Page 31

Nicole

“Thank you, so much for your support over the years. I wish you all happiness and success always.”

Cameras flash and a roar of questions fly my way, but I ignore them all and step off the podium. Kerrington is on my left, Landon’s on my right, and I clasp both their hands and let them escort me off the stage.

I just gave my final speech as a member of the Greystone Foundation. As of this moment, I’m just Nicole with no job and a hella hot set of boyfriends.

Can life get any sweeter? Doubtful.

Snow is in tonight’s forecast here in New York and it’s got me in the mood for fireplace sex. We’re staying at my place until after the holidays because my mom wasn’t kidding about seeing my guys for Christmas. She’s already called Kerrington twice and Landon three times verifying their favorite dishes so the cook can have them at dinner.

Leah is joining us, too. So of course, Mason is coming. Ugh. I can’t shake that guy at all. Stalker.

Just kidding. I’ll gladly put up with Mase if it means I get to go shopping with Leah. She’s a gem and definitely a bestie. Speaking of besties… I’ve called Grace and told her everything. She was annoyed about me keeping the whole Tim thing from her, but understood why. She was also super supportive and excited for me, because of course she’s been team Double Trouble all along. That’s what she calls my guys.

She’s not wrong.

“Nicole! Can you tell us what your next plans are now that you’re no longer the face of the Greystone Foundation?” a reporter shouts, stepping in my way.

I feel Kerrington tense up and I squeeze his hand, letting him know it’s okay. The last thing I want is for him to attack this poor guy who’s just trying to do his job.

“I’m going to buy a house, a minivan, and live a happy life.” There. Put that in your article and see how many clicks the truth gets you .

I’m so glad I’ve broken free from the drama of my toxic social circles and the expectations of others.

My only job, according to Landon, is to make myself happy from here on out.

It’ll be my best career yet.

That’s not to say I’m giving up fundraising entirely though. Already my mind’s racing with new ideas to help others and raise awareness about certain topics I hold near and dear to me. We’ll see what I start up next.

Funny, I can’t make a business for myself like Mason and the guys did. But I’m damn good at helping others. I can raise money faster than I can make it. I know, I know, I’m a mathematical mystery. Landon says it’s because my passion is in helping others, not getting rich, which, he also clarified, is his passion.

He’s still on a hunt for an island and has it narrowed down to two and can’t choose.

Kerrington told him to buy both.

I swear I have no idea what I’m going to do with these two.

“You ready to go home, Duchess?” Kerrington pauses at the end of the sidewalk and opens my car door for me.

I slip inside and he shuts the door. Landon gets in the back, smiling like a cheshire cat.

That’s suspicious. “What are you two up to?”

“Nothing.”

Nothing my ass. Landon’s smile is even bigger now.

“What’s going on, guys?”

Kerrington shuts his door and starts the engine. “Nothing’s going on.”

“Liar.” I don’t like feeling left out, but it’s obvious they’re not doing it to be mean. “Give me a clue? ”

“Nope.” Kerrington shoves his finger at Landon. “Don’t break and give her one.”

“What? Psht. I would never.”

I beg, guess, and ask questions for a solid twenty minutes as we fight through Manhattan traffic. Landon stays strong the whole ride and Kerrington’s a brick wall.

By the time we pull up to my home, I’m annoyed. “Fine. Don’t tell me.” I storm past them and practically shove my key into the lock, chipping a nail.

The door opens and I walk into a living room filled with candles, roses, and a lit fireplace. My anger melts instantly because I wasn’t really mad to begin with.

“Aww, you guys.” I spin around and freeze.

They’re both on their knees. And they’re both holding rings out to me.

I take a step back.

“We know you’re against marriage,” Landon says. “But we still want you to be ours.”

“I hardly need a ring to be yours.” My heart gallops in my chest. Tears sting my eyes. I’ve always been adamant about not wanting to get married to anyone, but that was only because my marriage wasn’t going to be my choice. This is different.

“We’re not asking for marriage. We’re asking for you to choose,” Kerrington says.

I shake my head. There’s no way in Hell I could ever choose between them .

“Choose us ,” Landon says, reading my mind.

Kerrington’s brow pinches, as if he’s afraid I’ll run again. “Give us the honor of spending the rest of our lives making you happy.”

“We won’t make you regret it,” Landon adds.

As if I could ever regret a single moment I’ve had with these two? Impossible.

“We’re so proud of you, baby. Taking control of your life, knowing your worth, going after what you want.” Kerrington’s voice does this straining, raspy thing that happens when he gets too emotional. It pulls my heart strings big time. “We just want to be part of it forever.”

“And a ring will do that?”

Landon side-eyes Kerrington. “I told you handcuffing her to us was a more logical option.”

“Shut up.”

The way I break out into a giggle fit is something I’ll never live down. “Oh my god, you two.” I sink to my knees in front of them and wrap them in my arms. “You’re going to drive me crazy.”

“I mean, you say that like it’s a bad thing.” Landon wraps his arms around me and beams.

Kerrington shrugs playfully. “I like you crazy. You’re fun when you’re unhinged.”

That makes me laugh even harder.

“Yes.”

Landon looks at Kerrington. “Did she say yes to us or…. Am I being delulu?”

“Say it again, Duchess.”

“Yes,” I repeat, locking gazes with Kerrington. “Yes, yes, yes.”

“She definitely said yes,” Landon whispers loudly at him. Then he fists bumps the air. “Wait. Does this mean you’re wearing the rings, or should I order new handcuffs?”

We broke the last two sets being too rough last week.

“Collar, leash, handcuffs, rings, I want it all.”

My guys light up. “We’re soooo buying a house with a basement, Kerr.”

They break out in belly laughs, but I’m at a loss. “I don’t get it.”

“We’ll tell you later.” Kerrington slips his ring on my left hand while Landon slides his onto my right.

Gasping, it hits me. “Oh my god. Are you working on a kidnapping fantasy? Because if so, I’m totally down for that. Tie me up, Daddy.”

“Aaaand I’m done.” Landon stands up and tosses his hands in the air. “I swear I never met a more perfect woman than you and the fact that you’re this unhinged really fucks with my head.”

“Good. Now let me fuck with your other head.” I grab him by the belt and yank him against me.

“Fuuuuck.” He closes his eyes, already in bliss .

“Happy wife, happy life,” Kerrington recites, stripping our man down with me.

Then we take turns breaking each other’s control, screaming one another’s names, and worshipping the love that has been building between us for a very long time. The one that was out of our reach for so long. The love that almost passed us by.

The one I had to break free from my chains and run to.

And I’m never looking back.