Page 167 of Tempt Her

Mateo is still that innocent boy I’ll always protect. And now he’s the towering man who defends me with such passion that I believe in love. I believe it heals. He can bring me coffee in bed, then flip me over on all fours and bring me to edges of pleasure I didn’t know existed.

A sexy whistle cat-calls across the yard. It makes our guests laugh, and that’s Luke.

He sees me hesitating and knows how to make me smile. The youngest of us is the bravest one. No matter how tough Luke gets or what battles he wins, he trusts that love should rule, and he surrenders to it.

So whenever worry tries to bend my face, or stress shakes my nerves, Luke comes around with that damn twinkle in his green eyes, and I feel like a happy fool. He makes me laugh and say, “Fuck it,” before he seduces me into fucking much more.

I take my first step toward the three men I love, ready to join them in a life that breaks all the rules.

Because, yeah,fuck it.

Those rules are bullshit. Men like Gentry Evans made them, so don’t follow them, y’all.

Follow your joy.

I do as I glide down the wide stairs of my front porch and step barefoot into the cool shade of my front yard. The train of my simple white sheath gown sweeps the warm sweetgrass behind me. My new crown is the ring of daisies that my daughter helped me weave.

She sits happily in Mateo’s arms while my sleepy son rests his head on Luke’s shoulder. Ford stands beside his stunning daughter, who’s proud and ready to take charge of our ceremony. But the intensity in Ford’s eyes tells me… he’s excited to be a dad again.

It makes me bite my lip, holding back my tears as I glance left and see my friends gathered. Kids spill over their laps while they smile at my walk down the soft aisle.

Redix and Cade have their daughter, Glory, sitting content beside her mom while their youngest daughter, Lola, sleeps in her handsome daddy’s arms. Cade blows me a kiss, and I blow her one back, thankful to know what it finally feels like to have a sister, a shameless, slutty sister because they’re the best kind.

Silas and Eily sit beside them. Even with his hand resting on Eily’s very pregnant belly as they turn my way, that man and his top knot will put a hot twitch in anyone’s britches.

The smile Eily and I share is our sweet conspiracy. All the toys and tricks we explored while she tried to take the pressure off of getting pregnant. I adore her too.

I’d do anything for my women.

Like Scarlett. She and Luca sit in front of them. Now there’s a helluva story for the romance books. I wink at Gia, Luca’s daughter. She’s getting so big, grinning back at me. She and I had a little something to do with making that romance finally happen.

I swear I feel like the Fairy Godmother of Sex and Love, and maybe I am. Maybe I just want everyone to find their love, wherever it may be.

Love is too precious not to fight like hell for it.

Glancing to my right, Grant and Jace sit there with their dates, and still… love surprises me too. I’m thrilled I helped them because who can say no to sex toys and kinky fun?

Not with me, you can’t.

I’ll tempt you into being so damn sexy and happy; you’ll thank me… after your screaming orgasm.

Because Vale and her date? Yeah, I might’ve helped the impossible happen there. She twitches her pixie nose at me because she didn’t think it would happen for her and her partner either. But I promised her—love follows hope, so don’t give up on it.

It brims in my eyes as I take my spot as the bride. The acoustic guitars stop, and so does my heart, my teary eyes taking in my family, my future—my three husbands, our kids, and the one who’s still a wish.

I never saw a family or a future with Gentry because we had none. I survived him like a nightmare that I barely remember.

I know my two angels, my parents, gave this love to me. Coincidence laced with fate, and they wove the path for me to be here.

Taking my bouquet from me so that I can offer my hands and heart, Hannah begins our ceremony with the words I wrote.

“Welcome to all our beloved friends, our very hip family, and… all youfilthy freaksfor joining us here today.”

Our intimate crowd laughs while I hold my hands like they’re bound, while Ford, Mateo, then Luke wrap their free hands around them.

“We are here today,” Hannah continues while I gaze into blue, brown, and green eyes that paint my heart with joy, “to proclaim a love that doesn’t need your permission but sure is grateful to have your blessing….”

You know you’re in love when you wish your three husbands will never die or that, at least… you’ll find their love again on the other side.

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