Page 128 of My Summer Girl

When we all connect with touch, our breaths collectively catch. In unison, we sigh as peace floods through the bond we share. He shows imagery of Vera. Her life, her conquests, the way she battles for her kingdom, and the things she’s sacrificed and accomplished in the name of her people.

Emotions glitter through, almost like it’s him telling her his own. Pride, anger, and a little worry.

“What does this mean?” she asks on a half whisper. I’ve not known her long, but I can say with my entire heart that her people matter to her more than her own life. Her fear shoots through me like a lightning bolt of anxiety.

Images float through once more—flowers. yellow ones that resemble sunflowers. The ones growing on her body. They glow, the petals almost like little lanterns in the dark skies. They shudder, spores of some sort dancing in the air. A loud exhale leaves Vera and I can’t decipher whether it’s awe or fear in the bond we share.

“What are those?” I ask her, wanting to know everything about her and her realm. She shivers, her shoulder bumping into mine. I wonder if she notices the way her vines don’t hurt me, how they encase me as if I’m already a part of her.

“Solenas,” she says in a rush, which are the flowers I mistook for sunflowers when I first got here. “They create an event that hasn’t occurred in many years.”

“Pollination?”

Still unable to decipher her emotions and her feelings toward our current conversation, I wait. Dormir lets the images of the spores flit through our minds once more.

“He’ll be able to show us. Won’t you?” Ver prods. He lets out a little huff like he’s saying of course I can.

Images float through and my body temperature rises, making my skin feel overheated and sensitive. Similar to the feeling I get while I’m at Vex’s watching people, my entire body seems to hum with arousal. Bodies rolling around in the glowing night, that misty substance the flowers give off almost smoking them out. Their bodies writhe. People of all pairings touch, fuck, and their bodies seem to shake as pleasure overtakes them.

I’m too focused on the way my body feels to even note Vera’s own. As I observe the images unfolding, I cannot help but notice how many individuals are engaging in intimate acts, succumbing to their desires. “Holy shit,” I whisper, my hand automatically going to my mouth. It’s so beautiful to see so many people losing themselves to their baser needs.

The flowers seem to move and grow as the sexual situations continue, and I realize this is what I wanted with Vex at the club. Having so many watch me and want me. These people don’t have any need for others it seems. They don’t see anyone but the pleasure and it’s something I need to experience too.

“This is what a pollination looks like,” Vera huffs with arousal thick in her voice. “I’ve never experienced one.”

I let out a happy sigh, remembering Raev explaining pollination. He told me about it, but I didn’t truly grasp the significance. Knowing now, I’m very glad he hasn’t experienced it. While I’m willing to share him with Vex and Vera, giving him to them since they’re all mine too, knowing someone could’ve had him this way would be too much. I’d probably have to hunt them down and do something unseemly.

“You’ve never...” I lose track of my thoughts on Raev and focus on her words.

She shakes her head, a tinge of disappointment hits the bond. “I’ve waited my entire life for one.” Her eyes shine a bit and she bites her lip as if to hold back her emotions. “One has to happen for me to get pregnant.”

“Oh,” I let out, a keen awareness of what she has wished for and never got.

She pulls her hand from Dormir, and I do too. Her hand reaches out to me, gripping my shoulders as she rotates toward me. “It’s not only my duty,” she tries to explain, her eyes leaking from emotion. “I’ve lived my entire life wanting children, but the time was never right and a person has never come... until you.”

“Would you want that?” I begin to ask, placing a hand over my chest. “With me?” I’ve never truly put thought into having children myself. They’ve never been on my radar. The thought of birthing them isn’t something I’m currently interested in. But raising one with her, with the others? That’s something I can get on the same page with.

Vera’s eyes harden, like she’s closing herself off to rejection before I can throw it at her. Almost like her words evade her, she closes her eyes. “Yes.”

One word, but the breath I let out, not knowing I held out of fear has me panting to catch up with my lack of oxygen. “Then why do you look ready to run?”

She shakes her head. “It’s not realistic, princess.”

Her words wound me, and I’m not sure if it’s some type of cultural custom or if she’s just not explaining enough. “Can you elaborate?” I don’t want her to give up on us before we’ve even had a chance to flourish.

Her hand slides down my arm purposefully, linking our hands before she guides me toward the forest. The trees welcome us, almost like they’re waving. Their leaves dance and some fall, shuttering out like little pieces of love offered. “How can you ask if I want a family with you when you plan to leave?” The words are wooden, almost stiffer than my spine.

“I-I,” I stutter. She closes herself off quickly, but I don’t let it slide this time. I reach for her hand and place it on my heart. “Feel that, corazóncito mío? The words come out gruff, heady, and full of promise.

“That’s my heart, an organ that used to only thrum to keep me alive to work as a Cupid, to do what my parents and siblings needed, and always did just that until I wanted to die.”

Once more her eyes water with emotion, and the hand of hers that I forced on my chest softens. “Now, however, it beats happily. It thrives. It’s full and that feeling is newfound love. For you, for Vex, and for Raev. You three are my new meaning. My happiness, the excitement in my veins when the world seems overwhelming. I’m not sure why I got three incredibly sweet and charming mates, but I thank Solera and every other goddess for giving me you all.”

Her lip wobbles as she stares at me. There’s so much there, fear, glee, and the most important... love. I drag her face to mine, hoping she truly hears me. It might be new, gentle, and not quite formed, but it’s there and I’m going to take it.

“I want this for you and I want this with you. I love you, Ver. I know it’s quick and shocking, but that’s how I feel and I’ll keep fighting for you to believe it.”

“Why me?” she whimpers in disbelief, her eyes scanning me for mistruths.

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