Make Me

MARILYN

I stepped out of the cab and looked up at the building in front of me, my eyes slowly going to the very top where I knew the penthouse was.

Just a week ago, I was at my cozy little apartment in the sweet part of Brooklyn with my border collie, Luna.

Now…

Now I was about to move in with the three scariest men in New York.

Granted, it was only for a month, but I already knew it would feel like five years.

I looked down at Luna, and she looked back at me, her tongue out and her dark eyes meeting mine.

“Let’s go, baby,” I cooed, scratching her behind her ears as I rolled my suitcase with one hand and tugged her leash gently with the other.

I used the keycard that was delivered to me three days ago to get into the elevator, then I scanned it again and typed in the password to get to the penthouse.

I felt the nerves build up in my stomach as the elevator got higher and higher, but I did my best to calm them, mostly by stroking my fingers through Luna’s soft fur.

The elevator dinged, and I slowly stepped off it and onto a white marble floor.

I looked around the spacious room, and instantly noticed the color theme of dark red, black, gold, and white. It surprised me, to say the least.

Just as I was about to sit down on the couch, a voice rang out.

“What. The. Fuck. Is that?”

I instantly straightened my spine and turned around slowly, gasping under my breath.

Christian Blade stood about 10 feet away from me, his piercing, grey eyes staring at my dog.

“It’s a dog,” I responded as I blinked.

His eyes snapped up to mine, and they narrowed as he ran his fingers through his long, brown hair, his sculpted jaw clenching as he tied it up and into a loose man bun, a few strands falling around his face.

I didn’t notice I was staring until he cleared his throat, and my own blue eyes met his, my cheeks flushing lightly.

“I know what it is, sweetheart. I’m wondering why it’s in my apartment,” He stated, clicking his tongue in irritation.

I narrowed my own eyes at him as I stroked Luna’s head.

“I told you that I would be bringing along an emotional support animal, Mr. Blade. And I know I specified that it would be a dog,” I retorted, holding my head high.

He furrowed his brows at Luna.

“You forgot to mention that it was huge, Miss. Cross,” Christian informed me, making me scoff.

“I promise you, Sir. She’ll be no trouble, she loves all people and she’s very friendly,” I told him, letting go of her leash and watching as she bounced over to him, sniffing his jeans before nuzzling her head into his thigh.

He stood stiffly, and I chuckled as I rolled my shoulders and looked over at him.

“Would you please point me to my room?” I asked sweetly, holding back a smirk as his jaw ticked before he pointed to the hallway next to the kitchen.

“Last door on the left. You’ll unfortunately have to be sharing a Jack-and-Jill bathroom with Callan, I’m afraid,” He said smugly, the corner of his lip tilting up.

I looked back at him horrified, and he grinned before winking and walking away to the couch.

I whistled at Luna when she tried to follow him, and she whined before quietly following me. I sighed as I entered the room, my eyebrows raising in surprise.

Lavender, white, and pale green covered the room, and there was sun shining through the floor-to-ceiling window.

I sat down on the bed and sighed deeply, running a hand through my hair.

“I’m supposed to ask them what their favorite position during sex is, Luna. And several other questions like that. I can’t believe that’s my job,” I mumbled, burying my face into my hands.

If they were ugly, it would be a whole different situation. I wouldn’t feel awkward, and I definitely wouldn’t have my guard up the entire time.

These men, though…

I was in so much fucking trouble.

I stretched my arms out as I stood looking around the room, my hair in a messy bun and a pair of black yoga pants hugging me along with a dark purple camisole.

I had just finished un-packing, and the space looked comforting.

Luna scratched at my thigh, and I laughed, knowing that meant that she wanted to eat. I rubbed her head before opening the door to my room, laughing more as Luna nudged at my back, trying to get me to move faster.

“Luna—!” I started, but cut myself off when I slammed into a wall.

I stumbled back a bit and rubbed my nose, blinking several times and feeling my eyes widen as I stared in front of me.

Callan Blade held my gaze, a small grin on his beautiful face as he swept back some of his unruly, brown curls.

“You must be Marilyn,” He said cheekily, holding out his hand towards me.

I swallowed hard and held out my hand, noting the flash of surprise in his gaze as I gripped his palm firmly.

“It seems like you’re easily getting comfortable around here. And I’m glad you are,” He continued, letting go of my hand to offer his to Luna.

She sniffed before licking it, and he bent down to scratch her behind her ears.

I tilted my head to the side and watched him curiously, crossing my arms.

He gave her one last pat before standing back up and giving me that same smile.

“I’ll let you go on your way, Marilyn. We’re happy to have you here,” Callan said, winking once before heading back to his room.

I watched him with my mouth slightly open, swallowing before shaking my head and going into the kitchen, pulling out the bag of dog food I had hidden in their enormous walk-in pantry earlier.

After her water bowl was filled, I stood back up and turned around, my heart instantly pounding as I looked up at the man in front of me.

Conan Blade was fucking scary. The man was a tank, and my head only reached to right below his pecks.

His ice blue eyes stared back at me, not a single emotion in them, and his jaw clenched hard. His hair was cut short, almost buzzed, but what made up for it were the tattoos I just knew covered his whole body.

And fuck me, what a body.

I opened my mouth, but he simply walked around me and into the pantry, leaving me standing there like an idiot.

I walked to the opposite side of the island, and washed my hands slowly as I stared over at him, watching as he came out with boxes of ravioli and cans of tomato sauce in his hands.

I trailed my eyes over his body, my attention catching on the way his white t-shirt hugged his body and left little to the imagination. His grey sweatpants didn't do anything to help, either.

I instantly stepped out of his way as he came towards the sink, the kitchen so loud with silence it was awkward.

I cleared my throat and tilted my chin up to look at him, internally applauding myself for not shaking as I said, "Hi. I'm Marilyn? The reporter from-"

"I know who you are," He cut me off, his voice making me snap my thighs together as soon as he spoke.

I nodded and pressed my lips together as he turned on the stove and filled a pot with water, placing it on there and moving to the fridge, taking out two bags of salad.

"Um...can I offer any help? If you want it, of course.." I said, my throat feeling slightly dry as I stared at him, finding myself unable to look away.

He glared over at me, but I held my ground, not looking away from his eyes.

"Well what are we having here, a dick-measuring contest?" Callan said cheerfully as he came into the kitchen, giving a happy Luna a pat on her head.

I shot him a "Seriously?" look while Conan continued burning holes in my head with his eyes, making me scoff.

"Yea...okay," I said, shaking my head in disbelief as I walked back to the guest room, tugging on my Adidas and a jacket and grabbing my wallet and pepper spray, taking Luna's leash and walking back out to the kitchen.

Christian had joined the party, and I internally rolled my eyes as I saw him chopping up the salad.

Callan gave me a smile, while the other two blatantly ignored me.

"If this is how you treat all your guests, I would suggest taking a beginner's course in manners," I said aloud, knowing that caught their attention as I opened up one of the cabinets.

"We are gentlemen, Marilyn, we just don't like you," Christian said, staring at me.

"That's not true, I like her," Callan defended, shooting me a wink and flipping Christian the bird.

I snorted, and stood on my tiptoes to get a glass of water, not missing how Conan stopped his stirring to stare at my butt.

I got the glass and walked over to the fridge, placing it under the water dispenser and waiting until it was silent before saying, "So, Conan, you're an ass kind of guy?"

The room froze before Callan burst out laughing, Christian fuming at me and Conan simply deciding to ignore me.

I smiled to myself and raised my glass to my lips, meeting Christian's gaze as I drank it with a long swallow, pressing my lips together after I was done and placing the glass on the counter, moving to Luna.

"Where do you think you're going?" Christian snapped as he glared at me.

"I'm going to walk my dog. Unless, I'm sorry, is that not allowed?" I gasped, mock-pouting at him.

With the way he was gripping his fork, he probably wanted to stab me with it.

I put Luna's leash on and was about to leave before Callan ran up and gave me that boyish grin of his.

"I'm coming with you."