“I love you.” It spills out of me. “I do, tiger.”
Confusion crosses his face. “Because I told you that?”
“Because of how strong you are in all the right ways. Excluding the muscles. Strong, sweet, gentle when you need to be. Terrible in the kitchen or not, I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to see you with anyone else. I want to be the one to know everything about you and to love you even more because of it.”
He kisses me softly and holds my face in his big hands. “You told me in your sleep a while ago. I love you too.”
I pepper him with questions, trying to think of everything I don’t know about him. He tells me how long he’s wanted to have a dog, how he really wants a stable job so he can have some of his own. He tells me he hasn’t lived with a roommate or anyone around since he left his house. He volunteers a story for every answer.
By the time we get home, I’ve forgotten all about the plan to avoid hits because I’m lost in Konstantin. The second we’re inside, he pats Charlie and Nolan, kisses me, and pulls Gio to the side. I sit with Max in the backyard. He adjusts his sunglasses and sighs.
“Ready for all the excitement of starting a business?”
“Does that mean you’re going to help me?” I ask, excitement building in me. “Oh, I’m doing more than that. In about five minutes you’re going to have your first artist show up.”
I stare at Max. “What?”
“Don’t tell me you don’t want to see Patricia.”
I hug him, nearly tackling him out of the lounge chair he’s in. He catches me and gives me a long, decadent kiss. It feels too sweet to be real. He strokes down my back. “I’m willing to do triple this for you, doll. Business, personal, I want to make sure you achieve all your goals.”
My eyes go misty. I know I’ve been extra emotional lately, but these men are shining. I stroke Max’s face. “You’re going to spoil me rotten.”
“Someone has to. We both know the kid won’t.”
I laugh and kiss him again. “You’re one of a kind, Max.”
“Yeah yeah. I love you too.” He picks me up.
Two confessions in one day? I just blink at him. He winks at me. “I’m not afraid to say it. I beat up your father, was willing to kill a man for you, and I’d be happy to retire and lavish you with affection constantly and consider that being ‘useful’ if I get to see you smile.”
I melt. The words don’t roll off my tongue right away. I stumble over them twice. “I love you, Max.”
He rubs my cheek. “I know you do. You show it plenty.”
I check his wound right after that, make him clean it, then I’m distracted by my best friend. She eyes my three men hungrily. “Ugh, I’m so jealous, Juliana. Snapping up men and not leaving me with any leftovers.”
“I know.” I pet Charlie. “But this meeting is all about you.”
She leans her head to the side, completely confused. “Me? I thought it was aboutus.”
I lay out the plan, give her my offer, and let her know what she’d be in for. She bounces with joy. “I’d be able to leave the call center?”
“Absolutely. I want you out of that hell hole and living your best life.”
She hugs me tightly. “There wasn’t even any sarcasm there!”
“I guess these three men have helped me tame my tongue,” I tease.
We have some drinks, she plays with Charlie and Nolan, and then starts sketching. I know I’ve lost her. Max comes out and actually asks her for some advice. They talk art and I excuse myself.
Max catches my skirt and kisses the back of my hand. I caress his cheek. I trust him and I trust Patricia. I know that neither one of them will flirt or take it further. It’s a huge weight off my mind. I don’t have to worry about any of my men leaving me to scratch an itch, being bought off by my father, or bullied into leaving me.
It’s just the four of us in this relationship. Konstantin snares my waist and kisses my temple. “I think of more stories for you later. I’m taking care of the hit. Gio did it from his side, now I’m getting the muscle.”
With that he heads out. Gio is left, standing in the kitchen, looking at something on his computer. His serious face is hot, but when he lifts his eyes to look at me, his whole face softens and warms.
Forever with these guys seems worth all the intensity, pain, and loss I’ve dealt with in these last few weeks. Gio offers me his hand and I don’t hesitate before taking it. I’m convinced I’d do just about anything for them. Especially give them my heart.