“We’re looking for a certain quality in our candidate,” he continued.
“What kind of quality?”
“Would you like to take the test?”
Anna couldn’t imagine what kind of test these men had in mind. Knowing their infamous reputation, she was sure it wouldn’t involve algebra or world history. The Martels were notorious players. And being the walking, talking, wet dreams they were, any woman they set their eyes on was rumoured to fall easily into their bed.
“Y-yes,” she answered.
Justin contemplated for a second. “Ralph?”
Raphael winked. “I’ll get Matt.” He went out and came back a few minutes later.
Anna slipped into uneasiness when she caught Matt’s eyes. He was absolutely different than his flirtatious brothers. Her first impression about him was that this man was dangerous. His hawk-like stare seemed to penetrate her deepest soul and expose what she really was. A sliver of panic started to creep into her mind. Could he see through her deception? The very reason she strayed into these sex fiends’ lair?
Matt sauntered behind his brother’s desk and folded his arms in front of his chest. Like Justin, he was also dressed in an impeccably neat business suit. But there was a warrior aura plastered all over him. He had this lush, raven hair that was so long, it draped over his shoulders, behind his back, and stopped just below his elbows. If he traded his suit with leather pants and a broadsword, he would look like the stereotypical barbarians from the cheesy romance covers.
“This is Miss Anna Vincent and she wants to take the test. What do you think, Matt?” Justin asked his opinion.
“Frumpy.”
Goddamn. That man wouldn’t make his future wife happy if he couldn’t tell a little white lie.
Matt came to her side. “What’s up with these glasses?” He plucked them off her nose before she could shout a protest.
“I-I can’t see well without my glasses.”
“Get contacts.” Matt’s eyes narrowed as he examined her clothes. “Are you a librarian?”
“N-no.”
“A school teacher?”
“No.”
“A government worker?”
“No.” Irritation sliced through her. “What is this all about?”
“You have a terrible sense of fashion.”
Figures. She’d momentarily forgotten whom she was speaking to. Not everybody could afford the Martels’ two-thousand-dollar women’s suits. Hers came from a discount store and that was the only thing she could afford.
“Take your clothes off,” Matt ordered.
“Excuse me?”
Justin piped in this time. “Do you still want to take the test?”
“Y-yes.”
“Well then.”
Why, of course. No algebra or world history trivia. She should have known. Anna swallowed a lungful of air as her stomach coiled in a tight knot. I can do this. Just pretend they are all potted plants. Dumb potted plants.
She rose from her seat like a zombie and half-heartedly shrugged off her tweed jacket. Three pair of eyes scrutinised her every move. Her hands trembled when she unbuttoned her shirt, one by one. Their gaze intensified, she could swear they started searing her skin.
Anna paused before she pulled her shirt off. She didn’t dare look around to see their reaction. She was beyond embarrassed. The last time she’d removed her clothes in front of a man was with her high-school boyfriend. Ned had got so excited as soon as she took her clothes off, he’d jumped on her before she could shed her panties down her ankles properly and humped her vigorously for twenty seconds before it was all over. Now, Anna remembered why she thought sex was highly overrated.