“I’d like to see you both shake on it.”

I stare at Ava in disbelief. Not only does she want me to work together with Sam for a month, now she wants me to shake his fucking hand?

Except before I know it, Sam is holding out his hand. He has a fake as hell smile plastered across his face, but I can tell Ava is buying it hook, line and sinker. I sneak a glance at Lila, and she, too, is watching me expectantly.

My jaw ticks. I stand and then reach my hand out and clasp Sam’s. We both squeeze hard, each wanting the other to be the one who winces and withdraws first. We both refuse to do that, so instead we end up standing there, hands clasped, grimacing.

“Okay, thank you, gentlemen,” Ava says. There’s a hint of laughter in her voice. Sam and I both let go at the same time. My hand aches, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me shake it out.

Instead I slump back into my seat. “How is this supposed to work then, Ava? What do you suggest?” I try to keep my tone polite, because I can tell she’s not joking around here, and I don’t want to risk pissing her off further.

Ava gives me a light laugh. “Sorry, boys. That’s up to you. If you guys are such good businessmen, prove it. Surely you both know a thing or two about conflict resolution?”

I lean back in my chair and sigh. I can tell Ava is pissed, even though she’s being unrelentingly polite with us.

“But who gets her first?” Sam asks. Ava glares at him. It’s a question I had too, but I’m glad he’s the one who asked it. Let him bear the brunt of her wrath this time.

“Sam, I just got finished saying that I’m not going to give you any direction here. You and Bennett will have to work that out yourselves. Though, if I may offer a suggestion, you might try asking Lila which of you she’d like to go out with first.”

Both Sam and I whip around to face Lila. Somehow, I’d momentarily forgotten she was even in the room. I don’t know how, though. I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman in my life. When she’d first come out on that stage, I’d wanted her immediately. That long red hair, the petite frame, the huge gorgeous tits. And somehow, strangely, those bare little feet. She was fucking perfect.

And then she’d fallen flat on her face. My gut had clenched. It took everything I had not to rush to the stage and help her up. She seemed to lay there for the longest time, until the auctioneer finally took pity on her and went to help her to her feet.

I wanted her even more, once she collected herself and stood to face that crowd again. That sweet fucking curtsy, that shy smile … I knew right away this girl was special.

And I knew that as soon as I started to bid on her, Sam Baines would want her too. Which is exactly what had happened.

Now here we are — and somehow we’ve both agreed to spend the month sharing her.

The idea rips at my heart. Share Lila? Everything in me resists the notion. I want her all to myself. The idea of anyone else — especially Sam Baines — getting to taste her, getting to fuck her…

I groan. This month is going to be brutal.

Lila glances over at me. Her bottom lip is full and juts out a little past her top lip, making her look like she’s got a permanent pout. It’s fucking sexy as hell — I can’t wait to devour her mouth, pull that lip between my teeth…

I grip the arm of my chair again. I have to do everything I can to make sure Lila spends as much of her time with me as possible.

Ava drums her fingers on her desk. Her eyes are darting back and forth between Sam and I.

“I’m not going to lay out many ground rules here, except that the usual rules of the club apply. You do remember those…don’t you?” Her voice is icy.

“Yes, we know them,” Sam and I say at the same time. I shoot him a glare.

“Well, I’m going to go through them once again, just to make sure. Lila’s safety and well-being is paramount. If either one of you even so much as think of putting that or her in jeopardy, you’ll both immediately be banned from the club.”

She turns to look at Lila now. “Lila, you will receive half the total bid amount on completion of the month of dating the two men in a balanced and fair way. The club will receive the other half.”

“Okay,” Lila says and nods her head. She hasn’t spoken much since we’ve been in here, and her soft voice cuts through me. It’s just a bit husky, sexier and throatier than you’d expect from looking at her angelic face.

Ava goes on. “Now, you do have the option to withdraw at any time, but you will not…and I can’t stress this part enough…you will not be eligible to receive any of the money if you do withdraw.”

Lila swallows, her creamy throat bobbing. “I understand.”

Ava turns back to me and Sam and gives us a withering look.

“And just as a reminder to the two of you, you also have the option to withdraw at any time but you will still be expected to pay the full amount.”

“I understand,” I say, through gritted teeth.

“Me too,” Sam glares at me.

“Good,” Ava nods curtly. “Then I’ll add one more additional rule. In this special case, you’ll also be banned from the club if you bicker too much.” Her lips twitch but she doesn’t crack a smile. “Lila will be watching you, and she will let me know if your behavior becomes … unruly. Won’t you, Lila?”

Lila looks nervously back and forth between Sam and I, but then she nods silently at Ava.

“Thank you, Lila. And don’t think about withdrawing, either of you. If you can’t make this work, your membership at Orchid will be terminated.”

Anger courses through me. I know that’s not a part of the standard contract, and I know she’s only doing it because she’s convinced that making us work together will somehow get Sam and I to get along.

Well, I have news for her — ain’t gonna happen.

But to my surprise, Sam is smiling. He stands up and reaches out to shake Ava’s hand.

“Ms. Lockwood, those terms seem more than fair to me. I’m happy to prove my own character.”

I’m seething but I manage to refrain from saying anything. What a fucking ass kisser. He’s just telling Ava what she wants to hear. Unfortunately, she’s smiling at him … and so is Lila.

“So am I,” I say and stand up too, in order to shake Ava’s hand in agreement. “I promise to be on my best behavior.” I flash them both a winning smile, ignoring Sam.

“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” Ava pulls a stack of papers out of her desk, scribbles some additional notes on it, and then hands it to Lila, Sam and I to all sign.

I clench my teeth as I ink my signature on there. This is it. I’m committing to compromising with this asshat for an entire month.

But if it means getting to be with Lila, even for half of that time, then it’ll be worth it.

Once we’ve all signed, Ava locks the contract up in a filing cabinet.

“You’ll all receive your emailed copies by tomorrow morning,” she says. She smiles at the three of us. “I hope this proves to be an enlightening month for all of you.”

Not much chance of that, I think bitterly. Ava sweeps out of the room, leaving the three of us alone.

I’m about to say something cutting to Sam when I look over and see how pale Lila’s face is. The poor girl looks … absolutely fucking terrified.

Something in my heart shifts. The first-timers are always nervous, but these are unusual circumstances, and I can see that this arrangement is weighing on Lila. She bites her pouty bottom lip, and her dark eyelashes flutter.

My protective instincts take over. As much as I want to take her to one of the private rooms and slide my cock roughly inside her, claiming her before Sam can lay a finger on her, I also don’t want to see her so scared. I want to make her feel good, and right now I can tell that she needs to be put at ease.

So instead of dragging her, caveman style, down the hall to the playrooms, I put my hand gently on her shoulder.

“Would you like to have a drink with me? We can get to know each other a little.”

Just as I expected, her expression lightens with relief immediately. “Yes. Thank you.”

I stand and offer her my hand. She slips her tiny one inside mine. Her fingers squeeze mine gently and it sends a rush of blood straight to my groin. God, her touch electrifies me. I can’t wait until she’s pumping that tiny fist up and down my cock.

I push past Sam as I lead her out of Ava’s office. Ava is nowhere to be seen, so Lila and I make our way down the dimly lit hallway. We pass the private rooms, and I think again about pulling her inside one of them with me, pushing her up against the wall, sinking my dick into her soft wet heat …

“So, have you been here before?” Sam’s voice cuts into my fantasy. I glare at him, but I don’t dare say anything in front of Lila.

Lila shakes her head shyly. Her red waves bounce softly around her creamy shoulders.

“Only when I came to meet with Ava,” she says. “This whole thing is very new to me.”

“You’re doing great,” I tell her earnestly. “I know it’s a bit overwhelming at first, but this is actually a pretty great place.” With one exception, I think bitterly.

We make it to the main part of the bar, and that one exception is still tagging along behind us. I shoot Sam a glare over Lila’s head, but he just flashes me a smug grin.

“This way,” I say to Lila, through gritted teeth. I lead her to a table with only two chairs. Hopefully Sam will take the hint.

Instead, he pulls out a chair out and gestures for Lila to sit.

“Thank you,” she says. Even under the dim bar lights, I can see the way her pale cheeks flush pink.

“What can I get you to drink?” I ask, jumping in before Sam can. I can be just as gentlemanly as he can.

“Oh … um, a chardonnay? Please.”

“Of course.” I flash Lila a smooth smile and turn to go to the bar … at which point Sam slinks into my chair. Goddammit.

I grumble under my breath as I make my way over to the bar.

“Bennett,” Sadie says, nodding when she sees me. “Sounds like you’re in for an interesting month.”

I roll my eyes, even though it’s not her I’m mad at. “Word travels fast around here, doesn’t it?”

Sadie just grins. “Scotch? You need a double?”

I chuckle. “Yeah, please. And a chardonnay.”

“Coming right up.”

Sadie turns around and gets our drinks. When she turns back, she sets three drinks on the bar in front of me. Scotch, chardonnay, and …

“What’s that?”

“Whiskey sour. Sam’s drink.” She grins.

I stare at it as if it’s poison. “I’m not bringing him a drink.”

Sadie rolls her eyes. “Grow up, Bennett. Bring the man a drink. Aren’t you guys supposed to be playing nice this month, anyway?”

I glare at her, but Sadie doesn’t back down. What is it with the women in this place tonight? I grit my teeth. Fine. I’ll be the bigger man here and bring that shit weasel a drink.

I grab the three drinks and carefully make my way back across the bar towards our table. Sam and Lila are talking, and anger bubbles through me again at the way he’s making her laugh. That should be me.

“Your chardonnay,” I say, setting the three drinks down and nudging her wine glass over towards her.

“Thank you, Bennett,” she says sweetly. God. The sound of my name on her lips makes my dick instantly hard.

“Aw, did you bring me a drink too, buddy? That’s so sweet of you,” Sam intones. That instantly deflates my erection.

“From Sadie,” I tell him blandly. There isn’t a free seat at the table so I grab one from nearby and pull it up next to Lila.

“Sam was just telling me that he’s a real estate developer,” Lila says, her eyes wide.

“So am I.” I hate how defensive how my voice instantly sounds.

“Oh,” Lila says, her gorgeous lips parting into a small oh. “Is that why you guys hate each other so much?”

“Yes,” Sam says. I don’t say anything. How to explain that Sam Baines represents everything I hate in this world? Spoiled, smug, arrogant, a man who’s had everything handed to him in life and who appreciates none of it. I can’t explain all of that to Lila, though, and I’m definitely not about to explain it in front of Sam.

“Yes,” I say finally.

“Bennett’s the best in the business,” Sam says. He grins. “He doesn’t like that I give him a run for his money every once in a while.”

I stare at him as I sip my scotch. That was a surprisingly charitable remark, coming from him.

“You do keep me on my toes,” I admit grudgingly. I need to change the subject. “What do you do, Lila?”

“I’m a waitress,” she says. She eyes us both defiantly, as if daring us to say something disparaging. “It’s just a temporary thing though, until I can get a job in my field.” She instantly snaps her mouth shut then and glances away.

“Oh? What field is that?” I ask curiously.

“Um. Library sciences,” she mutters. She won’t look at either of us.

“A librarian?” I say, with a grin. “You’d make a damn sexy librarian.”

I picture her with her red hair pulled up into a bun, a pair of dark rimmed glasses on her pert little nose. Oh yeah. That image is going in the vault. Maybe I’ll make her play Sexy Librarian sometime this month.

I let my mind wander a little more … I imagine loosening her bun, letting her hair spill down over her shoulders, ripping her prim little dress off her gorgeous body. Then I imagine Sam coming up behind her, kissing her bare shoulder, stripping his own shirt off and pressing his bare chest against her back.

What the fuck? I shake my head, forcing the vision out. This guy already invades too many of my waking moments — no way am I letting him invade my fantasy life.

I turn my attention back to Lila. She discreetly puts her hand to her mouth and yawns. The poor thing looks exhausted — this is the third time since I’ve sat down that she’s yawned.

“You seem tired, Lila,” I say.

“Very,” she agrees with a smile. “I’m so sorry. It’s been a long day. I promise I’m not always such a buzzkill.”

“Not a buzzkill at all,” Sam says, as he slips his arm around her waist and rubs her back. She smiles up at him. Oh, fuck no. If he thinks he’s taking her home tonight, he’s sorely mistaken.

I do the only thing I can think of to keep this train from going completely off the rails.

“Let me call you a cab,” I announce, already whipping out my phone. “You should get some rest tonight.”

Lila rewards me with a grateful smile. “That would be great. You guys don’t mind?”

“Not at all,” I say smoothly. Sam shoots me a glare but he has no choice but to agree.

“Of course not,” he says, still rubbing small circles between her shoulder blades. “I’ll walk you out.”

“I will too.” I jump up hastily. Lila is looking back and forth between us. There’s a small smile on her lips, as if she knows what we’re doing. As if she finds it amusing. I allow myself to smile grudgingly. I suppose it is sort of amusing.

Sam and I both walk her to the door. The cab hasn’t arrived yet, so we wait in the dim hallway. There’s a purple light that illuminates Lila’s skin, making her look as rare and beautiful as an orchid.

Lila looks back and forth between Sam and I again. Her smile from earlier is gone, replaced again by nervousness.

“So … what’s next?” she asks. She bites that gorgeous plump lip again.

“Well, next you could go out to dinner with me. Tomorrow night,” I say easily.

“Or with me,” Sam interjects.

Lila laughs nervously again. “I can’t choose. Can I flip a coin? That seems the most fair, doesn’t it?”

I chuckle. “Yes, that sounds fair.”

Lila opens her small little clutch and roots around. “Shoot — I only have bills. Do either of you have a quarter?”

Sam and I both reach into our pockets, but I’m the first to pull out a coin.

“Here you go,” I say, putting it in her waiting hand. I let my fingers graze against her palm for a second. Her eyes flick up to meet mine, and she runs her tongue lightly over her lips. I don’t think it’s intentional, but it’s sexy as hell.

“Thank you,” she says, taking the quarter from me. She looks back and forth between us. “Call it.

“Heads,” I say.

“Tails,” Sam says, at the exact same moment.

Lila flips the coin and covers it with her other hand. She looks back and forth between us. Time seems to stop as I wait for her to pull away her hand and reveal the winner.