“I like that idea,” Kage said and took Finley’s hand.
“Of a snake on your dick?” Caleb asked.
“Of matching tattoos.” Kage met Finley’s gaze. Could he see how much Finley wanted to have another proof of their belonging to each other carved into his skin? His chest hurt at the very thought. “Maybe Caleb could design two linked golden handcuffs to symbolise us? He looked from Finley’s grin to his forearm and back. It would look great here.”
“And here.” Finley pointed to his own forearm.
“Our tattoos are like wedding rings.” Rod spoke, his voice a soothing rumble. “But some prefer a more traditional approach. Now tell us about this joint venture you’re planning that combines a collaring ceremony with a wedding.”
Finley put his head on Kage’s shoulder to let him know to take the reins.
Lucy’s idea of joining Kage’s skills and Finley’s being ordained sparked a conversation between him and Kage that had led to figuring out how it would work and if anyone would beinterested. Jagoda was on board with the idea of Handcuffs facilitating marriage collaring events, and once the word had got out, people started signing up.
As Kage talked, Finley thought of the rings he’d bought two weeks before. Tonight, when they’d be sitting in the quiet of their home, he’d propose. Their collars were their equivalent of wedding bands, but Finley wanted Kage to wear something of his as well.
He’d taken the risk of going through the looking glass into the unknown land of The Golden Handcuffs, and while the world was wicked, he’d found friends who were like a family and a partner who understood his every need.
Epilogue
Kage
One year later.
Kage turned the ring on his finger round and round, listening to Finley explain the layout of the venue they’d been looking at. He wasn’t happy with anything they’d considered so far, so they might take Mat and Peyton up on their offer of throwing a wedding at their home in Barbados after all.
Keeping a grin off his face was so hard that Kage stopped trying as he recalled the night Finley proposed. A year ago, he’d thought great sex and the pleasant company of Caleb and Rod would have been the best the evening could have brought, but he’d been sorely mistaken.
Before they’d left the club, Finley had made arrangements for a video chat with Rod as their first session. Not only had he beenvisibly happy with his decision, he’d thanked Kage for the push he needed for so long.
Kage’s heart broke at the thought of Finley having never had someone who’d taken care of him but he was happy that the privilege belonged to him now. He promised himself that he’d do everything for Finley to know the depth of his love and devotion.
Once home, Finley knelt on one knee and asked Kage to marry him. The simple rings he’d purchased matched the necklaces they already wore, and Kage said yes before Finley finished talking.
“I want the non-kinksters to know you’re my everything. And it would be easier to explain to your parents.” Finley grinned as he slid the ring onto Kage’s finger in the privacy of their home. They spent the rest of the evening curled on the couch, weaving plans for their future. Finley had ideas on what he wanted. “A ceremony at the club for friends, since we can get paperwork signed at the Register Office later. And a party whenever we’re ready.”
Now, a year into their engagement, Finley was going full Bridezilla on wedding planning, scheduling every detail and roping their friends into the event. Brendan was organising the flowers, Jared would take pictures, and Lucy was in charge of the music and a show. Even Don Murphy offered a discount for Finley to purchase Whiskey from the distillery he used to run. Finley was paying everyone handsomely, saying that it was the best thing he could spend the money on. But during quiet evenings at home, Finley would recollect his past and Kage knew that his savings had been intended for Max’s university and future, and the wedding craze was compensating for the small impromptu ceremony he’d had with Maggie.
“Kage, are you even listening?” Finley kicked the leg of the chair Kage was sitting on, bringing him back to the present.
“Yes.” Kage took in Finley’s raised eyebrows and the smile he was trying to hold back.Busted.“Well, no. I lost you at the pattern on the forks.”
“There’s no patter—You asshole!” Finley kicked the chair again. “It all needs to be perfect, but that’s not the important part. I want to spend my life with you and remember the day our friends and family celebrated our happiness with us.”
“I know, and I love that. Can you tell me about the name plates? My mum requested to sit next to you.”
Kage’s parents treated Finley like a third son, and Kage noticed how Finley’s eyes got teary during those casual family dinners. Every time he saw Finley genuinely happy, not only smiling when someone was looking at him, his heart swelled with more love than he’d thought himself capable of.
Kage sat on Finley’s lap as they continued going over the wedding details. They were used to spending evenings in each other’s arms, but every casual touch still brought a tingle of excitement.
Life wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, though, and Finley had kicked Kage’s ass in regards to his issues.
For years, it had been easy for Kage to avoid the nagging of his parents, the worried looks his brother had given him, or the gentle nudge from Lucy. But Finley took no shit when it came to Kage’s wellbeing, body and mind.
Thirteen months of physical therapy had done wonders, and Kage was significantly less reliant on pain meds. He’d caved and let Finley help him with the every-day massage, quickly learning what he’d been missing when Finley’s hands strayed from the muscles in Kage’s leg towards other areas. His scars were a reminder of his past, but no longer brought the feeling of guilt whenever he looked at them—especially after he’d covered them with intricate tattoos Caleb had designed for him. It had been adecision Kage had made the day he and Finley had got matching handcuff tattoos on their forearms.
Kage’s phone pinged, and he read the message. “Brendan says you’re not picking up your phone. He needs you to approve the flower arrangements he’s prepared.”
“Oh, shit, it’s still on mute after my shift. I’ll call him back in a moment.”
