Aspen brought Vail down into a kiss that had him moaning happily, and when he was done I got a kiss from Vail, almost like he was passing it on. His lips wouldn’t stop smiling, and I laughed when we were done, and then Aspen turned me and dragged me into a kiss and I felt like... we were completing a circuit. Completing the love. My heart thumped and I leaned almost all my weight against Aspen—he didn’t even grunt, just held me steady, sharing his strength.
Something might go wrong in the future, we all lived dangerous lives, even Vail. He might only go to tutoring sessions, but the children he worked with were often related to dangerous people. Everything about tomorrow seemed dark and dangerous and unknowable, but right now I was so fucking happy.
“Maybe you want to let Cillian fuck you with this toy, too?” Vail asked, nipping softly at the tip of my nose. “It might be fun to do it together?” He raised his eyebrows at me, and I grinned back. He always had the best ideas.
“You like having someone to share things with, don’t you?”
“Yes, and I like that you all love sharing different things with me.” Vail pressed his cheek to mine and something clicked in my mind. Vail was soft and sweet, that’s what I shared with him—the part of myself that needed someone to treat me like I wasn’t a brawler who could take a punch. Aspen was a powerhouse, and I thought he had my best interests at heart all the time. It made me feel safe. Rowen was kind, and maybe he’d like to do things with me the same way he did for Vail... if we ever got beyond fucking around in bed. I studied Rowen as Vail bounded over to him and dropped onto his lap, kissing him for all he was worth. Rowen would be... romantic, and I’d never been with anyone like that. Maybe it would be nice?
Cillian hummed and fucked his toy, something about him slightly dangerous even now, especially with the way he thrust his hips like he would be choking me if he was using my mouth instead. I had no idea what I could share with him... but I wanted to find out.
I gasped when Aspen spun me around and kissed me. For now, I was happy. The future could figure itself out.
EPILOGUE - PART I
ASPEN
Vail gave me that look he usually wore when he wasn’t sure if he was confused or intrigued about a situation. I suspected I might have gotten that reaction from him, so all I could do was smile.
“Why fighting?” he asked with a pout, glancing toward the cage in the middle of the vast space. I’d managed to get us ringside seats, which meant being closer to the action. I enjoyed good sports, like any other sane man, but MMA wasn’t my usual forte. I’d chosen this especially for Fallon.
“Why not?” Fallon wrapped his left arm around Vail’s shoulders and pumped his other in the air, hooting. “This is going to be fucking awesome. I can’t think of a better way to spend a night off!”
“There are so many people.” Vail glanced around the crowded room as we finally made it to our seats, a furrow set into his brow.
I stole him from under Fallon’s arm and dragged him down to the seats I’d paid for and sat beside him. Fallon took the chair on Vail’s other side, practically buzzing with excitement. He couldn’t sit still, bouncing like he had ants in his pants.
I focused on Vail, cupping his face between my hands and directing his stare toward me. He worried his bottom lip between his teeth, eyes still moving side to side as people walked past us to get to their seats. The noise was overbearing and I couldn’t imagine what it was like for Vail. I’d learned a lot about ADHD and how it affected him, and with this much commotion his attention was all over the place. There was too much happening around us.
“Concentrate on me, baby.” I pressed a kiss to his forehead. “The fights will start soon. The crowd won’t quiet down, but I’m here with you. You can hold my hand and focus on me when it gets to be too much, okay?”
He smiled and leaned his forehead against mine. “Thank you.” He perked up. “I’m going to get food. Do you want anything?”
I grunted out a laugh. “A Coke would be great.”
He didn’t even get a word out before Fallon said, “A Coke for me, too. You’re going to get popcorn, right?”
“Duh, of course I’m going to get popcorn.” He jumped to his feet as I grabbed my wallet out of my jeans pocket, and he proceeded to pout while I fished out a fifty.
“Here, take this.”
He glared at the cash. “I don’t need your money.”
“It’s my turn,” I said gently but with firmness. “And it’s a date.”
“You paid the last three times. So no, I’m not taking it.” He went to leave, but I grabbed his wrist, jerking him back toward me until he fell onto my lap.
I leaned in to whisper in his ear, “Don’t make me spank you, Vail. I know what Cillian likes to do to you at his favorite club. I’ll do it here in front of everyone if you don’t do as I say.”
He sucked in a sharp breath, and stealing the fifty, he fluttered his lashes at me. “Okay.”
“Good.” I pressed my lips to his cheek. “Now go before I decide spanking you here is a good idea.”
“I wouldn’t mind watching.” Fallon waggled his eyebrows and grinned wickedly.
“If you’re not careful I’ll put you on the other knee.” I smirked and let Vail go. He stood on shaky feet, clearing his throat loud enough for me to hear because he was still close, and pressed his hands down the crisp white button-up shirt he wore. His cheeks turned a rosy red and he ducked his head, murmuring something I couldn’t hear before he was off to go get food and drinks.
Fallon moved into Vail’s seat so he was right beside me, staring at the cage with a pining I understood well. I’d seen it on each of the guys’ faces more than once, but usually it was about different things. Rowen looked that way when he felt the need to go to church, Cillian when it’d been too long since he’d hurt or killed someone, and for Vail it was when he either wanted sex or new books from his favorite bookstore. I usually got that way when I wanted to clean my knives and hadn’t had the chance.
