Harem House Chapter 33 Part 2

Beth’s mouth opened and closed several times. The girl was too close for comfort, eying Beth like she was a meal. She knew Beth wasn’t an intruder, or Beth imagined the girl’s reaction would have been violent instead of smug.

Meanwhile, the younger woman wore far too little clothing. Her cropped tank top was without a bra, and poking nipples tipped her F-cup breasts. Her body was composed entirely of curves and glamor, and her face was pretty, like a movie star's. Her gym shorts only covered the upper half of her ass. Everything else was bare, tanned skin. Long legs, toned arms and stomach, and pearly white teeth.

“Uh… I’m Beth.” She said, answering the first question since it was easier. “And I… Uh… Arthur?!” Beth called into the kitchen, crying for help. The panic in her cry brought him running.

Arthur emerged through the doorway in a flash, wearing only a flowery apron. A naked Kat behind him froze in the doorway and hid behind the edge of the archway rather than emerge naked in front of Lynn. Lynn’s eyes flared in triumph at seeing Kat but widened in awe at seeing Arthur.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Arthur asked, his voice harsh.

Beth stammered but then realized he wasn’t angry with or talking to her at all. He was glaring at Lynn, and whatever beef lay between them was more than the anger he’d put into his playing voice. He wasn’t pretending to be anyone’s villain right now. He was a step away from murder.

“Don’t be like that, Arty…”

“You’re supposed to be in the basement.” Arthur said. “You don’t get access to the rest of the house.”

“Well, I didn’t know anyone else was here. I thought she was an intruder.” Lynn said, gesturing to Beth. “Jesus, what did you do, bang Kat’s mom too? Her sister and your other girlfriends aren’t enough?”

Beth felt water sting the corner of her eyes. She knew it was a better conclusion for Lynn to jump to than the truth, but it still stung that she looked old enough to be Kat’s mother.

“Get out, Lynn.” Arthur said. “Now. Or I’ll toss you out for trespassing.”

“Arty…” Lynn stepped closer to him rather than away, looking him up and down and smiling. The smug look of triumph on her face drove Beth’s terror deeper. “You look good. Domesticity suits you. Come–ow!”

Arthur grabbed her by the wrist as she reached to touch his arm, and instead of saying anything playful, he dragged her. Her feet slid on the tile as he marched toward the door beneath the stairs. She struggled against his grip, twisting, slapping, and clawing his hand, but his grip didn’t flag.

“Arty, you’re hurting me!” Lynn cried, hurting herself as she tugged wildly against him.

He opened the basement door, flung her through the doorway onto the landing on the other side, and slammed the door closed. It shut so forcefully that Beth worried it might splinter.

“Kat, chair.” Arthur commanded as he held the door closed with both hands.

Kat trotted from the kitchen carrying a kitchen table chair. Arthur propped it under the door handle, physically preventing the door from opening.

He sighed. “First thing I’m doing today is adding a deadbolt to this side of the door.”

The door handle jiggled, and Lynn pounded on the other side, but if she said anything, it was muffled enough that Beth couldn’t hear it. She stared at Arthur in shock, still unsure he’d done what he’d done. “Who was that?”

“She’s going to live in the in-law suite downstairs.” Arthur said. “But she’s not a friend. What did you tell her?”

“Nothing.” Beth said. She amended her answer once she had a second to think about it. “Just my name.”

Arthur took a deep breath. Kat put her hand on his upper back and hugged him from the side. Beth did the same. Whatever the energy was, she wanted to calm him. She stroked his chest, feeling his pulse beneath her palm race as if he’d drunk an entire pot of coffee.

His expression was livid, his eyes burning as if he could weld the door closed with heat from his eyes. Beth understood he hated this girl, but this seemed like an overreaction to her presence. It wasn’t as if she’d said or done anything to merit such a violent expulsion.

“Arthur, are you okay?” Beth asked.

“He’ll be fine.” Kat said, pulling them both toward the kitchen. “Come on. Let’s eat breakfast, Sir.”

Beth followed Kat and Arthur into the kitchen, still confused but letting Arthur relax as he served eggs and bacon. Kat poured her a mug of coffee. She clung to the mug and sipped it, allowing the warm brew to wake her up. Though, running into Lynn had already gotten her heart thundering in her ears.

Their breakfast continued in silence for a few moments until Arthur calmed down. Beth couldn’t stay long. She had to go home before going to the office, as did Arthur and Kat. Still, Arthur was very affectionate with both of them after the meal, cleaning the dishes, hugging, and kissing them. He gave both of them plenty of affection as they prepared for their departure, cleaning up their mess and removing any sign they’d been there.

Beth appreciated the attention, though she thought it might lead to more than it did. It wasn’t foreplay like she’d hoped, but more aftercare. Their intense session the night before left its mark on Kat’s behind and Beth’s mind.

She didn’t know how she was going to make it through a day at the office without picturing him naked beneath her, driving her toward the ceiling with every glorious thrust. Any man Arthur set her up with would have some stiff competition.

She waited by the door as Arthur and Kat ascended the stairs to dress. Kat descended first, wearing a white t-shirt that was too short to be a proper dress. It was also too transparent. Beth could make out the tips of Kat’s nipples through the material, and it was clear she wasn’t wearing a bra. Especially when she bent over to put her shoes on.

Arthur appeared, wearing his dress shirt and slacks, and his suit jacket hung over his arm. He put the jacket over Kat’s shoulders before they left.

Kat hugged it closed, moved to her toes, kissed Arthur, and nodded goodbye to Beth. Kat sat carefully in her car, still using Arthur’s suit jacket as a cloak. Arthur walked Beth to her car.

“I’ll see you at the office?” Beth asked, not knowing why she sounded like a high schooler at the end of a first date.

“Of course.” Arthur said. “Oh, and uh… well, never mind, I’ll talk to you at the office about it, but I might need to leave early today. If that’s okay.”

Beth rolled her eyes. He’d probably need to keep leaving early until they figured out his new hours. Until then, he could do as he pleased as far as she was concerned. With their arrangement, he was the one in control. “You make the rules, remember? It’s fine. I’ll… I’ll see you there.”

Arthur nodded, and not sure whether she should, she accepted his hug one last time. He closed her driver-side door after making sure she was ready. Then Arthur went to his car, and the three of them drove away from the house, leaving the fourth car in the driveway.

~~~

Lynn watched the three cars drive away. Kat wore Arthur’s suit jacket as she got into her car. Not a big deal. She was Arthur’s girlfriend for some reason. It boggled Lynn’s mind that someone as hot as Arthur included someone as average as Kat among his girlfriends. There was no accounting for taste, she supposed. Or she was a package deal with the skinny sister, Selene. However, Kelly was the only one hot enough to be considered a threat.

And apparently, Beth was a girlfriend now, too? Was she really Kat’s mom or just some street walker they’d brought home?

No. That didn’t fit. The dress was slutty, sure, but not that slutty. And Arthur would never pay for sex. Lynn rubbed her wrist.

So, what was Beth’s story? She looked familiar, and not just because she looked like an older Kat. Where had Lynn seen her before? The expression on Beth’s face at being referred to as Kat’s mom had been delicious. Whoever she was, she was too easy to fuck with.

Lynn pondered Beth’s face as she made her way around the outside of the house to the front door. She used the key Deb gave her for emergencies, deactivated the alarm, and moved the chair from blocking the basement door. She carried it into the kitchen, pushed it into place at the table, and sighed.

Arty was going to be a problem.

He hadn’t hurt her, but he hadn’t stopped when she said he did, either. That wasn’t like him, or at least not the Arthur that Lynn knew. He wasn’t listening to her, which meant she had less control over him rather than more. Why was nothing she said working?

She could only recon for so long, but she’d landed in this mess without realizing what was going on with Arthur and those women. She’d met them on Saturday, and tried to crash their party without realizing how private it really was. Selene humiliated her, which the bitch would pay for eventually. Calling the cops on them hadn’t worked because Arthur had turned the beer over to the hotel. And Lynn had been a confused, horny mess when she left the hotel parking lot.

Brunch with them and Deb on Sunday had gone as planned. She played the fool, and the girls ate from her hand. They thought she was an idiot, and a harmless one at that. She almost laughed as she recalled Mindy, Rani, and the others. Deb had gotten a little riled in the crossfire, but she was easy to manipulate. One request for a coffee date with Auntie Deb and Lynn would be back in her good graces.

With the information gathered Sunday morning, Lynn spent Sunday and Monday working the hardest she’d ever worked on her new pet project. She now had everything she knew about the girls consolidated, and ready to go.

It was time to start making moves if she wanted to break up the harem and get Arthur on his own. That was step one.

It was a pity there’d been two other women there this morning. She could have claimed something had happened if they were alone together. An old threat, sure, but an effective one in her experience. She’d just have to orchestrate some time alone with him. Maybe she could somehow get access to his apartment or ambush him at school.

School. The University. That was where she’d seen Beth before, exiting the admin building. She was too old to be a student, though.

Was Arty fucking a professor? Holy shit, Arty. Way to take a play out of her playbook. Lynn smiled at the thought. She had him. All she had to do was figure out which professor Beth was, and she’d be set for blackmail material. Then Arty would ditch those bitches and wrap himself around her finger like a ring.

It was a great start to her Tuesday. She laughed as she locked the front door and descended to her basement apartment. She opened her laptop on her kitchen counter and tabbed over from her research on the other girls. She double-checked, but according to Facebook, Selene and Kat’s mom was named Melissa and didn’t look anything like Beth. Kat must have gotten her lack of looks from her dad.

Lynn had already stalked his girlfriends’ social media accounts and mapped out their contacts on a spreadsheet. Her plan to break up Arthur’s Harem was getting complicated, and it would only be more difficult if he kept adding bitches like that professor.

Lynn pulled up the school website and started searching through their faculty and staff page. She searched for Beth and found an Elizabeth with a profile photo that was much prettier than the hot mess she’d seen this morning. With makeup and her hair done in the staff photo, she looked almost human and twelve pounds lighter. A four out of ten, maybe, in Lynn’s opinion. This morning, the woman’s hair gave Lynn the impression that she’d been through a hurricane. And she didn’t have any makeup. She’d washed it off. That was probably because it got messed up, too.

Lynn sighed. It didn’t help knowing that Arty could fuck. He must have gotten laid a lot during his college career. A pity she hadn’t bugged the master bedroom yet or swapped out the bears. She glanced at the corner where the second box of bears sat, ready and waiting for her to switch them with the bears she’d given the girls. She wanted to provide them with ample time to satisfy their curiosity first. When they’d forgotten about where the bears came from, when they were just part of the ignorable decor, she’d switch them out.

Unfortunately, the girls must have taken the bears home. She hadn’t found them when she searched the upstairs bedrooms yesterday.

In the meantime, she should order some other cameras to place in the rooms. Something unnoticeable. She pulled up the website and started browsing. Smoke detectors should do the trick. She could swap them with the detectors already in the rooms before the girls moved in if she paid extra for fast shipping.

She tabbed back to the staff page. Beth. She needed to focus on Beth. The woman was clearly not supposed to be a hookup. When Lynn found her, the look on her face was something out of a B-horror flick.

Beth wasn’t a professor, though. Pity. She was a manager of the marketing operations office, which sounded dull. So how had she and Arthur crossed paths? She pulled up Arty’s socials with her mom's account, impersonating her mother. He’d blocked her real account, but Arty was too nice to cut ties with her family. She searched his friends but found no Beth or Elizabeth matching the woman.

Weird.

Ah, but there it was in Arthur’s info. He worked at the marketing operations office. He'd changed his employment status recently to declare his promotion to supervisor.

“Oh, my god.” Lynn said, staring at Arthur’s profile picture. “You’re fucking your boss.” She laughed. “Oh, you are so fucked.” She smiled. Now, all she needed to do was get proof.

She shook her head and jumped tracks again, going to the Garden Wok’s menu. She needed to plan her meal if she intended to have lunch there. Their menu wasn’t as confusing as she’d thought it might be, though. Once she knew what she wanted, she switched tabs again and carried her laptop to the bedroom. Maybe she could take a break and watch some ‘man in apron’ porn.

~~~

Selene woke when she heard her apartment door open. Groggy, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes with her forearm and blinked at the surroundings of her once-familiar bedroom. She’d spent so much time at Arthur’s recently or falling asleep with him in other places she didn’t sleep as well without him nearby. She slid from her bed and opened her door a crack, expecting to see Kat’s walk of shame.

And what a walk of shame it was. Selene almost giggled to see Kat’s wild hair and freshly washed face devoid of any makeup. She noticed the shirt Kate wore wasn’t the dress she had on yesterday either. A more pleasant surprise was Arthur’s presence with a small duffel bag.

“Is she awake?” Arthur asked, his voice low and quiet.

“I’ll wake her up.” Kat said. “You go get ready for the shower.”

“I’m awake!” Selene said, stepping through the door in a hurry. She practically ran to Arthur’s feet. He moved for a hug, but she dropped to the floor before him in a Nadu pose before Kat or Arthur could even say anything. She was completely nude except for the collar around her throat. She’d considered donating her old pajamas to Goodwill since she didn’t intend to wear them anymore. She only wore things with Arthur’s permission, and even though he’d never told her so, she’d decided that slaves didn’t need pajamas.

Arthur smiled. “Good morning, Slut.” His gaze fell on her lithe ballerina body as she spread her knees wider for him to get a good look.

“Good morning, Master.” Selene smiled. “How may I please you this morning?” She opened her mouth and pushed her tongue forward, letting it hang out of her mouth to welcome his cock. He was still completely dressed, but if he wanted her, she was right there.

“Subtle.” Kat sniped as she walked past Selene and stripped off Arthur’s t-shirt. Arthur threw the suit jacket he’d been carrying onto their sofa.

“Your sister and I thought we’d use your shower to get ready this morning instead of mine.” Arthur explained. “What do you think, Brat? Should your sister join us or watch?”

Selene bowed her head, trying not to show how pleased she was at the idea of either option.

“I am your submissive, and you are my Sir.” Kat recited. “Decisions are your job. You’ll do whatever the hell you want anyway.”

Arthur rolled his eyes. “Get in the bathroom, Brat. You too, Slut.”

Kat sighed and marched to the bathroom as if it were a chore. Selene followed, crawling on her hands and knees. Arthur walked behind them both, enjoying the view.

“I see my sister earned quite the spanking last night.” Selene said, eying Kat’s bruised ass.

“Yes, she did.” Arthur said. “Want me to tell you about it?” Arthur asked.

Selene nodded vigorously, so Arthur did. Selene turned on the shower water, and Kat and Arthur stepped in. Selene knelt on the bathmat, listening to Arthur tell her the story of last night as he washed Kat. Their shower might have had room for all three of them, but it would be a tight squeeze like at Arthur’s. With Selene on the outside, it let Arthur and Kat move around more, and Arthur took full advantage of playing with Kat’s body while they bathed. He squeezed, groped, and fingered as he wanted to, and Kat’s soapy body fell against him for support.

Selene listened to the story, wishing she’d been there last night or gone to them after the Theater Club meeting. Instead, she’d gotten a lift from Caleb and come home. She’d thought about sleeping at Arthur’s, but she’d slept here since she had homework to do, and she knew Arthur wasn’t coming home that night.

When Arthur finished with Kat, he rinsed her off, then kissed her forehead. She stepped out of the shower, and Selene handed Kat her usual towel. Kat took Selene’s spot on the bathmat, and Selene took her place in the shower, washing Arthur as she recounted the events of the Theater Club meeting last night.

“I can’t believe Yvonne quit.” Arthur said, still stunned. “The club meant so much to her. Is she okay?”

“Who cares?” Selene asked. “She’s a bitch.”

“Selene.” Arthur said his voice firm. “I know she’s a diva sometimes and a bitch sometimes, but… she’s our friend and obviously more upset about this than we realized.”

“Master, you can’t control everyone’s reaction to everything.” Selene said, spending more time washing his cock than necessary because it grew every time she stroked it. “Yvonne’s just jealous because you didn’t fall down and worship at her feet the moment you became single again. Did you ever even consider asking her out before you and I started doing this?”

“Well…” Arthur hesitated. Trying to remember the period of his life before Selene became his lover and slave was difficult while she jacked him off in the shower. His dick pointed directly at her face while she waited for his answer.

“No.” Arthur admitted. “Not really. She’s attractive, but something about her has always rubbed me the wrong way. She reminds me of Lynn, I think. That’s not her fault, obviously, that’s my baggage. But I still feel bad. Maybe I should reach out to her and see if I can calm her down.”

Kat scoffed, tucking her towel around her after drying her hair. “And when will you squeeze that into your busy schedule?”

Selene raised an eyebrow. Arthur was in high demand, that was for sure. He had to leave them soon for work, which meant this would probably be the furthest they could go for now. He had his classes, work, and Rani’s photoshoot this afternoon/evening. Tomorrow was work, class, night class, and the post-harem-meeting orgy if he was up to it. Selene hoped to make that a regular occurrence. It was a great way to conclude the dull business end of six or seven people dating each other.

Thursday, Arthur had another night class. His only free evening was Friday, and everyone in the harem was eyeing the slot for their date night. Saturday was the Ren Faire.

She took his tip into her mouth, licking as she thrust her tongue over her bottom lip.

“Maybe a–ah, lunch?” Arthur asked. “I don’t know.”

He stopped trying to figure it out as Selene pushed her face closer to him, holding onto his hips as she sat on her knees and stroked his manhood with her mouth and throat while he rinsed his back. His cock flexed in her mouth, and she doubled her efforts, using a hand at the base to jerk him off into her throat.

“Hurry up, Slut. If Master is late for work, you know he’ll blame us, and my ass can’t take another spanking, so it’ll all be on you.” Kat said, watching Selene make Arthur’s fists clench with the build-up of his impending release.

Selene continued, and Arthur rested his hand on her head for balance.

Kat moved forward, placed her hand on the back of Selene’s head, and shoved her face forward, making her choke on Arthur’s cock. Arthur lifted his head back, and Selene turned her choking into a consistent massage until Arthur’s clenching loosened, and he pumped his release into Selene’s throat, then mouth as Kat allowed her to withdraw. She swallowed every last drop, then licked and rinsed him clean.

“Thank you, Slut.” Arthur said, patting her head.

“Of course, Master. I’ll gladly suck you off any time you want.” Selene said, smiling.

Arthur laughed and switched places with her. “You can masturbate yourself to release today. Film it for me. I’ll watch it the next time I let you suck my cock.”

“Yes, Master.” Selene said, already thinking of how she’d do it.

He washed and rinsed her, and by the time they stepped out of the shower, Kat had already finished curling her hair. Arthur stepped onto the mat and passed Selene her towel as she stepped out, forcing Kat out of the bathroom as she had to dress. Selene dried Arthur first, then herself, though she had to use a different towel. Arthur shaved as fast as Selene had ever seen him do it, picked out her clothes for the day, and then they dressed, also quickly.

He hugged and kissed Kat goodbye first, then Selene.

“I love you, Master.” Selene said, dropping to her knees by the door.

“I love you, too, Selene.” Arthur said, kissing her forehead.

Kat stood beside Selene and presented her forehead. Arthur kissed her forehead, too.

“Be good.” He told Kat.

“Make me.” Kat said, winking at him. “Oh, wait, I guess you did.” She mimed the soreness in her ass.

Arthur laughed and left their apartment after double-checking that he had everything. Selene closed the door behind him and leaned against it, a dreamy expression on her face.

Kat looked at the door with a goofy expression on her face.

“You love him.” Selene said, looking at Kat.

Kat stuck her tongue out at Selene. Selene returned the gesture and laughed.

“Have fun at work! I’m going to go masturbate.” Selene said, striding toward her room.

Kat sighed and rolled her eyes but started her makeup routine. “You sure you don’t want a ride to campus? He didn’t say where you had to masturbate.”

Selene peeked out of her room with a wicked expression on her face. “You have the best ideas.”

~~~

Rani’s morning was much the same as her evening and night. She had her electronics project completed. She planned to do one more pass to check her work but needed time away. Her proximity sensor project was nearly complete; she simply needed to do the testing with her Arduino, but that would have to wait until the other materials she’d ordered arrived.

When morning broke in through the lounge windows, Rani shuffled to the coffee cart and bought some espresso to get her through the day. Classes usually held her attention, but she had trouble focusing. She kept doodling the letter M in her notebook.

Mindy hadn’t messaged her or anyone. The group chats had some basic chatter, but Mindy hadn’t read or supplied any.

Rani stood outside the science building, staring at her phone. Mindy worked with Arthur. Surely, Arthur would have messaged the group if she hadn't been there. Rani could always message the girls-only chat or the harem chat with Arthur to see if anyone had seen her. No, she was being stupid. Direct. That was always the best course of action.

Rani: Mindy, are you okay?

Mindy didn’t answer.

Rani: I haven’t seen a peep of you online since I left your parent’s apartment last night. Are you okay? Are you safe?

Mindy: I’m fine.

Rani: We need to talk. Can we have lunch together?

Mindy: Every time we have a meal together, something dramatic happens.

Rani: That’s not true.

It wasn’t, and Rani knew Mindy knew that, but the avoidance triggered a deep fear in Rani’s brain that set off her alarms. Should she reach out to Kelly or Arthur to mediate? But if either of them got involved, she’d have to expose Mindy as a liar to explain the problem.

Rani: We can ask Kelly or Arthur to join us if you want some kind of mediator, but we need to talk about this and resolve it. We can’t avoid it, and we need to talk about it in person. I always come off too snippish and blunt in text.

Mindy: You’re blunt in person, too, lol.

The lol was a good sign, right? Rani took some hope in that until Mindy took it away.

Mindy: You’re blunt in person too. (edited)

Rani sighed.

Rani: I can’t help that, and I don’t have the energy to filter today. So… lunch? We can eat somewhere private if you’re worried about dramatics in the cafeteria.

Mindy: Fine. The cafeteria’s fine, but everyone else will probably be there, too. We could always box our lunch and take it to the pond?

Rani: Sure. That works for me.

Mindy: Okay. See you then.

Rani sighed, leaning against the science building and clutching her phone to her chest. She took a deep breath, enjoying the calm autumn air with its dry, crisp wind. She closed her eyes and appreciated the smell of the dry grass beneath her feet and the crunch of leaves against the sidewalk as people walked past. She dressed for the sixties temperature wise, and the morning had not disappointed her. The high-waisted carpenter jeans cinched to her middle beneath a men’s triple-X hoodie with the University logo on its chest. She wore minimal piercings today and pulled her hair into a simple, messy bun that frayed in every direction behind her head.

“Hey, you okay?” A familiar voice asked, approaching from the left.

Rani turned to see Katelyn, her arm in a sling. Her blue jeans were tighter on her legs than Rani’s, and her pink and white sweater was far less baggy. For a moment, Rani was surprised Katelyn even recognized her. Most people didn’t when she dressed down like this. Then again, Katelyn had seen her in various outfits and lack thereof.

“Eh.” Rani said. “I’ve been better. How are you?”

“I’m good.” Katelyn said. “Shoulder’s healing. Kelly said you’ve all been pretty busy, but I haven’t heard from anyone since Sunday.”

“Oh, yeah.” Rani said. “I’ve been pretty slammed, and not in a fun way. Sunday was nice, though.”

“Yeah.” Katelyn agreed immediately. “I absolutely loved that house. And Arthur’s mom? She’s like, my new favorite person.”

“Yeah.” Rani agreed. That was an easy thing to agree to. “How are you holding up anyway? Still mulling over joining the harem?”

Katelyn shrugged with one shoulder, a trick she’d developed after accidentally shrugging with both precisely once. “I’m still waiting on my invitation, but Arthur hasn’t called, texted, or… anything. He’s been totally radio silent, which…”

“Is pretty shitty of him.” Rani supplied.

Katelyn looked surprised.

“It’s not intentional.” Rani said. “Sunday night was… a lot. And his Monday filled up quickly. He was with Kat and Beth last night; not sure how that went, but Kat’s been joking around in the chats this morning, so I guess it went pretty well?”

“Great.” Katelyn said. “Is Beth a new addition too? Someone else to split Arthur’s attention and make me feel like crap.”

Rani raised an eyebrow. They’d kept Arthur pretty busy, and then he had to focus on Beth last night, and he had work and class this morning. “I’m sure he’ll be in touch soon.” Rani said. “It’s the three-day rule, right? He’s probably following that because he thinks you want him to.”

Katelyn giggled. “We fucked, and did… other things together. He doesn’t have to wait three days to call me.”

Rani laughed. “Yeah, I guess not. That was a pretty wild weekend, even for me.”

“Wild is understating it.” Katelyn agreed. “I’m still trying to come to terms with the insanity. I can’t believe I said or did half the things I said or did.”

“Do you regret it?” Rani asked. She was curious. She didn’t know Katelyn that well, but after the weekend they’d had, maybe she knew her better than she thought.

“No.” Katelyn said immediately. “I mean, not exactly.” She shook her head. “I don’t regret the weekend, but yesterday was awkward between me and Kelly, and I’m sure it’ll be awkward whenever Arthur’s busy schedule opens up and he calls me.”

Rani smiled. “Eh. Awkward is only a thing if you have shame. Good girls have no shame.”

Katelyn gave a squeak of surprise at Rani’s casual use of the term.

Rani laughed. “Come on. I have to grab a box lunch from the cafeteria. You want to walk with me?”

“Sure.” Katelyn said, turning aside. “I was heading that way myself, trying to beat the rush.”

Katelyn turned aside, and Rani walked beside her as they traipsed from the science building across campus to the cafeteria. The typical flood for lunch was a trickle when they arrived. The hour was too early for most people’s lunch. So, instead of eating early, they sat in the lounge area, waiting for their friends and catching up.

Kelly arrived a few minutes later and joined them, hugging Katelyn and kissing Rani, to Rani’s delighted surprise.

“Well, hello, Miss Linnehan.” Rani said, retaking her seat.

Kelly laughed, blushing a little as she perched her butt on the arm of Katelyn’s wooden chair that she wasn’t using.

“Hello, Miss Shah.” Kelly said.

“Hey guys!” Selene joined them next, wearing her choker, a long black skirt, and a long-sleeved knitted sweater over a black bralette. Rani smiled to see her and blew her a kiss.

Selene gave her one instead, then kissed Kelly and sat on the floor in front of Rani’s chair since Rani had her legs tucked under her, sitting criss-crossed.

Kat arrived next, waving hello and sitting across from Kat and Kelly.

The group turned when someone they didn’t recognize approached and waved awkwardly at Kelly.

“Oh!” Kelly said, hopping up from her seat. “Thalia, hi.”

“Hey.” Thalia waved to the others. She had a thick accent, but Rani couldn’t immediately place it. She hadn’t heard many Greek accents before.

“Everyone, this is Thalia. Thalia, this is Katelyn, whom you know, and that’s Selene, her sister Kat, and our girlfriend Rani.” Kelly said, gesturing to each of the gathered women.

Thalia raised her eyebrow. “I thought you were dating your gym husband? Or did you mean girlfriend in like… the what’s-the-word way?”

“Platonic.” Kelly supplied, smiling slightly. “And I am dating Arthur, yes. So are they.” She gestured to the other girls.

Thalia raised her eyebrows. “This man must be god. You are all very hot.”

Selene nodded. “Arthur’s practically my god. I definitely spend more time on my knees with him than at church.”

The others laughed.

“Rani’s the photographer, yes?” Thalia asked, turning to face Rani. “I’m modeling for you later.”

Rani nodded, smiling as she stood and offered her a handshake. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Pleasure is mine.” Thalia said. “We meet at dorm later, yes?”

“Yep!” Rani nodded.

“I look forward to it.” Thalia said, smiling in an award-winning way. The young woman was taller than Katelyn, though not quite Arthur’s height. She had muscles on her frame, and her toned body stood with long legs she showed off in a short asymmetrical skirt. Its left half was at the top of her stocking-clad thigh while the right fell to her ankle, a flowery ruched hem slashed across her, showing tall, knee-high boots with inch-high heels. Her top hung over the waist, a thin, long-sleeve cotton top that hung off her shoulders with thin spaghetti straps. The material showed off her flat stomach, strong back muscles, and shapely chest.

“Are you ready for lunch?” Kelly asked.

“Of course!” Thalia said, throwing her arm around Kelly’s shoulders. “Come!”

Kelly grabbed her purse, and they walked away but turned toward the cafe rather than the cafeteria.

“Okay, I’m still not bi, but was it just me, or was Thalia super hot?” Kat asked, looking at Rani.

“Super hot.” Rani agreed. “I almost wish I wasn’t photographing her so I could bang her instead.”

“Closed circle, remember?” Selene asked. “You’d have to ask Arthur’s permission first.”

Rani rolled her eyes. “I don’t bang my models anyway. It’s unethical. Well, except for that one time. But I'm not a professional photographer, so it's okay.”

Katelyn giggled. “I’m gonna get some lunch.” She said, standing up. “You coming, P-K?”

Kat stood up, brushing her lap off. “I’m coming.” She said. “Slut? Queenie?”

“I’m waiting for Master.” Selene said. “I mean, Arthur!” She said quickly, then realized they were alone, and no one else had heard her, so she relaxed.

Kat laughed, shaking her head as she and Katelyn entered the cafeteria.

“You can go if you want to, though.” Selene said, glancing at Rani.

“I’m waiting on Mindy. She and I are going to eat by the pond.” Rani said.

“Oh.” Selene said, her tone curious but not pressing further. “That sounds like fun.”

Rani nodded. “We had a… a whole thing last night.”

“Oh! That’s right!” Selene said, clearly remembering their text conversation. “How did meeting her mom go?”

Rani told Selene the story, following it up with her meeting Yvonne during her all-nighter in the lounge. Selene was all ears for the first story but defensive and angry during the second.

Still, she let Rani finish with minimal interruptions. “That is such a… a twisted tale. That is not what happened. I didn’t steal Master–Arthur from her. She didn’t make a move, and I did. If anything, she should blame Lori, she’s the one who–”

Rani slid next to Selene and hugged her, silencing her with a kiss.

Selene’s eyes widened in surprise, but she settled into the kiss quickly. Someone walking past wolf-whistled at them, and Rani absent-mindedly gave them the finger.

Rani ended the kiss and took her seat back.

“What was that for?” Selene asked.

“You were upset.” Rani shrugged. “I thought that might calm you down.”

“Well… yeah, but…” Selene sputtered. “I mean… it kinda did, but now my heart is racing…”

Rani laughed. “Don’t worry about Yvonne. I’m more worried about what to say to Mindy. … what does it mean for the harem if I mess this up?”

“You and Mindy aren’t breaking up. Neither is the harem. We love you both.” Selene said as if it were a matter of fact. Rani supposed it was. “And it sounds like you figured out what you need to do on your end.” Selene said.

“But what about the lies?” Rani asked. “How can I trust Mindy when she’s lied about so much stuff and insists on lying to her family all the time?”

“I… kind of see her point about lying with the football stuff.” Selene said. “I’ve definitely feigned ignorance once or twice. It feels gross, but a woman has needs.”

Rani sighed. “Arthur’s going to freak out if he learns she lied to him, though.” Rani said. “He doesn’t like liars.”

“I think Arthur will forgive her.” Selene said. “Give him some credit.”

“I do.” Rani said. “He’s so much more mature and emotionally aware than I thought he was.”

Selene raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like your date was pretty eye-opening.”

“Yeah.” Rani said.

“What did you two talk about?” Selene asked.

“I…” Rani hesitated, wanting to tell her but also knowing that if she did, it would rob Arthur of the chance to do so. With him, at least, it wasn’t a matter of dishonesty but transparency, and he intended to catch everyone up at the next harem meeting. Hopefully, after the sex, because it would ruin things if it happened before.

“Rani?” Selene asked when Rani didn’t reply.

“I’ll let him tell you.” Rani said.

“Oh-my-god.” Selene said, her eyes widening as she stared at Rani. She moved closer, standing on her knees beside Rani’s chair. “He told you what happened between him and Lynn, didn’t he?”

“You know?” Rani asked, surprised. She thought only Kelly, Lori, Arthur, and Lynn knew. Even then, she hadn’t verified with Kelly what she knew.

“It wasn’t hard to figure out!” Selene said. “What else could have you of all people so cagey to answer? What did he say?”

“I’ll let him tell you that.” Rani said. “When he’s ready.”

Selene frowned. She sat back on her heels and crossed her arms. “I can’t believe he told you before he told me.”

Rani sighed. “Selene, it’s not a competition. I think he just wanted to get it off his chest, and I kinda forced him to, and he knew I wasn’t going to, like… break down and cry on him or anything. The man is practically obsessed with keeping you happy and not hurting you or making you cry.”

Selene processed all of that, and Rani watched the flicker of her thoughts playing across her face.

“That means whatever it was was bad.” Selene said. “Like… call the cops 'cause I’m about to murder a bitch, bad.”

Rani sighed. “Let’s just say I don’t blame Kelly for chasing her away from Arthur. And I have a new, healthy respect for Kelly's restraint. I probably owe her an apology for things I said at the hotel.”

Selene looked up at her. Her expression was still tight-lipped, and her eyes looked frozen in place, but Rani turned away to look at the doors where Arthur and Mindy were thankfully approaching. Arthur held the door for Mindy, who entered first, smiling, bright, and cheery.

Rani’s heart fluttered. She closed her eyes, swallowed, and stood. Selene did the same, springing to her feet and rushing to give Mindy a hug. They embraced, and Selene traded Mindy for Arthur, who hugged her and rubbed her back.

Mindy stepped forward, hugging Rani like nothing was wrong. “Ready for our lunch date?”

“Uh…” Rani glanced at Arthur. “Yeah.”

“Come on!” Mindy said, linking her arm through Rani’s and turning them toward the cafeteria. Rani followed.

Behind them, Selene didn’t let go of Arthur, continuing their hug for several beats longer than usual. Arthur released her, but Selene didn’t let go. “Everything okay?” Arthur asked. “Did I miss something?”

“Everything’s good.” Selene said. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” Arthur said, patting her butt. “Come on, let’s get some lunch.”

“Yes, Master.” Selene said, kissing him before she let him lead her to the cafeteria. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Arthur said, holding her hand as they walked together.

Rani went through the line, packing her salad into a wrap within the to-go container. Mindy grabbed a sandwich and some fries. Rani lost track of her at some point, but Mindy came up to her as she waited by the exit.

“Sorry. My suitemates wanted to check in real quick.” Mindy said. “I spent the night at my parent’s.”

Rani nodded, and they left together, walking out of the cafeteria building before Rani started talking again. The walkway was full of people walking in the opposite direction, which gave them the benefit of not having eavesdroppers for more than a sentence at a time.

“I’m sorry, Mindy.”

Mindy glanced at Rani and sighed. “I’m sorry, too. I should have… I don’t know… I wasn’t ready. I felt like you were pressuring me to tell my Umma about us.”

“Maybe I was.” Rani said, admitting the possibility. She hadn’t consciously thought that way at the time, but reflecting on it, she realized a few things about herself. “I don’t like being your dirty little secret.” Rani said. “I don’t like being one thing with one group of people and another with another group.” She said. “I’m me. I don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks about it.”

Mindy nodded. “But I’m not you. I’m not brave like you are.”

Rani went quiet at that, frowning. Mindy walked beside her, both holding their lunch containers with both hands in front of them. The campus walkway shifted, and they crossed the walkway to the park section. Rani’s sneakers crunched softly on the leaves. Mindy brushed the bench at the picnic table before she sat down, Rani didn’t.

Mindy looked like a chic anime character in her tall stockings and short, pleated plaid skirt. It had to be intentional, Rani thought. The skirt bounced as she walked, teasing but never rising enough to show whether she wore thigh-highs or pantyhose. Her top was even worse, a tight white blouse with the buttons stretching over her bust covered by a tie that matched the blue and black of her skirt. It must have been pinned in place because it didn’t move in the breeze.

“Are you still mad at me?” They asked at the same time.

Mindy giggled. Rani smiled.

“I’m not mad.” Rani spoke first. “It hurt last night when you weren’t honest with your mom about us. And I know that it’s your life and your choice who you tell about your sexuality, but… it still hurts. Like you were ashamed of me, or like I should be ashamed of me. Of us. I hate that feeling.”

Mindy swallowed, looking at her sandwich after she opened her container. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

Rani didn’t want to argue, so she swallowed the first words that came to mind. A rarity for her. Instead, she asked a question. “Can you explain to me why you’d rather lie to your mom than tell her the truth?”

Mindy sighed. “It’s just… easier.” She said. “My Umma is a nice person. She is. And I know she loves me and means well, but she interferes and manipulates. If she gets riled, she’ll stick herself into whatever’s going on and ruin everything.”

Rani thought back to last night. Her mom seemed nice enough to Rani. To hear Mindy talk, her mother was some kind of devious tyrant. Mindy seemed able to predict Rani’s thoughts.

“She asked me Sunday morning if I could hang out on Monday.” Mindy said. “I told her no because I had homework. Then, the very next day, she just happens to show up in time to whisk me away for pizza and a show that she clearly had made plans for with Judy? Judy, who did not seem surprised to see me and who my Umma would never volunteer to hang out with alone. Like, ever. She might not be rude to her face, but still. She hates white people in general. You heard her last night.”

Rani thought back to it, scrunching her brow in confusion as she tried to remember any point when Mindy’s mom had come across as racist.

“The whole white man’s world thing?” Mindy reminded her. “She’s constantly saying stuff like that.”

“Oh.” Rani said, not quite thinking that was the same thing as racism. “I mean… it’s kinda true, though. This is a white man’s world.”

Mindy sighed.

“You and I are both dating a white guy.” Rani said. “A white guy who, bless his soul, has never had to deal with the shit we have as women or as Asians.”

Mindy sighed. “It’s not as bad as it used to be.”

“Min…” Rani said, hesitating. It was clear that they’d had different experiences with racism and sexism. Rani had to remind herself that Mindy was young. She’d grown up sheltered from the worst of it too, growing up surrounded by people like her, but she also had an awareness of the world beyond her own, and she’d met some assholes since leaving her parent’s house behind. Mindy’s experiences with this world had always been favorable. Rani couldn’t be the one to burst her bubble.

“Ran…” Mindy returned, confused as to why Rani suddenly stopped talking.

“Never mind.” Rani said, smiling at the contraction of her already short name.

“I don’t know what Arthur’s got to do with it, anyway. You shouldn’t be on my mom’s side. You should be on my side.” Mindy said.

“I’m not taking her side. I mean, yeah, you’re right. It is weird that she showed up like that. Does she usually come here to feed the ducks?” Rani asked.

“She does. Sometimes. We came here when my brother attended and even before, but she used it as an excuse.” Mindy said.

“Well, my mom makes excuses to not have to deal with her kids, so forgive me for being a little jealous that your mom chases you down.” Rani said, trying to turn it into a joke as she said it.

Mindy frowned. “See? You’re still taking her side over mine.”

Rani started to say something, then stopped herself. “You’re right. I’m sorry. You have more experience with your parents than I do. I should trust you know them better.”

Mindy’s expression turned grateful. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. I love my mom, but… she’s just so much. She had no middle gear. No off switch. If she found out I was bi, she’d be all over me about it. She’d do all kinds of research, try to convince me that I’m not and work herself into a frenzy over nothing. I’m bi. It’s fine. She doesn’t need to know.”

“She does if you ever want to have an honest relationship with her. Not to mention the rest of your family.” Rani said, unable to restrain herself. “You can’t hide who you are from your family forever.”

“Then let me do it on my own time!” Mindy exclaimed. “Stop pushing me! I’m not you, okay! If my parents rejected me, I’d be on the street! I’d lose them and the rest of my family forever! Not to mention college and everything! Everything would fall apart! And then I’d lose you, Arthur, Kelly, Selene, and even Kat!”

Mindy was crying by the time she finished. She’d raised her voice more than she meant to, judging by how she shrunk into herself when she finished speaking. She held her sides and cried.

Rani abandoned her side of the bench, slid beside Mindy, threw her arms around her, and hugged her tightly. She didn’t let go, and Mindy put her hands on Rani’s arm, holding on to her.

Was she being overdramatic? Yes. Were her fears at all rational? No. Could Rani say either of those things without deserving to be slapped in the face? Also no. She remembered what Yvonne said last night. Fears didn’t have to be rational; the only way to get rid of them was to help Mindy feel safe. Mindy needed time, security, and reassurance. Rani could give her those. She had to let Mindy deal with her parents in her own time.

“I love you.” Rani said, her voice a whisper. “I’d never let that happen to you. I’d never let you get kicked to the curb like that, and if anyone ever tries to hurt you, the entire harem has your back. You know that.” She squeezed Mindy, who sniffled, but Rani didn’t care.

“I love you, too.” Mindy said, squeezing Rani’s arm in her hand. “I’m sorry I made you feel like I was ashamed of you. I’m not. You’re… you’re the bravest, most amazing person.”

“Fuck yeah, I am.” Rani said.

Mindy laughed, despite being mid-cry. She patted her tears away, trying to stop crying, but Rani didn’t mind if she cried. She almost wished she could, but her tears would be happy ones. She’d said ‘I love you’ and Mindy said it back.

“You love me, huh?” Mindy asked, wiping her eyes.

“Is it too soon to say it?” Rani asked.

“Probably.” Mindy patted her arm and took a deep breath. “I don’t give a shit.”

“I don’t either.” Rani said, pressing her nose into Mindy’s cheek to stop a tear from falling.

Mindy turned and kissed her, locking her lips over Rani’s, who returned the kiss with slow and steady heat. Mindy broke away and wiped her tears with her palm, pushing the rivulet to the side. She sniffled.

Rani passed her a napkin she’d taken from the cafeteria.

“Okay.” Rani said after a deep breath. “No more emotional conversations for at least a week. Okay?”

Mindy giggled and blew her nose. She mopped up the residual tears and shook her head. “You’re dating five women and one guy. No promises.”

Rani laughed. Mindy smiled.

“Six women, if you count Katelyn.” Rani said.

Mindy nodded.

They stayed beside each other on the bench as they finished their lunches, facing the pond and cuddling against one another. The ducks swam on the water, quacking occasionally to communicate. Birds chirped in the trees. Leaves crunched. Cars drove along the street fifty yards away to reach the parking lot.

“Do you love Arthur, too?” Mindy asked. “Or just me?”

Rani tilted her head, considering her answer before she gave it. “I… I love him too.” She said. “I don’t think I’m ready to say it to him yet, though.”

“You’re capable of holding back something you know to be true?” Mindy asked, teasing her.

“Well, when you put it like that… I guess I have to tell him.” Rani said, laughing. “We’ll see how it goes.”

Mindy nodded.

“You?” Rani asked.

“Oh, I love him. I’ve loved him for weeks. I just didn’t want to scare him away.” Mindy said before taking a bite of her sandwich. “I’ve got some really embarrassing notebooks full of drawings he shouldn’t see for at least a semester.”

They laughed.

“Why is it so much easier to be vulnerable in ropes, with a plug up our ass, crawling around on all fours like a dog on a leash, than it is to be emotionally vulnerable in a conversation with people we love but are afraid to admit it to?” Rani asked.

“Practice?” Mindy asked, making both of them laugh. Their smiles remained well after lunch when they walked hand-in-hand to Mindy’s next class before kissing goodbye.