Page 52 of Awakening
“Apparently, nobody did, even his doctors back in Cypress Fork, but it’s a staunch reminder of how often we’re misdiagnosed and our health problems are chalked up to needing a change in our diet and exercise. Remember when Ajaih said Yanna had a theory?”
He nodded, “Uh-huh,” he muttered as he enjoyed the warm bread and honey butter.
“She was right. Yanna got his records, ordered additional tests, and confirmed that he’s got a rare congenital condition. Ebstein Anomaly. It went unchecked all his life, and now that he’s getting older, it’s catching up to him.”
Knox placed his hand over mine. “Damn. How are you feeling?”
I shrugged. “Grateful it was caught, and thankful he’s not being stubborn and allowing Yanna to operate. But I’d be remiss not to acknowledge that there’s still a lot between us. A lot I haven’t said to him. He’s been calling me weekly, checking on me, asking about you and Ajaih, talking sports, telling me how JJ is like a warden because he won’t let him enjoy a beer in peace,” Knox laughed.
Knox’s eyes were searching mine, trying to determine if I was in the right headspace for what he was about to say next.
“Go ahead and tell me a truth I don’t really want to hear,” we both chuckled.
“You’ll get that moment. But it seems your dad is wearing you down and slowly chipping away at the wall he forced you to build. I get it, but this time around, you’re surrounded by protection, and if you want to come frombehind it and see if his intentions are pure, baby, you can. Because the first time he fucks up we’ll just get Yanna to stop his heart,” he said as I laughed loud and hearty. “But, maybe, just maybe all of this, the restaurant, us, your dad, it’s aligning for a reason.”
I gave him a small smile. “You always see the good, don’t you?”
He smirked, “Nah. I love you, so I always want you to be whole, healed, and fulfilled.”
This next chapter? It was going to be everything.
The planning took a week. Every detail had to be perfect. Actually, it had to be whatever was beyond perfection. We weren’t just asking Ajaih to be our girlfriend, no, we were honoring the love that had grown between the three of us like ivy through stone.
We rented out a private cabin on the cliffs just outside of town. The sweeping views, warm lighting, and enough space to build a dream.
And then we recreated Santorini.
Hundreds upon hundreds of roses, gardenias, and bougainvillea in deep fuchsia and soft blush cascaded from the ceiling and along the walls. Candlelight glowed from tall golden holders. White silk draped the space in soft waves, and the scent? Reminiscent of a Goddess, our Goddess, Ajaih. It was like heaven had opened.
Knox had a chef flown in, someone he’d worked with during a culinary retreat. The menu was a five-course feastof pure seduction: oysters laced with lemon and spice, a velvety beetroot and pomegranate salad, hand-rolled pasta with truffle butter, grilled lamb glazed in cherry wine, and a dessert of dark chocolate ganache with strawberries soaked in rosewater.
Every dish touched a different part of the body. Every bite built desire. And then, the centerpiece, those glowing letters.
“Will you be our girlfriend?” spelled out in bold gold marquee lights, framed by petals and linen, glowing like a promise.
I sent her a location pin with a single message.
Me: Wear something that makes you feel beautiful.
When she arrived, she had a look on her face like she was trying to figure out what the hell was going on. When I told her to wear something that makes her feel beautiful, she took that to heart as she stepped out of her matte black Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, in a floral, flowy, silky gown. Her hair was pinned up with messy curls cascading around her face as her diamond pendant sparkled against her skin.
We watched from the camera feed as she stepped inside, hand to her chest, lips trembling. She sauntered through the hall of roses, eyes wide, steps delicate. And then she reached the bedroom we had staged just for her, where a box waited.
Inside? Lingerie in her favorite deep wine color, soft mesh, delicate lace, and gold hardware, along with two matching Van Cleef & Arpels sets, one in yellow gold and mother-of-pearl, the other in rose gold and carnelian. One from Knox, one from me.
When she walked into the main space minutes later,dressed in that lingerie, eyes rimmed with emotion, we both stood up. She looked like a dream, the tears shimmering in her eyes as she took it all in, and we were wrecked.
“I—” she whispered, voice cracking, “I’ve never had anything like this. Never felt anything like this.”
Knox stepped forward first, brushing a curl from her face, “That’s because this is real, baby, this is us, the love story we get to choose, the happiness we curated.”
I came up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. “We want to love you with intention, with care. Will you be ours?”
She turned, pressing her forehead to mine, then to Knox’s.
“Yes,” she breathed, “A thousand times yes. I’m in love with you, Knox and Maverick.”
And just like that, the three of us were no longer figuring it out. We were all in. That night became something holy. The rise in pressure started the moment she stepped out of her car, but it threatened to explode when she got in front of the camera and gave sensual pose after sensual pose. She transformed into a sex kitten, and my dick was so hard that I had to excuse myself from the bedroom before the boudoir shoot became a full-scale Booty Talk #92 video.
