Marissa's POV

I had wandered around the pier after leaving the bakery. Luke and Gabriel had been just what I needed to distract me for a while. Of course, Luke was right. I needed to talk with Chloe and Jackson, and I needed to do it sooner rather than later. Things could get very awkward if there were hard feelings since we work together. I can't exactly fire them after having a year-long relationship. The press would have a field day with that. My phone pinged and I groaned as I looked at the message.

The car will pick you up at six for the gala. Our table is in the front, don't be late Marissa. - Mother.

Damn. I'd completely forgotten about the charity gala. Okay, maybe I'd intentionally blocked it from my mind since my parents were flying in for it. My mother was obsessed with Victor Morgan. Ever since he officially retired she traveled to the city each year to see his performance. If it were just my mom coming, then it wouldn't be so bad, but father wouldn't let her go anywhere unattended. So I had a night of questions and off-handed barbs to look forward to. I picked myself up off the bench and glanced at the time. Ugh, four-thirty. I'd have to rush if I wanted to be ready in time. "Tony, yeah, can you send the car to this location," I asked and waited as the black car finally arrived.

I was just putting in my earrings when the doorman called to say my parent's car had arrived. I grabbed my shawl and clutch, then headed down the elevator. Tony opened the door and I took the hand he extended to help me inside. "Oh, Marissa, darling you look lovely," my mother gushed.

"Thank you, mother. You look fabulous as well," I said. She really did look better than the last time I'd seen her. Either dad doesn't have a current mistress or he's doing a better job hiding it from the press this time. "Father, you look dashing as ever," I told him. He simply grunted in response. Well, fuck, I tried.

"Still playing office help?" he gruffed and I hung my head. "I didn't raise you to be a wallflower, girlie."

"Sorry sir," I said quickly slipping into my safe space, "I just wanted to keep your names out of the papers when Winston died. There was so much scandal, sir."

Mother patted my hand, "You did such a good job dealing with it all, sweetheart. Maybe it's time to take your place again, hmm?"

"Yes mother, I'm sure you and father are right," I said, still bowing my head. Before the conversation could continue, the car pulled up to the main entrance. I took a deep breath and kept my eyes down as the flashes went off all around us as I accepted Tony's hand and stepped out of the car. Gods I hate the fucking press. I gave my best fake smile and walked to the right of my father as my mother walked to his left. Once we made it inside, I was greeted by a server with a flute of champagne which I quickly accepted. The usher quickly escorted my parents to the table while I made an excuse for needing the ladies' room. I was trying to weave through the crowd when suddenly I bumped into what felt like a solid wall, but this wall had really nice hands that steadied me.

I looked up to see the same stormy almost black eyes I'd seen in the conference room. "Sorry, Mr. Taylor. I wasn't looking where I was going very well."

He looked at me as if he couldn't quite place me, then recognition passed over his eyes, "Oh, Ms. Ryland. I'm sorry, it was my fault. I tend to walk first, look later," he chuckled. "I didn't even recognize you out of office wear. You look stunning," he said, making my cheeks flush crimson. Good grief, how many times can I blush in a single day, I thought.

"Thank you, um well, I must be going," I said, "I wouldn't want to miss the performance." He smiled and kissed my hand before letting me go. I missed his touch instantly.

"Pleasure seeing you again, Ms. Ryland," he flashed a smile and walked off. I stood, dazed for a moment.

"Get ahold of yourself, Rissa," I chide myself quietly.

The lights dimmed to announce the beginning of the program and I quickly make my way to the private table my parents hold. While I despise spending the evening with them, I love this gala. Mr. Morgan's charity work with abused children is admirable and my family makes a donation each year. Of course, I also make one, but it's always anonymous. Unlike my father, mine has nothing to do with public image or a tax write-off. It's personal, but then again, he would never admit to that.

I let my eyes wander to the man on stage as his fingers glide over the keys effortlessly. My eyes close and I let the music wash over me. Other than the punishment sessions in the dungeon, this is the only way I find true peace. His music helped me survive a father who mentally abused me for years. It isn't until Mr. Morgan stops playing that I realize my cheeks are wet. Like everyone else in the room, I rise to my feet and applaud. The remaining performers are good, but nothing will ever compare to his talent in my mind.

I try not to cringe as the lights come up. This is the part I truly hate - the mingling. I can already hear my father, You're a Ryland, girlie, now go find a new husband. I swear I feel like a show cow half the time.

I've only taken a few steps before I hear a familiar voice, "Marissa, is that you?" I turn around to see Luke and Gabriel standing with Victor Morgan. "See, told you it was her," Luke says with a proud grin as he pokes Gabe in the ribs.

He rolls his eyes and sarcastically says, "Yes dear." I can't help the giggle. I love the way they interact with each other. Their love for one another is obvious. "Marissa, I'd like to introduce our husband, Victor." I pause for a moment before the glint in Luke's eyes makes it all fall in place. No wonder he knew so much about poly relationships.

I extend my hand to Victor, "Mr. Morgan it is a pleasure to meet you. I've been a fan for a long time. Your music helped me through some rather dark times, I must admit. And now, the work you do for abused children is quite admirable." I turned to Luke and Gabe and gave them a mom look, "So just how long were you going to let me look like a first-year amateur?" They both stutter and flush, "Last names, gentlemen."

Victor let out a booming laugh, "Oh damn, she busted you so quickly. I tried to tell you she'd figure it out when she met me." His whiskey eyes looked like flames as he laughed.

"Well, honestly, I should have put it together sooner. I guess I'm a bit off my game," I admitted.

"It's the orgasm," Luke grinned and I shushed him, jerking my thumb toward my parents who were walking in our direction. Luke blushed and nodded his head.

I quickly whispered to Victor, "I'm so sorry. Please don't hate me." He gave me a confused look. "Mother, Father, there you are," I said in a false tone, my body going rigid as my father took my elbow tightly.

"Marissa, where did you run off to?" he gruffed.

"Oh, Dalton, be nice," mother tried to diffuse his anger, "Do you see who she's visiting with, dear? This is Victor Morgan, the Victor Morgan. I'm such a fan of yours, young man. We drive up every year from Houston just to hear you play." My mother droned on and I saw the glazed look in Victor's eyes as he tried to be a good host.

When the symphony started playing he looked up and noticed my father still clamping down on my arm. "Ms. Ryland, would you care to dance," Victor asked me, reaching out for my hand. He knew exactly what he was doing. Father would look like a fool if he held me back in front of the crowd.

"That would be lovely, Mr. Morgan," I said politely and let him lead me to the floor. His hand came to rest on the small of my back as we waltzed around the floor. "I'm sorry about my mother," I said, "she means well, she's just a tad sheltered."

He kept looking at the bruise that was forming on my elbow, "Does he do that often?"

I shook my head, "It's been years since he's left a bruise," I answered honestly, "At least those heal quicker," I mumbled not realizing he heard me.

"You're not what I expected," Victor said as he spun me around the dancefloor a second time. I cocked my head in confusion as he started talking, "I guess seeing you for myself eases a lot of my concerns. As my family considered your firm's proposal, I did my due diligence and researched the firm and ended up learning about you in the process."

I bowed my head and fought to keep my tears at bay. Was he going to chastise me like my father, tell me what a failure I was, that I was shameful for hiding from the world?

I felt fingers lift my chin, "Marissa, hey come back, beautiful girl," his voice was deep and soothing as I focused on his eyes. "I'm sorry if I upset you. I just wanted to be honest about researching you. I was confused, but when Gabe met you, he said you didn't have a malicious bone in your body, and I have to agree with him."

I took a shaky breath, "Thank you. I'm not trying to deceive anyone by letting Jackson and Chloe run the day-to-day face of the company. I'm just not ready to step back into that role yet." The music stopped but he continued to hold me, his eyes searching mine for what I didn't know. "I should save Gabriel and Luke from my parents," I said, casting a glance in their direction.

Pulling me to his side, Victor chuckled, "Oh those two are more than capable of handling themselves. May I introduce you to the rest of the family?"

"Um, sure," I said uncertain of what I was stepping into but any escape from my parents was a welcome one. "So just out of curiosity, what would be a good gift for Gabriel? I know I can give Luke anything sweet to apologize for stranding him with my parents, but I don't know about Gabriel."

Victor smirked, "Eat Luke's pastries and moan. That's all those two could talk about all afternoon. Hell, I'm tempted to install cameras just to hear it for myself, they talked about it so much." I made a squeaking noise and my cheeks burned. Victor's eyes met mine and seemed to be a shade darker, "Or just make that sound again," he growled. I felt heat wash over my body. Oh damn, what was wrong with me. These men are married - to each other and here I am getting all hot and bothered.

He cleared his throat, "Guys, look who I found?" I looked up to see Sean and Owen as well as North and Kota who I'd met at the meeting. Alongside them were two more jaw-dropping men, one with reddish brown hair and a muscular build, the other looked like a bodybuilder with olive-toned skin. "Marissa, these are my husbands. I know you've already met Sean, Owen, North, and Kota. Over here are Silas and Nate." They each shook my hand and greeted me, one at a time.

"It's a pleasure to see you again and to meet you as well gentlemen," I said politely. "I really hate to introduce and run, but I fear you may never recover your other two husbands if I don't rescue them from my mother's clutches." They chuckled as Victor and I took our leave. When we reached my parents, I could see the agitation in my father's eyes, and nodded quickly. "Mother, Mr. Morgan needs to be leaving and his husbands need to leave with him. I'm sure we wouldn't want to delay them."

My mother stopped talking and kind of sputtered, then her eyes widened. I guess the whole married-to-men thing had escaped her knowledge all these years. "Oh, of course, I'm so sorry. Please forgive the ramblings of an old woman," she apologized.

I gave them each a polite hug and whispered my own apologies into Luke and Gabriel's ears. Luke just laughed it off, but Gabriel growled in my ear, and said softly, "That's one, little girl." My eyelids fluttered and I shivered at his tone as moisture flooded between my legs.

"Yes sir," I whispered back softly, making him chuckle.

"How exactly do you know them?" my father demanded as the group of men left the gala in a flurry of paparazzi.

"They're clients, well at least I hope so. We presented our services to them yesterday. Between the nine of them, they have over twenty companies that each net millions in profits a year, and that's not counting the charities they all sponsor worldwide." He seemed impressed and didn't push the matter further.

****

I lay in bed, replaying the events of the day in my mind when my phone pings. My heart skips a beat when I see Gabriel's name on the ID and I quickly open the message.

Are you alone?

Yes, why?

Open your door. Wait, what? I quickly put on my robe and went to the door. When I looked out, there wasn't anyone there. I started to close the door when a package caught my attention. I picked it up and went back to my bed. I gasped when I opened it to see a rather sizable vibrator inside with a note.

Use lube, and call when you're ready. I want to hear you cum - now little girl.

My hands shake as I follow his directions, then hit the call button. "Are you being a good girl?" Gabriel's rich baritone voice fills my ears.

"Yes sir," I say softly.

"Wrong name, little girl," he growls and I whimper. "Say it."

"Yes, Daddy, I'm being a good girl," my hips move just from calling him such a taboo name.

"Turn it on, baby. I want to hear my little girl cum for me," he coos, his voice softer now. I flip on the switch and gasp as the vibrator begins to stimulate my clit. I lay the phone next to my pillow and turn it on speaker. "Touch yourself. Imagine it's my hands touching you." I whine as I begin to pinch and tug at my nipples, my breath coming out in short pants. The knot in my stomach begins to ache.

"Please Daddy, I need to cum," I beg him.

"That's it, little girl, cum for Daddy. Scream for me," his voice sends me over and I cry out calling for him as my hips buck and the vibrator digs deep. I'm shaking when my body finally stops twitching and I turn off the vibrator. "Such a good girl for me, baby," he whispers. "Drink some water and get some rest."

"Night, night, Daddy," I say in a sleepy voice.

"Good night, beautiful girl," he says and the line disconnects. I do as he said and clean up, drink water and then snuggle deep in the blankets.

Author's Notes:  Turning things up a notch...more heat ahead.