Page 29 of Our Elliana

And I win.

“Guess you’re the man getting lucky tonight,” Jackson says, his smirk dimming by a degree or two. Of the three of us, he’s by far the most vocal about his libido.

“That’s not what he wins,” Elle interjects, lacing her hands together in front of her as if she’s not in nothing but her skin.

“What did the kid win then?” Tristan asks, scrunching up one side of his mouth.

“Oh, he gets to fuck me, all right, but not in my bed.” She turns to me. “I want you to do it right here.” Elle pats the tabletop in the spot where her plate normally sits. I attempt to swallow but can’t. My throat’s too dry, and the bleachy taste of pure alarm coating my tongue only makes the sensation worse. Then, she points at Tristan and Jackson. “And I want you two to stay right here and watch.”

THIRTEEN: While the Other Two Watch

NOAH

I gawk at her. Openly gawk. I might’ve grown accustomed to being with her in the cloistered privacy of her bedroom, but here? Now? With other people staring at us?

For the first time since the night she had us doing trial runs with her, I fear that I might fail at this. I didn’t know what to think at first when rather than choosing one of us she kept all three. But then, some people consider variety to be the spice of life, so I’ve grown to accept it. But this?

I jump up so fast I bump into the table and topple my chair. My muscles tense and my pulse quickens, making me ready to gallop out of here.

This is evil. This is evil. This is evil, my brain chastises me. Another level of debauchery.

Panicking, my gaze flicks all over the room, looking everywhere but at the humans occupying it. An icy sweat breaks out over my back, and suddenly, there’s not enough oxygen in this space despite its peaked ceiling and expansive layout.

My lungs seem to shrink, just shrivel right up, and I can’t draw a deep enough breath. Only distantly do I sense Tristan’s scowl since my jerky movements have caused the stack of cards to thwack him in the chest.

“Hold on there, big fella,” Jackson mutters, his eyes wide as Elle grabs onto me.

She holds my hands and gestures for me to bring my face closer to hers. I presume she’s going to kiss me, but instead, she rests her palms on either side of my face like horse blinders.

“Noah, calm down.” But I can’t. I can’t breathe. “Listen to me,” she speaks again. “I meant this as fantasy fulfillment for me and a reward for you, not as something to freak you out. You know I would never force you to do anything you don’t want to, right? Not only is it in your contract, but I would never ever push you past your boundaries like that.”

She’s right. I know she’s right. The only reason I laid with her that first time isn’t because she insisted, but because I chose to. I chose to sign up with Elegance, and when the opportunity came to be hired by Elle, I’d peered into her amber gaze and even though I was scared—okay, petrified—it’d been all right because she’d guided me.

I need to let her guide me now.

She continues to fill my view as her warm hands rub along my ribcage, slowly caressing me. Bit by bit, I remember my first aid training on what to do when hyperventilating and make myself breathe through my nose. I keep Elliana in my sights, focusing only on her. I keep anticipating hearing a derisive chortle or scoff from off to my sides, but I don’t.

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