Page 52 of Branson's Promise

“Mine,” I said before placing a kiss on each of their sweaty heads.I would follow you to the ends of the earth, I thought,would you follow me too?

“And you’re ours, don’t ever forget that,” Branson replied, his voice sugary and sleepy.

How could I ever forget that, after the imprint they’d both left on my heart?

Was it too soon to tell them I loved them? Because I did, I was as certain as I had ever been of anything.

“Hey Noel?” Branson’s quiet voice broke through my thoughts. “Can you read my dad’s letter to me?” Emotion welled in my throat and I swallowed it down. Milo and I had heard snippets of the letter but Branson had never let us read it before. This felt big and my heart warmed at what it meant.

“Sure, Kitten. Anything you want.”

He reluctantly dragged himself from bed, his movements slow as he retrieved it, handing it to me then snuggled back in the bed. Gently unfolding the letter, I read each word out loud, moisture pooling in my eyes at the immense love that poured from the pages. “He loved you so much, Branson.”

He sniffled against my naked chest, “He did. I just hope I managed to live up to his expectations.”

Milo’s hand reached for Branson before he mumbled softly. “You’re the most amazing person I know. I’m certain he’d be so proud of you.”

Once I was done reading, I placed the letter safely on the side table then fell asleep with the loves of my life in my arms.

Chapter 26

Branson

May the people in your life who love you treat you like treasure. Do the same for them in return.

My thoughts had been focused a lot lately on when the other shoe was going to drop. When I was going to wake up from this delightful dream. After countless first dates, being ghosted, dumped and walked out on, some days I found it really hard to believe that this was my life now. That two gorgeous, generous,kind and attentive men wanted me.Me.They never gave me any reason to think this was all a dream, but there was still that little niggle now and then that I couldn’t shake. August would say it was because I had had so many bad experiences that I struggled to trust this good one.

“Branson? You okay, love. Do you need to take a break?” Realising I’d gotten lost in my thoughts, I shook my head and focused on Noel’s concerned eyes. Frown lines crinkled his handsome face and I brushed a lone finger along them, mapping the lines across his skin.

“No, I’m okay. A little shaky but doing fine.” He squeezed my other hand - the one he’d been holding since the moment I had sat down in Milo's chair atSaved in Ink. He’d been working for the last hour on my tattoo, which I had chosen to have on my ankle and not on my ass. The buzz of the tattoo gun was calming and the pain was actually more bearable than I had anticipated, only now starting to sting as Milo worked on the shading.

“Noel, do you want to grab Branson a drink? There’s a small fridge near the reception desk.” Something sweet, that’s exactly what I needed.

Before Noel could respond, a guy with a bald head and a handsome face and bright smile came over to where Milo was working. He looked up when the man approached, placing the tattoo gun down on the tray next to him.

“Morning, bud. These the boyfriends?” Smiley man tipped his head towards us and Milo’s lips lifted at the edges before he responded.

“Yes. Branson and Noel, this is my boss, Zachary.”

“Please call me Zach,” he said, reaching towards me and shaking my hand. Then doing the same to Noel.

Noel, being Noel, stood as he shook Zach’s hand. “Noel Bennett, pleased to meet you.” God, he was so prim and proper sometimes. I loved it.

Zach studied the partially completed tattoo on my ankle before addressing Milo. “Looking real good. That’s an incredible design you’ve put together.”

“Thanks boss,” Milo replied, and my heart warmed at the pleased grin on his face. Our boy loved being praised and hell, he deserved it.

“First tat?” Zach asked, his kind eyes meeting my own. I nodded. “And how’s it going? Coping okay?”

“I won’t lie and say it doesn’t hurt, but it's bearable. Kinda nice too in an oddly soothing way. Already thinking up my next one.” Zach laughed at that and then tipped his head.

“I need to set up - big back piece today - but it was good to finally meet the men Milo can’t shut up about,” Zach said then smirked playfully at the scowl on our boyfriend's face.

“I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration.”

Zach shouted over his shoulder to a blonde lady currently working on a shoulder tattoo closer to the front of the studio. “Rosie, am I exaggerating or does Milo talk about his boyfriends constantly?”

Rosie winked at Milo then answered Zach. “Oh, all the time. I can barely get a word in.” Milo blushed, his cheeks turning the cutest shade of pink. Fuck, he was adorable. And this place? It was great. I could see that everyone here cared about him and treated him well. I wanted to thank them for it but didn’t want to embarrass him any further.

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