Page 2 of Shared

“Hey, I’ve got a good idea,” Finn suddenly chimes in, his eyes wide with mischief. “What if Jorge joins you in the auction?”

I freeze. “Jorge?” I look at Finn, a little too uncomfortable at the idea. “Are you seriously suggesting that Jorge and I auction ourselves off together? As some kind of… package?”

“I can’t say I object to that idea.” Jorge gives me a too-flirtatious wink.

“Nope.” I vehemently shake my head. “You’re missing a few key components to be my type, Jorge.”

“Come on. Maybe just consider it a little bit?” He smirks. “You’re my last chance at nailing down an Evans.”

“I’m going to suggest you don’t hold your breath.” Maintaining his stare, I seriously ask, “You can’t seriously be happy about getting roped into this shit?”

“Um, yes. Yes, I can,” he retorts. “I’m actually crossing my fingers that thereareropes involved with the big burly Daddy I hope bids on me.”

“I’m not happy about it, Jorge. You realize that, right?”

He shrugs. “Hey, if nothing else, it’s for charity. You’re doing something for a good cause.”

“And if you’re lucky, a gorgeous woman will bid on you and you’ll have one hell of a night,” Tristan adds, that ridiculous cheeky grin spreading across his face again.

“For fuck’s sake,” I gruff. “I already said I’d do it.”

But I sure as fuck don’t have to like it.

CHAPTER TWO

ELENA

Walking through the apartment, I am no longer able to ignore the heaviness of the guilt filling my chest. My gait slows, and I pace outside Victoria’s office door, drawing her attention as I try to find my words.

“Yes, Elena?” The curiosity of her tone carries into the hall. She understands me better than anyone I’ve ever known, often knowing when something is bothering me before I do. The two of us have always been open with each other; it’s one of the many reasons I love her. We share everything—our fears, our dreams, our desires—and we don’t keep secrets from each other.Except this.I’m struggling to confess this one… The thoughts lingering in the back of my mind actually have me a little concerned that I’m going to tarnish the beautiful life we’ve built together over the past three years.

As I step over the threshold, I’m momentarily blinded by the sun shining through the window. It casts a warm, golden light across the room, lighting a path as I walk toward Victoria’s desk. My nostrils fill with the rich aroma of the coffee she’s sipping from her leather office chair as I take a deep breath. She stares back atme over the cup as she lowers it from her lips. Pushing her chair back from the desk and tapping her thigh, she instructs, “Come, tell me what’s on your mind, sweet girl.”

“Vic,” I choke, my voice betraying the nerves I am trying desperately to hide, as I take her offer. She stares back at me with understanding eyes, and I fidget nervously with the hem of my skirt, trying to find the nerve to admit my confession.One I should have made weeks ago.

Her perfectly manicured nails and soft fingertips dust along my jaw, cupping my chin when she reaches it. Using her light hold, she demands my tentative gaze. “No secrets.”

After taking a deep breath, I exhale, “I’ve been thinking about something.”

“Clearly, sweet girl.” Victoria smiles at me, with an expression I can’t quite discern. She sets her coffee cup on the desk before us and slips her other hand over my hip, pulling me into her. “What’s on your mind?”

I hesitate for a moment, but I can’t ignore this thing I’ve been feeling or harbor the guilt it’s causing me any longer. “I’ve been thinking about something… Something that I wasn’t expecting… That might surprise you.” My voice is shakier than I was I hoping, clearly showing my nerves.

Vic’s brow furrows slightly, and she squeezes my hip. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”

I give a timid nod and a small smile, trying to reassure us both. “I know. I just… I don’t… I don’t know how you’ll feel about this.”

“Just say it,” she encourages gently.

Slipping my hand over hers, I lace our fingers together. It’s a feeble attempt to hold on to her, knowing what I need to say might break us. “I miss being with men, Madame.”

The weight of my words hangs in the air between us, leaving the room suddenly feeling too small—suffocating. I knew Victoria would be surprised, but her silence and complete lack of reaction are terrifying. Her confident demeanor doesn’t break in the slightest, and her husky voice finally slices through the silence. “What are you asking for?”

Not expecting her reaction, I try to find the right way to explain myself. Instead, I ramble, “We both know that we’re attracted to men as well as women… And I’m not saying I want to leave you or that I’m unhappy with us. I just... I feel like I put that part of me in a box when I started seeing you. But lately, I’ve been feeling this pull… A need. And I don’t want to hide it from you.”

Victoria takes a takes a long, slow inhale, her fingers tightening around mine comfortingly—immediately relieving the panic I’ve been putting myself into over my confession. She isn’t angry. She is quiet and processing, trying to make sense of what I just shared.

“I’m not willing to risk losing you, Elena,” Vic softly informs. “But I also understand what you’re trying to say. I’m not opposed to what you’re asking, but I need to make sure it doesn’t change what we have.”

---