Eleven and a half months later…
“That looks amazing.”I walk up behind Liev and wrap my arms around his strong chest, lean in and sway a little, giving him all my weight, taking a little of his in the process. It’s how we roll—a little you, a little me. It’s always a fight. And it’s always worth it.
“You think?” He cants his head, eyeing the sculpture’s placement at the edge of our woods, along with the plaque, bearing its name:Wherever we fall.
“I love it.” I rub my face against his shoulder blade. “I love all of it.”
He breathes in a deep, nervous breath and claps his hands. “Think we’ve got time for a—” He casts a laughing glance at our spot in the woods, knowing full well we’ve got our first ever annual general meeting to get to. Like, right now.
“Stop it. I know you can’t wait to get things started.”
“I know.” He grabs my hand and we head off to the main building together, both eager to see what the rest of the new Kink Camp Co-operative’s members see in our future.
From what we’ve heard, everyone’s really excited. And Liev, I know, is happy to retire from his position as Overlord.
The new camp’s starting tonight, right after the meeting, and I just know it’ll be wild.
We enter through the big front doors and say hello to the big group of kinksters—mostly in street clothes, still—milling around drinking coffee and shooting the shit before things kick off. The atmosphere’s the same as last year, as far as I can tell—all that friendly, openness is right there at the forefront, so much of it focused on Liev who’s smiling and open and so happy it pinches my heart.
I mean, yeah, I’ve got a lot to do with that happiness, just like he’s got a lot to do with mine. The man’s my other half, my soulmate. He’s my rock and I’m so fucking proud to be his I’ve inked him into my skin. My wolf. Not a loner anymore.
He’s smiling and hugging a guy named Sledge, who used to be a friend, long ago. He’s got hundreds of friends here today. Over a thousand. The love pouring out is just epic. We’ll move mountains, all together. I can feel it.
Max winds her arm around my waist and pulls me tight. “So. Just one time, right? Fuck him once, get it out of your system.”
I bump my hip to hers. “You were right, I was wrong.”
“I know, I know,” she singsongs. “You look happy.”
“You know I am.”
“You gonna show me the tattoo parlor, or what?”
“Oh my God, you’re gonna love it, Max. It’s so…”
“You?”
“Us.”
She looks around. “You and Liev?
I shake my head and look around and the colors and shapes and sizes and genders, all mixed up in a big, happy mess. “All of us. This.”
“It’s only right.” Her expression’s full of a tight-lipped, teary-eyed pride. “Saw your mom today.”
“What do you think of her place?”
“It’s adorable.”
“She’s happy.”
“Best of both worlds, right? She’s got you right next door.”
“With her own space.”
“And the cottage is so her.”
“I know.” I look over at Liev, immediately heating at the sight of those big arms, slung over another man’s back. I won’t share—ever—but I’ve certainly fantasized him as a gruff gladiator more than once. I’ve even role-played being his hard-won prize a time or two. It was dirty and delicious. “I’m so lucky.”
