Drew’s surprised expression swiftly softened into quiet joy, and he gazed at Joe with a wavery smile. “My pleasure,” he said, cupping Joe’s cheek in his palm. “I love you, too.”
Joe leaned in to kiss Drew gently. “I’m the luckiest man in the world, to have the two of you love me. And to love each other. That’s why I wanted to start off our lives here with something to show our bond. Finn always said I was the white-picket-fence type, the marrying kind, and I guess that’s still true. Maybe the three of us can’t have a legal marriage, but… well, that’s just details, right? What matters is what the three of us feel.”
With that Joe opened the box, holding it so both Finn and Drew could see the contents. Nestled on black velvet were three identical rings, their surfaces pure, gleaming platinum. “I had them inscribed on the inside with today’s date, our three initials, andLove Knows No Bounds.” He looked between the two of them. “So, what do you think?”
Finn wrapped both arms around Joe and squeezed hard enough almost to take Joe’s breath away. Drew stared at the rings as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“I think,” Drew said slowly as he reached out to stroke one of the rings as if testing to make sure it was real, “you should put that ring on my finger because I’m ready to say ‘I do’.”
“I do, too,” Finn said, still clinging tightly to Joe.
Happiness greater than anything Joe had ever felt before washed over him in a warm wave, and his eyes prickled. “Thank you. Both of you,” he murmured. “I hoped that’s how you would feel, but hearing you both say it… I feel like my heart could burst.”
“I should be thanking you,” Drew said, swiping at his eyes. “I wasn’t sure what the rest of my life was going to look like after I left Lawson & Greer. But somehow I found the two of you. You’re my family. My home. I love you both more than I ever thought possible.”
Joe picked Drew’s ring out of the box—slightly smaller than his, but larger than Finn’s—and held it up. “We love you, too. Come on, Finn, let’s hogtie this one before he comes to his senses and tries to get away.”
“Definitely,” Finn said, his smile wide and joyful as he clasped Drew’s left hand. He brought it to his lips and then held it out so Joe could place the ring while Drew watched and started to sniffle.
His heart full, Joe smiled and slid the ring onto Drew’s finger. “And Finn calledmea smooshball.” When the ring was in place, he leaned down so he could also kiss Drew’s hand. “There. You’re ours now, forever.”
Drew gazed down at the ring with wonderment in his eyes, and then he looked up at them and nodded. “Forever,” he said, reaching for Finn’s hand. He lifted it and brushed a kiss against his knuckles. “Time to show the world this one’s off the market for good. Can you believe it?” He grinned at Joe as he offered Finn’s hand.
“I’m sure there are broken hearts all over Raleigh,” Joe agreed. He picked up Finn’s ring, gazing into Finn’s eyes as he slid it on to his finger. “I’ve waited for this for a long time. Now you belong to me and Drew, and we’ll do our best to make you happy.” With that, he kissed Finn’s hand.
“I’m yours,” Finn said, glancing back and forth between Joe and Drew as he squeezed Joe’s fingers tight. “ And I’ve never been happier.” He released Joe’s hand and retrieved the third ring from the box. “Now it’s your turn.”
“You’re ours.” Drew clasped Joe’s hand and pressed a kiss to his palm. “We’re yours. You’ll always have a safe haven with us.”
With that, Finn slid the ring onto Joe’s finger.
Despite his teasing of Drew, Joe felt his own eyes prickling as Drew and Finn claimed him as theirs. He gripped their hands tightly. “Thank you. Both of you. This is… everything I ever wanted, even if it wasn’t anything I’d ever imagined. And now none of us ever has to feel alone, ever again.”
“Never again.” Finn wound his arms around Joe’s shoulders and leaned in to claim a kiss while Drew shifted closer and slid one arm around Joe’s waist.
Joe returned Finn’s kiss, parting his lips and deepening it with a moan. Here, between the two men who loved him, he’d finally found the acceptance and safety he’d always wanted. He’d never imagined it would take two men to fully complete him, but it had—and together the three of them were stronger than they ever could have been as only two.
When he pulled back from the kiss, he smiled at Finn tenderly before looking back at Drew with a wicked smirk. “I think it’s time for something else, too. Something I’ve been thinking about quite a bit lately.”
“A honeymoon at a clothing optional beach resort?” Finn asked with a cheeky grin, and Drew let out a loud snort.
“That does sound good,” Joe admitted. He lifted one hand to lay it against Drew’s cheek. “But I was thinking of something a little closer to home. Namely… I think it’s time for Drew to make me his in every sense of the word.”
Joe had never let anyone top him before. It wasn’t Finn’s preference, so he’d never suggested it, but now he wanted Drew to be the one to do it. He wanted to let Drew care for him in every way possible.
Drew’s eyebrows drew together in a puzzled frown. “I don’t follow. Isn’t that what the ring is for?”
“Yes and no,” Joe said. “The ring is definitely a symbol, but I wanted to give you something special. I want you to fuck me. No one else has ever done that before.”
Drew sucked in a startled breath, and Finn’s eyes grew wide.
“Seriously?” Finn asked, his tone incredulous.
Drew covered Joe’s hand with his own, his expression softening. “You don’t have to. I know you’re mine.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to.” Joe had been expecting Drew to be doubtful, and he smiled reassuringly. “I’ve seen how you are with Finn. How you take care of him, the way you look at him. I want that, too.” He glanced at Finn once more, needing to make sure this was something that wouldn’t make Finn feel jealous or uncomfortable. “Are you okay with it? It’s not something I ever offered you, I know, but you never seemed to want to top anyway.”
“You could offer on my birthday, at least,” Finn teased. “But no, I’m pretty much the bottomiest bottom who ever bottomed. I’m fine with you letting Drew top when you’re in the mood.” He leaned in and nuzzled Joe’s ear. “You’re right, he takes good care of me, and he’ll take good care of you, too.”
