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CHAPTER 15

ZANDER

“I thought we were only going to be in the vicinity,” Pascal says once we’re back at the house. “I didn’t realize it was going to turn into a joint sabotage mission.”

“Neither did I,” Jarek laughs. “Honestly, I thought I was the only one sabotaging.”

None of us planned to sabotage anything. We each just did it anyway. And when Nina got home, groaned at all three of us, and stomped up to her room, there was no pretending anymore.

“Well. I guess it’s all on the table now,” I say as we walk into the study. “We all agreed to the house rule, and then Jarek and I broke it. But even then, we told ourselves and each other that being with Nina was only casual fun. It might be time to admit this is something more.”

Surprisingly, Pascal is the first to nod.

“I’m not in the same position as you two,” he says. “I haven’t broken the rule. But I do have feelings for her. I like her a lot, and I’m incredibly attracted to her. The difference is, I can’t act on it. Getting involved with someone I employ, who’s already caught up in a public scandal? If that got back to the board or my mother, it wouldn’t go well for me.”

For a moment, we stand in front of the hearth in silence.

“Each of us has something to risk,” Jarek says, surprisingly levelheaded for once. “Pascal, you’ve got your family breathing down your neck twenty-four seven. Zander, your reputation is what gets your investors to open their wallets. And me—well, let’s just say my studio has other plans for my personal life. I’m not sure what we do. But based on how we all just acted, it sure doesn’t seem like any of us are ready to let Nina be with another guy.”

I cringe at the thought of anyone else touching Nina. Anyone besides one of us. Strangely, the thought of her with Jarek, or even Pascal, doesn’t bother me as much as I expected. It did at first, when I saw her in Jarek’s bed. But I think I can accept sharing her with the two men I trust most, as long as it doesn’t mean she’ll end up choosing one of them over me.

It’s the thought of her with someone outside the three of us that I can’t handle.

“What about an arrangement?” I say slowly, thinking out loud. “She seems to like each of us. Even you, Pascal. I see the way you two look at each other.”

“She does connect with each of us.” Pascal considers it. “And we’re all so different; I bet each of us could give her something she needs. Safety, intimacy, or just plain joy. We each have our strengths. What kind of arrangement are you proposing?”

“One that might let you get what you want for a change, instead of always putting the family business first,” I say. “A structured, closed relationship between Nina and the three of us. No one else. And no one outside this house knows about it.”

“So we’d all share her?” Jarek turns the idea over.

“Yes, but with a clear plan so none of us get burned,” I say. “No competition between us, especially not in front of Nina. No secrets inside the house. Her job and pay stay protected in writing. And we protect each other’s reputations.”

“And in return,” Pascal adds, “Nina agrees not to go on any more dates with Mack or any other man.”

“Obviously.”

“I like it!” Jarek claps his hands together once, loudly. “Let’s talk to her and see if she’s in.”

“Should we approach this with some finesse?” Pascal asks. “It’s not exactly a normal conversation. I don’t want it to come across as creepy or controlling.”

“No need to prepare a presentation.”

We all turn to see Nina standing in the doorway.

“How long have you been listening?” I ask.

“Long enough to know how you all feel and what you want.” She steps into the room, no longer annoyed, and smiles at each of us. “I like all of you too, and I like the sound of this arrangement. There’s just one more thing I’d add before I agree.”

“What is it?”

“We do this for the rest of the Christmas season, while I’m working for you,” she says. “But it’s over when this contract ends, because we’ll all be leaving. You guys will head back to New York City, and I’ll drive back to Denver. This isn’t something that could realistically continue after that, and I don’t want anyone getting blindsided when my time here is over.”

“Agreed,” Jarek says before I can open my mouth. “A clear end date is smart. We enjoy it while it lasts. After that, it’s back to reality.”

I look around the room. Jarek has already accepted. Pascal looks more excited than I’ve seen him in years, not since he got roped into all the Beaumont family drama.

Is there a risk of this going sideways and someone getting hurt? Probably. Could that someone be me? Perhaps.