Page 92 of Beauty and the Beard

He turns his head instead of mumbling into the couch cushions.

Tossing my coat over a chair, I kneel over him and massage his shoulders.

“It was indeed. But it was so perfect.”

He hisses when I hit a sore spot. “Right there, Sash. Fuck, that hurts, but it’s so good.”

“Are you up for the party in town later?”

“It’s in honour of Connor’s Cabin. I have to be there.”

I was only playing with names when I suggested Connor’s Cabin, but every time he says it, I swell with pride.

“I guess you’re right. So the thing you promised earlier? Is that off the table?”

His body shakes with laughter underneath me.

“Normally I don’t turn you down, but I don’t think I can stay awake at a party if I bend you over the couch right now.”

He pushes to sit up, so I move and once he’s sitting, I crawl back onto his lap. Leaf is one of those people who says everything with his eyes. His warm brown eyes are always filled with a tender affection for me. It doesn’t matter if he’s angry at me for leaving a mess on the bathroom counter or a post-sex gaze, I know he loves me more than anyone ever has. Not only more, but in a way that aligns with my soul.

Over the last year and a half, this man has nurtured every part of me. From professional ideas, to how much I make myself a part of the lodge, and intimate moments like these.

Sometimes his intensity stops my heart. Like now.

“I’m really proud of you, Leaf. You had just as big a part in this as I did.”

“Thanks. And I know. We’re a good team.”

He pulls me down for a kiss that’s so passionate and spine-tingling I have to break away.

“You said you can’t do both. I don’t want you missing the party.”

His thumb brushes over my kiss-swollen lips, and he swallows. The click of his throat is louder than the short pants of air I call breathing.

“Thank you for everything, Sasha. I have no words to tell you how grateful I am for you in my life, but I know without you there’d be a lot less light.”

“Without you, I have nowhere to shine it. You gave me the courage to do that and I’ll never forget the first time you made me feel seen, Leaf. You keep doing it, too. Every single time you look at me like you are now.” With a gentle kiss to his lips, I stand and offer my hand.

“You have a party to dress for. I’ll still be horny when we get back.”

Leaf’s laughter and smile are the greatest thing.

“I know you will. You picked out suspenders, didn’t you?”

“Yep. You can thank me later.”

Perry

Fuck, it’s great to see my brother happy.

I’ve missed this sugar shack. Sasha was the answer to my prayers to have my brother return to the land of the living again. I know Leaf grieved the loss of Connor hard. I’ve never had a spouse, so I don’t know what it’s like to lose one that way.

But I loved Connor like another brother, and it brought me to my knees when he died. The difference between me and Leaf is that I grieved in private and stayed strong for my brother. Only recently have I even considered giving myself any credit for that.

But with Sasha comes Roman.

The biggest fucking pain in the ass I’ve ever met.

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