Page 113 of Deceit

Asher doesn’t smile, though. Instead he turns to face me fully, his hand covering my own. My first instinct is to pull away from his touch. When I don’t, something light settles inside me as Asher wraps his fingers around my hand at the same time.

“I’m sorry, Skyla. Truly. The way I’ve behaved and treated you opened yourself up to be hurt like you were today. I lead by example, and for over a month I’ve been setting the example that it’s okay to hurt you, to disrespect you. I promise, moving forward no one will even dare touch a hair on your head,” he says, his other hand coming to smooth down part of my hair.

My throat is suddenly thick and scratchy. I do my best to clear it as I nod.

“Thank you, I appreciate that.”

He runs his tongue along his lower lip, like he’s thinking over his next words.

“And as for the ceremony coming up…I know it’s fast. I know there are a handful of people you’d rather be marrying,” he says, his eyes tracing over the men in the room with us before coming back to me. “But I promise as your husband, to treat you with all the respect you deserve. It’s not a perfect situation, but I’m going to try to at least make it a good one.”

My heart squeezes at that, and a sense of relief washes over me. I’ve been so sad and so scared about what the future held with Asher. I wasn’t sure what to expect honestly, the common denominator in all scenarios I envisioned was misery, though. So, to hear him say he’s going to try. Even if he doesn’t always succeed, at least he’s going to try. It’s worth more than I could ever express.

“When we move into our home after the wedding and everything…as far as them,” he says, nodding his head to the guys. “Well…they are always welcome in our home…discreetly, of course.”

I’m surprised by his words. Is he saying that I can still be with them even after Asher and I marry? I don’t know what I expected for all of us after we did, I guess I didn’t want to think about it, and honestly maybe they won’t want me by that point. Feelings change, it’s not like they’d want to share one woman forever, right? Still, the feeling of knowing that if we break up, it won’t be by Asher’s hands gives me a small sense of peace that I treasure greatly.

“And your...uhm, groupies too,” I say, not sure what the appropriate word is for sluts. “Maybe besides Bridgette. I’d be okay if I never saw her again,” I grimace.

A dark look passes across Asher's face as he shakes his head.

“You won’t have to worry about her. She will never be around again.”

I nod, thankful at that.

“Honestly, you won’t need to worry about any women. I won’t be bringing anyone to our home. I’m not going to disrespect you like that.”

Frowning, I turn my head to the side.

“Isn’t it the same thing?” I say, gesturing to the guys.

He shakes his head.

“Why not?”

Those chocolate brown eyes come up to me, his voice low and serious.

“Because, I don’t love them.”

My stomach flips and my heart stutters out of rhythm for a moment. Ronan and I have told each other that we loved one another. Liam and I have come close several times, and if what Vincent and I have isn’t love, I don’t know what to call it. Do I seriously love three men? At the same time?

Yeah…I guess I do.

“You might meet someone that you do,” I offer. “Everyone deserves the freedom to love and be loved by someone. Everyonedeserves that gift. So, when she comes along one day, I’ll support you however I can,” I say with a small encouraging smile.

Asher’s brows knit together slightly, before a half smile lifts his face.

“Thank you, Skyla.”

A rustling in the sheets catches our attention, snapping us out of this intense moment as we look to see Liam assumingly searching for me. He doesn’t find me, but he does find himself nuzzled into Vincent. Vincent’s arms reach out in his sleep, tucking Liam against his chest as he wraps his arms around him. Liam wiggles his ass into him, fully taking on the little spoon roll.

Asher and I look at each other with matching expressions before we begin laughing softly.

“How mad do you think Vincent will be when he wakes up?” I ask.

“So fucking pissed,” Asher says as he stands up, snapping a picture of them cuddling together.

I give a warning look and he rolls his eyes.

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