Page 6 of Enjoying the Ride

“What the hell has gotten into you?”Narax asks lightly, standing up but smart enough not to come between me and our brother.

I blink a couple of times, realization washing over me.

After another second, I drop Kixson’s collar.He collapses on the couch, but doesn’t say a word.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I admit aloud.

If her picture makes me act like this, what the hell is going to happen when I actually meet the woman?I’ll be a raging beast.

I sit back down a little unsteadily, my mind churning.What the fuck is wrong with me?I can’t be acting like this because we share women on Mirago.Sure, we all end up having our preferences and our favorites, but still, it’s a community thing.All pussies are open for all takers, and it keeps the sex fresh and fun.

Even more, dibs don’t exist.Instead, it’s my job, myduty, to select women that our entire community will benefit from and who will serve us well.Women who bow to our demands, not ones who make me feel like I’m ready to lose control based on one fucking picture.

I pick up Posey’s photograph once more.

I’ll be damned if I let another man’s knot come near her, I vow even as my own manhood grows with need.

Tomorrow can’t come fast enough.

3

Posey

How can an elevator ride be both so freaking slow and so freaking fast?I wonder to myself, my eyes trained on the numbers above the door as we rise up into the air.

Hotel Nova sits in a massive sky-rise, and the suite we’re supposed to go to for the pre-pageant orientation is on the fifteenth floor.Meanwhile, I glance over at Kelly, who’s standing next to me.She’s chewing her bottom lip nervously, her fingers twisting the end of her ponytail.

“Do you think this dress is too short?”she whispers, even though we’re alone in the elevator.

“No,” I repeat for probably the fourth time this morning.“It’s sexy without being risqué.”

Kelly nods even as she tugs at the hem.The sky-blue dress compliments her tan skin and makes her eyes pop.Her golden hair hangs in loose waves down her back in a perfect river.

“I think you look gorgeous,” I tell Kelly.“I, however, on the other hand…”

I take in my reflection in the elevator door.Uck.I was in a bit of a rush this morning and it shows because my unwieldy red hair is in a messy bun on top of my head, with bits sticking out.It’s dirty, so I’m hoping the bun disguises the frizziness as well as the stench.Meanwhile, I didn’t have much time for make-up.A swipe of lipstick glosses my lips, but other than that, my face is bare.This obviously is not the typical beauty pageant look.

At least the dress is okay.The pink mini-dress is a loaner from my friend, and the soft material hugs my curves without clinging, while the blush color makes my cheeks look rosy and bright.

“Stop,” Kelly says.“You look beautiful, Posey.”

We both sigh, accidentally in sync, and then giggle.

“This is crazy, and I can’t believe we’re doing this.I mean, a beauty pageant?I’d just as soon enter a pie-eating contest.In fact, I’d dobetterat a pie-eating contest because I can eat a lot of pie!”

Kelly grunts slightly.

“Oh well.If this sucks, we’re going for tacos,” she says, reminding me of our deal.

At that moment, the elevator dings, announcing our arrival at our destination.The doors slide open and Kelly and I step into a chic, ultra-modern space.Wait, are we even still in the Hotel Nova?

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise as I take in the low white couches and gilded chandeliers.The walls are black and white marble and boast beautiful art that is way too abstract to make sense of.But somehow, the effect of the décor isn’t garish, but actually kind of fascinating.

Meanwhile, a woman in a crisp white suit greets us as we enter.

“Welcome,” she says, nodding her head.“I take it you’re here for the pageant?”

“Yes.”

---