45. Annalise

45

ANNALISE

I collapse onto Nikhil’s bed, the soft sheets providing a welcome comfort after an evening of wrangling my daughters to sleep. The sound of their soft breathing in the next room brings a wave of relief and exhaustion that washes over me.

“Finally,” I breathe out as the door creaks open, revealing Nikhil’s tall silhouette against the dim hallway light. His blue eyes find mine, filled with concern and warmth.

“Hey there,” he murmurs, crossing the room to sit beside me. His hand finds my stomach, resting gently on the small bump beneath my shirt. “How are you feeling?”

“Exhausted,” I admit, smiling tiredly. “But relieved.” My mind races with thoughts of my daughters, the bratva, and our unconventional relationship. But in this moment, as Nikhil’s warmth envelops me, my fears dissipate, if only for a little while.

“Our girls can be quite stubborn,” he teases, a wicked grin spreading across his face. The laughter that bubbles up within me is both unexpected and cathartic, washing away some of the tension coiled in my chest.

“Tell me about it,” I chuckle, pressing myself closer to him. He wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me against his strong chest. We sit in silence, the darkness of the room punctuated only by our quiet breaths.

“Sometimes, I don’t know how we ended up like this,” I confess, my fingers tracing circles on his forearm. “It’s so…different.”

“Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them,” Nikhil replies, his voice low and soothing. I tilt my head up to meet his gaze, finding solace in the ocean depths of his eyes.

“Are you scared?” I ask, searching for any hint of fear or regret in his expression. Nikhil’s eyes flicker, but he remains steadfast.

“Terrified,” he admits, causing a pang of worry to tighten around my heart. “But that’s what makes this worth it. We’re in uncharted territory, and it’s exhilarating.”

“Exhilarating?” I echo, incredulous. He chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest and into my ear.

“Absolutely,” he confirms, pressing his lips against my forehead. “We’re forging our own path, Lily. And as long as we do it together, everything will be alright.”

His words bring both comfort and courage, fueling the fire inside me to face the unknown. And as I lie there with Nikhil, the darkness and uncertainty of our future seem less intimidating, wrapped in the warmth of his embrace.

The dim light from the hallway casts a warm glow, illuminating Nikhil’s strong features and the tender concern in his eyes. I can’t help but smile as I glance down at his hand resting on my stomach, protectively cradling my unborn child.

“Considering the circumstances, I’m feeling pretty amazing,” I confess, my voice barely above a whisper. “This little one is making me stronger every day.”

Nikhil grins, the corners of his eyes crinkling with affection. “I’m glad to hear that. You deserve all the happiness in the world, Annalise.”

He runs his thumb over my stomach, sending shivers down my spine. His touch is electric, and despite the exhaustion weighing down on me, I feel alive.

“Speaking of happiness, I’ve prepared something for you,” he says, his voice low and enticing. I cock an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.

“Really? What is it?”

“Come with me.” He extends his hand, and I take it without hesitation, allowing him to guide me through the darkened room and toward the master bathroom.

As we enter, I’m greeted by the sight of flickering candles surrounding a luxurious bathtub filled with steaming water. The scent of lavender wafts through the air, instantly relaxing my tense muscles.

“Thought you might enjoy a soothing bath,” he murmurs, his breath hot against my ear.

“Thank you, Nikhil,” I whisper back, genuinely touched by his thoughtfulness. “You always know how to make me feel special.”

“Because you are special,” he replies, sincerity lacing his words. “Now, let’s get you undressed and into that tub.”

He expertly unzips my dress, letting it fall to the floor in a pool of fabric. I step out of it, standing there in my undergarments as Nikhil’s eyes drink me in. I can feel the heat of his gaze, and my heart races in anticipation.

“Allow me,” he says, reaching for the clasp of my bra. With a single flick, it’s undone, followed by him sliding my panties down my thighs. Desire courses through my veins as I stand naked before him, vulnerable and exhilarated at the same time.

“Go on,” he encourages, gesturing toward the tub. “I’ll be right here if you need anything.”

As I lower myself into the warm embrace of the water, I can’t help but think how fortunate I am to have found love—and not just with Nikhil, but with his brothers as well. Despite the unconventional nature of our relationship, the love and support we share is undeniable. And as I close my eyes, letting the soothing bath work its magic, I know that together, we can face whatever challenges life throws our way.

The steam rises from the bath, its tendrils curling and reaching for me as if beckoning me to enter. I dip my toe in, testing the temperature, and sigh with relief when the water swallows me whole. The warmth seeps into my bones, soothing my aches and pains caused by the pregnancy.

“Mind if I join you?” a playful voice asks.

I open my eyes to find Cassius standing before me, holding my favorite lavender soap in his hand. His wavy, dark blonde hair frames his striking blue eyes, which watch me with a mischievous glint.

“Of course not,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady despite the way my heart races at the thought of him joining me.

Cassius grins, shedding his clothes with ease, and steps into the bath behind me. His firm hands work their magic, lathering the soap into a rich foam that he uses to massage my tense shoulders. The scent of lavender fills the room, mixing with the steam to create a heady, intoxicating blend.

“Annalise,” Damian’s deep, commanding voice cuts through the haze. I turn to see him standing in the doorway, his muscular frame silhouetted against the dim light. His piercing blue eyes bore into mine, a newspaper clutched tightly in his hand.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, concern furrowing my brow.

“Take a look at this,” he says, tossing the paper onto a nearby table as he enters the room. I can tell it’s an article discussing my unconventional relationship with all three brothers. My stomach churns, anxiety gnawing at the edges of my consciousness.

“Should I be worried?” I question, biting my lip, seeking reassurance.

“Never,” Cassius murmurs into my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. “We’ve got your back, no matter what.”

“Remember,” Damian adds, his words firm but gentle, “our love is stronger than any scrutiny or judgment. We’re in this together.”

Their unwavering support soothes my worries, and I can’t help but feel grateful for the incredible love we share. As the steam wraps around us like a protective cocoon, I know that with their strength by my side, we can face anything life has in store.

The flickering candlelight casts shadows across the room, playing off the angles of Nikhil’s chiseled features as he steps into view. His eyes hold a mixture of concern and determination as he studies my reaction to Damian’s revelation.

“Annalise,” he says softly, his voice steady and reassuring, “whatever people say or print about us doesn’t matter. We know who we are and what we have together. Don’t let their words define you.”

I take a deep breath, the scent of lavender from the soap still lingering in the air. My gaze travels between the three men who have come to mean so much to me. The truth is, I care about this article—I care about how it will affect our lives and those of my daughters. But as I stand here, surrounded by the love and protection of these incredible men, I realize that it’s not worth sacrificing my happiness over other people’s opinions.

“Look at us,” I say, meeting Nikhil’s concerned gaze. “We’re already defying convention just by being together. If people want to talk, let them talk. All that matters is that I’m happy with you—all three of you.”

“Exactly,” Nikhil replies, smiling warmly as he gently cups my cheek in his hand. “As long as you can maintain that positive attitude, we’ll be able to face anything that comes our way.”

“Embrace the unconventional,” Cassius adds with a sly grin, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me closer.

“Besides,” Damian chimes in, his blue eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief, “it’s not like we’ve ever been ones to follow the rules, now have we?”

A chuckle escapes my lips, the tension in the room dissipating as their words wrap around me like a warm embrace. Together, we are strong enough to overcome any obstacle—no matter how unconventional our love may seem to the world.

“Let them talk,” I whisper, feeling my heart swell with affection for these men who have claimed not only my body but my soul. “We’ll write our own story, and it will be one of passion, loyalty, and unbreakable bonds.”

As our lips meet in a searing kiss, I know that we are forging a path that is uniquely ours—one that defies convention and thrives on the unwavering love we share. And as long as we stand united, nothing can tear us apart.

I watch as Nikhil’s eyes flicker with a new intensity, and Damian takes a step forward. The air in the room thickens with anticipation, my heart pounding in my chest as I wait for his words.

“Annalise, we’ve been talking.” Damian’s baritone voice sends shivers down my spine, commanding my full attention. “We want to make our commitment to you official.”

“Official?” I echo, my brows knitting together in confusion.

“Marriage, Annalise,” Damian clarifies, his piercing blue eyes never leaving mine. “On behalf of all three of us, I’m proposing that you become our wife.”

My breath catches in my throat, the enormity of his words settling over me like a cloak. For a moment, I struggle to find my voice. Are they serious? Can I really marry all three of them?

Cassius steps closer, his warm hand resting on my shoulder, steadying me. “We can share you, Annalise. We promise to protect you, love you, and cherish you always. Together, we’ll be stronger than any force that tries to break us apart.”

Their gazes bore into me, expressions filled with sincerity, hope, and love. I swallow hard, feeling both overwhelmed and elated by their proposal. My mind races with questions—what would our life look like? How would society react? But there is one thing I know for certain—my love for these men is unwavering, and their love for me is a force to be reckoned with.

“Are you sure?” I ask, my emerald eyes darting between the three of them, searching for any hint of doubt or hesitation.

“Absolutely,” Cassius replies, his voice steady and confident. “Our love for you is unbreakable, and we want the world to know it.”

“Besides,” Nikhil adds, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “who says we have to follow society’s rules? Our love story is unique, and that’s what makes it even more special.”

My heart swells with affection for these men who would defy all convention to be with me. I take a deep breath, allowing the gravity of their words to sink in. They’re offering me a life filled with passion, loyalty, and unwavering commitment—a chance to build an unconventional family bound by love.

“Alright,” I whisper, my voice barely audible as I reach for each of their hands, intertwining our fingers together. “I’ll marry you. All three of you.”

Their faces light up with joy, and I’m enveloped in a tight embrace, feeling more loved and cherished than ever before. As we stand together, united in love, I know that our story will be one for the ages—one that defies all expectations and thrives on the unbreakable bond we share.

Tears glisten in my eyes as I nod, overwhelmed by the love that fills the room. “Yes,” I choke out, agreeing to marry all three brothers. “I’ll marry you.”

Nikhil’s face breaks into a wide smile, and he pulls me close, enfolding me in his strong arms. Our lips meet with an intensity born of our shared desire and commitment. As I wrap my arms around his neck, his hands roam along my back, pulling me closer until there is no space left between us.

“Annalise,” Cassius murmurs in my ear as he comes up behind me, pressing his body against mine. His hand finds its way to my butt, giving it a firm squeeze before slipping beneath the fabric of my gown. His touch leaves a trail of tingling warmth as his fingers explore, finally settling on my breast and kneading it gently.

“Are you okay with this?” Nikhil asks between kisses, his voice husky with desire.

My heart pounds in my chest, excitement coursing through my veins. This is what I want—to be loved and cherished by all three of them. I nod, giving myself over to the passion that binds us together.

“More than okay,” I whisper, meeting Nikhil’s gaze as Cassius continues to tease my body with his skilled touch.

“Good,” Nikhil breathes, flipping us so that I’m now sitting on his lap with my legs straddling his waist. He captures my lips once more, deepening the kiss as Cassius moves to stand beside us.

“Let us show you how much we love you,” Damian says softly, watching us with smoldering eyes as he leans against the wall, his presence adding to the intoxicating atmosphere.

I moan softly into Nikhil’s mouth, my body trembling with anticipation at the promise of pleasure to come. The world outside fades away, leaving only the four of us entwined in a dance of desire and love, bound together by the unbreakable ties that will carry us through whatever challenges life throws our way.

My breath hitches as Cassius’s fingers work their magic, and I let out a moan that captures Damian’s attention. He studies us intently, his piercing blue eyes filled with a hunger that causes my core to throb with anticipation.

“Is this what you want, Annalise?” Damian asks, his voice low and commanding.

“Yes,” I gasp, unable to suppress the desire coursing through my veins.

“Then let us worship you,” he replies, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Nikhil pulls me up from his lap, and I find myself towering over Cassius instead. His dark blond hair is tousled and inviting, and I can’t help but lean down to capture his lips in a searing kiss. Our tongues dance together, and I feel his arousal pressing against my thigh.

“Let me taste you,” I murmur, breaking away from our kiss and sinking to my knees before him. As I take Cassius into my mouth, Nikhil wraps his arms around my waist from behind, hoisting me up so that my legs drape over his shoulders.

“Your turn, beautiful,” he says, his voice teasing and affectionate. I shiver at the sensation of his tongue exploring my folds, sending jolts of pleasure throughout my body. The combination of Cassius filling my mouth and Nikhil pleasuring me from behind pushes me to the edge, and soon I’m consumed by a wave of ecstasy that leaves me trembling.

“Ready for more, love?” Nikhil asks, his breath hot against my skin.

“Absolutely,” I reply, dizzy with need.

Together, they move me into position, and I feel Cassius enter me while Nikhil takes me from behind. My senses are overwhelmed as Damian kneels before me, gently guiding himself into my mouth. We find our rhythm together, their skilled hands and mouths working in tandem to bring me to the brink of pleasure over and over again.

“Annalise, you’re perfect,” Damian murmurs, his gaze locked onto mine as we share this intimate moment.

“Never been happier,” I agree between gasps, my heart swelling with love for these three incredible men who have pledged their lives to me.

As they continue to make love to me, each touch and caress proves a testament to their devotion. Together, we chase the waves of pleasure that crest and break within me until I’m left spent and breathless in their arms, our bodies tangled together in a beautiful mess of love and desire.