Chapter 27
Maddy
Private meeting at eight-thirty. I read the notification on my calendar as I step into the elevator. I haven’t heard from Beck, Adrian, or Caleb since Caleb left for some meeting with Adrian on Saturday.
And while I’d like to think they’re just giving me space…
My anxiety says otherwise.
It’s Monday morning, and I’m just going to show up like I didn’t leave in a hot mess a few days ago. I straighten my shoulders and try not to hate myself too much as the elevator door opens.
“You’re early,” Marissa is immediately right there, a perfectly fucking plucked eyebrow raised. She zeroes in on my outfit, which is a plain pair of black slacks and a cream blouse, and her mouth does this thing where it twitches upward in amusement. “Are you going to a funeral later?”
I paste on a smile that contains zero sincerity. “Oh, if only.”
She bats her thick eyelashes. “I do love a good pair of black pants. Did you pick those up from Goodwill?”
“Actually, I did. Thrifting is all the rage, you know?” I retorted. My knuckles go white against the coffee drink holder I’m carrying, as I step past her. “Have an amazing day, Marissa.”
She looks at me curiously, then pivots on her heel, leaving me to make my way to my desk in peace.
My eyes jump to Beck, Adrian, and Caleb’s offices. The glass is opaque on all three offices, so I’m not sure if they’re even in yet. Either way, I have coffee to deliver.
I guess I could just wait until the meeting. I still have about ten minutes before it starts. I set the coffees down on my desk, and then pull out my phone, checking to see if there’s anything from Riley.
She’s been MIA, working overtime, and honestly, it’s killing me. I need my best friend. I’m in the strangest mental state I’ve ever been in, and I can’t do the mental gymnastics by myself any longer.
I pull up a message thread to her.
Me: Earth to Riley. I would REALLY like to see your face soon.
Three dots quickly appear on the screen, and a little pang of relief hits me square in the chest. Thank God.
Riley: I know. I’m so sorry. I’ve been the worst friend ever. I swear I will make it up to you. Tomorrow, I will make us the best dinner ever, and you can fill me in on everything I’ve missed.
My heart sinks. I need her to help me cope with this weird tension between the four of us. One minute they’re fighting over me in their office, then next I’m fucking two of them at the same time, and now I’m walking into a meeting with them all, and I have no idea what’s going to happen.
I stand there for a minute, trying to decide what might be waiting for me. I mean, I know they’re not going to fire me, but that’s not even my worst fear…
It’s being forced to choose.
I needed to talk to Riley before this. I squeeze my eyes shut for a brief moment, suck in a breath, and then force it out, trying to calm my racing heart. I wipe my sweaty palms on my slacks, pick the coffees back up, and head for the conference room.
It’s just a meeting. Whatever happens, happens.
It’s the worst pep talk I’ve ever given myself, but at this point, it’s the best I can do. I use my shoulder to push through the door, and as soon as I step inside, I freeze.
All three of them are already sitting at the conference room table, and all eyes are on me.
“Good morning,” I choke out, nearly dumping the drink carrier of coffees, as I make my way toward where the men are seated, all at the furthest end. “I take it this isn’t the normal morning meeting?” My eyes bounce between Caleb and Beck, too nervous to even try to meet Adrian’s.
“Thank you for coming,” Beck beams, taking his latte from the holder. “We just want to discuss some things with you, and I think Adrian wants to go first.” He shoots him a look, and I get the courage to follow Beck’s gaze.
“Maddy,” Adrian begins, clearing his throat. His dark, hazel eyes aren’t nearly as terrifying as usual, his expression almost apologetic. “Please sit down.” He gestures to one of the chairs.
“Okay,” I swallow hard and take a seat, trying not to let any of them see the way my knee immediately starts bouncing beneath the table.
“Well,” he begins, holding my gaze with his eyes and locking onto it. “I owe you an apology.”
Wait a minute. What did he just say?
“I’ve been an asshole to you, and the way I reacted to all of this,” he motions between us all, “Has been over the top and unnecessary.”
I stare at him, not trusting my own ears.
He takes a breath and glances at Beck and Caleb. “I had a discussion with Beck and Caleb. About you. About… us.”
Oh, fuck. Here it comes.
I grip the edge of the conference table so hard my hand cramps. Here it is. This is going to be it. I have to decide. And I can’t. I can’t decide. I want them all.
Adrian taps the conference room table, as if this is all just normal business.
“We’re all grownups, Maddy. No one here is confused about what’s happened.
” He looks at me, like he’s trying to get a read on me.
“But it’s also not sustainable. If we continue like this—sneaking around without clear and open communication—someone will get hurt, or worse. It’ll destroy what we’ve built here.”
I nod, and my heart is pounding so loud it’s hard for me to follow what he’s saying.
“So,” he sighs, “I proposed an arrangement. I suggested to the others that, if you agree, we enter into a formal relationship. Polyamorous, with you at the center, if and only if you’re agreeable.
No jealousy and no secrets and complete discretion.
” He raises an eyebrow and looks at me questioningly.
I blink, trying to process the words. “Um… I’m not sure if I understand.”
He shrugs, his lips curling up into a partial smile. “It’s not unprecedented. Some of the most efficient organizations in the world function on non-traditional arrangements. I think that our relationship could be one of those. We just feel it’s best if we’re all exclusive with each other.”
My brain is spinning, trying to process what I’m hearing. “Are you saying you want to…what? Share me? But exclusively? So, we all just sleep with each other?” I feel so stupid repeating it back, but…
It seems too good to be true.
“If that’s how you want to put it. More importantly, though, I want to give you the option.
If this isn’t what you want, you can say no, and no one will retaliate.
You’ll have a job as long as you want it, and there won’t be any weird vibes.
But if you want it—if you want us—all you have to do is say yes. ”
My eyes bounce to Caleb and Beck, who nod along with Adrian.
So, they’re all just okay with this?
“Why me?” I blurt out, instantly feeling my cheeks heat up.
Beck jumps in. “Because you’re the only one who ever made any of us want to be better. Because you’re amazing. Because we need to do this, or we might regret it forever.”
I sit back, stunned. My fingers tap involuntarily on the polished table as the potential future plays through my mind.
And even though it seems like fun, I still feel like a deer caught in the headlights right now.
I never expected them all to just be okay with this.
Silence spreads through the room, and I stare at my pastel pink fingernails.
“You can take all the time you need to think about it,” Caleb’s smooth voice hits my ears with a familiar warmth. “We just want you to be happy, Maddy.”
“We do,” Beck echoes. “And we’re very serious. You can walk away from any of this—any of us—at any point, and your job will remain solid.”
“All true,” Adrian affirms with a nod.
“Okay,” I take a deep breath and run my palms down the tops of my thighs. “Then my answer is yes.” My voice is barely above a whisper, but they still hear it.
Each of them lets out an exhale.
“Thank you,” Adrian says, pushing back from the table and rising to his feet. “We’ll take care of you, Maddy.”
He comes around to me and extends his arm. I let him take my hand, which he does with total confidence. He guides me to the other end of the conference room…
And locks the door.
Adrian turns back to face me, but I feel a different hand slip around my waist. I angle my body to see who it is, and suddenly, I’m pressed against Beck, his mouth hot and eager on mine, the taste of him so damn good.
Adrian steps in close behind me, hands on my hips, his breath in my ear. “We’re going to make you feel so good.” His hands slip down to the waist of my pants, fingertips moving toward the front button.
He unbuttons them as Beck finds his way up my blouse, palming my breasts through my bra. I gasp into Beck’s mouth as Adrian’s fingers slip beneath the fabric of my panties, dipping to my clit.
The sensation is so amazing. I tip my head back against Adrian’s chest, momentarily pulling away from Beck. My eyes lock with Caleb’s, who’s only a few feet away, but I can see the hesitancy on his face.
“Come here,” I breathe out, my hips rocking against Adrian’s hand.
Caleb nods, and as he steps toward me, I can see his cock pressing against his black slacks. Beck lifts my shirt over my head and then tosses it to the floor, and then goes for my pants, tugging them down while Adrian’s still rubbing my clit.
It’s a lot for my brain to process at once.
But holy shit, it’s so good.
“Maddy,” Caleb murmurs, as his hand slides across my bare stomach. His eyes stay there, and I let out a moan, grinding against Adrian’s hand.
“You’re so gorgeous,” Adrian growls into my neck.
Caleb leans his face in and presses a kiss to the center of my chest while reaching behind. He undoes the clasp on the back of my bra and then gently slides it forward.
“Oh fuck,” he groans. “I love your tits.” He leans forward and sucks my nipple into his mouth, sending a wave of arousal to my stimulated clit.