☼ Sasha's Epilogue ☼

I stared up at Zack through watery eyes with my heart racing absorbing so much at once.

He commanded us both to rise and swiping my tears away I lifted from my knees to stand alongside Ellis. His hand slipped into mine, squeezing it, letting me know he was right there with me.

I'd been shocked into stunned silence, both of us had, as Ellis wore the same startled expression. Zack had declared, openly, what we meant to him in front of a room full of people. Our kind of people.

But they too had been shocked, their silence told me as much. Yeah, to most of them, Zack was cold, heartless and at times brutal, but today had changed everything.

And when he'd asked if I trusted him. I did. Completely. With him... both of them, I'd never felt this way. This uninhibited. This free.

And now, what next?

We didn't have to wait long as Zack walked around us, stopping behind me he slapped my ass. "Kick off your heels and stand in the centre of the platform, Sasha."

I bit my lip. The force of the command buckled my knees and when I didn't move, Zack grabbed my throat, sending a thrill of anticipation and want through me. "Bad little girls get punished," he said.

Oh, I hoped so.  

And the way he grip tightened on my skin me brought out my inner brat making me want to struggle and surrender at the same time. But the excitement of what he had planned won out and when he let me go I kicked off my shoes and scampered to the middle. I looked behind to watch Zack signalling to someone and following his gaze I saw a man standing by the wall pulling on a lever.

Tinkling sounded from above, and I craned my neck as chains with leather cuffs descended.

This reminded me of Amsterdam, turning my heated blood into a volcanic eruption. The only difference being, tonight, we had an audience but as Zack's hot form pressed behind mine rubbing his trapped erection against my ass everyone else vanished from my thoughts.

"Put your hands up."

I slowly raised my arms, hoping to remember this night for the rest of my life.

My eyes fluttered closed as Zack secured my wrists in the leather cuffs leaving me hostage in all my naked glory. The tension of being completely at his mercy made my pussy throb, but if anyone ever asked me why, I wouldn't be able to tell me why being a submissive turned me on. Why pain heightened my desire. Or why Zack inflicting pain turned him on?

However, right now, those questions no longer mattered.

I just wanted it.

He wanted it.

Badly.

Zack hummed as he pressed his face against my neck, licking a bite he'd given earlier. "How long have you fantasised about an audience watching you being fucked? Tortured? Used completely?" He stressed the word fuck; it resonated with erotic shivers running up and down my spine.

How long?  The now familiar syrupy cloud of obedience slipped over me and I whispered, "A while, Sir."

"Louder," he roared.

"A while," I repeated. "A long time."

He hissed between his teeth as he snatched my hair, jerked my head back and kissed me.

Hard.

With teeth.

But the second it stopped, I wanted more.

I was embarrassingly wet already and a full body clench had my knees turning to water and moisture trickling down my inner thigh. I moaned as Zack found my breast, twisting my nipple so hard it erupted into flames. "You will do well to remember, I fucking own you."

My yes came out breathy and Zack made a sound of approval and then came around the front of me. "Ellis, stand here, beside me."

Ellis joined him standing in front of me with a hot look beneath heavy eyes and waited.

Zack raised his voice. "You heard the little slut, she wants everyone here to witness her break for us. Cry tears for us. Are you game?"

Ellis sank into his full lower lip as one hand went to my breast, dragging his thumb over my hardened nipple as he thought about it. "If she wants to be mauled here, in front of these good people, then I'm fucking willing to bite." My entire body shuddered. "But first up, how about we paint her skin pretty red?" He turned to Zack. "Flogger?"

The way Zack stared at me felt as if he could read my every dark wish, every sordid secret."Yes for the warm-up, then I have something else in mind!"

Oh my god.

Something else.

The whip?

Or maybe the cane?

I didn't care, I just latched onto the promise in his voice and I shuddered again.

"But first," said Zack, putting his hand on Ellis's cock and wrapping the other around the back of his neck and drawing him in.

I watched my men love each other. That, right there, was porn for me.

Ellis groaned as Zack released his cock and his hand dipped into his pocket and pulled out a cock-ring.

"Ah, fuck," Ellis muttered as his chest inflated. "Please tell me that's for you?"

Zack's chuckle was deep and raspy. "No, sweetheart." Keeping eye contact with Ellis he grabbed his cock and slipped on the offending item.

Looked like we both wouldn't be coming anytime soon. 

"Ready to gorge on our little slut?" asked Zack.

"Ready and fucking willing."

Swaying a little and pressing my thighs together I tried to ride through unsatisfactory clenches wracking my body.

"Look how desperate and needy she is already." Zack's smile screamed sexual deviant. Clucking his tongue he shook his head slowly and then made his way off the platform again vanishing from sight.

Ellis wasted no time in stepping up, wedging his cock against my lower belly. This close it was just me and him and he blinked with absolute wonder. "You look beautiful like this," he murmured. "So, so fucking beautiful." His sudden sweetness softened me as his lips touched mine and hovered there for a moment before sinking into me until I didn't know where I stopped and he started... until we heard the amused clearing of a throat.

"Show time," Ellis smirked, pressed a kiss right between my breasts and then stepping back he accepted the flogger Zack was offering to him.

"Warm her up."

The air turned far too thin and I couldn't stop how fast I breathed as anticipation played with my mind.

Again Zack disappeared from view but my eyes were on Ellis and as I watched him lift the flogger  and I braced myself for the first hit.

Strike.

The burn was bitter and yet, oh so sweet.

"Make her scream," I heard from behind me. " And then I'll make her feel so fucking free she'll grow wings and fly."

Again and again, Ellis flogged my skin as fire burned across my breasts, my stomach, my thighs and my pussy.  I hissed, moaned and when he caught my nipple for what seemed like the tenth time, I arched and screamed making my eyes water.

"Jesus fucking Christ," I heard Ellis. "Her skin is already pink." His voice didn't sound like him anymore. Dark and tortured and I knew he was reaching his limits, the limit he imposed on himself.

"No, it's not enough. Again," Zack snarled. "Perfect your technique. Find the balance and give it to her. You know how."

A firm nod and more lashes rained down on me and tears started to form.

"Keep going, until I tell you to stop...or she safewords."

Eyes shut tight, keeping at bay my tears, I swayed in my restraints listening to my ragged breaths and the incoherent murmurs coming from my mouth.

"Enough," instructed Zack.

My eyes shot open and Ellis lowered the flogger, his breaths just as hard and fast as mine.

I tried to glance over my shoulder but stopped when a slithering sound came from behind, footsteps almost silent.

"I'm going to hurt you now, little girl."

Oh, God.

Zack's mouth was at my ear again. "You want to know how dark I am, Sasha?"

I licked over my dry lips. "Yes, Sir. I want to know."

"I want you sobbing at my feet. I want you in fucking tatters. Does that scare you?"

He didn't wait for my reply as he stepped back and I cried out when my shoulder blade screamed with the pain of a thousand angry wasps. The snap and crack of a whip echoed around the room.

A strangled cry leaked out, tensing, jerking in the restraints.

It felt like nothing I'd experienced before.

A slice through the air and there it was again. The pain radiated along my back, warm, hot, biting. Fresh tears erupted as another crack and kiss of agony landed. My spine burned and the wetness between my legs increased. My head dropped.

"Fucking gorgeous," I heard Zack hiss.

A different hiss had my head lifting to see Ellis looking tortured, I wasn't sure if he would ever be comfortable watching this. "I need it," I reassured him, "So much you can't imagine."

He nodded reluctantly accepting my truth.

The whip struck again, licking with agony.

I cried—hard, letting tears run free.

"Does the whip make you wet? Make you desperate?"

"Yes!" I wheezed, floating into the warm hands of that place all submissives craved. "Yes."

"My perfect little pain-slut," Zack laughed, it was dark and edgy, and so full of need, my heart twisted. He needed to inflict pain—pain he couldn't ever inflict on Ellis.

The whip cracked again and I couldn't retaliate. I couldn't twist or run. I could only hang and accept whatever Zack gave, remembering I'd asked for this—practically begged for it.

"Is this how you imagined it?" Zack asked, pacing, the slither of the whip trailing soft footsteps.

I wasn't sure if the question was rhetorical.

Zack hit lower, licking my lower back and ass and then repeated each bite of the whip raising my temperature inside and out until my head flopped.

"Your skin is beautifully whipped, Sasha, blooming pink and red."

The crack gave a second warning before an intense sting buckled my knees; I hung there in delirium.

"This is for making me so consumed by you, that I can no longer think straight," Zack grunted as he connected with flesh. I was openly sobbing, sucking in lungfuls of air.

I wasn't sure if I could carry on much longer and my safeword flickered inside my head.

But then it stopped sending me into confusion.

Was it over?

And that shock reality hit like a slap to the face. No. I wasn't ready.

Maybe I was sicker than I ever thought.

Before I had time to dwell on it,  Zack was cradling me in his arms. "It's OK ... we're not done yet," he cooed, reading my distress.

"You're screwing with my mind," I breathed through my tears and snot.

Zack's hand headed down my belly, inching lower until he cupped me. "No, I'm screwing for your mind. I told you, I want to own you—body, heart, everything."

I moaned as he circled my clit, nibbling my ear. "Tell me. Do you like being whipped?" He thrust a finger inside with no warning, arms banding tighter as I bucked in surprise.

I couldn't think straight; I mumbled, "Yes, I like it."

"Your body bends to me so beautifully, so willingly." Zack sucked in a breath, his finger pulsing inside before withdrawing. He brought his hand to my mouth. "Dirty girl. You're wet. So wet. Suck my finger, Sasha." His breathing seemed heavier. "Every mark I give you makes me so fucking hard."

I opened, welcoming. My nose was stuffy from crying and I couldn't get enough breath, but his taste of citrus mixed with me and the pain he caused branded with lust.

I rocked into his erection, silently pleading.

He stepped away, leaving me hanging like the captive I was. His fingers grazed my neck, sending goosebumps and shivers skimming over my nakedness.

Coming to stand in front of me, he asked, "Are these for me?" He leaned and licked the tears from my face. "You deserve a reward, Sasha," he said so sweetly.

I nodded erratically, my heart beating wildly out of control.

He must have given a signal to Ellis as he was there, grabbing my breast with one hand. "You never fail to fuckin' amaze me, y'know that right?"

I nodded again and then Ellis hissed out, his head shooting to Zack.

Well, well. It seemed like Ellis wasn't escaping this night totally pain-free as I watched Zack attach a pinching weight to his left nipple and then the other. "Fuck," Ellis muttered under his breath, making me bite down on my smile.

Zack grabbed the back of his neck, smothering his mouth with his. Their tongues tangled and I moaned becoming drunk on them both.

Then Zack was kissing me, holding my hair so I couldn't move away as he fucked my mouth with his tongue that wouldn't let me get air. Breathing hard, he stopped kissing me, and something soft and leathery danced along my stomach. "Put your legs on Elli's shoulders." He turned to Ellis. "Time for her to feel your bite."

The rush of adrenalin had me easily shifting my weight in the cuffs and lifting myself to straddle Ellis's shoulders. His hands came up to hold my ass with his biceps clenching. In this position, it gave him full access and that look said he was going to take advantage. He was staring at my pussy before kissing my inner thigh in a soft, fleeting move, breath hot... and then his mouth latched onto my clit.

His tongue wasn't shy, swirling around my clit, licking, sucking. Plunging into my wetness, tongue-fucking as if possessed.

It was too much. Too intense and I moaned and whimpered and struggled and wriggled. Little stars shot and fizzled and torment with every flick of his tongue, every suck of his mouth.

He pressed his tongue so far inside that I cried out, wishing it was his cock buried deep. But if I wanted his cock, I would have to ask nicely for it. "Please, Sir... Zack... more...I need more. Let him fuck me." My body was beyond ready to be claimed and used.

Zack didn't answer verbally, the leather slashed across my whipped skin. Oh. My. God. I rocked my hips into Ellis, forcing his tongue deeper, demanding he be rougher.

One strike after another.

"Fuck yes," Ellis groaned, fingers digging into my hips as he dragged me closer. His entire face between my legs. He growled as he bit my clit. Not a simple nip—but a full brutal bite.

I screamed as my pussy contracted, thrumming with its own heartbeat. I thrashed, trying to get closer, trying to get away. I wanted more, but unsure if I could handle more.

My mind broke completely, ruled by the need to come. "Fuck me. Fuck me. I can't ... I can't stand it."

Zack paced around us in a circle, dragging the flogger over my skin and Ellis's. "Stop," he ordered Ellis.

Ellis did right away and lowered my legs leaving me to sway from the ceiling, trembling. My head lolled, and my eyes were too heavy to keep open. I wanted to scissor my legs to find some relief from the torture.

It would be cruel to leave me like this.

Zack captured my jaw; I opened my unwilling eyes. "You submit without hesitation, without fear. You have no idea what that does to me."

I tried to make sense of what he was telling me but I felt too far gone and yet, still not quite there.

"Put your legs around Ellis's hips."

Did this mean?  Hell, I hoped so.

I jumped, spreading my legs at the same time, using the binds to hoist myself. I fit snugly against Ellis. His hotness against my wetness. His throbbing cock was so close, it made me insane.

His eyes flashed as I rocked, smearing hot arousal all over his cock and balls. He groaned as I thrust unashamedly, providing much-needed friction. I could come like this. Humping him like a dog in heat.

Reaching between us, he pushed me back. Guiding his cock, he angled it, ready to push inside me.

In one fast move, with hands on my hips, he pulled me onto him. Impaling me completely. His length and thickness were welcome, bruising, stretching. The invasion turned my mind to mush. I went rigid, moaning like the slut I was.

Ellis's face darkened with savage lust as he thrust once, fingers stabbing into flesh. "Fuck, my cock belongs in you." With one hand, he slapped my breast, sending hurt and spasms of eager dampness between my legs. I wouldn't last long. Shit, I was so close, I rippled with the release already. An orgasm teetered on a knife edge—sharp and deadly.

Ellis rolled his hips, meticulously slowly, dragging every ridge of him along every ridge of me. I wanted to scream. I didn't want slow. I wanted a rampage.

"Look at me, slut," Zack ordered.

Dragging my super heavy eyes from watching Ellis's cock fucking me, I turned my head to look at Zack who looked slightly unhinged... exactly how I felt.

Ellis growled and thrust once.

Twice.

Three times with ecstasy.

I lost eye contact with Zack when Ellis lost all control. Baring his teeth. There was no rocking, or gentle. He pistoned hips into mine, grunting, sweating, a crazed look in his eye. His nails raked my ass, digging deep like rabid claws, inflicting pain in other ways.

I clamped down harder on Ellis's cock when Zack rained down more lashings sending me into sensory overload.

Too intense. I didn't think I'd survive it.

Ellis leaned back further, head falling as he fucked impossibly harder. His hip bones bruised my inner thighs as he gave me the rampage I needed.

"Fuck, Sasha. Fuck yes. Take it." His breaths were erratic. "Fuck, your cunt is heaven."

I couldn't do it. I couldn't hold it any longer.

More pain from Zack. More ecstasy from Ellis.

"Fuck, Zack. I need to come," hissed Ellis.

My spirit sprouted wings and started to fly. Ellis might be unable to come but I sure as hell could.

Ellis slowed for a second and I wanted to scream but in a second I realised Zack was being generous as he took off the cock ring and then he was back and his body convulsed and a low angry groan ripped from his throat.

A hot pulse of heat and that was all I needed.

I exploded.

Every atom in my body detonated and fired. My pussy fisted around Ellis's relentless erection and I screamed.

Zack's mouth latched onto my neck, biting. I transcended from my mere mortal body, riding wave after wave of eye-popping, brain-splintering euphoria.

Ellis grunted, thrusting in time to my release; and Zack's teeth didn't let up on my collarbone and a slick trail of blood trickled from my throat where he bit. Some primal part of my brain went wild.

I shuddered as swell after swell continued, slowly getting less intense. My legs cramped and my entire body felt as if I'd been run over.

Zack undid my wrists with Ellis catching my full weight. He cradled me and I snuggled closer, blissfully content. Zack had hurt me, and Ellis had adored me.

Both of them had given me everything I needed. The intimacy between us couldn't be described but I knew the three of us felt it all the same.

I had found my place between these two men. Forever.

†† Ellis's Epilogue ††
One Year Later

My gaze bounced between the dazzling row of diamond rings.

Fuck, this was nerve-wracking and my teeth nipped at my lower lip.

Why was it so hard to choose?

Zack stood beside me, seemingly at ease, but with that ever-present intensity that demanded attention. "If you want to take longer and think about it..."

"No!" I bit back sharply.

That was the last thing I wanted. I had to choose right now because I was going to ask her tomorrow, on her birthday.

And right now I'd narrowed it down to five.

I lifted my head. "Sorry," I offered, knowing I was stressing myself out. "I want to do it, tomorrow."

He nodded and cast his eyes down looking at the selection in front of us.

But choosing wasn't my only issue here. I was still a little uneasy and without looking at him, I asked. "You're still okay with this?"

His sigh was long and he chose his next words carefully. "Yes, Ellis. I'm fine with it. This is about you and Sasha."

I frowned, turning to face him. "You know that's not true. The three of us agreed it needs to be equitable and this is kinda a two-way deal. Sasha's worried you might regret it." I was too.

"You," he emphasised the you. "And Sasha need to quit worrying. This doesn't diminish what we have," he said and then went on to offer more reassurances. "And don't forget, we'll have our own commitment ceremony right after you two exchange promises before the big guy upstairs." He chuckled, surprising me. "Just hoping I don't burst into flames the moment I step into that church."

I rolled my eyes... but he was right, I was making a bigger deal than it needed to be and shifted my attention back to the rings which lasted all of a few seconds when his hand reached out to cup my chin, turning my face back towards his. His touch wasn't gentle; it was dominant, a not-so-subtle reminder that I was his.

"A good Dom always wants to meet the needs of those who belong to him and I want you to have this and I may not fully understand it, but I know what it means to both of you and your families." His fingers brushed the hair from my forehead.

Since accepting his collar, Zack had become more possessive, and more intense. "The gift you both gave me," Zack said, referring to our submission, "Is everything I never knew I wanted or needed. Now, I can't picture a future where the two of you aren't mine."

A smile cracked my face wide open as his thick eyebrow arched. "What's with the crazy smile?"

A half shrug. "I like it when you say it."

"Say what?"

"That we belong to you."

He leaned in, his hot breath skimmed my lips. "You're damn right you do." The bruising pressure of Zack's lips called my body into action. This man with his tongue, teeth and lips could set me on fire and now arousal throbbed in time with the beat of my heart and my mind drifted back to sex this morning–sleepy and intense with Zack. The memory of how he pinned me in the shower and fucked me slowly.

Pulling away he flicked his tongue over my bottom lip. "She will love whatever you choose and I can help out... if you need me to."

He was talking about money. "No. I got this."

I looked back at the rings. I didn't need his money, the well-paid and most likely over-paid position he'd offered me at Risk was enough.

Zack had insisted on buying us all a house in the US, said when he saw it, he knew it was the home the three of us would grow old in together and without any living expenses, I was ready to spend every saved penny on this piece of jewellery that would decorate Sasha's hand for... well, forever.

But now, the more I stared at them I realised one kept standing out above the others. "This one," I said, picking up a platinum solitaire, the diamond cut to perfection. The salesperson had droned on about the facet count, like I knew what the fuck that was all about.

But Zack was right, Sasha would be happy with whatever I picked.

Still, I wanted it to be something she genuinely loved.

"Nice. I like it," Zack murmured, his approval as solid as the ring itself. "The eternity ring will compliment it perfectly."

Yeah, he might say he wasn't a traditionalist but he'd designed eternity rings himself for us both, although I had yet to see either. However, he insisted on no ring for himself, instead, he wanted a tattoo and I liked that idea too.

"Excellent choice, Sir," the salesperson chimed in as I handed it over.

I turned back to Zack, my thoughts shifting to the future. "You know she wants kids someday, right?" I paid close attention to his reaction. "I do too. You won't be able to wriggle out of that."

His face turned serious. "I won't try. I'll give Sasha and you whatever you both want. I don't know how many times I have to tell you both it's a lifelong commitment for me."

There was gravity in his tone that reassured me. Despite railing against nearly all traditions, Zack was open to the idea—he might not be the marrying kind, but when it came to us, I was now convinced there wasn't much he wouldn't do and it went both ways, me and Sasha wanted to make him happy.

The next evening...

I glanced at the clock. Sasha was due home any minute. She'd popped out to see her dad, something about their special birthday ritual. That, and she wanted to make sure he knew he was still a central part of her life, no matter what.

We'd been spoiling her rotten all day. My gift—a diamond bracelet—was nothing to sneeze at, but then Zack had to go and upstage me with a damn car.

Fucking show-off.

And now, me and Zack were waiting for her to return for the next part of her surprise. Wearing black suits, because we were taking our woman out for what hopefully would be a double celebration.

I lifted my head and watched Zack empty his tumbler of scotch. Damn, my man looked good in a suit. But then again, he looked just as fine in anything he wore... or didn't wear.

He set his glass down. "You're giving me that look."

"What look?" I asked, knowing exactly where this was going.

Zack smirked and leaned in with his hand brushing over my dick. "The one that usually ends with you on your knees, sweetheart."

If only we had time.

He moved back and I adjusted my pants and laughed, but the sound quickly died in my throat as the door opened and shut and the sharp click of heels echoed through the lobby. My heart raced, and a sudden wave of nerves crashed over me, twisting my stomach into knots. My mouth went dry, and I could feel sweat beading on my forehead.

Fuck. This was really happening.

I yanked at my collar, suddenly feeling like it was choking me. My thoughts spiralled—what if I messed this up? What if this wasn't the right moment?

Zack must have noticed because he stepped closer, his hand squeezing my shoulder with reassuring pressure. "Relax, you've got this," he said, his voice steady and calm, the exact opposite of how I felt.

I nodded, swallowing hard, trying to push down the rising panic. We'd talked about marriage a dozen times, and this was the next step in making that happen.

"Let's do this," I said, more to myself than to Zack, but it was enough to snap me out of my spiral.

We moved into position side by side, our hands crossed over our crotch area, feet planted slightly apart like we were standing guard. For a brief, ridiculous moment, I imagined this looked like we were secret service agents, minus the sunglasses, and the thought almost made me smile—almost.

Sasha's feet came to a standstill looking like her brain was trying to compute what she was seeing.

"What—" her eyes darted around the room, taking in the explosion of flowers that filled every available space. "Did you rob a florist? Or is there a floral apocalypse I missed?"

It's true; I went a bit overboard.

She put down her tote bag, still gaping at the flower-filled room. "What's going on?" Her voice wavered, clearly sensing that something big was about to happen.

Zack held out his hand, his voice softening. "Come here, sweetheart."

She drifted over, her movements slow, and my smile grew wider while Zack's expression turned more serious. He snagged her hand, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles in that way that always calmed her down.

"Ellis has something he wants to ask you."

I could almost hear her breath catch as she looked between us, her eyes wide with anticipation and I could feel my heart pounding, heating up like it was going to melt right out of my chest.

She stared at me expectantly.

Fuck.

My mind went blank but a sharp elbow in my side from Zack fixed it and I slowly sank to one knee in front of her.

"Oh my God," she whispered, her voice shaky.

I looked up at her, locking eyes, and the love shining out of her was so intense, it was almost overwhelming. Zack let go of her hand so I could take it, and her other hand flew up to cover her mouth.

With my free hand, I reached into the breast pocket of my jacket and pulled out the small box. She burst into messy, pre-emptive tears before I could even open it.

"Hey," Zack said softly, wiping a tear from her cheek with his thumb before signalling me to go ahead.

I managed to pop open the box single-handedly, and her tears dried up as she stared at the ring.

I swallowed, then started. "I, we, love you so much, Sasha. I'm asking you to marry us—well, me, technically. Be our wife?"

The tears returned with a vengeance, making her mascara run. She looked at Zack through watery eyes, then back at me. "Of course, I'll marry you!" Her voice came out snotty, but I didn't care. It wasn't the first time I'd seen her like this—Zack often had her in a trembling, emotional state.

But hearing her say yes... my heart—there were wings there. Jesus, even my eyes blurred a little.

I rose to my feet, and Zack and I pulled her into a tight hug and then we were kissing her and kissing each other.

I couldn't believe this was real—that I got to have this, have them, forever.

~ ~ Zack's Epilogue ~ ~
Three Years Later

If anyone had told me that life could be more than just an endless pursuit of hedonistic pleasure, I would've laughed right in their face.

I had been the fucking master of my universe—a god in my own right, holding the keys to every twisted desire and fucked-up whim that crossed my path. I had ruled my clubs with a zero conscience and a black heart, indulging in every vice, denying myself nothing.

Consequences? Didn't believe in them.

Love? Connection? Vulnerability? That shit had been for the weak. 

Or so I thought.

Because life, as it often does, had a way of shoving irony right up your ass.

So here I was, walking through the front door of our home—a place bursting with warmth, laughter, and the kind of belonging I never knew I craved. To the old me it would have been a waking nightmare—fucking ridiculous.

Dropping my keys on the side table, I inhaled the scent of something good cooking.

Laughter echoed from the kitchen, where I knew Sasha and Ellis were waiting... for me. Old me would have shied—no run from any form of domestic bliss.

I'd have called that scene pathetic.

Now? It was my life.

Three years ago, I didn't believe in love. Hell, I didn't even believe in keeping anyone around long enough to see the end of the fucking month. Yet now, the idea of waking up without them was something I couldn't even begin to process. They'd become my life, my heart, my fucking everything.

And what really screwed with my head was how much I'd let them get under my skin. They had unearthed parts of me I thought were long dead—buried deep beneath layers of cynicism, control, and a healthy dose of 'fuck you' to the world.

I once believed submission was the only thing worth having, that control was the ultimate goal. But Sasha and Ellis had taught me something more valuable. They had shown me that real strength comes from letting someone else in, from trusting them with the pieces of yourself you'd rather keep hidden.

They had given me a reason to be better, to be more than just the bastard who thrived in the dark. They had shown me that love wasn't a weakness but a force strong enough to make you do things you never thought possible.

I slipped off my jacket and made my way to the kitchen, stopping to watch them through the double glass doors. Ellis spun Sasha around, her hands landing on his chest while his hands curved around her firm ass. She was laughing at something he'd said, and the sight filled me with a happiness that no amount of money, power, or control could ever replicate. They had given me something I never thought I'd have—a family.

And in return, I'd given them all that I was, flaws and all.

I was no longer the man who denied himself nothing because I no longer needed to be. What I had now? It was more than enough. It was everything.

In the past, I lived by the philosophy that life didn't require us to be consistent, patient, or loving. I believed the only thing life demanded was that we live with the consequences of our choices.

Now, I knew that while life might not demand these things, love did. And for Sasha and Ellis, I would do my fucking damnedest to give them everything they needed for the rest of my life if they let me.

Because in the end, they were the choice I would never regret.

The End