“I love you,” he whispers, still staring at me intensely.
The world stops spinning, and the only sound is my heart thrashing around my rib cage and the blood thrumming in my ears.
“You love me?” I whisper, needing to be sure I heard him right.
“I fucking love the shit out of you, dollface.” He cups my face in his large palms. “I have for a while.”
Happy tears prick my eyes as I place my hands on his waist. “I love you too. So much, Ares.”
We move as one, like magnets, and the universe explodes when our lips meet. This kiss is the kiss to end all kisses as he worships me with his lips and his tongue in an unhurried fashion that is not his usual style. Ares makes love to my mouth while cradling my face, and he has never made me feel more cherished.
When we break apart, we are both panting and flushed and wearing the biggest smiles.
“Fuck me, Ashley. What are you doing to me?” He rests his brow against mine. “You’re turning my insides into mush. I’m becoming the biggest pussy.”
“Pussies get bad press, and it’s not fair or true.” I sweep locks of dark hair off his brow. “Pussies bring men to their knees and deliver babies into the world. Pussies symbolize strength not weakness.” I can’t keep the smile off my mouth. “It’s not a bad thing if you’re a pussy. Not at all.”
“My pretty little doll.” He nibbles on my lower lip. “So fucking smart too.” He stands, pulling me into his arms. I sway in his embrace, loving how safe I feel when he holds me. “One day, this will be us too.” He grabs a handful of my ass through my dress. “That’s a fucking promise, my little slut.” This time, his kiss is hard, punishing, and possessive, and I feel the promise he just made in every glide of his lips.
“I want that for us,” I tell him when we break apart. I don’t want there to be any doubt.
“It’s a given.” Taking my hand, he leads me out of the gazebo. “I better get you back to your husbands before they send out a search party.”
“You know they are okay with this.” I squeeze his hand as we walk back through the garden. “They’re okay with all of it.”
“I know. We have spoken in depth about it.” He stops as we reach the house, pulling me into his chest. “I said I would try, and I will, but I can’t promise any more than that.”
“That’s enough.” At least for now.
* * *
We have a gorgeous dinner with Jase’s family and my brother, drinking copious cocktails and glasses of champagne. When the sun sets, Jase’s parents leave with Jocelyn—much to her disgust and dismay—and we close the double doors, knock back shots, crank the music up high, and dance the night away. I dirty dance with all three of my men, grinding up against them and groping them without shame, barely conscious of the fact Knight and Bree are doing the same in the other corner of the room. Baz is very vocal about the unfairness of the situation, and after another failed attempt to join my harem, he leaves to hook up with some sorority girl he has on speed dial.
When it’s time to call it a night, I’m unsurprised to see Bree leading my brother by the hand toward her bedroom when we reach the upper level of the house.
“She’s going to eat him alive,” Ares says, chuckling, as we head in the opposite direction.
“Don’t underestimate any Luminary.” Jase slings his arm around my shoulders. I’m in my bare feet, and Chad is carrying my stilettos. “Knight will give as good as he gets.”
“Enough about them.” Chad loops his fingers in mine and flashes me a dirty look. “I’m more invested in how I’m going to eatyoualive, wifey.” He nips at my earlobe, and I jump a little.
“You won’t get any complaints from me.” I fix him with a flirty smile.
Stopping at the door to the bridal suite, Jase and Chad release me and step inside, leaving me in the hallway with Ares. I don’t need to ask permission. I already know the guys won’t mind me saying this. Cocking my head to one side, I grip Ares’s hip and fix him with my most seductive smile. “Join us? Please?”
It would be the best wedding gift, but I won’t beg, and I won’t pressure him.
Torment flits across his face as he shakes his head. “I can’t, Ash. I’m sorry.” He presses his lips to my cheek before walking off down the hallway toward the other two bedrooms.
A heavy weight presses down on my chest for a few seconds, but I force it aside. Ares loves me, and I firmly believe he just needs time.
“He’ll come around,” Jase says, coming up behind me. Brushing my hair to one side, he places a lingering kiss on my neck.
“I hope so.” Turning around, I circle my arms around his neck and press my body against his bare chest. In the time I was talking to Ares, he has removed the clothing from his upper body and his socks and shoes.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” Chad says, walking toward me in only his boxers. “We’ll give you a night to remember.”
I don’t doubt it. Every nerve ending in my body tingles in anticipation as Chad closes the door and presses himself up behind me, so I’m sandwiched between both my husbands.
