by Maya Banks
He took her hands in both of his, raising first one and then the other to his mouth. “As much as I want to keep you all to myself, the others are very anxious to see you and make amends for the hurt we’ve all caused you.”
He rose from the couch, leaving her sitting there and he walked to the door, opened it and then moments later, Garon, Sebastien and Nico filed solemnly through the door.
Her heartbeat accelerated as she nervously found their gazes. She slid her palms along her pants legs and inched closer to the edge of the couch.
Then they surrounded her, making the first move. Garon went to one knee in front of her while Nico and Sebastien crowded in beside her on the couch.
Sebastien pressed a kiss to her hair while Nico reached for one hand. Garon took the other and then they just kind of folded around her, hugging her to them, pressing in close so she was enveloped by their warmth—and their love.
“Is this what you want, Talia?” Sebastien asked against her ear. “Do you want us? All of us?”
She looked to each of them, giving them her full attention in turn. “I do want you. So very much. It’s hard for me to believe, I mean I can barely take it all in. I thought…”
It was too painful for her to replay all that she’d thought and so she fell silent, emotion overcoming her as she stared into the faces of these men who cared so deeply for her. Who wanted nothing more than to care for her, protect her and place her needs and wants above their own.
Garon put his finger over her lips. “Forget whatever it is you thought and let us replace that sadness with new memories.”
She lay her head on Nico’s shoulder, simply absorbing the magic of the moment. Then she looked beyond to Xander, who stood there gazing at her with such love that for a moment she couldn’t breathe.
This was really happening. It wasn’t a fantasy. It wasn’t a temporary break from reality. This was her reality. Her future.
And whatever obstacles they had to overcome, they’d do it together and they’d always have the undying loyalty of three men who’d devoted their lives to serving Xander and now her.
What more could she possibly ever ask for?