Page 45 of The Rule of 3

And then began the most exquisitely wonderful pain ever. Both men alternated thrusting in and out. The feeling was extraordinary. She knew they could feel their dicks against each other, and she was the one holding them in place. Gradually, the stinging and burning went away, leaving Zoë with intense pleasure instead. “Ohmygod, I love this!” she exclaimed, causing the worry to disappear from Eli’s expression. Tanner reached around from behind Zoë and started playing with her clit as the two men continued their thrusting.

“This is the best way for a three-way,” Tanner exclaimed. “Let’s make a baby out of this.” He sped up his fingers on Zoë’s nub and relished the feel of Eli rubbing against him while they were squeezed by Zoë. “I’m close! Is anyone else getting close?”

Zoë immediately shuddered with an orgasm.

“Yes,” groaned Eli in a strangled cry. “Let it go, Tan.” With one massive push, Eli shook with his release at the same time Tanner gave up his own.

Once they relaxed into an exhausted jumble, Zoë announced, “That was way better than anything I ever read about. It was amazing.”

After the three of them took a long, hot shower together, they fell back into bed. Zoë kissed her men and was asleep within minutes. Tanner and Eli also kissed each other good night and fell into an exceptionally satisfied slumber.

Nine months later, almost to the minute, Zoë gave birth to a little girl who looked like a junior version of her. They named her Stella Whittaker Lassiter. She grew up in a house filled with love. Maisie adored her.

A year after Stella’s birth, Zoë had a baby boy. And so on, until the enormous house was bursting with children—four of them.

Chapter 38

As Tanner celebrated his thirty-fifth birthday and was into his second term, a change seemed to overtake him. He’d made an extremely popular governor. Zoë was one of the most beloved first ladies the state had ever had, and he was proud of how she juggled the causes she championed while being a fantastic mother to their children. But somehow, now that he had this incredibly beautiful and growing family, the burning desire to become president didn’t seem at all appealing any longer. The idea of crisscrossing the country to campaign had lost its luster and now sounded like a terrible chore. He wanted to be home with his wife, his husband, and their gorgeous babies. He decided it was time to discuss his feelings with Eli and Zoë.

Over beers—and a sweet tea for Zoë, who seemed to be perpetually pregnant—Tanner laid all his cards on the table. “I don’t want to run anymore. I’m done. Being mayor of Honeybee Hollow was wonderful, being governor of Kentucky has been a dream come true, but that’s it for me. No more campaigning. I’m done.”

“Oh, thank God,” sighed Zoë at the exact same time that Eli laughed, “It’s about time you figured it out, Tan.”

“You’re not surprised or upset?” Tanner asked looking at them alternately.

Zoë smiled like a Madonna as Eli explained, “It’s been clear for some time now that your heart’s not in the rat race anymore. Leave it to the career politicians and the power-seekers to go down that road. You can serve the country in many ways without sacrificing any more of your privacy and time you’d prefer to spend with your loved ones.” He paused and looked fondly at Zoë, who absently rubbed her belly. “Zoë and I have talked about it, and we decided to give you time to figure it out for yourself. We’ll continue to support anything you want to do—even if it’s nothing at all. Back when we were at Princeton, being the future president sounded like the coolest thing ever, but the times have changed, and that’s not a job I’d exactly want for you any longer.”

“You’re not sad you’ll have to stop being a kingmaker?” teased Tanner.

“Not in the least. I’ve enjoyed being your Chief of Staff way more, actually. And we can always figure out what we can do to fulfill our lives.” Looking smug, Eli continued, “It helps being a billionaire—sort of takes the pressure off, you know?”

So, during the final years that Tanner served as governor, the three of them plotted and planned their futures.

Zoë wanted to champion her literacy cause. The teacher in her wouldn’t let that one slide. So, they established a foundation she and Caro ran together.

Eli simply wanted to be a house-husband and wallow in the chaos of their children. He’d never felt so fulfilled as when he got up to change a diaper at two in the morning and rocked a baby back to sleep. He wouldn’t dream of turning down Dante’s help, however, as the man seemed to have answers for every crazy question that came up. As the children grew older, he taught them all how to fish, and they loved it.

And Tanner became an expert political contributor who was sought out by the major TV networks to give his opinions on world and national events. His speech-making abilities along with his incredibly good looks caused everyone to pay attention to him. He also began writing political commentary books that quickly rose to the top of the best sellers’ lists. He had an unending supply of opinions to share.

All of them were staunch supporters of the LGBTQ community, but they never did make their three-way marriage public beyond their families and closest friends. It was just no one else’s business, and they didn’t want their kids to be bullied or teased about it.

So, they continued to live in Frankfort in the house that Eli had bought them. It was a great house—with lots of room for children to play with their sweet hound dog. And the walls seemed to burst with love.

The End

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