Page 11 of Shared

“We both know damned well I’m not going to submit to you.”

“I know,” her voice falters, and her eyes momentarily drop to the table between us.And now I’m fucking intrigued. This isn’t about merely repeating the other night or having me as a bull for Elena. This is aboutthem. It’s abouther.

Unable to hide my curiosity, my brow raises. “Are you afraid to admit you’re interested in submitting to me, Victoria Conrad?”

Her stare hardens, and she takes a sharp breath, slowly exhaling it and gathering her refined composure before answering. “I want to explore it, but I have terms.” She has a slight edge to her tone, and I momentarily place it as aggression before she releases her authority. Even now—askingto submit to me—she’s trying to maintain control.

“Terms?” I ask, trying to mask my eagerness. “What kind of terms do you have in mind?”

Her eyes flick between me and her drink. “First, this is casual. Nothing serious. We’ll see you once a week, maybe more. No strings. No commitment. Just sex.”

Settling against the back of my seat, I pretend to let her words marinate. The two of them for a few hours a week? Completely non-committal? Did I hit the fucking jackpot or am I fucking dreaming?Fuck it… if it is a dream, t’s a good fucking dream.

“And I’ll be fucking you as well?” I ask, my voice deep but filled with an uncontrolled curiosity. The thought of sinking inside of her—and commanding her body again as she rides my cock—sends a thrill through me. “Both of you submitting to me.”

Victoria pauses, her fingers tightening slightly around the stem of her glass. “Yes. Occasionally,” she answers. “I enjoy providing pleasure more than receiving it.”

“Trust me… having your pussy wrapped around my cock wouldprovide mea great deal of pleasure,” I retort smugly. Her cheeks redden—a reaction I was not expecting. I enjoy this glimpse her poise faltering. My thoughts quickly drift to her losing her control, letting me crack through her icy demeanor, seeing her fall under the weight of submission, and letting herself be taken…

Ineedto see her fully let go.

A renewed serious expression spreads over her face. “And Elena?—”

“I already know how much I enjoy her sweet cunt,” I interrupt, Victoria’s eyes narrowing as her jaw clenches. I am unable to discern if her response is jealousy or something else.

“My relationship with her will not change. I will still be her Madame, and she will submit to me.”

“Understood.”

She nods, her gaze not breaking from mine as she regains her stoic composure. “This will never be more than I’m offering,” she states with a challenging intensity. “We aren’t interested in anything serious. This is nothing more than sex and a little exploration of submission between three consenting adults. It will not go any further.”

I almost laugh at the foolhardiness of her statement, assuming thatIwould want more. “Do yourself a favor,” I playfully scoff. “Make sure the two of you don’t fall in love with me.”

Victoria chuckles and finishes the last of her martini. “Then it’s settled.” She sets her empty glass on the table and stands, seemingly satisfied with the arrangement we’ve come to. “Friday night. Here at the club.”

“My place,” I correct when she dictates the details of our next encounter.

Hesitating for a moment, she reaches into her purse, pulls out a card, and slides it across the table. With a commanding tone, she gruffs, “Fine. This is my cell. Text me your address.”

“Please,” I press, both for my amusement and to test her. The more she exudes her control, the more I want to challenge her. The more compelled I am to push back, forcing her to relinquish a little of the power she is clinging so desperately to. “I want thetwo of you alone. And you not concerned with the eyes of the club watching you explore your submissive side.”

The honor of watching her let go and finding her submission… I don’t plan to share that.Her submission will be mine and mine alone.

“Please,” she begrudgingly whispers, stepping from the table.

Grabbing her wrist just firm enough to cause her to pause, I keep my voice equally as low and gravelly. “Good girl.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

ELENA

Sitting on the couch with my legs tucked beneath me, I anxiously trace the rim of wine glass in my hands. I’ve been impatiently waiting for Victoria to return from her meeting with Conor for several hours. The door of the apartment clicks, and my nerves are suddenly mixed with hesitation and the fear of disappointment.

She steps into the living room, and her gaze immediately finds me. There’s something new and different in the way she looks at me—something possessive. She stares at me in silence, her eyes briefly glancing disapprovingly at my glass, but she doesn’t comment on it. After placing the stemless glass on the coffee table, I’m surprised to find my hands shaking a little as I stand. “Madame? How did it go?”

Her lips pull into a controlled smile as she places her Dior purse on the chair and removes her camel-colored overcoat. She is silent but carries a calm confidence that silently lets me know everything went according to plan.Her plan.

She collects the glass I filled without permission when she walks past the coffee table and carries it into the kitchen with her. Herheels click across the hardwood floor with every confident step. Dumping the glass, she turns to face me, leaning back slightly against the counter. “He agreed,” she states simply, but I can hear the delight she’s trying to mask. “We will be meeting at his place on Friday night.”

---