yes!” Selene said. “Finally!” 

A chorus of general agreement went up from everyone except Kelly and Rani. 

“Or.” Rani said, clearing her throat. “You know the fastest way to kick her out of the house already.” She looked at Arthur. “You just need to tell your mom what happened.” 

“What happened?” Kelly asked, looking at Arthur. “Did Lynn say something to you we missed?” 

“No.” Arthur said, glancing at Rani. He couldn’t be mad at her, but the deep breath he took didn’t stop his heart from pounding in his chest either. She pushed him. She wouldn’t let him get away without telling the others the whole story, as planned. “Okay, look, I uh…” He glanced around the group, all of the girls watching him. Somehow, their being topless and in the sexiest fantasy costumes in pop culture didn’t lighten the burden of what he was about to say. 

“Rani and I had a conversation on Sunday.” He said. “I told her what happened between Lynn and me in high school. Some specifics that I haven’t shared with the rest of you.” 

Kelly and Selene straightened, turning to look at him. Kelly put her hand on his thigh, comforting him. Mindy leaned closer, and Kat held Katelyn’s hand beside her. 

“You talked to Rani about it, but not me?” Kelly asked. Try as she might, she couldn’t hide the hurt in her voice.

“It wasn’t like that.” Rani said, trying to diffuse Kelly, who looked like she was about to cry. “It wasn’t because he trusted me more than you or anything. Right, Arthur?” 

“I trust all of you to an extreme degree.” Arthur said, assuring them as best as he could. “I wouldn’t do the things we do without trusting you, just like you wouldn’t do them with me if you didn’t trust me.” 

Kelly sniffled, and Rani twitched. 

“Do you already know what I’m going to tell them?” Arthur asked, looking at Kelly. “How much did Lori tell you?” 

“She didn’t go into explicit detail, but I know enough to hate Lynn.” Kelly said, wiping her eyes. “And… I did some stalking. I tracked down some of your high school classmates, and some have their own horror stories. And her old college, she practically left a bloodbath behind her.” 

“Sounds right.” Arthur nodded. He took another deep breath. “Okay, look. This is going to be a heavy conversation. Does everyone have the bandwidth for it? Are you okay if I… share something?” 

“Master… what happened?” Selene asked, sliding her hand onto his other thigh. 

“Before we talk about this, I need you all to promise me you won’t do anything rash. The rules haven’t changed. I don’t want anyone going after Lynn unless we have a plan.” Arthur said. “All anger aside, I’m the coach, right? Let me call the plays on this. Follow my lead.” 

“Of course, Master.” Selene said, nodding. Everyone else agreed, nodding and assenting in chorus. It was easy for Selene to agree, given the pain aching across her back, reminding her of the cost of disobedience. She enjoyed the ache, and her arousal was still intense from the scene, but they were all coming down from the high, and she was no exception. Still, her heartbeat was steady and calm. She wasn’t about to fly off the sofa and kill Lynn in a rage the way she might have before. Was that post-orgasm clarity? Or post-funishment tranquility?

Arthur sighed. “Okay.” He glanced at Rani. “As you know, Lynn and I used to be friends.” He said. “Things soured in high school. She started hanging out with the popular girls, and I was an easy target. She knew everything about me. She could roast me all she wanted, and I was so in love with her that I never put up a fight. Things got worse and worse over time.” 

Kelly stroked Arthur’s arm, trying to encourage him, but he fell quiet instead, unable to look to either side for fear of making eye contact with Selene or Kelly. They each moved their hands from his thighs to his hands and held tight. He swept his thumbs over their knuckles as he told them about his experiences. The callouses on Kelly’s and the smooth skin on Selene’s were a striking contrast. 

He started with the Farty Arty story, almost exactly how he’d told it to Rani. They didn’t laugh. From there, he summarized the rest of their high school time together. He told them about helping her with homework, doing her assignments for her, and even helping her cheat on exams and quizzes. 

They held their shock in check though the occasional breath of surprise swept through the room. Their hatred for Lynn was already burning, and he added fuel to each fire with each revelation. That wasn’t his intention, though. He wasn’t trying to give them reasons to be angry with Lynn. No, opening up like this was to let them know why he was the way he was. To share himself with them in a vulnerable but genuine way. They would see him at his weakest by the time he finished the story. 

Finally, he came to their senior year and the motel during Spring Break. He hesitated in the retelling and looked at Rani. 

Without speaking, she slid from her chair and moved between his legs. She knelt, crossed her arms on his thighs, and laid her head on his lap, not in a sexual way, but in a comforting, trusting way. She didn’t say anything, just let her braid fall over his leg and pressed her cheek against his thigh. Arthur stroked her scalp, with Selene’s fingers still wrapped over his. 

So he told them how Lynn lured him to the motel with apologies and promises. How she’d spoken of their reconciliation and their time together before they left for college. The Spring Break party was supposed to be their fresh start, the beginning of their bliss. Instead, it became Arthur’s nightmare. He recounted the events in the room, with Lynn making him strip to his underwear, mocking him, then pinning him, grinding on him, and leaving him there. 

Katelyn held a hand to her mouth in shock and left it there. Her tears dripped from the corners of her eyes. Kat stared at Arthur, who couldn’t look at her as he spoke. She didn’t cry but crushed her velvet panel skirt in her fists. Mindy was in tears, hiding her face in a tissue, her head in her hands. Kelly, likewise, had transformed from a stern Mistress to a puddle of tears. She hugged Arthur’s arm, and tears dripped along his skin as if trying to wash away the memories. Selene’s eyes were red around the edges from tears that seemed to turn to steam before they left her eyes. 

For his part, Arthur wasn’t angry, except maybe at himself for freezing instead of fighting. At this point, he didn’t have the energy for fury. Retelling the story of what she’d done to him in the hotel room and after was like plunging a knife into an old scar. Anger fled in the face of pain, and wrath drowned in the flood of sorrow. That flood washed everything away word by word until he had nothing left. 

He didn’t cry, but cold numbness spread through him as he recounted each detail as if it’d happened to someone else. How he’d run after Lynn when she left and gotten his ass kicked for it. He told them everything and only his eyes were dry by the end. Even Rani’s eyelashes swept her tears across his leg, and she wiped them away with her caressing palm as she sat up after he finished. 

“Oh my god, Arthur.” Kelly whispered, holding his hand as tightly as she could. “Lori hinted that... But I didn’t... I’m… I’m so sorry.” 

“Hey.” Rani said, drawing Arthur’s attention to her. “I’m proud of you, my King.” 

Arthur’s tears pushed forward, but before the first one could fall, Selene crashed against him, throwing her arms around him and holding him tight. Kelly did the same from the other side, and before he knew it, everyone was in a pile on top of him, hugging him and each other. Those who couldn’t throw their arms directly around him made contact however they could, with hands on his exposed arms, chest, or thighs. 

He closed his eyes, letting the weight of their bodies push against his system and soothe him. They became a weighted blanket, an inescapable comfort. Every touch was a caress and a transfer of strength. Silent solidarity that whatever he was suffering right now, he didn’t have to suffer alone. He’d been alone the first time, unable to tell his parents or anyone else. Now, his girls were there to share the burden. They stayed like that for a long time. Arthur didn’t know how long. When they pulled away, he wiped tears away from each of them. 

“I’m so sorry, Master.” Selene said, still holding him. “I’ll never make you do CNC play again. I can’t believe I made you–” 

“Hush.” Arthur said, stroking her cheek and wiping her tears away with his thumb. “It’s not the same, and you know it.” 

“But–” Selene protested. 

“If anything, it was cathartic.” Arthur said. “And some of the things we do are because you enjoy them, and that’s okay. Besides, we do what I enjoy whenever I want.” 

“But–” Selene said again. 

“We’ll talk about it later.” Arthur assured her. “For now, uh… how do you guys feel about it? Does knowing that happened lessen me as a dom in your eyes?” 

“Not at all.” Rani said, shaking her head. 

“Of course not.” Kat said. 

“Is that why you didn’t want to tell me?” Kelly asked. “You worried I’d think less of you? Or that I wouldn’t be able to see you as dominant?” 

Arthur shrugged. “That might have been part of it.” He admitted. “I also hate making you cry.” He wiped a tear away from Kelly’s cheek. 

“Not all tears are evil.” Selene said, smiling through her tears when Arthur turned to face her. 

“How dare you quote Tolkien against me.” Arthur said. “Ten more floggings.” He tried to put humor into his voice, but it was too soon, and the words came out flat. 

Selene laughed. “Yes, Master.” 

“I’m just kidding.” Arthur assured her. 

“Even if you weren’t, that’s okay. You’re still my master. Nothing you share with me could make me unable to see you that way.” Selene said, doing her best to sound steady despite the tears warbling her voice. “I love you.” 

“I love you too.” Arthur said, lowering his forehead to hers. 

Kat, Katelyn, and Mindy moved back, sitting on the coffee table behind Rani, who knelt between Arthur and Katelyn’s intermingled legs. Each had a hand on Arthur’s knee or thigh, while Kelly and Selene held his hands. 

“So what’s the plan?” Kat asked. “How do we get rid of Lynn once and for all?” 

“Vengeance.” Selene said. “Justice.” 

They looked at her. 

“You need to do to her what she did to you.” Selene said. 

Arthur shook his head. “Absolutely not.” 

“You need to tell your mom what really happened.” Rani said. Mindy nodded. They all did. 

“I’ve tried.” Arthur said. “I can’t do it.” 

“Why not?” Mindy asked her tear-stained face and the pity in her eyes an answer she couldn’t see. 

“Because I can’t stand the thought of her looking at me like you are now.” Arthur said. “The pity, the sympathy…” 

“Master, we care about you. When you hurt, we hurt, and that’s okay. That’s not an imposition. I’d take all your pain if I could.” Selene said. She kissed his arm. “Spank it into me if you want to. Kelly hit my back the most, so my ass is still available for spanking or fucking, if you want.” 

Arthur chuckled. “I appreciate the offer.” 

“We’d all take your pain.” Rani said. “So thank you for sharing it with us.” 

“Yeah, I’d take your pain, too.” Kat said.

“Me too.” Kelly said, wrapping her arm around his shoulders. 

“Master…” Mindy said, her voice a whisper. “Look, I don’t know how to say this right, so bear with me. But… I was afraid to share who I was with my parents.” 

The others turned to look at her. 

“And I didn’t.” Mindy said. “I wasn’t brave enough, like Rani or like you. You’re brave. Telling us what happened? That took a lot of guts, right? And you were worried about it hurting your relationship with us or that we’d see you differently, but we don’t. We see more of you than we did before, that’s all. It doesn’t change our feelings for you. Lynn can’t take us from you. You’re still my hot, older boss. You’re still the master of this harem. You can still drag me to the storage room and kiss me whenever you want. You still fuck like a pro, love musicals, and geek out about Lord of the Rings. You’re still you, and we love you. Now, we know you better than ever before, and it’s good. I feel so much closer to you now than I did before.” 

Mindy swallowed, struggling through her words as if they might make her cry, but out of tears. “You owe your mom that. You shouldn’t lock her out. She should know who you really are if you want to be close to her, and that includes sharing your traumas with her like you did with us. And it’s better if it comes from you instead of someone else.” 

Rani rubbed Mindy’s thigh as she spoke, keeping her from imploding. She hadn’t been able to look Arthur in the eye while she spoke, and she was nervous, folding into herself, but she spoke her mind. 

Selene’s eyes widened, recalling something Lynn had said in her phone conversation with Deb. “Lynn told your mom you were each other’s first time. She even referenced... oh, my god, that BITCH.” 

Shock overtook Arthur’s expression. “What? We weren’t. There was no penetration, it wasn’t–” 

“She said something on the phone about it.” Selene said. “She used it to defend her behavior, acting like she was jealous of us.” 

“That cunt.” Kelly said, wiping her face. 

“Language.” Katelyn said automatically, then covered her mouth in surprise. 

A dry, lone chuckle escaped Arthur’s lips. “Oh, that was something else we changed.” He looked at Kelly. “We’re changing Katelyn’s penalty for cursing from money to spankings. Ten spanks for each word.” 

“Ten?” Katelyn asked, surprised. 

“That’ll add up fast.” Kat said, smiling. 

“And I trust you all to keep her honest.” Arthur said, smiling at Katelyn. 

Katelyn blushed and looked away, not protesting or ruining the improvement of his mood. 

“So… what do we do about Lynn?” Selene asked. “If murder’s off the table.” 

“Is it off the table?” Kat asked. 

“It’s off the table.” Arthur said. “No one goes to jail for her.” 

“What if we’re really good at it?” Kat asked. “I listen to a lot of true crime podcasts and–” 

“No.” Arthur said. “No violence. It’ll only make things so much worse. She will sue the crap out of anyone for anything.” 

“And you won’t report her to the police?” Rani asked.

“It was years ago.” Arthur said. 

“The statute of limitations hasn’t run out. You have another eight years.” Rani said. “I checked. And I know a good lawyer. My sister–” 

“Rani.” Arthur said, his voice soft. “We’ve been over this.” 

“Okay.” Rani said, frowning but not fighting. She couldn’t make Arthur press charges, no matter how much she might want him to. “But you need to tell Deb.” 

The girls nodded. 

“No way she lets Lynn live in the basement once you tell her.” Mindy said. “Your mom loves you. We’ve all seen it. We love you, too. The biggest danger is you can’t order your mom not to kill her, and she might.” 

Kelly chuckled. “Don’t mess with Momma bears.” She flexed her fingers. “What if we just beat her up a little?” 

“No.” Arthur said, repeating his refrain. 

Kelly swallowed and nodded, resting her head on his shoulder. “For you. I won’t kill her for your sake, but if you change your mind... we will end her.” 

“I still need time to think of a plan on what to do with Lynn. Think about it, and let me know your suggestions.” Arthur said, sitting back on the sofa and reclining with Selene and Kelly against him. “Not murder.” He said as Kat opened her mouth. She closed it, sat back, and resigned. 

“Tell your mom.” Rani said. “Motherfucker, have you not been listening?” 

Arthur chuckled. “I hear you.” He said. “But call me that again, and I’ll have to make an example of you.” 

Rani smirked. “Nice try, but you can’t distract me with threats of a good time.” 

“Worth a shot.” Arthur shrugged or tried to; a girl on each arm and a head on each shoulder made the movement difficult. 

“We’ll ponder.” Kat said, glancing around at the group. “In the meantime… is there anything else we need to discuss? Or can we drag our Sir to bed?”

“Are you all sleeping here?” Arthur asked, surprised. 

“I packed an overnight bag, just in case.” Mindy said, smiling. 

“I wasn’t planning to given my… uh…” Kelly gestured to her lower stomach. “But we absolutely can if Katelyn’s okay with it.” 

“I have a pair of panties and a toothbrush in my purse.” Katelyn said, blushing. 

“Before we go to bed…” Selene said, stroking Arthur’s abs. “Friday night, do you have plans already?” 

“I assumed it was a date night.” Arthur said. “Who’s on the calendar?”

“Me, I think.” Selene said. “I want you to have a guys’ night with Mark and Brad. Invite them to the house, hang out, drink, play video games, that kind of thing.” 

“Are you sure?” Arthur asked. He’d been thinking of getting Selene to drop the slave aspect for a night and hang out like they used to. A guys’ night might be fun, though. Brad had suggested one already that morning. Caleb would probably be out with his band, but Brad, Mark, and Arthur could enjoy a night of good food, bad movies, or something along those lines. “Do you want to join us as one of the guys?” 

Selene put his hand on her breast and squeezed his fingers around it. “I’m not one of the guys, Master. I want you to have fun with your friends.” 

Arthur considered the offer. A night away from Dom duties sounded fantastic to his ears. Not that he had any right to complain, but a lot of effort and energy went into every performance. It was like he had to be in character or on stage every night, and a night off sounded like bliss, even if it meant a night with no sex. Besides, Brad was right; he hadn’t had much time to spare for his non-sex friends recently, and guilt gnawed at him for that. He should make time for them, too. However, a night of solitude and sleep sounded almost as good. 

“Okay.” Arthur said, looking at the others. “And the rest of you are okay with this?” 

They nodded. “We talked about it already.” Kelly said, stroking his thigh. She glanced at Selene, but if Selene was still planning her surprise, she didn’t ruin it by saying anything. 

“And there’s one last thing.” Mindy said. “In the interest of sharing with each other, and being vulnerable, and stuff…” She glanced at Rani. “I have a confession to make.” 

Everyone turned to see Mindy. 

“Uh…” Mindy hesitated. “I need to apologize to you, Kelly, especially, and to you, Arthur. Mistress and Master.” She said, smiling softly. “I might have… no, I definitely did. I misrepresented how much I knew about football to flirt with you.” She said. “I lied. I love football. I know a lot about it. I was a cheerleader in high school.” 

“Oh.” Kelly said, surprise clear in her voice. “I thought…” 

“I know.” Mindy said, holding her hands out toward Kelly. “I pretended I didn’t, to flirt with Arthur, and then you stepped in, and I just kind of went with it.” Mindy said. “It got out of hand. But I didn’t want to hurt or lie to either of you.” 

Arthur nodded. He was surprised, but it made sense. 

Kelly sniffled. “Oh. So… you weren’t trying to flirt with me at all. Okay.” 

“No, Mistress, I… I definitely wanted to flirt with you. I just… I didn’t know what to do or say about it.” Mindy tried to explain herself. “You know how girls sometimes act dumb to flirt with a guy?” 

Kelly shook her head. 

“I didn’t get it either.” Rani said. 

“I get it.” Selene said. “It sucks, and it shouldn’t be a thing, but… I’ve done it.” 

“With me?” Arthur asked. 

“No, my ex.” Selene said. “You remember Dave? He thought he was God’s gift to theater and would explain all kinds of stuff that I already knew, but I was trying to get into bed with him to get over you and pretended like it was all new and super interesting information.” 

“You dated him to get over me?” Arthur asked, confused. 

“You were dating Lori, and I was crushing on you… so Kat recommended I move on to someone else, and–” Selene shrugged, then winced from the pain that flickered through her, reminding her of the red marks on her upper back. 

“In my defense, we weren’t doing Polyamory yet.” Kat said, speaking up. “And I didn’t really know you or Dave.” 

Arthur hugged Selene and kissed her forehead. Selene smiled and brought her lips to his, kissing him. 

“So…” Mindy said after a period of silence. “Do you forgive me?” 

Arthur nodded. “Yes.” He said. “Though, I’d appreciate it if you were honest with me in the future. I need to trust you to tell me the truth if we’re doing the things we’re doing. Don’t lie and say something is okay when it’s not because you want to make me happy or impress me. Okay?” 

“Yes, Boss.” Mindy smiled. “And Kelly?” 

Kelly sniffled. “Yeah. Sure.” 

Arthur looked at Kelly. 

“I’m sorry.” Kelly said. “I’m just… kind of mixed up tonight. It’s a lot. And I have no right to be angry or upset with you.” 

“But…” Katelyn said, pressing the issue. “There sounds like there’s a but coming.” 

Kelly sighed. “But I am.” She wiped her nose. “I’m hurt that you opened up to Rani with this and not me, even after I offered to be there for you.” She said to Arthur. “And I know that’s fucked up. I should be glad you shared it with me when you shared it with the rest of us, but… I don’t know. It made me feel like you gave Rani special treatment and that you and I weren’t as close as I thought if you and Rani were closer. We’ve known each other for years! You just met her!” 

Arthur frowned but didn’t launch into a defense either. He took a moment, wrestling with his gut instinct to contradict and deny, which wouldn’t help. Maybe there was some truth to what she said. Were he and Rani closer than he and Kelly? He didn’t think so. Then again, each relationship had different levels of closeness, and he couldn’t make them homogenous if he tried. 

Was the imbalance a problem? Clearly, it was for Kelly, who now believed she was ‘further behind’ than previously thought. But their relationships weren’t a race. They weren’t competing with one another for a finish line. They were growing like flowers in a garden, intertwining. One branch being taller didn’t make it more beautiful. 

“I’m sorry I wasn’t ready to talk about it when you offered.” Arthur said. “I didn’t mean to hurt you by withholding it.” He squeezed Kelly’s hand. “If I had my way, I’d never have told any of you any of it and spared you the pain.” 

Kelly squeezed his hand, crying as she did. “I don’t want you to spare me the pain. I want you to let me help you carry it. I’m your partner. Your wifey. I can’t stand by your side if you treat me like I’m weak and don’t let me help you.” 

“You’re not weak.” Arthur said, wrapping his arm around her. “You’re one of the strongest people I know, Kelly. I was weak, not strong enough to talk about what happened. In the future, I’ll work harder to share more with you. I promise. But please be patient with me. As your Hubby, my first instinct is to protect you, even if you don’t need it. As your Master and Dom, I look out for your safety and happiness, not just physically but in every way I possibly can. But I’ll try to remember the difference between causing you pain and sharing my pain from now on.” 

Kelly cried, and Arthur held her. Katelyn moved to her other side, holding her hand as she broke down. 

Mindy moved to hold her hand, but Kelly moved her hand away, taking Arthur’s. Mindy, trying not to look hurt, returned to the coffee table. Rani joined her, sitting next to her with one arm around her, the other holding her hand over their thighs.

They let Kelly cry it out, holding her as she apologized repeatedly to Arthur, who held her and kissed her tears away. 

She recovered herself as time ticked on. 

“I really am sorry for lying, Mistress.” Mindy said. “Are you mad at me?” 

“No.” Kelly said. “I… I think you just compounded my feelings of being left out and worth less than others.” She glanced at Rani, then returned her gaze to Mindy. “You made me feel foolish, like you were laughing at me the whole time I thought I was introducing you to a passion of mine.” 

“I’m so sorry.” Mindy said. “I wasn’t laughing at you. I was learning about you, more than the game, and growing closer to you. We have an interest in common! And while you might not be the one to introduce me to the game, I’ll definitely watch them with you and cheer beside you.” 

“Yeah.” Kelly said, her voice soft. “I’d like that.” 

“Are we okay?” Mindy asked. 

“Yeah.” Kelly nodded. “We’re okay.” 

“And we’re okay?” Arthur asked, gesturing between himself and each of the girls, who smiled and nodded at him. Kelly and Selene kissed him, each taking a cheek. 

“Okay.” Arthur said. “Who is sleeping over?” 

Selene, Kat, Mindy, and Rani raised their hands. Katelyn and Kelly shared a glance and a silent conversation through the subtle shifts in their familiar expressions. Spend the night? Or go home and get a good night’s sleep? Katelyn’s arm might be a liability in a group bed, and as much as she wanted to stay, Kelly’s current state required careful sleeping arrangements. 

“I want to stay.” Kelly said. “But it might be best if I go back to my own apartment tonight. Besides, is there even room in your bed for everyone?” 

Arthur’s queen-sized bed could sleep three, sometimes four, but seven was definitely beyond its capacity. 

“We can grab my mattress.” Selene said. “And I can sleep on my slave bed.” 

“Slave bed?” Katelyn asked. 

“A pile of blankets at the foot of Master’s bed.” Selene explained. 

“You do you.” Katelyn said, upturning her hand to replace a shrug. 

“If we bring over mine and Selene’s mattresses and Arthur’s mattress out here, there should be room for all of us.” Kat gestured to the empty space in the other half of the living room. “It’d be like a campout…” 

“I can bring them over.” Arthur said, nodding. 

“I can help.” Kelly said. “I uh… I should also put down a towel, I think.” 

“Is your flow that heavy?” Rani asked, surprised. 

Kelly nodded. “I get a really heavy flow the first two days, then a trickle for two, and spotting for a day. Give or take. Most of the time. Sometimes, it likes to mix things up.” 

“It’s not always the same?” Arthur asked. His face was a mixture of curiosity and disgust. 

The girls laughed. Arthur laughed with them. It felt… oddly normal. 

“And I need to sleep on the edge.” Katelyn said. “On my right side.” 

“Just don’t kick in your sleep.” Kat said, warning. “There won’t be room for you to sprawl, and I will push you off the bed if I have to.” 

“Don’t be mean, I’m injured.” Katelyn said, pouting. 

“Milk that injury all you want. It’s self-inflicted. I have no sympathy left for you.” Kat said, shaking her head. 

“Don’t listen to her. She’s a big softie, really.” Rani said, throwing her arm around Kat and squeezing her. “She loves us!” 

“Maybe I should sleep in my own bed tonight…” Kat said, rolling her eyes as Rani kissed her cheek. 

“Don’t be a Brat.” Rani said, laughing. “Be a good girl. Master needs you tonight. He needs all of us.” 

Kat glanced at Arthur, and her expression softened. He shook his head and looked away, refusing any pity. 

Katelyn, missing the exchange, rolled her eyes. The group on the sofa stood, and the others moved away in a wave of people dispersing from the couch. 

Each of them hugged Arthur after he stepped away. Then, he dressed to fetch the other mattresses from Kat and Selene’s apartment. Kelly put her top on but remained in costume beneath a long coat as she and Arthur left to do the heavy lifting. Meanwhile, the others got ready for bed, stripping down, removing their cuffs and collars, brushing their teeth, and washing their faces. They took turns at the small sink. 

Arthur and Kelly returned with Kat’s queen-sized mattress, and Arthur made a second trip for Selene’s double. Kelly and Rani pulled Arthur’s mattress from his bedroom. Gradually, the other half of his living room became a spread of mattresses, blankets, sheets, pillows, and sofa cushions (because they ran out of pillows, even after Arthur grabbed more from Selene and Kat’s apartment). Discarded clothes and costumes made a small pile in the second bedroom.  

“Add some hanging silks, and this might look like an actual harem scene.” Rani said, laughing as she surveyed their work. 

The girls laughed, and they helped Arthur set up the remaining mattress when he returned. Selene dragged her slave bed to the foot of the arrangement and made herself comfortable. Everyone else hung their collars on the hooks on the wall and helped Arthur undress. 

Their nightly routines completed, and everyone ready for bed, Arthur took the middle. Kelly laid on his right, with Katelyn behind her. Rani hugged Arthur’s left side, holding him like a body pillow with her leg hooked over his. In turn, she was a little spoon to Mindy, who hugged her close and followed the curve of her body with her own. Kat slept on the outside of Mindy, between her and the wall. Selene slept at the foot of the bed, curled and smiling in her blankets. 

“I love you, Master.” Selene said. 

“I love you, too, Selene.” Arthur said. 

Kelly kissed his shoulder. He kissed her forehead. Warmth seeped over Arthur and everyone under their blankets, and sleep came with it, washing them in lilting waves to the shores of dreamland. Whatever the future held, Arthur wouldn’t have to face it alone. Despite his reluctance, he was beginning to agree with Rani. Perhaps sharing what he’d told them with his mother was the best course of action. And maybe he didn’t have to do it solo. If his harem was there to support him, he’d be strong enough to do anything.