Chapter 10 THE CONTRACT OF DESIRE

ARABELLA’S POV

There was no talk of becoming Nikolai’s and Lucien’s partner before or after dinner, so I decided that instead of waiting and hoping Nikolai would come around, I would confront him.

It was the weekend, which meant he wouldn't have to go to work today. I spent most of the morning devising a plan for how I would confront him.

He has a way of making me feel uncomfortable under his intimidating gaze. 

He stares with so much intensity that you feel like he can see into your soul. So if I prepare a plan beforehand, then I have a lower chance of embarrassing myself.

I typed out a contract using a template I found on Google with Lucien’s laptop and printed it out. I made three copies and placed them in their own little binder.

I don't even know if this is going to work, but if he views this as a business transaction between two people, well three, then he might finally start taking me more seriously.

"What are you up to?" Lucien asked, reaching out to grab one of the binders on my bed. I smacked his hand away, shaking my head.

"Ow," he responded, rubbing the back of his hand.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't want you to see what was inside until it was time."

"Time for what?"

A scheming little smile made it's way on to my face, Lucien staring at me with both confusion and curiosity in his eyes.

"You're going to have to wait until later on tonight."

Dinner time came around pretty quickly, which only intensified my excitement because it meant that we were getting closer to the time.

I could hardly eat, my excitement through the roof. Lucien kept looking at me, trying to figure out what I was plotting. Neither of them saw much of me today, as I was so busy trying to make sure this plan was a perfect one.

When everyone finished eating, I said goodnight to my sisters and Rachael, before hurrying into my room to get changed into the dress I had Rachael purchase for me with the little bit of cash I had left in my wallet from Lucien.

When I returned, I had Lucien and Nikolai’s full attention. They were both sporting a feral look in their eyes that had me attempting and failing to swallow the nervous lump in my throat.

I kept my head held high as I instructed both of them to join me in the conference room Nikolai had. They both watched me closely as they stood to their feet and followed me down the hall.

Neither one of them was sure why I had asked them into the conference room. But with this fitted black dress and stiletto heels I had on, their attention was mine for as long as I wanted.

"Please take a seat," I ordered, motioning them to sit down at any one of the black swivel office chairs surrounding the rectangular glass table.

I walked around, handing each of them a binder before taking a seat at the head of the table.

"Inside you will find a contract. It is up to you to decide whether you sign it."

I tried to keep my voice as authoritative as Nikolai does in the hopes of sounding like an actual businesswoman. And so that they don't figure out how nervous as hell I am right now.

I watched them with a nervous ache nestled in the pit of my stomach, my left leg crossed over the other as I awaited their response to the contract I laid out for them.

"This looks legit," Lucien comments, looking up at me and winking. He's caught on to what I'm trying to do here. I already know Lucien wants me to be his partner. It's Nikolai I'm trying to convince.

"Any questions?" I ask, as Nikolai finishes reading the contract and looks up to meet my eyes.

Nikolai was the first to ask a question. 

"Do you know what you're asking of us?"

"I do."

He raises a brow. 

"Do you? Because it states here that sexually you belong to us. And that we are allowed to do whatever we want to your body whenever we want."

Okay, maybe I didn't think that through. I'm down on a lot of things, but not everything.

I started to lose my confidence. I thought I'd be prepared for any question that Nikolai asked me. But I guess I was wrong. Damn it! I should've reread the contract before printing it out.

"I...I..."

"Would you like to negotiate terms and conditions of the contract?" Lucien asks, saving me from being utterly humiliated in front of Nikolai.

"Yes, please."

"Okay. Well, both Nikolai and I are down to doing pretty much anything except each other. 

“So just tell us what you are uncomfortable with, and we can negotiate from there.” He smiled, easing some of my nerves.

I nodded, swallowing as I clasped my shaking hands together to keep from making my nerves obvious. 

"I don't feel comfortable doing anything that causes me pain."

"So spanking is out of the question then?"

Lucien asks.

I giggled at that, earning a glare from Nikolai.

"Sorry," I mutter. 

"Spanking is fine."

This is so cringe…. I mean this whole scenario was way hotter in my head. I'm trying not to laugh, but how is one supposed to act in a situation like this?

I am literally being asked whether I feel comfortable doing certain sexual acts. I feel so vulnerable right now, while the two of them don't look fazed in the slightest. But then again, I suppose they have done this before with previous women.

"What about hot candle wax?"

"I'm not sure about that one."

"Anal?"

I burst out laughing, unable to stop myself until Kieran had said it so casually. And with a straight face too. Did they really expect me not to laugh at that?

“This was a waste of time," Nikolai told Lucien. He closed the binder and started to stand up.

"Wait!" He paused, shoving one of his hands in the pocket of his slacks. I'd lost his attention and was going to have to find some way to earn it back.

So I did something that was not only the weirdest and cringiest thing that I have ever done, but something I never thought would turn me in the way it did.

And I am a feminist. But damn, was I not one at that moment.

I regained their attention as soon as I unzipped my dress, letting it fall to the floor. 

The lacy white lingerie set I had underneath was revealed to their hungry eyes.

I was fortunate enough to still have a decent pair of bras and panties in my suitcase, because otherwise this would have gone a completely different route.

"What are you doing?" Nikolai asked, growing impatient.

One thing I learned about Nikola is that being the boss is what gets him off. And that has dominance, he likes to be in control, especially in the bedroom.

I don't normally let people boss me around, but I want Nikolai. And I want Lucien. So I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make them mine.

I got down on my knees, internally cringing at myself. I can't believe I'm doing this. I don't know whether to laugh, cry, or both. 

What makes me cringe even more is that I kind of like it.

"I'll be a good girl from now on, sir."

Ew.

I'm so fucking turned on right now. Nikolai’s eyes widened. He was breathing heavily and clenching his hand into a fist until his knuckles were ghostly pale.

He looked like he was trying to restrain himself, like when we were in his office and I had blatantly disobeyed his orders because he didn't ask nicely. Like he wasn't sure if he'd be able to hold back or stop himself if he gave in.

"Fuck," Lucien groaned lowly, adjusting himself.

"I told you she was perfect."

He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down in his throat.

"I'll think about it," he finally said before walking out.

Lucien walked over to me and crouched down in front of me. Taking off his suit jacket, he wrapped it around me and smiled. 

"I think you finally won him over."

"He's not going to have me on my knees like this all the time, right? Because my knees are starting to hurt."

He chuckled and I smiled. 

"He's not the only dominant in this house. 

I'm sure you could get him on his knees if you really tried."

"Are we talking about the same Nikolai?"

"You'd be surprised what good pussy does to a man."