Page 115 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

“But you’re okay with it?”

“I’m…” I think about what I want to say. “Happy.”

“I don’t understand you young people.” She sighs. “But your happiness is the only thing that matters.”

And I know she means it. “Thank you.”

A faint masculine laugh carries from somewhere beyond the bedroom.

Maybe Mom hears it, because she says she didn’t mean to interrupt.

“You’re never an interruption. Please call whenever you want.”

“Your…husbands… They made all the arrangements so I could attend. I even talked to Julien Bonds.”

I blink. “You…?”

“He seems like a very nice man.”

Over the years, I’ve heard plenty about the Genius. No one has ever called him a very nice man. “I’m glad you got to be there with us. I’ll check in later, okay?”

“You don’t need to spend your honeymoon reporting to me.”

“What if I want to?”

“That is different.” Her voice is soft, filled with peace.

I’m grateful Lucian and Caleb made that happen.

“Enjoy yourself, Sophie. You spend your life taking care of everyone else. Let them take care of you for a few days.”

My gaze remains fixed on the rings as we say goodbye.

When the call ends, I slide from the bed and immediately regret moving so fast.

Every well-used muscle announces itself.

My thighs ache, my breasts are tender, and the soreness between my legs is a vivid reminder of how thoroughly my husbands consummated our marriage.

I find a robe draped over a chair near the windows and slip my arms into it, tying the belt as I walk into the living room.

The blinds are open, and Las Vegas stretches beneath an impossibly blue sky.

On the table, warming dishes are filled to the brim with eggs, bacon, potatoes, fruit, pastries, and enough other food to feed far more than three people.

There’s also coffee service with pitchers of cream.

I’d sell my soul for some caffeine, and I fill a large to-go cup.

My husbands are on the far end of the room, each studying their phones and talking softly.

The moment they’re aware of me, they look toward me.

The intensity of their attention travels over my body even through the thick robe.

Caleb’s mouth curves.

Lucian sets his tablet aside. “Good morning, wife.”