Page 31

Watching Olivia leave is hard. My heart cracks a little. Because as much as I’ve felt and shown her my intentions…I haven’t voiced them.

And I’ve taken a few missteps in the process.

I did know that she had some kind of involvement with Matteo, but I had no clue that Waylen was involved too. Even with her as his date. Not until I saw him with her earlier.

It’s all so obvious now.

Yet, I wish I could run after her, catch her, and wrap her up in my arms. To take away the apparent pain she’s feeling right now.

Maybe I enjoy holding her too much. I have this entire time.

If I know anything about Olivia, it’s that she’s got a kind heart. She’s thoughtful. She must really care for all three of us.

She’s always been honest and sincere with me.

I turn back to Matteo and Waylen. They seem to be spinning in their own private miseries. I bet they look a lot like my own.

The pain of this situation refuels me and my determination. Like it has with every other seemingly unattainable goal.

Because knowing Olivia has been with Matteo is one thing. Seeing her with Waylen and Matteo though…it’s something completely different.

Especially after what we’ve already worked through.

I want her. And fuck it, if that means sharing her…it’s not my first option, but I will if my only other option means losing her. I have to say as much to them.

“I want her. I’ll do practically anything not to lose her.” I meet both of their gazes, and I can see their truths reflected back at me. I’m not the only one that feels this way.

That’s terrifying. Because if we share, we have to decide on that together.

Matteo rubs the back of his neck, the pain clear in the furrowing of his brows. He’s a serious man, so I can only imagine how he feels about this. About her. “I think we need to take this slow. No more…making assumptions about what she needs.”

“What she wants,” I correct him. “Because I’m pretty sure her needs are the same as the rest of us. The need to feel in control. That she’s not in this alone. That we want the same things that she does. And that can’t happen without an open discussion.”

The silence that spreads between us is fraught with tension and awkwardness.

Are their minds spinning the same way mine is? Are they willing to let her go if she’s forced to pick one of us?

It will eventually lead to that. Won’t it? Unless we voice that other option.

Matteo’s features only darken as the minutes tick by.

Waylen, however, has this thoughtful look that gets my pulse pumping hard. He looks over Matteo, then me, and the wheels are turning in his mind. Are they spinning in the same direction mine are?

“I have an idea.” I run a hand over my chin. Neither of them are going to like this, but it has to be said. “None of us seem able to stay away from her. Maybe that means something more than jealousy.”

I’ve been falling in love with her since she met my daughter. It’s only grown since then. The way she protected Ruby against Lisa. How fast she is to forgive, although I doubt she ever forgets.

Matteo’s shoulders slump, defeat written all over his features, like it’s already over before it’s really begun.

The twist of Waylen’s mouth looks like he’s ready to laugh.

Yeah, they’re going through their own shit, recoiling from this coming out the way it did. At least it wasn’t bigger.

Out in the open.

Although if we don’t return to the ballroom soon, more rumors will start to spread. And they’ll move faster than any of the others, fueled by the alcohol and relaxed atmosphere of this party.

“Listen. I’m expecting that none of us want to lose her. And the one-in-three odds don’t sit well with me. So, here’s my thought: If you guys can curb your jealousy and possessiveness…just amongst the three of us…” I make a circular gesture between us.

Are they catching my meaning, or will they force me to say it outright?

“Fuck, this is some wild shit,” Waylen comments, knowing where I’m going with this, rubbing a hand down his face and holding his hand over his mouth. His gaze darts high on the wall past me.

Is he imagining it? I am. I’m trying not to. Not in detail, but it’s filling up my head anyway. Would she be able to handle all three of us at once?

The burning of jealousy and fear slowly starts to transform into something more. Something darker and sexier.

“Do you want her badly enough or not?” I ask.

Matteo says, “I do. I want her badly enough. Do you think she’ll go for it though?”

I grin. “I think she’s kinky enough to try it. What do we have to lose?”

You know, besides her? But that’s true even without this option.

“Fuck it, let’s try,” Waylen says.

Matteo nods, grim mouth frowning more than usual.

“We’d better get back out there and act normal.” I nod toward the doors, the gala on the other side of the hall bustling with people, with donors.

I make the first move, leaving them to wallow for another minute, and I grab a drink from the bar, settling back against it to watch the people still bidding for the grand prize. I bet the university has made a shitload of money tonight.

No one has any idea that three of its professors are contemplating sharing one of their students. The one who has wooed a good portion of the donors throwing money at them right now.

In my perusal of the room, taking stock of who’s left and how long I have to wait until I can leave, I catch the trio watching me. Specifically, Britney is looking me up and down like I’m a piece of meat.

Her blonde hair is piled high on her head with a tiny tiara holding it in place, and her dark red dress matches her bloody mouth. She looks like she’s stepped out of some twisted princess porno.

The way her hips sway as she saunters over to me is comical. Does she really think that’s going to work? Especially when everything she’s tried up to now hasn’t.

I catch a whiff of her cloying floral perfume and cover it with another sip of my rum and coke.

I sigh as she strikes a pose in front of me, hip cocked with a hand on it. “I thought you were going to disappear for the whole night and I’d miss my opportunity for a dance.”

The way she lifts her hand and holds it out to me, like she’s expecting me to take it, renews my disgust with her.

She likes the way I look, but she hasn’t learned a damn thing about me. Shallow. Entitled. Not at all what I want. Not again.

I watch her hand as it hovers there, but I don’t take it, sipping my drink again.

“I don’t plan on dancing with you, Britney.” Because, truly, I’ve made myself clear on more than one occasion that there will never be anything between us.

But maybe, I’ve been too nice about it.

Her hand wobbles and slowly lowers, a small frown making her look like a petulant child instead of the thirty-something professional she’s supposed to be. “Why not? You danced with Olivia.”

She turns and mumbles something under her breath, and I swear that I hear the word whale come out of her mouth.

I stand straighter. Britney clocks the move, crossing her arms and trying not to fold under the way I’m able to tower over her like this.

“If I hear that word from your mouth again, I vow to make your work life miserable. You may think of yourself as some prize, Britney, but let me tell you, your fatphobic remarks make you real ugly.” I take another step closer because we’ll be making a scene if I’m not careful.

Fuck, she might make a scene regardless.

“Let me make this as clear as possible. Pay attention, Britney.”

She blinks those crystalline blue eyes at me.

“You are not entitled to me. You have no claims, and the petty shit you keep pulling will not change that. It makes you look like a spoiled brat. And I want nothing to do with you as a person. So, please , stop pursuing me. It’s a no, and it will always be a no. Hear me?”

Shock and hurt quickly transform into self-righteous anger. “You, Nick Salazar, are going to regret that.”

If her spinning in place and stomping off didn’t garner most of the room’s attention, her screech accomplished it.

I lean back against the bar to finish my drink. Not acknowledging a single curious look sent my way. I merely watch her walk back to her friends and wait for them to plot my demise.

There’s not much they can do to me. But how long will it take for them to figure that out?