I know he can see right through me, right to every ounce of love and longing I feel for him right now. I lean into my feelings, letting my shoulders drop, letting my face soften. My lips curve into the smallest of smiles as I stare up at him, forgoing words and simply showing him how much I love him, how much I want him, how much I trust him too.
“You’re my safe haven,” I whisper, finally finding the perfect words to describe how I feel. “I love you, Koen. Always.”
His lips quirk in a way that shows me he always knows. And God, I love him for it. His hand slides up to my cheek, and his kiss is a firm vow against my lips, leaving me feeling safe and cherished. Anotherclickfollows, capturing the moment. He breaks the kiss then but not the contact of our lips as he whispers, “Precious.”
He steps back after one more shared breath, and I smile as Nicholas takes his place, and his gaze locks on mine, a playful glint in it as his hand hovers over the screen. “Would you rather press that button and promise me forever, or?—”
“I don’t need to hear the other option.” I cut him off, pressing my button without hesitation. “Because all I want is forever with you.”
“Sweetness.” His smile transforms into a wide grin. “You see me. All of me. You make me feel free in a way I didn’t think was possible. I’d follow you anywhere. I love you.”
My throat tightens, but I smile through it as I respond to him. It’s always been easy to be myself with him, even when I was pretending to be someone else. “And I’d let you. You make me feel like I can be myself unapologetically. And I love you for that.”
He rests his hands on my waist, pulling me to him and kissing me softly.
Another click sounds.
His warmth leaves me then, but is soothed by Ace who moves in close, wrapping his arms around me from behind. He nuzzles into the curve of my neck, his breath a soft caress against my skin. “I dare you to say yes.”
I tilt my head back and let my lips curve into a smirk. “I dare you to say it first.”
He chuckles, and we press our buttons together. “You’re daring.” His lips brush my cheek. “You’re wild, and you’re trouble. You’re perfect for me.”
“You’re perfect for me, too,” I whisper, and God, my eyes burn when our gazes lock.
“I love you, Trouble.”
“I love you, Ace.”
He spins me to face him, and his hand cups the back of my neck as he kisses me deeply, dipping me and owning my body, staking his claim.
Click.
By the time we break apart, my cheeks ache from all the smiling I’ve done today, and my heart feels full to bursting.
Sylus taps his screen, and the machine chimes again. There’s a whirring before it spits out the four glossy photos of each kiss—each vow frozen in time.
“Fucking perfect,” I rasp while my nose burns. “I love them all.”
Koen glances over my shoulder at the pictures. “They’re getting framed. And duplicated.”
The machine chimes again, and we turn as one to face the screen.
Congratulations to the happy polycule!
I laugh and give Sylus an appreciative smile, but then we all turn at a loud sniffle behind us. Levi and Annabelle are clutching each other, tissues pressed to their eyes. Levi’s dramatic pout is almost comical, but Annabelle’s genuinely misty expression tugs at my heart.
“Stop…” I laugh, shaking my head at her. “You’re going to make me cry.”
Ezra and Michael, standing a bit off to the side, exchange a look that’s equal parts exasperation and amusement at their spouses.
The machine hums again, and this time it spits out a piece of paper. Ace is the one who takes it, presenting it with a flourish.
Certificate of Marriage for Novalee Evans with Sylus Walker, Koen Lane, Nicholas Lane, and Alaric Monroe.
He glances at me with that mischievous gleam in his eyes, like he’s about to make some smart-ass comment, but instead, he hands it to me with, “I believe this is yours, Mrs. Polycule.”
I take the certificate, running my fingers over the words, letting them settle in my mind, my heart. “Perfect,” I whisper, holding the certificate to my chest. “Absolutely perfect.”
