Page 82 of Charmed By Destiny

“It’s a twist of white and silver, like Gabriel and me,” Eric remarked with a smile for his husband. “And Lucas chose a dragonfly for Richard. There’s also black and white on there, like Lucas and Richard’s souls. I hope he’s wearing some waterproof mascara when you give this to him, or he’ll complain that his makeup is ruined.”

Luke chuckled because Eric was right. He was also laughing because he was happy. No one had questioned his desire to marry Richard so soon or said anything bad about the ring Luke adored. He was surprisingly eager for it to be on Richard’s hand, but Luke had to wait. Their relationship wasn’t even public yet.

Chapter 28

An inspirit stood nearby as Richard raced into his cousin’s arms. While Maribeth was nearly three thousand miles from the Marwood mansion, neither Clark nor Gabriel allowed her to live without security. Her building was owned by the Marwoods and housed inspirits who worked at nearby properties.

But Richard didn’t care about any of that as he hugged one of his best friends.

“I was half expecting to see Lucas with you,” Maribeth said, kissing his cheek.

“I didn’t invite him, this trip is about us.”

“And?”

“And he would’ve said no if I asked because he won’t even let me call him while I’m here,” Richard complained. “I can text. Can you believe that shit?”

“What surprises me is that my dramatic cousin allows such behavior from their partner. Since when do you let anyone tell you what to do?”

Richard glared. “Maybe I’m not as awful as you think.”

“Give me your carry-on and say hello to Kevin,” Maribeth ordered.

With a roll of his eyes, Richard introduced himself to Kevin and refused to allow the man to get near his suitcase. The inspirit had been hired for his ability to guard people, not to cart luggage around an airport.

“We have a car waiting outside,” said Maribeth. “The minute we get to my place, we’re ordering food. I’m starving. What’d you have on the plane?”

“Chicken and rice, it was fantastic. But I can always eat.”

“We’ll have wine too.”

“Of course we will. I assume you have some.”

“Purchased just for you earlier today,” Maribeth said. They wove through the busy airport and, after stowing Richard’s things in the trunk of the car, piled into the backseat together. Kevin rode up front with their driver, which was probably for the best since Richard didn’t want to bore the man with their chit-chat. “So, how is our hunky Lucas?”

“Gorgeous. Sweet. Hung.”

Maribeth cackled. “He must be for my dear Richard to travel all this way and not immediately fill my ears with every reason he can’t be someone’s soulmate. You’ve spent years actively avoiding such a fate.”

“Lucas and I are building trust and growing our relationship.”

“Are you hopping on his dick?”

“We have sex.”

“Answer the question, Richard.”

“No, I haven’t hopped on his dick. He’s gentle and kind, but I don’t know. Nothing about being with him scares me, but I guess I’m not ready. Are you having sex?”

“Yes, I’m actively pursuing my soulmate again. Perhaps not with the gusto I did in Vegas, but I’m not chaste either.”

“As long as you’re trying, I won’t complain.”

“Has Lucas griped about the fact that you haven’t sat on his sausage?”

Richard rolled his eyes. “You have such a way with words. Seriously, what do you know about man sausage?”

“Not a damn thing, I’m a big fucking lesbian. Now, answer my question. Is Lucas complaining?”

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