Free Given by Ashlynn Monroe Page A

she noticed Brax’s didn’t sound genuine. They all stood up and began collecting clothing.
    “You have as much privacy as you want. If you ever want to
invite one of us to your bed, or stay in ours, I’m sure I speak for all of us
when I say it’d be welcome. Tonight, I think you’d probably like some private
time, right?” There was a strange hopefulness in Brax’s voice.
    “Thank you, I—yeah, it’s just all so weird. I feel like I’m
in someone else’s bed and life. It’s so hard to accept…goodnight.” Heat rose up
her neck and cheeks. How could she explain the surreal adjustment her
government and these men expected of her?
    Brax walked over and sat down next
to her on the bed. “I know. I mean, I think about it, what women go through
now. I—just don’t feel like we don’t care. I care, and I’m sure the others do
too.”
    She doubted Max and Damon were in the caring category, but
the other four men had treated her well, better than the poor woman from the
educational video received, that was certain.
    “I want to read one of your books,” Krista blurted out.
Curiosity filled her and she suddenly wanted to see if he’d gotten it right.
The idea of a book about her plight, even if it starred a man, was appealing.
There was nothing like it in the library at the protection facility.
    Braxton grinned. “The whole series is on the bookshelf in
the game room. Help yourself. You just have to promise to be perfectly honest.”
    The worry on his face made her smile. He wanted her to like
his work and it made her feel pleasantly surprised. “I promise to give you a
tough, uncensored review.”
    He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.” His deep voice
rumbled as he whispered in her ear and she shivered.
    Knowing he wasn’t going to have sex with her was both a
disappointment and a relief. She’d wanted to experience him the most, but she
was glad he’d waited too. Somehow, the idea of it being special with him made
her feel better about losing her technical virginity only to be thrust into the
middle of what was essentially the most immoral, government endorsed morality
she’d never imagined in her wildest dreams. She wished she could talk to Cina . She needed the comfort of a friend and more
importantly, a female ear.
    The men left and she sat alone in the dim room feeling
jittery. She wasn’t tired, despite the late hour. She stood up, realizing she
was a bit sore, and went into the extravagant bathroom. The towels were so
soft. She’d picked a couple off the pile on an antiqued iron wall rack. Holding
them to her nose, she took a deep breath and sighed. Krista had become used to
thin, small pieces of cotton that smelled of bleach. These towels were so plush
they reminded her of blankets, and they smelled fresh. She set them on the
vanity and turned on the shower. There were bottles of shampoo and some fancy
soap bars shaped like flowers.
    The boys had really been thoughtful in the design of her
domain. A small spark of hope lit inside her soul and grew, becoming a small
flame. Maybe, if she could just accept that the world was what it was, she
could be happy. Then she thought of her teachers, women who’d let themselves
love and found themselves returned like purchased clothing that didn’t fit. She
didn’t want to be someone’s return.
    Shaking off the dark thought, Krista stepped into the
shower. Sighing, she let the warm water caress her skin. Using the apple
scented shampoo and the floral soap, her body began to
feel clean again. She washed the scent of sex away. As she watched the water
swirl down the drain, tears filled her eyes and she leaned against the wall,
sliding down the wet tile to sit on the floor.
    For a moment, she gave into tears and cried for the woman
who’d never go out on a first date or give a nice boy who’d brought her flowers
the gift of her virginity. There’d be no fairytale wedding. She wouldn’t find a
husband who’d give her a picket fence, dog,