Page 135 of He Who Sleeps

“At least one,” Emerson said. “Do we know who?”

She looked to Easton. “Have you started painting already?” The idea of being a mother never interested her before, but now, the idea of having one, or all of these men’s children...

"Not yet. I was going to ask you to model for me when we get home." He smiled. "I didn't think you'd mind."

Obliviously not. She loved that she was already his muse, the show that was going to go up soon after they got home. Lorne had been planning one hell of a party for it. She was excited that she would see something she was not only proud of him for making, but proud of herself for being part of, even if she didn’t know originally that she was.

“Oh, I think you can entice me.”

"As for who the father is, He didn't show me that," Easton said to Emerson. "I don't think it really matters. It or they will be raised by all of us."

“I would have all your children,” she said with a smile.

“Probably what will happen. I mean, we are seven of the original thirteen, with the most holy of bloodlines.” He grinned. “Who else is excited about knocking Petra up?”

"New kink unlocked," Leo said with a smirk, making them all laugh.

“So...” Emerson said with a chuckle, “why don’t we get to why we are here. Commitment. I don’t think we can all be as bad ass as Easton...I mean, original temple and everything...” he teased. “But...” he crooked a finger at her. Getting up, she went to him and settled into his lap. “I’m committed to this, to you, to all of us, sweet girl. Nothing is ever going to tear us up, and know without a doubt that anyone that tries to take you from us will be dealt with so severely the warnings will echo in eternity.”

With his words finished he pulled something out of his pocket and slipped it onto her middle finger on her right hand. “I love you, Petra. Always and only you.” He kissed her.

She looked down after his lips pulled away from hers to the pretty onyx ring, his own house’s gem. “I found it in my father’s vault.”

“I love it...and I love you. Thank you.”

"Show-off," Leo muttered.

"Is that what we're supposed to be doing?" Finn asked, looking at Easton. "Are words enough? What is He wanting here? Were we all supposed to bring gifts?"

"I don't think this came from Him. It was the priests." Easton shrugged helplessly.

Rix went to her and Emerson and picked her up, wrapping her legs around his waist, as he engaged her in one hell of a kiss. The passion, the want behind it...when he pulled away she was breathless, feeling overly warm and dopey. “Wow,” she murmured.

“Always wow with you, my little victim.” He leaned his head on hers. “No one else in the world I want to chase...or catch.”

Her giggle bubbled up and she nodded to him. Lord. Her most volatile and unhinged of her lovers had his own way about things, and she adored it as much as she adored his brand of seductions. Kendrix was intense, but he knew without a doubt she belonged to him.

Setting her down, he lifted his shirt and winked at her. Her eyes lit on the carved P just to the side of his pant line. He bled for her. The highest form of praise from him.

“I love you,” she said softly and he winked.

"Come here," Carter said and waited as she scampered across to him, enjoying this little ceremony immensely. "I don't have the words and a scar like his," he gestured to Kendrix, "would just be another scar in a sea of scars on me, but I can promise you a life of love and a legacy. Every animal we rescue together will be a testament to the kind of people we are and the love we have between us. I hope that's enough."

“Carter...” she said and kissed him senseless. They were evenly matched on so many things, but their love of animals was the one that brought them together. For them, it was a promise, past a commitment to each other because it went past them together. “I love you so much.”

"Love you, too." He handed her off to Leo, who accepted her with a grin.

"Fuck the pretty words," he declared. "I'll get a new tat when we get home. I'd have done it here, but I don't trust anyone that isn't my guy. And you can choose where it goes. You'll be written in my skin for life. That enough commitment for you?"

“Anything?” she teased him.

"I didn't say anything. I said you could choose where it goes. And at this point, I'd remind you that getting something tattooed on my dick means you won't be riding it for a couple of weeks. Understood?"

“I would never do that, it’s way too important.” She giggled. “But I do like the idea of Property of Petra tattooed on your groin.”

"Absolutely fucking not," he snorted. "I don't know whether to be amused at your attitude or horrified that you think I'm that trashy. Property of Petra..." He shook his head in disbelief. "What I was actually thinking was a rendering of your namesake place from the desert. Petra without words. Like the classy motherfucker that I am. Fucking 'Property of Petra.' Go to Finn. I don't want to look at you anymore," he said, eyes filled with mirth.

She giggled, leaning in and nipped his lip. Lord, she loved to teased Leo. She didn’t even get a chance to say something snarky as Jack grabbed her.