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Luca sits on the nearby sofa, on the corner. It allows him to look at Winter pretty much head on, her legs curled up behind her, Roo and I on either side. “Do you want to get married?”
Her lips lift, giving him a shy look. “To you?”
“To all of us.”
Her smile gives way to a frown. “Pretty sure the western world isn’t that modern yet.”
“It will be tooneof us,” Reuben clarifies, “but we think a commitment ceremony between us all would keep everyone happy. Keep it as fair as possible.”
She makes anOhsound.“Right. Yes, I agree.”
“Do you have a preference?” Luca asks. “If you had to choose, could you?”
She swallows. “Ever since California, I’ve rolled this over and over in my thoughts, but I can’t, no. I really can’t. I love each of you equally, and it will hurt me to be forced to pick.”
Sensing some imminent tears, Roo puts a comforting hand on her shoulder. “If you’re being honest about that—”
“I am.”
“Well, would it help if we picked?”
A convincing nod. “I can’t pick,” she reiterates, her hands worrying on her lap. “Don’t make me, please.”
“We’ve discussed it,” Luca reassures her. “We’ve talked about it and we want you at our side for good, Winter. Not because of Dad, but because it’s what we want. You know that, right?”
“Yes,” she whispers.
The fire pops, the only sound registering right now. Well, there’s blood rushing past my ears goingwhomp whompand the occasional rustle of clothing, but that’s all.
Taking a breath, I slide down onto a knee and gather up her trembling hands. “I love you so much; I’d do anything for you. Destroy your exes, fight them in court, hunt you in the woods and fuck you like a beast because it makes you hot. And me. You’ve possessed me. Possessed all of us. I ask you to be my wife in the knowledge that our lives and our bed will forever be shared with Reuben and Luca. Will you marry me, Winter? Marry us?”
Wide-eyed at my declaration, at seeing me kneeling before her, her mouth curves into a beautiful smile. But before long her face twists, tears springing from her eyes.
And fuck, she’s rejecting me, suddenly realizing she doesn’t want the overly protective asshole but confident, astute, hotel-obsessed Luca, or playful Reuben who can basically make her come with his British accent alone.
Heart burning, I watch tears cascade down her cheeks, but then she’s falling on me, knocking me sideways as she presses her lips to mine and devours me. I go with it, kissing her back, my hands threaded through her lush hair. Suddenly, she pulls back, cupping my face in her hands. After sealing our fate with a kiss (I think) she gets to her feet and folds her arms around Roo. While he kisses the life out of her, Luca draws me in for a congratulatory hug.
“She looks overjoyed,” he murmurs in my ear. “Congrats, bro.”
“Thanks,” I offer sincerely, knowing the sacrifice he made. But of course, he did, this eldest son, putting everyone else’s joy before his own. Despite being averse to marriage before, Luca would’ve married Winter in a heartbeat. As for Roo, well, he’d have stepped up if neither of us were keen, but we were. And he’s always stated that Jasper and his mom’s relationship has been a positive one, wedding bands wholly unnecessary. So, his attitude was chill.
But I won’t ever forget what Luca’s given me. “I won’t forget this,” I tell him.
“I know.”
We separate, Luca pulling a smiling Winter in for a slow, exploratory kiss. It’s tender and worshipful, and my heart hurts at how unfaltering his love is. At how gracious he was in letting me have this honor. His place at the head of the family means he’ll often pay the ultimate price as he devotes himself to the business. He’s too perfect, loyal, and faithful, and I can’t thank him enough.
“I can’t help but feel guilty,” Winter expresses softly, glancing between us. “I don’t like the imbalance.”
“There’s no imbalance,” Roo explains, casting a look my way. I promised them nothing would change. I might behomemore than they are, and a possessive prick, but knowing she’s my wife is an invisible, indestructible bond, no matter the wedding band.
“Well, about that,” Luca leads. “We have a plan.”
“Of course you do,” she teases, waiting for him to explain.
Walking to an antique desk and sliding open the top drawer, he extracts a box and heads back over. “You’ll get Brecken’s wedding band. You’ll get an eternity ring from Roo. Exactly when is up to him, though.”
“I’m gonna make you wait a long-ass time,” he drawls making Winter giggle happily.
