Chapter 44: The Offering
Selene
At 5:58 p.m., I light the last candle and take a deep breath.
The apartment smells like jasmine and lemon. The kitchen counter is set with a charcuterie board Ive barely touched as yet and two bottles of red—one of them already opened, untouched. I really don’t know what tonight will bring, but I do know one thing:
I’m not running anymore, I am a strong woman and have never conformed to tradition or what society expects. I make a promise to myself never to be embarrassed or feel guilty of sleeping with two men at the same time. Afterall I'm not cheating, both are aware of it .
I send one final text
“Doors open. Come in when you get here.”
Simple. Direct. No drama.
The doorbell rings at exactly six.
I open it to find Adrian, suit shirt slightly unbuttoned, hair styled like he’s trying not to look like he tried.
He holds up a bouquet of deep crimson roses and a matte black gift bag. “For the queen of mixed messages.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“And you brought bribes.”
He leans in and kisses my cheek. “I brought my intentions.”
He steps inside, setting the roses on my dining table and handing me the bag. Inside: a beautiful necklace. Sleek. Gold. Modern.
And a diamond crusted charm shaped like a key.
“No pressure or anything ,"he says with a grin, “but I’d still like to point out that this key is for the door to my heart.”
I laugh softly. “You always were smooth... not subtle .”
“Only when it counts.”
A second knock interrupts us. And I can see Adrian tense up right away.
John.
He walks in wearing navy and confidence like a second skin. In his hands: white peonies, a bottle of Barolo wrapped in velvet, and a slim jewelry box.
“Evening, Goddess Selene,” he says, kissing my hand. “Hope I’m not late for the battle royale.”
“You’re right on time.” I smirk.
He places everything on the counter with precision. Inside his box?
A bracelet. Rose gold.
The engraving reads: If she’s fire, let me burn.
I look up at him, and he just says, “I meant it.”
Adrian glances at the inscription, then at John. “Charming. You copy that off a candle or your therapist’s Pinterest board?”
John smirks. “At least I didn’t bring a key to nowhere.”
The air thickens instantly and I'm back to playing referee.
I step between them, hands raised. “Boys let's not make me regret this.”
They fall silent, still glaring at each other.
I motion for them to sit—Adrian is on the couch, John in the armchair. I take the center seat, perched on the ottoman like the judge of some twisted, high-end dating show.
“Here’s how this works,” I say, trying to keep my voice even and free of the frustration I'm feeling. We are not off to a good start. “I’m not asking either of you to back off. Or for you to compete to win my affection, I'm in love with both of you, equally.This isn't a competition , there is no single winner. We can all win! I know this is a new concept for you guys , but if we are all truly on board and want this " I point between the three of us "then I’m asking for honesty, open communication, respect, and space.”
“Define space,” Adrian says.
“Define respect,” John adds.
I close my eyes for one beat, sighing while pinching the bridge of my nose,. This is going to need copious amounts of alcohol I can see, these two are determined to behave like spoilt brats and work on my last damn nerve ,“Let’s start with listening. And not trying to out-alpha each other in my living room, or frustrating me to the point I kick both of you out or put you in time out." They gawk at me in surprise.
They both nod. Tense. Civil—for now. But at least the glaring has sort of ended .
I stand up telling them I'll be back, and head back to kitchen and grab 3 wine glasses, a bottle of wine and some shot glasses and tequila and load them on a tray. "This ought to loosens them up. Silly alpha men "I mumble to myself wondering how the heck we're going to get through this night .
I get back and immediately pour three shots of tequila and hand them each a shot glass then pour 3 glasses of wine.
They sit there watching me like I'm some sort of prey. I smirk at them and pick up my shot glass.
We down the tequila shot simultaneously , both men commenting on how amooth it is . I reach for my glass of wine and take a sip, eyes moving between them. “Drink” I instruct them. As we clink glasses and they both down their wine in one shot. With a sly grin on my face, I quickly refill their wine glasses. Best to keep that booze flowing . It has to mellow them out I almost giggle outloud.
I notice both of them stretching out their legs and know there aren't so tense .
Let the games begin. I think to myself . And I can't wait to see how this evening pans out. I'm not sure what we will agree on. But I know we will come to some sort of agreement.