“I guess you won’t be getting this awesome gift, then.” I closed it in my fist.
After shooting me a glare that lacked any actual annoyance, Maddox shut his eyes.
“Hold out your hand.”
The edge of his mouth hitched up, and he obeyed, lifting his left hand.
I placed the cloth on his palm. “Okay. You can look now.”
Maddox opened his eyes and observed the small bundle. “The muffin lord has given the knight a lucky favor in the form of a handkerchief.”
I laughed. “Openit.”
He unraveled the corners and pulled away the cloth to reveal the ring. His brow dipped in the center as he grabbed the silver band and examined it closer. He was quiet.
“Um.” I fidgeted in my chair as his silence drew on. “I wasn’t sure if you liked jewelry, but… I mean, it’s okay if you don’t wanna wear it. It may be difficult to wield a sword while wearing a ring anyway. I probably should’ve gotten you a necklace instead or saved enough money to get you something useful, like a dagger or—”
“Evan?”
During my nervous ramble, I had lowered my gaze to my lap. When I looked back at him, the softness in his eyes cushioned the aching places in my chest.
“The stone matches your eyes,” Maddox whispered, grazing the pad of his thumb over it. He then rose from the floor and took me in his arms, dropping his face to my neck. “I’ll wear it with pride. And every time I see it, no matter how far apart we are, I’ll feel like I’m home.”
“That’s not fair,” I said, voice shaking. “You’re not allowed to make me cry.”
He exhaled a rough laugh before kissing my collarbone. “Let’s get you to bed.”
“I’m not tired yet,” I mumbled into his dark hair.
“Good, because I have no intention of letting you sleep anytime soon.” Maddox drew back from my neck and smirked over at Briar before aiming that heart-stopping look at me. “We need to give our physician a proper welcome home.”
My insufferable—and insatiable—captain then threw me over his shoulder and stepped into the medical ward. Quincy lay in the first cot, on his side to not put pressure on his wounded ass cheek, and snored. Briar quickly checked on the sleeping knight before continuing behind us.
Once upstairs, the “proper welcome home” consisted of stripping me down and tossing me around like a rag doll, kissing, licking, and nibbling every inch of me. It felt more likemywelcome home than Briar’s. The two of them worshiped my body in ways they hadn’t before, their mouths, tongues, and hands roaming, stimulating all my sensitive spots.
They took their time, neither rushing as they prepared me for the toe-curling pounding they had planned for me. Once I was ready, Maddox slid between my legs and took me first, bracing himself on the wall behind my head as he railed me into oblivion.
“Don’t stop,” Briar said, caressing Maddox’s muscled bicep as he watched him fuck me. “I wish to hear more of his moans.”
He certainly got his wish. Maddox angled his hips and plunged deeper, issuing from me a chorus of breathy moans I couldn’t hold back even if I’d wanted to.
“So beautiful.” Briar kissed my jaw and combed his fingers through my hair. I reached over and took hold of his cock, stroking him as Maddox rocked into me. He softly groaned and rested our heads together.
Maddox slipped one arm behind me and leaned forward. His lips grazed mine before landing a kiss. He then moved from my mouth to Briar’s, kissing him too.
In a few days, the Festival of Lights would mark the beginning of summer. But for me?
It would mark the official start of an amazing life with the men I loved.
***
“I know it’s not much to look at right now, but with a touch of love, it can be something special.”
Maddox and Briar swept their gazes around the cottage Kuya and I had taken shelter in during the storm the previous day. I had told them about it that morning—as well as my dream of opening a café—and they’d wanted to see it for themselves. In the light of day, with a clear blue sky bringing warmth and sunlight into the dusty confines of the run-down kitchen, the charm was even more apparent. I saw all the possibilities.
“You’d serve coffee here?” Briar asked, touching the counter before brushing the dust off on his pants. He continued studying the room.
“Yep.” I was about to burst with nervous energy. Talking about my dream made me feel so exposed. Vulnerable. “Coffee, as well as baked goods and some savory things too, like sandwiches and soups.”
