“Time goes by really fast. Believe me, it’s scary. Before I knew it…” Caroline shrugged sadly. “I never froze my eggs, and now it's too late for me. I’ll never have babies.”

  The last sentence caught in her throat, but she forced it out with a wince.

  “Maybe you could?” Amber said weakly.

  Caroline shook her head. “It’s too late for me, but—”

  Amber reached over and took Caroline’s hand, missing on the first try. “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to make you sad.”

  Caroline laughed softly. “You didn’t, honey. But I’m telling you this for a reason. You’re right to be thinking about babies. Don’t be ashamed of it. And don’t just let the time slip past you.”

  Amber nodded enthusiastically. “Right! My biological clock is ticking so hard. Sometimes I think my ovaries are gonna explode!”

  Caroline patted her hand. “I can see that.”

  Amber’s eyes closed and her head bobbed forward, then she put her hand on her forehead. “Owww, my head.”

  Caroline stood. “I think you need some aspirin. Where’s your bathroom?”

  “Down the hall,” Amber said, pointing in the wrong direction entirely.

  As Caroline disappeared to find the medicine cabinet, Amber struggled to focus on me. “Ryan?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m glad you came tonight.” Her words were getting more slurred by the minute. “To my party and everything.”

  “Me too.”

  She tried to lean forward but miscalculated, nearly sliding off the couch. I moved quickly to steady her.

  “Whoa there.”

  “Thanks.” She giggled, throwing her arms around my neck. Her eyes were blurry, looking at my chin with a goofy expression.

  Caroline returned with aspirin and fresh water. “How are we doing?”

  “We’re going to bed, that’s what we’re doing,” I said. “Come on, up we go.” I stood, pulling Amber to her feet.

  Getting her upstairs was an adventure.

  “Stairs are hard,” she mumbled, gripping the railing and swaying with each step.

  Her bedroom was as pristine as the rest of the house—white linens, minimal furniture, everything almost too clean.

  Amber toppled out of my arms and onto her bed, smiling. “Oh my god, that feels so good,” she said, nestling her head against her pillow.

  I found a blanket in her closet and threw it over her. She pulled it up to her chin and looked up at me and Caroline, barely keeping her eyes open.

  “Thanks you guys. I feel like… Like you really care about me.”

  “Water and aspirin right here,” I said, setting them on her nightstand.

  “You’re both so nice,” Amber mumbled. “I don’t deserve it.”

  “Hey, what about locking your door?” I asked, but Amber didn’t answer. I had to gently squeeze her shoulder to rouse her.

  She spoke with her eyes closed. “Oh… There’s an extra key. Kitchen cupboard. With the… coffee mugs.”

  “Sleep well, Amber,” Caroline said, turning out the light.

  She was already breathing deeply, completely asleep.

  Caroline and I found the key and slipped out quietly, locking the door behind us.

  Outside, the air bit with a chill, but the rain had stopped. The streets glistened under the streetlamps as we crossed to Caroline’s driveway. Lights glowed softly through her windows.

  “That was interesting,” Caroline said as we climbed her porch steps.

  “That’s one word for it.”

  “She’s got babies on the brain even worse than I thought.”

  “Yeah. Complicated girl, though.”

  “But what girl isn’t?” Caroline said. “She’s going through big changes. And…she’s totally falling for you.”

  Chapter nine

  Sofia and Kate were lounging on the couch together, Sofia covered in a blanket with a glass of wine and Kate sipping herbal tea.

  They looked up expectantly as we entered.

  “That took a while,” Sofia said, setting down her wine. “Is she okay?”

  “We tucked her in,” Caroline said, kicking off her heels and sinking into the armchair with a sigh.

  “Did she throw up again?” Kate wanted to know.

  “No, but she’ll probably have a brutal hangover tomorrow,” I said, settling onto the couch between the two women.

  Sofia curled up against my side. “So, what happened?”

  Caroline and I exchanged glances.

  “She was pretty emotional,” I said. “Birthday blues, quarter-life crisis stuff.”

  “And?” Kate prompted, crossing her legs.

  “She thinks she’d have beautiful babies with Ryan,” Caroline said.

  Sofia’s mouth dropped open. “Ayyy, my God! She said that?”

  “She was very drunk,” I reminded them. “People say things when they’re drunk that they don’t mean.”

  “Drunk words are sober thoughts,” Kate said matter-of-factly. “Everyone knows that.”

  Caroline rubbed her temples, wincing. “It’s so bright in here.”

  “Let me fix that.” I got up and turned out the lights.

  As I returned to my spot on the couch, the women sat in darkness, outlined by dim yellow light from the street lamps that spilled through the shutters of the front windows.

  Caroline relaxed, leaning her head on the back of her chair. “That’s better. Thanks hon. What was I saying? Oh, yeah… I guess the question is, what do we do about this?"

  “What do you mean?” Sofia asked.

  “How do we make it happen with Amber?”

  “Hang on,” I said. “What does everybody else think about this? Are you guys all seriously on board with dating Amber?”

  Kate was studying my face. “You really like her. I can tell.”

  “More than I expected to,” I admitted. “I like her goofy side. She’s fun.”

  Sofia poked me, snuggling closer. “And young. Breeding age.”

  Kate snickered, curling her legs under her on the couch. “As far as livestock goes, she’s a prime heifer.” She scooted closer, and I felt her big bosom squishing into my arm.

  “Seems a little bold to talk about ‘breeding’ her,” I said, making an air quote. “We don’t really know how serious her drunk talk is, even if she is thinking about it when sober.”

  Caroline played with her hair, leaning her head back against the seat. “I mean, we know her ovaries are demanding sperm, and the horny little brat is fantasizing about having babies with you. What more do we need?”

  Sofia and Kate’s hands caressed me as I shifted on the couch. I looked around at everyone. “So, I’ll take this as a ‘yes,’ then. We all feel good about exploring the possibility.”

  Everyone confirmed their agreement. A cozy silence settled over the dark room.

  The possibility of having Amber seemed more real now, and the implications hit me.

  Four women. One man.

  Was it even humanly possible to keep them all satisfied?

  It was mildly alarming, but exciting at the same time.

  Caroline rested a hand on her big thigh. “I’m thinking about this practically, too, you know. If we want children, Amber would be perfect.”

  Kate’s hand caressed my chest. “I’d love to watch you impregnate that little brat.”

  I looked at her, a smile growing. “So you’re calling her ‘brat’ now, too?”

  Kate laughed. “Just go with it.”

  I shook my head, grinning despite the hot flush rising up my neck. “You’re all gonna be the death of me… Four women!”

  Sofia pulled the blanket up to her chin and snuggled against me. “Imagine it! All of us, in bed with you. Four women ready to pleasure you.”

  Her hand slid higher on my thigh, and I swallowed hard, my jeans tighter than ever.

  But Caroline leaned forward in her armchair, the cardigan slipping off one shoulder. Her eyes had that scheming look I’d come to know.

  “Of course, we don’t exactly know how she feels about you having three other girlfriends,” she said. “That could be a sticking point.”

  “Exactly,” I said. “Though, I have a feeling she’d at least consider it… maybe.”

  Kate set her mug down, scooting closer until her thigh pressed against mine. “Maybe we can help you convince her.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Help? Like how?”

  Sofia giggled, her blanket slipping as she curled tighter against me. “We already know she gets jealous when she sees you with us. Maybe we can make her crazy.”

  “Maybe. Just don’t make her hate you.”

  Sofia shook her head emphatically. “Of course not! We’ll be friendly to her. She’ll see how happy she could be…With you, with us.”

  “Could work,” I said huskily. “She’ll probably be seeing us around quite a bit with the elections coming up.”

  Caroline nodded, her voice low and sly. “She’ll probably be all business, but you flirt, get under her skin. She won’t resist long.

  “And when she’s ready, you claim her. Make her ours. Imagine her, all soft and needy, begging for you to—” She cut off, biting her lip, but the image was already burning in my brain.

  “Damn,” I muttered, shifting on the couch. The hum of the rain had picked up again, but the room felt ten degrees hotter. “You’re all in on this seduction plan, huh?”

  Kate’s hand gripped my other thigh, her fingers digging in. “Watching you turn that brat into our little breeder? That’s my new favorite show.”

  Sofia’s voice dropped to a whisper, her lips grazing my jaw. “And when she’s carrying your baby, Ryan… we’ll all be there, helping, loving her. A big, happy family.”

  I groaned, head tipping back against the couch. “All this talk about babies and Amber—it’s getting pretty heavy.”

  My heart was pounding, half from arousal, half from the weight of it. Not just four women, but family, kids.

  A year ago, I’d have bolted. Now? It felt… right.

  Caroline stood, her stockinged feet sliding on the floor to the couch. She perched on the armrest, leaning close. “It’s not just talk, hon. We’re ready for it. And Amber’s halfway there—she just needs a little encouragement.”

  “Make her ours,” Sofia whispered, her tongue licking my ear. “Give her what she needs.”

  Kate’s hand slid higher on my thigh. “You’d better start preparing for all the sex you’re going to be having.”

  Sofia’s lips found my jaw, her blanket falling away as she pressed closer.

  Caroline slid off the armrest and kneeled in front of me. “Oh, we’re gonna practice, alright.”

  Chapter ten

  Kate’s fingers fumbled with my belt, her voice sultry in the dim living room. “Let’s see how you handle all three of us tonight.”

  Heat surged through me as Sofia’s tongue grazed my jaw, her curves pressed tight, and Caroline’s hands rested on my knees, her eyes hungry from where she knelt.

  “The bedroom,” I said, voice firm, grabbing Caroline’s hand and pulling her up.

  Sofia giggled, tossing her blanket aside, her sweater hugging her curves as she jumped to her feet. “Yes, Carolina’s bed. We need lots of room.”

  Kate trailed us obediently.

  Upstairs, Caroline’s bedroom was cozy with extra flannel blankets as the October rain fell on the river outside.

  Caroline pulled off her sweater and sat on the bed. I shed my clothes, pushing Caroline onto her back as Sofia crawled onto the bed in her panties.

  Climbing over Caroline, I roughly pulled open the button of her jeans. She hastily undid the zipper and helped me pull them off her.

  Then, slowly, like I was unwrapping a present, I pulled off her panties. She moaned as I slid my fingers over her wet slit, rocking against my hand.

  Sofia slid beside me, her lips brushing my ear. “Make room for me, baby.”

  Before I knew what she was doing, she was under me, tugging my underwear down, her warm mouth closing around me.

  I groaned, the heat of her tongue setting me on fire, her hands gripping my thighs as she worked me slow and deep.

  Meanwhile, Kate stood by the bed, biting her lip.

  I looked at her. “Undress. Now.”

  My voice was low, commanding, and her eyes lit up, happy to receive a command. She stripped her sweater and jeans, lying beside Caroline, her bra and panties dark against her skin.

  “Good girl,” I murmured, and Kate’s cheeks flushed, her thighs pressing together.

  Sofia’s mouth didn’t stop, her moans vibrating against me, and Caroline’s gasps grew louder as I steadily drew small circles over her clit, her nails digging into my arm.

  “Ryan, don’t stop,” Caroline whimpered, trembling.

  “Not stopping,” I growled, but Sofia pulled back. “Is Kate’s turn today, technically,” she said, crawling up to kiss Caroline, their tongues tangling inches from me.

  “That’s true,” I said, keeping up my work on Caroline. By now, I knew her well enough to see that she’d almost reached orgasm.

  All I had to do was keep it up with the same pace and pressure.

  A moment later, she pressed her head back on the pillow, mouth wide, let out an inelegant moan, and then relaxed.

  I grabbed Kate, guiding her under me, her legs parting as she looked up, all soft and yielding. “You ready?”

  She nodded, voice breathy. “Please, Ryan.”

  I reached for the bedside table, fumbling for a condom.

  But as soon as I grabbed one, Kate plucked it from my fingers and tossed it on the floor. “Put it inside me raw. I want to feel you.”

  I moved over her, my cock growing even stiffer as I lined up with her entrance.

  Sofia leaned close, her eyes dancing. “Just like what you’re gonna do with Amber.”

  I looked into Kate’s eyes.“You sure?”

  She pulled me closer. “Yes. You can pull out.”

  I groaned, positioning myself, and slid into her bare, her heat gripping me tight.

  Kate moaned, her legs wrapping around me, her nails raking my back as I thrust slow, deep. “Oh, it’s so good to feel your skin… To have you inside me like this.”

  “Just imagine Ryan’s sperm filling up your womb,” Caroline said, reclining on the pillow with a smug smirk.

  Kate’s eyes widened. “Oh, god, don’t… Don’t say that!”

  I started pulling out. “I’ll put on a—”

  “No!” Kate’s powerful legs wrapped around me, pushing me back in. “Not yet. Keep fucking me.”

  I continued pumping in and out, the pleasure building.

  “You want it, don’t you?” Sofia said, leaning down, her face beside Kate’s. “You want him to make you pregnant.”

  Kate’s eyes widened. “Yes!” she gasped, hips meeting mine. “Breed me. Like what you’ll do to that little bitch across the street.”

  My pace quickened.

  Caroline and Sofia watched, their hands roaming each other, Sofia’s fingers slick as she touched herself.

  Kate’s moans grew desperate, her body tensing. “Ryan, please— come inside me!” she begged, and I felt her clench as her body trembled, her release pulling me close.

  But I pulled out, spilling across her pussy, the sight of it glistening on her skin making me dizzy.

  Sofia leaned in, her fingers trailing through it, rubbing it into Kate’s skin with a wicked smile.

  Seeing Sofia’s fingers rubbing my jizz onto Kate’s pussy made me keep coming, another load shooting across Kate’s belly.

  Caroline reached over Sofia and started spreading it up to her breasts. Kate shivered, her eyes locked on mine.

  “You’re lucky I pulled out or you’d be pregnant,” I murmured.

  Kate pouted, almost like she regretted that it didn’t happen.

  Sofia’s voice cut through, husky and urgent. “My turn, Ryan.”

  She was already on her hands and knees, her big ass in the air swaying as she glanced back, eyes dark. “Come on, papi. Fuck me.”

  I was hard again in seconds. I grabbed her hips, sliding into her, her moan loud and raw.

  Her warmth pulled me in, and I thrust into her deep. She pushed back, meeting every move, her hands gripping the sheets.

  “Harder,” she panted, and I obliged, my hands squeezing her curves, the slap of skin filling the room. Caroline rolled onto her stomach, stroking the back of Sofia’s head and giving her kisses.

  Sofia came hard, her cry sharp, and I followed, spilling into her, the release intense but quick, her ass still swaying as she collapsed.

  As soon as I pulled out, gasping, Caroline was on me.

  “Don’t you dare go soft, young man,” she said, going down on me, her lips deftly working up and down until I was rock-hard again.

  Her legs wrapped around me. “Show me, Ryan. Show me what Amber’s gonna get. I know your balls aren’t empty yet.”

  I fucked her, lasting longer this time, and making Caroline’s body shake with multiple rounds of orgasms before my mind shattered with release.

  Chapter eleven

  Iwoke up next morning groping at the bedside table for my phone, not wanting to open my eyes.

  It hit the wooden floor with a thud.

  Somebody stirred beside, letting out a moan that I recognized to be Sofia’s.

  Rubbing my eye, I stretched over the side of Caroline’s huge bed and retrieved my phone.

  “What time is it?” Sofia asked sleepily.

  “Ten thirty. I guess we’re lazybones. Everyone else is up.”

  Kate, I knew, would be long gone by now. Caroline must be down in the kitchen, judging from the scent of coffee and bacon drifting up from downstairs.

  Gray light filtered through the bedroom windows, and I could still hear the gentle patter of rain that had continued through the night.

  “I don’t care,” Sofia said, curling against my side, her dark hair tumultuous. “I wanna stay in bed all day.”

  I enjoyed a few more lazy moments with Sofia, then slipped away from her embrace with a kiss.

  Heading to my room, I threw on some gym pants and a T-shirt. Despite the rain, I felt like going for a run.