Chapter 1

"That was amazing," I say breathless as I lay on my bed exhausted from our previous exertion.

Amanda, breathing hard zips the back of her maids dress and slips into her black flats. Smoothing down the wrinkles of her grey dress, she gives me a small smile. Of course she goes over to the side of the bed I'm not sleeping on and makes it quickly leaving the pillows leaning on the headboard. I watch her as she does it. I don't see why she does it, maybe just to hide our scandalous activities or because it's her job to keep everything clean.

"I'll see you in the morning, your majesty," she says softy and as she turns to leave I sit up and stop her.

"Wait, I feel like I need to do it one more time," I say grinning mischievously. What me and Amanda share is what you can call friends with benefits, except I'm not really her friend, she's just a young maid that works with two others to serve me. I noticed her one day and made my move, now it's a frequent thing we do, mostly when I cave it, or need it.

I see her shift uncomfortably, but I still see the corners of her mouth move up slightly. I have to admit I've noticed her squirm in past, nervous and alert. I'm not sure if she doesn't like it or isn't comfortable. Maybe she just knows it isn't right so she can't have fun with it. It is against the law after all, to have sex before marriage that is, so I understand. She always fills my needs, though and the first time we did it she said yes, eagerly I might add. I mean who would say no to me, right. I do have a full six back and strong arms. Maybe I sound arrogant, yes but I have worked hard for these bad boys. So it's not like I'm forcing her, she must like it, at least most of it. I am completely sure I like the girl, her company is nice, but I'm definitely not in love with her. Besides I can't marry a six. My standards range from two's to four's. Five's are pushing it, but I could marry one of them.

"I just got dressed though," she says fidgeting with her hands and curling the tips of the white apron attached to the front of the grey dress.

I stand up and walk over to her. She is almost a foot shorter than me so I tower over her with my height of six two. Her hair is dark brown and in a messy bun that she put together, unlike the neat ponytail she wore when she walked in thirty minutes ago. Her hazel eyes stare at me, she seems on edge, but she seemed on edge when she first came in so it can't be because of me.

"Please, it'll be quick," I promise. I fit a loose strand of hair behind her ear and caress her cheek until I reach her chin. Lifting it, I make her look at me. She hesitates but finally nods and I smile before leaning in to give her a soft kiss. I turn us around and walk her back to my side of the bed. Hovering over her I take off her dress and we spend longer than we thought in each other's embraces.

I ended up waking up with her in my arms and I feel awkward, it never usually ends like this. Just a simple goodnight and then she's gone.

She moves around, facing me and her eyes flutter open. She looks up at me sleepily and seems to sigh contently as she cuddles closer into my chest. I feel her warmth and it surprisingly feels quite nice. I still look at her and say nothing as she flashes her hazel eyes at me again in horror and shame. She jumps out of the bed but then sits down slowly, which confuses me. She looks unwell as she holds her head and blinks fast. I know I should ask her if she's all right but I stay silent. She stands up once again, dresses, makes the other side of the bed, and leaves. The entire time I say nothing. I don't really have anything to say. I would have said bye when she did, but she slipped out before I could.

I shrug and get out of bed. I dress into a simple button up and then wear some beige dress pants. I walk to the dining table and find everyone already there. What time is it, I'm usually the first one, with my brother Samuel.

"Jeremiah, son what took you so long this morning," my father says while he eats his scrambled eggs.

"Slept in I guess," I say smiling as I'm handed my breakfast.

I watch my sister Madelyn dive into her pancakes like she's five even though she is seventeen. My parents scold her every time, well my dad does. My mom understands, she is also a fan of amazing breakfasts. I dig in and finish fast, but before I can leave my parents ask me to see them in dad's office.

I nod, rolling my eyes when I turn around. What do they want this time, it's like I can't live in peace anymore.

My parents keep me waiting another five minutes in the office which makes me roll my eyes another three times as I lean on the desk. The doors open and they stroll inside.

"Jeremy," my mother begins. "Me and your father were thinking, that because you are turning nineteen next week, we could start your selection."

I look at them for a second before shrugging. "Sure, whatever." They look stunned, did they think I was going to get mad?

"Whatever?" My dad questions. "Son, this is a big deal, you're going to be looking for your future wife."

"I know," I say unfazed by the comment.

He looks confused as he stares me down. I can't help but let a smile creep onto my face. "Ah dad, if only I could have been there during your selection. It seems to me that you would have needed a friend to tell you to relax. It's not a big deal, they're just a bunch of girls. They should be the ones nervous, I just need to pick the prettiest one and I know just how to do it. The trick is to get them all into bed and then go from there. I'm going to make sure my wife has a nice body to have... well you know what." I look back at my parents and see their horrified faces. I fight the urge to laugh. I cross my arms over my chest and wait for them to say something.

"Jeremiah, I am disgusted, how can you say that." My mother says.

"What! I'm sure dad thought about that too, right dad." I say smiling innocently.

"Well, if I say I didn't that would be a lie, but that doesn't mean it was on my mind before the selection started. You need to take this seriously Jeremy. You can't just pick the girl with the best... body. You need to pick one with motive, with heart, and loyalty to Illea," My dad says.

"And I will, but a body is very important too."

"Fine, sure a body is good as well, but it should never matter to you. What should matter is what's on the inside. That's the true beauty in a person. I'm lucky I found your mom though, she has both especially the body," he says and my mom giggles. I groan and walk over to the door.

"Jeremy, under no circumstances are you to have sex with any of the girls, do you understand," my father says seriously before I can leave.

"Yes, I understand." I say rolling my eyes. I secretly don't mean it.

"Your supposed to save that for the person you truly love, besides it's against the law to do it before marriage."

"Okay," I say opening the door.

"I would have kicked your butt if you had tried to get me into bed during the beginning of the selection, Maxon," I hear my mom say as I leave.

"That's why I never tried," I hear my dad say, he voice softer from the distance. My mom giggles and I groan rolling my eyes.

There is only one good thing about all of this. I get to have my own batch of thirty-five girls and I can have them as long as I want. This is truly a happy birthday for me.