Page 34 of Double Dirty
“If this is some creepy dildo you saw on an infomercial, just know you are not sticking it anywhere near me,” Rafe grumbled as I stifled a giggle.
“No, it’s much better than that. It is a selfie stick,” Leo said.
He was serious. He pulled a selfie stick out of his suit pocket and brandished it like a weapon. He attached it to his phone, held it at arm’s length, and we pressed our cheeks together, smiling partly because it was so silly. He took probably twenty pictures before we insisted that he stop and put it away.
“I’m going to have a canvas of one of them—like an 18x20 so we can just relive this moment larger than life,” Leo said.
“I’ll give you a hundred dollars cash right now if you promise to keep it down to an 8x10,” Rafe said.
“No way. Size matters, no matter what the ladies tell you to make you feel better,” he teased.
I elbowed Leo, and he knocked it off.
“I want to start,” I said.
They both nodded. I took their hands in mine and swallowed hard.
“I never thought I’d be lucky enough to find one person to love, who would love me back. So it’s unbelievable, magical to me that the two of you wanted me to move in with you and asked me to stay. I can never thank youenough for the family you’ve given me, the acceptance and just the novelty of being wanted here and cared for.”
“Baby, you know we love you,” Rafe said.
“Yeah, Mr. Paper Covers Rock here is right,” Leo said. “Neither of us ever wants to imagine life without you. We belong together.”
“I know that now. And I never imagined how much it would mean to me to do this, to take time to stand here facing you and tell you exactly how I feel. You’ve saved my life in more ways than you could ever know. I love you both so much. More than anything,” I said, blinking back hot tears. One tear trickled down my cheek.
“You have made me feel so safe and so cherished. I can never find the words to tell you how much I love you,” I said to them. “So if I can have the rings?”
I released Leo’s hand and held mine out, palm up to receive the two rings for the men. Leo reached in his pocket and took out a little velvet drawstring bag. He emptied the contents into my palm. Light as a feather, they fell into my hand. Three bands, each woven of three strands of metal—a copper, a gold, and a silver thread braided and twined to make a circle both delicate and strong. I was strangely moved by the sight. By the three identical rings that were so beautiful and so perfectly matched.
I was overwhelmed. I heard a strange, squeaky noise and realized too late that it was my breath, inhaling on a sob and catching in my throat. I pressed my lips together, squeezed my eyes shut. It was all too much and too beautiful. I let go of Rafe’s hand and picked up the first of the larger rings. I kissed it and slipped it on to Leo’s ring finger.
“I love you. Everything about you—your crazy, loud-mouthed style and your humor and your tenderness. The way you’re so loyal and so sure. You are brave and lovingand you see the best in people. I am honored that you love me back. I give you this ring to symbolize the love I have for you and how much I treasure you, Leo.”
He squeezed my hand, and I swear his eyes were bright with unshed tears. He nodded, unable to speak. I put the second ring on Rafe’s finger with a watery smile.
“I’ve loved you since you came to check on me after the first self-defense class. You are so compassionate and strong and protective and such a secret alpha male. I am lucky to have you, and I give you this ring to symbolize the love I have for you and how much I treasure you, Rafe.”
He pulled me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. Together they took the smallest ring and slid it onto my trembling hand. I sniffed bravely, trying to hide my emotion and failing completely.
“I love you and can’t imagine my life without you,” Leo said. “You made my entire life the day you said you were falling for me. I pledge myself to you, to being with you in this, to support you and protect you no matter what, for as long as we live.”
He slid the ring to my knuckle and stepped back. Rafe smiled, lifted my hand and kissed it.
“Lexi, you’re the girl of my dreams. I can be myself with you the way I’ve only ever been able to trust Leo before. Only much, much sexier, I promise,” he said. “And you said he was the funny one. In all seriousness, baby, I am yours forever. We are all in this together, nobody backs out, nobody breaks trust. This is real and it’s permanent. We make our own rules. I promise to love you and be faithful to you for the rest of our lives.”
I sobbed, tears of joy coursing down my face. I flung my arms around their necks and held on. I kissed first Leo and then Rafe, putting my whole heart, all my loneliness andfear and hope into those kisses. Rafe darted into the kitchen and got me a paper towel for my mascara streaked face and my runny nose.
“I love you both. Thank you,” I said. “Forever. That means the world to me.”
“Let’s go inside. The sun’s in my eyes—making them water,” Leo grumbled.
“That’s not from the sunset,” Rafe said. “You’re crying.”
“Fine, I’m crying. This is worth crying over,” Leo said.
We went inside, with me walking between the two of them. I loved being flanked by two gorgeous, strong men. It made me feel so safe, like I belonged.
“So I think we should cut the cake,” I said.