Chapter Four

Anika

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the man says with a smile. “You may now kiss your bride.

Rowan cups my face and kisses me deeply as Max, Mia, and Emma cheer loudly, making me smile. We went to a touristy 24/7 wedding chapel that Emma talked into dropping the paperwork off tonight in exchange for the owner to access the VIP lounge at no cost to him or his guests.

“Alright,” the man says. “I just need you guys to sign and the rest of you to sign as witnesses. I will take it and drop it in the drop box tonight. My wife works in records so I will have her file it first thing Monday morning. Are you changing your last name?”

“Uh… I don’t know?” I say.

“God, yes. Get rid of that fucking name” Mia says.

“Uh, then sure,” I say looking at Rowan.

“Anika Noelle Garcia,” Rowan says with a sweet smile. “Sounds perfect.” He softly pecks a kiss on my lips and I blush.

“Fuck, you two are adorable,” Mia says. I smile and shake my head at her. The man hands me a pen and I sign my name and then hand the pen to Rowan. He smiles at me and then signs his name as well. The rest sign as witnesses and I feel relieved as he makes copies.

“Congratulations,” he says with a smile. “Anika, you will get your new social security card in the next two weeks. The official marriage certificate will come in the next week, but here is your copy of the paperwork in case anyone gives you any trouble.” He hands me a copy of the paper we all just signed, and I can’t help my smile when I see it. He hands Emma her own copy before we all go to the parking lot.

“I’m still fucking your wife tonight,” Max says to Rowan as he picks me up and sits me on the hood of the truck.

“I’ll help, don’t worry,” Rowan says as he leans against the truck next to me.

“Well, while you three have fun, I’m going to be with Emma. Definitely watching the first part of the scene though,” Mia says.

“Are you going to fuck my sister?” Max asks Mia.

“Yeah. You are going to fuck mine,” she shrugs. She has called me her sister so many times before but this time it hit me just how much she means that. I hop down from the hood of the truck and hug her tightly. “I love you, Anika. You don’t need them. We have and always will be your family.”

“Thank you,” I say as I sniff back tears.

“No tears,” she says as she cups my face and wipes them away. “Go celebrate being married to the man I think you would have ended up marrying anyway. Have fun and get fucked.” I laugh and hug her again.

“So, this solves my problem?” I ask Emma.

“Yes,” she smiles. “There is a small chance they will say that Rowan is in charge of your care and will have to sign shit for you, but he can drop it after ninety days.”

“I’m not concerned about that. I trust him,” I say.

“You are safe. No one can make you have this surgery,” Emma says with a smile.

“Thank you, Emma,” I say, hugging her.

“You are very welcome, sweetie. Let me know if you have any other issues,” she says. “I’m stealing Mia now. We will see you there.”

“Bye,” I say as I step back with the guys.

“I’ll come by tomorrow since y’all leave out early Monday,” Mia says. “I added a ticket for you, Max. Go keep them company.”

“Okay,” Max laughs.

Emma and Mia go to Emma’s car and I sigh.

“What?” Rowan asks.

“This is weird, right?” I ask, laughing.

“Yeah, this is weird,” he laughs with me. “But it’s okay! One day at a time.”

“One day at a time,” I repeat.

“Come on, Wife,” he says as he opens the passenger door. We all get in and drive back toward The Cherry.

“What did she mean that we have to make it look real?” I ask.

“Y’all have to sleep in the same room, get rings, and just generally do the normal married couple things. On all of your trips, you’ll share a bed. It’s just all the stuff I know you guys will end up doing anyway,” Max says.

“I should probably tell my mom,” Rowan laughs.

“She’s going to be very confused,” I laugh.

“Yeah, but she adores you. She’ll love this,” Rowan says as he lays his hand on my thigh. He picks up his phone and taps around for a moment until his phone rings through the speakers in the truck.

“Hey, sweetie,” a woman says.

“Hey, Mom. Do you have a moment?” Rowan asks. Rowan's Mom, Maria, is a cute little woman from Puerto Rico. She raised Rowan by herself working three jobs since his biological father skipped out when he was a baby. Rowan’s sperm donor is white, but he favors his mother.

Now that Rowan makes good money, he supports her the way she did him. This allowed her to retire and enjoy life rather than working herself to death. She comes into the office and brings him lunch a few times a week. By him, I mean me and Mia also.

“Yeah, I’m just watching TV. Is everything okay?” she asks worriedly.

“Oh yeah, everything is okay. I just needed to tell you something.”

“Okay. What’s going on?” she asks.

“So, I’m not really sure how you will react to this, but I just need you to trust me, okay?” Rowan seems a bit nervous, but I think that is because I am listening .

“Okay, sweetie. Just tell me.”

“You know Anika from work?” he asks.

“Of course, I know Anika! She’s sweet. Has she left that awful man yet?”

“Uh, yeah. She sure has,” Rowan laughs.

“Are you two dating now?” she guesses.

“We got married…” Rowan says slowly.

“Did you get her pregnant?” she asks and Max busts out laughing. “Hey, Max.”

“Hey Mom,” he says, still laughing.

“No, I didn’t get her pregnant,” Rowan laughs. He glances at me, likely wanting to explain. I smile and nod. He goes through the entire situation, including a bit of my history with how I came to exist to begin with. He ends by explaining what Emma suggested and why.

“You did the right thing, Rowan. I know you two have feelings for each other anyway, so maybe this will be a weird way to bring you two together for real,” she says.

“She’s an amazing woman,” Rowan says as he puts the truck in park in front of The Cherry.

“Where is she?” she asks.

“She’s right here. She can hear you,” Rowan says.

“Hi Maria,” I say sweetly.

“I’m sorry they are so awful, Anika,” she says.

“Thank you. I was hoping becoming an adult would solve the issue, but I guess not,” I sigh.

“Well, Rowan is a good man. He will keep you safe,” she vows.

“He is a good man,” I agree. “He apparently just married someone mentally unstable though, so jokes on him.”

“We are all a little crazy, baby girl,” she laughs. “When you guys get back from your trip to New York I want you to come for dinner. I’ll make you some tamales.”

“Your tamales are the way to my heart, Maria. You guys won’t get rid of me if you feed me though,” I say. Rowan is smiling at me as I talk to his Mom.

“Since I met you, I’ve wanted you for Rowan. If tamales are the way to keep you around, I’ll keep them coming,” she laughs. “I may not be your real mother, but I’ll treat you the way yours should have.”

Her words bring a wave of emotions down on me and tears sting my eyes. “I appreciate that more than you know,” I say softly.

“We can’t go back and change it, but we will make up for lost time, okay?” she says.

“Okay,” I say as I wipe a tear away.

“Alright. You are going to make me cry now,” Max says.

“I’ll feed you tamales too, Max. Come with them next week,” she says.

“Oh, I’ll be there. You better make extra. I’ll bring Mia and Emma, too,” he says happily.

“Oh, that’s wonderful! I can’t wait to see you guys,” she says.

“We love you, Mom. We are gonna go, okay?” Rowan says.

“Okay, sweetie. I love you all, too. You guys be good,” she says as she ends the call.

“Sorry. I could have warned you that she’s going to smother you with love and tamales,” Rowan says.

“It’s okay,” I say. “I love your mom. She’s sweet and feisty.”

“That she is,” he laughs. “Ready to go in?”

“Yeah,” I smile.

We all get out of the truck and walk inside where Emma and Mia are waiting.

“Quickie on the way?” Mia asks.

“No,” I laugh. “Rowan called his mom.”

“Oh, I love Maria!” Mia says.

“You guys are coming with us next week when we get back for dinner at her house,” I say in her ear as we walk through the club. The music is loud up front but as we move to the back it gets quieter.

Max and I always were in a private room, unless it was dead in the club. Tonight, it is very busy, so we go straight to the back room.

“Do you two want a drink?” Max asks Mia and me.

“Uh… Bold Rock Green Apple, if they have it back,” I say.

“We have it on draft now,” Emma says. “I’ll grab it.”

“Are you staying, Emma?” Max asks.

“Up until the sex part, yeah,” she says, laughing. Emma unlocks the VIP room and gives Max the key before walking off to get drinks.

“Then she and I will go have some fun out on the floor,” Mia says with a grin.

“Go sit and relax. We will set up,” Max says as he kisses my temple.

“Okay,” I sigh.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, just crashing from all of the intense emotions,” I say.

“I understand,” he says. “Mia, help her relax so she doesn’t panic when we start.”

“Okay,” she says as she pulls me to sit down. When I go into these scenes with too much built-up emotion, I have a tendency to let go of all of it at once when we start which results in me scaring myself.

Mia sits me down and we focus on breathing. When Emma gets in, she locks the door behind her and comes to sit with us. Emma sees that I am overwhelmed so she helps Mia with relaxing with me and I sip my cider. She pulls my hair back so that it hangs down my back then takes her time French braiding my hair. She does a single chunky braid that starts at my hairline and flows down my back. By the time she is done, Max walks over to get me.

Max has me sit on the edge of the table that I am about to be restrained to with my legs dangling off the edge. He stands in front of me as Rowan is leaning against the table watching us.

“We are going to start the way we always do, okay?”

“Okay,” I sigh.

“I am leading and will be the one doing most of everything, but I’m going to explain things to him as we go along,” Max says. “Do you want to know what I’m using?”

“I do,” I say.

“A bull hide flogger. Nothing added and it’s not braided,” he says. “After that we are going to play with some wax.”

“That sounds like an uncomfortable pairing,” I smirk.

“You will like it, I promise,” he says as he lifts my chin. “Consent first, then he and I will get you undressed. Has your boundary changed for how much you undress?”

“Yes,” I say with a smile.

“How much?”

“I am leaving it all up to you,” I say.

“Okay,” he grins. “Ready?”

“Mhmm,” I nod. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

“What is your safe word, Nika?” he asks.

“Red.”

“Do you understand that you are putting your safety in mine and Rowan’s hands?” he asks.

“Yes.”

“Do you give your full consent to allow us to do as we see fit as long as it falls within your boundaries and the safe word is respected?”

“I do,” I say.

“Even if you say no?’ he asks.

“Even if I say no,” I repeat.

“Okay,” he says with a sweet smile.

Max stands me up beside the table as Rowan steps forward. Rowan is quiet but still observant. When Max grabs the fabric of my dress, panic hits me.

“Woah. Wait. Hold on,” I say. I close my eyes and breathe.

“Talk to me, Nika,” Max says as he slows down but doesn’t stop because I didn’t actually call the safe word. He pulls my dress offand the chill of the air sends goosebumps across my skin.

“Their words are stuck in my head,” I say quietly.

“Look at me, Nika,” Rowan says. I open my eyes and look at him. “You are gorgeous. We are going to show you how much we love your body. Don’t let them ruin your vibe here, okay?”

“Okay,” I smile. Rowan steps behind me and unhooks my bra as he gently kisses my neck. The straps slide off my shoulders and my breasts spring free.

“Fuck, Nika. You’re beautiful,” Max says as he gently caresses my breasts. He gently pinches both nipples and I softly gasp. Rowan and Max switch places and Rowan’s eyes are filled with lust.

“Isaac wouldn’t know a good thing if it slapped him in the face. Do you want to know why?” Rowan asks as he drags his eye down my body.

“Why?” I ask softly.

“Because if I had you in my bed, I’d never take my hands off this amazing body of yours,” he says as he trails his fingertips from my neck down to my pelvis.

“Oh, but she will be in your bed now,” Max says from behind me.

“That’s right,” Rowan says with a devious grin that makes me smile.

“Let’s get to it, Nika,” Max says as he nudges me to the table. I take a deep breath and lie face down. Max runs his hand from my lower back up to my right arm and adds the restraint to my wrist pulling it up and out from my body. He moves to my left arm and does the same.

Rowan does this with each leg before slowly dragging his hand up my inner thigh. He stops just before he touches where I really want him to put his hands. He suddenly slaps my ass and I yelp. The burn that it leaves behind on my skin is glorious. He does it again in a different spot and I am more prepared this time, so I only inhale sharply.

“Alright, Nika. Are you ready?” Max asks.

“Yes,” I say.

“Focus on the anger, Nika,” Max tells me. “Let it consume you.”

I do as he says and focus on all the rage inside of me. All the years I have spent quietly doing as I am told.I was born to serve Harper. Everything I do has to benefit her in some way. The only thing I got to make of my own was my career, and even then, it started with my parents choosing my college where I was an intern. The joke's on them because I married my boss.

Rowan and Max are happy and willing to be my shield and my warriors. The only thing I know how to do is serve others but with them, I stand as their equal in every aspect. Even as I am restrained to this table, I am their equal.

Max brings the flogger down across my back with minimal force. It is just enough to make me groan. Warmth cascades over my body and my brain is buzzing with anticipation and excitement.

The following crack across my skin is stronger than the last. “Fuck,” I gasp. The slight sting radiates across my back, but fades away when Max runs his hand across my skin.

Another hit at a recognizable level of force and something mixed between a growl and a grunt comes out of me. Behind it follows a whimper as the burn is soothed by a comforting hand.

“There you are, my sweet Nika,” Max praises. The flogger comes down again and again. After the fourth hit, I cry out and multiple hands take the burn out of my skin. “Rowan is going to join. We want to hear you let go, Nika.”

The flogger lands across my ass, then the backs of my thighs. I groan and pull at my restraints, but they bring them down again. The more I resist letting go the harder the flogger bites.

“Let go, Anika,” Max commands as the flogger strikes down across my lower and mid back. I groan loudly and hands soothe my skin. A reward for not holding back, but they want more.

The flogger comes down across my thighs and ass and I stifle my response. They both take a bite again, only this time it’s with more force than any of the other strikes. My loud and breathy moan fills the room, and the feeling is blissful.

“How are we doing, Nika?” Rowan asks sweetly.

“Really good,” I pant.

“Oil first, then the wax. Okay?” Max asks.

“Okay,” I sigh.

Max drips massage oil from the base of my neck to the back of my knees then they rub it into my skin. They calm my hot skin making me groan softly as they work their way across my body. “Mmm. That’s nice.”

“Good girl, Nika. You’re getting better at letting go,” Max praises as he rubs up my inner thigh making me groan.

“I’m trying,” I say.

“Emma,” Max says.

“Ah. Yep. That’s my cue. You gonna fuck her tied up?” Emma asks.

“You gonna stick around to find out?” Max retorts without looking away from my body.

“Absolutely not,” she says.

“Give her a hug for me,” Mia says. Since we are technically in the middle of a scene, Mia always makes sure that she or anyone else doesn’t talk to me because it will freak me out.It’s also disrespectful to the both of us to talk to me while in a scene.

“I will,” Max says. They continue to rub the oil into my skin until we hear the door close and lock back. “Are you ready, Nika?”

“I am,” I say.

“I’m going to do things a bit different from how I said I would. I need you to trust me, okay?” Max says.

“I trust you,” I breathe. “What are you going to do?”

“I’ll show you,” Rowan says softly.

“That sounds like I’m about to get tortured,” I state. They both chuckle, which confirms my suspicions. They got a hold of the torturous toy that almost made me come in front of Rowan last night.

“How attached are you to these underwear?” Max asks.

“I’m pretty sure you’re going to do it either way so no need to ask,” I say.

“You’re right,” Max says as he rips my thong off me. Before I can react, Rowan pushes two fingers deep inside of me and twists them in such a way that I moan and pull against my restraints.

“Show me the same restraint you did last night, Nika. Do not come.” Rowan whispers in my ear as he pulls his fingers out and pushes my devilish toy into me. It comes to life and is turned to its highest intensity.

“Oh fuck. Oh God, Rowan,” I gasp and pull at my restraints again.

“Time for wax, Nika,” Max says.

“You are both evil,” I whine. I want to press my thighs together and ease the pressure building in my belly, but I can’t. The toy is pushed in deep. Rowan is holding into place as it thrusts itself against a special spot inside of me while the ears of the toy are vibrating at a mind-numbing intensity through my clit.

When Max drips the wax across my lower back I moan again. It creates a sting that dissipates quickly. The burn of the wax picks up between my shoulder blades and trails down my spine sending shivers through my body. I am whimpering and shaking as the pressure continues to build. Hot wax drips across my back pushing me further toward exploding.

When he pours the wax across my ass and thighs I start losing the fight against my body. “Oh, I can’t. Please,” I moan.

“Ask me, Nika. What do you want?” Rowan asks.

“I want to come. Please let me come,” I beg.

“You lied about where you were going to stay,” Rowan says.

This is a punishment .

“Fuck. I’m sorry. I won’t lie again,” I say quickly. “Please.”

“Are you sure, Nika?” Rowan asks as he pushes the toy into me deeper.

“Yes. I promise. Please, Rowan,” I cry out.

“Such a good girl. Come for us, Anika,” Rowan says as more wax is poured onto my skin.

I immediately begin to unravel. My orgasm rips through me with a blinding intensity that makes my ears ring. By the time I come down from my climax and the toy is removed, they are both wiping the now-cooled wax from my body. They untie the restraints before Rowan helps me sit up on the edge of the table. He wraps his arms around me, and I lay my forehead on his chest. I am dazed and not capable of thinking or doing anything right now.

Rowan lifts my chin so that I am looking at him. “Are you sure you want to take both of us?” he asks.

“Yes,” I say softly. He smiles and pulls me off the table to stand. We move to the seating area with a large ottoman. My eyes are glazed over with lust as I watch him undress. I can hear Max doing the same behind me and I smile.

“Excited, Nika?” Rowan smirks as he grabs my waist and pulls me against his body, pressing his large erection into my belly.

“Are you?” I grin up at him.

“Oh, more than you know,” Rowan says as he pulls me down with him as he sits on the ottoman. As I settle down to straddle him, he slowly fills me. His cock is stretching me in a deliciously painful way.

“Oh, fuck,” I gasp, my voice breaking. “Oh, my God, Rowan.” He grabs my hips and guides me to ride his cock. I take him slowly and deeply. Every time he pushes himself deep inside of me, I whimper at the twinge of pain it brings.

Rowan lays back and pulls me down with him. With no warning, he slams his cock deep into me, and I scream out.

“That’s right, baby. Let everyone here know who’s fucking you,” Rowan growls as he thrusts again and again.

“Oh God, Rowan,” I yell. I bury my face in the crook of his neck as he pounds into my aching pussy. If someone didn’t know any better, it would sound like someone is getting hurt in here. I already know that I will be walking funny tomorrow.

I am teetering on the edge when Rowan whispers in my ear, “Come for your husband, Nika.”

I fall hard and am nearly brought to tears from how hard he is fucking me. When he has forced every scream out of me that he can manage, he stops but stays buried inside me. I am almost catatonic until I feel Max place his hand on my lower back. I suck in a breath of air and sit up slightly.

Max slowly pushes one lube-covered finger inside of me. I focus on taking long deep breaths to avoid tensing up. After a few moments of slow movements, he adds a second. Then a third. He takes his time to prepare me as best as he can, but all of that prep is proven useless when he replaces his finger with the head of his cock.

Max slowly pushes into me, and I groan in pain. No matter how hard I try to not tense up, I still do. “Relax, Nika. Let me in,” Max says softly.

Rowan trails his fingertips up my sides and the tingles that cover my body force me to relax. “That’s my good girl,” Rowan praises as he kisses me.

“Fuck, baby girl. You are tight,” Max growls as he fills me with his equally as massive cock.

“Fuck, you guys are huge” I groan. I feel like if either of them thrusts too hard I will split in half. I push up on my hands with my eyes closed. When Max pulls out of me, I moan, which gives him the encouragement he needs to slam into me, making me scream his name.

“You look incredible with our cocks buried inside of you, Nika,” Max says.

“Oh God,” I moan. “Please, fuck me hard.”

“How hard, baby?” Rowan asks.

“Hard. Please, harder,” I beg as an orgasm bubbles up inside of me. “Please.”

It is like heaven on earth when they both start to move. I am moaning uncontrollably loud as they fuck me. Their grunts and groans of satisfaction encourage me through an endless feeling of having orgasms back-to-back. I don’t doubt that everyone in this club, or at least the ones doing scenes, can hear me.

Something stronger starts to build inside of me as they both ravage my body. It feels like an intense heat slowly spreading with each thrust. As one pulls out, the other slams their cock into me, feeding the fire raging inside of me.

Max grabs me by the hair and pulls me back and up against his chest then wraps his arms around my body. Rowan rubs my sensitive clit as Max kisses my neck and I come harder than ever before. My entire body goes tense as another orgasm floods out of me and this time I bring them down with me. They push deep inside me to come, and my body goes limp.

Rowan pulls me down to him as Max steps back. He then moves me to the ottoman where I lie on my back in a catatonic stupor with my arm draped over my face.

After a few minutes, my breathing is under control. Rowan removes my arm from across my face and gently kisses me. “We are going to get you cleaned up and dressed,” he says.

“My bones are jello,” I say weakly.

“I know,” Rowan laughs. “That’s why I said we will.” I don’t argue because that requires movement that I don’t want to do.

Should it be weird that my boss and his best friend just fucked me into a comatose-like state and are cleaning me up because I am too weak to do it myself? Maybe. Would I do it again? Abso-fucking-lutely, I would.

They get me dressed before standing me up. At some point, they also got dressed and cleaned up the room. Max leaves the room to take the bag that contains the now-cleaned items they used today and puts it in his office. Rowan is leaning against the table and he has me pulled to his chest where I lay my head on him. I still don’t want to move. I just want to sleep.

Max does most of the business side of things for Emma since she is a practicing lawyer. She is here almost every night though.

When Max gets back, I sense a sudden tension, especially when Rowan stands up straight. I turn and look at Max to see what has Rowan twisted.

“Isaac is here,” he says slowly.

“For how long?” I ask .

“Emma said he got here a few minutes after they went out there,” he says.

“So, he knows that I am here?”

“Uh… Yeah. Yeah, he knows you are here,” Max says.

“Is Harper here?” I ask with a sigh. If she is here this is going to be a disaster.

“She is,” Max says softly.

“Fuck,” I hiss. “Where is Mia?”

“She’s coming,” he says right as she and Emma step in behind Max.

“Have any ideas?” I ask her.

“Yes. You go with Emma, and I will stay here,” she says.

“It would make sense for me to be with a lawyer after their threat anyway,” I say.

“Oh, I get it. We will make them think they heard Mia, not you?” Max asks.

“Yes, and I’m just here to talk to Emma while y’all have fun,” I say.

“Come on,” Emma says to me. “We can sneak into the kitchen and go through to my office. That way they see you coming out of there rather than back here.”

“I’ll just meet you guys at your truck, okay?” I tell Rowan. Instead of answering, he grabs my face and kisses me deeply.

“Don’t say a word to him, understood?” he says seriously.

“I’ll try. Anything I say will provoke him,” I say. He hugs me for a moment before Max pulls me away.

“Emma is banning him and Harper as soon as we leave,” he says before kissing me.

“Okay,” I say with a smile.

“I don’t know if I can pull off what I just heard come out of you, but I’ll try,” Mia says with a smile, and I laugh. I slide my phone into my pocket and step out of the room with Emma. She walks ahead of me to make sure I can slip into the kitchen unnoticed. She waves me forward and we sneak in.

Once we make it around to her office, she grabs a folder from her desk and we go to the door. “You look exhausted,” she laughs.

“I am so tired,” I admit.

“You know Max likes you, right? Like a lot. They both do,” Emma says.

“I’m starting to realize that. What’s complicated is that I like both of them so much. I refuse to pin two friends against each other though. I’d rather be lonely than fuck up their friendship.”

“Let them share you,” Emma says. “It’s literally all they talk about. Rowan just wanted things to remain smooth at work. He slowly let things progress so he didn’t scare you. He knew you and Isaac wouldn’t last. We all knew. Max isn’t so subtle.”

“If I could have what happened tonight forever with them, I would take the chance in a heartbeat,” I admit.

“Then be blunt with them. Tell them you like them both and you refuse to choose,” she says as she opens her door. “If they talk to you, absolutely do not respond. Let me do all of the talking.” I nod and we step out of her office. I see someone standing outside of her office, off to the side. She must see certain clients here sometimes. We pretend to be in fake conversation as we walk through the club toward the front. Just when I think we are in the clear, someone grabs my arms. It happens so suddenly that I gasp and jump away from the touch. Emma and I turn to see a raging mad Isaac. Harper is a few feet behind him looking as smug as ever.

“I knew you were a whore, but damn… Both of them?” he asks.

“Please do not address my client, Mr. Allen. If you, Harper, or her family have anything that you wish to say to her, you may email it to me and I will get it to her,” Emma says.

“Everyone heard you get fucked. Where are Rowan and Max?” he asks me.

“Stop addressing my client,” Emma says as she nudges me to keep walking. We turn and walk away from them.

“They are following us,” I whisper.

“I know. We will be okay. Security will walk out with us,” she says softly. We get to the front and one of the security guards sees the panicked look on my face as we are walking out.

“All done for tonight, Ms. Emma?” Quinn says. Quinn is a six-foot-seven, three-hundred-pound man made of solid muscle and protectiveness. He looks absolutely terrifying, but you’d think he was a teddy bear compared to if you ever saw him get protective over a woman. He absolutely hates abusive men. Maybe I should tell him what happened, and Isaac will disappear.

“Yeah. Anika had a last-minute meeting, so I’m just walking her out,” she says.

“Waiting on Mia?” he asks me.

“Yes. I’m just going to enjoy the nice cool air while I wait for her to come out,” I say.

“Oh, well I’ll walk out and keep you company,” he says with a smile. Quinn glances at my arm and his eyes flash with anger as he connects the dots. He wraps me in a hug instead of killing Isaac on the spot. “It’s good to see you,” he says as a show. I literally just saw him a week and a half ago. He is a smart man and now knows why I look panicked.

“Yeah, It’s been a while,” I say, enjoying his strong hug.

“Are you scared of him?” he asks quietly.

“Yes. Ask Emma to fill you in later,” I say as I pull away. We all three turn and go outside and stand by Rowan's truck. Isaac and Harper promptly follow behind us. This man is a fucking idiot to come out here with Quinn here.

“ Are you really so fucking stupid that after everything Dad said, you’re going to act like this? You’re going to act out like a child ?” Harper yells at me. I tighten my fists and grit my teeth. It would look really bad if I punched a woman with kidney failure. “Nothing? Finally learning to keep your fucking mouth shut for once?”

“You have a lot of nerve for someone who’s going to die without a new kidney,” I growl.

“Oh, I’m getting a kidney. Mom and Dad will make sure of that. All this bullshit you are pulling will ensure they’ll put you right where you belong,” she laughs. I look at Emma, wanting to just say it.

“Let him come out and you can tell them,” she says with a smile.

“This is bullshit. Just tell the fucking truth. You were getting fucked by your boss and your so-called friend,” Isaac says as Rowan, Max and Mia come outside. Isaac and Harper haven’t seen them come out, so they stay quiet. “It must be an accomplishment to them or something to make a fat chick come that loudly,”

“How would you know what I sound like when I come?” I ask him with a smirk.

“Ah. I see what you did there,” Quinn chuckles.

“You are a fucking cunt, you know that? The world will finally get some peace when your parents have you committed,” Isaac says.

“She’s not being committed and she’s not consenting to surgery,” Emma says simply.

“Oh yeah?” Harper says. “Her next of kin has every right to file those papers against her. Her rage issues put her and the people around her in danger.”

“Who is my next of kin, Harper?” I ask. Rowan looks at the folder in Emma’s hand and laughs when he sees where this is headed.

“What the fuck are you laughing at?” Isaac turns and asks him.

“You’ll see,” Rowan says simply as he and Max come to stand on either side of me. Mia stands with Quinn.

“What the fuck is going on?” Isaac growls at me. I look at Emma and she hands me the folder.

“They can have this copy,” she tells me, smiling. I open it and smile at the paper before shutting it back.

“So, here is the truth. I was with Rowan and Max tonight. I know it’s confusing hearing a woman come, considering you don’t know how to make a woman come,” I say.

“You fucking bitch,” Isaac says as he steps forward and gets into my face. Quinn immediately steps up but I stop him.

“Hold on. He knows better than to lay a hand on me again, don’t you, Isaac?” I say.

“I swear to God, I can’t wait for you to be committed. Maybe then I’ll come visit you while you are all strapped up in that straight jacket. Then we will see how loud I can make you scream,” he threatens.

“You know that’s not a thing, right? They don’t just tie your arms up and throw you in your own personal padded room,” I say. “Also, Emma is right. I’m not getting committed.”

“Mom and Dad are filing the paperwork Monday,” Harper says as she grabs Isaac’s arm and pulls him back from me.

“They do not legally have the right,” I say.

“Yes, they do. Unless you are…” she stops her words abruptly.

“Unless I am what, Harper?” I ask. “Say it.”

“You bitch ,” she growls and steps forward toward me.

“ Say it ,” I scream at her. “ Say the fucking words, Harper .”

“ Do you realize what you’ve done? ” she screams at me. Isaac pulls her back.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Isaac barks. I hand him the folder and Rowan wraps his arms around my waist.

“My next of kin is Rowan. I am not consenting to surgery. I am not being committed. I am not doing anything for you ever again. I won't even come to your funeral when you inevitably die of kidney failure,” I say.

“ I am your sister! ” she screams and lunges at me. Isaac catches her before she gets to me and pulls her back.

“ You are not my sister. She is my sister, ” I scream back at her and point to Mia. “ She has been there for me through everything. She is the one who picked up my broken pieces and made me whole again. She is the one who drops everything every time I need her. If she ever needs a kidney, I’d happily give her one. I would lay down my life for her any day of the week because she deserves my compassion. You deserve nothing .”

“We will be contesting this marriage,” Isaac growls.

“On what grounds?” I laugh. “We’ve known each other for eight years. We spend more time together than apart. We live in the same house and sleep in the same bed. Clearly , we have sex. Tell me… on what grounds would it be seen as fake?” I ask. “You, yourself, have said over and over that you suspected that Rowan and I were in a relationship. I have dozens upon dozens of texts stating that.”

“ You are a selfish bitch, ” Harper screams at me.

“Yeah, well now I’m a free bitch too,” I snap.

“He will never love someone like you. Neither of them,” Isaac barks.

“I don’t need love if they just keep fucking me like they did tonight. You on the other hand need love in your life because you definitely cannot fuck like that,” I say.

“You two are no longer welcome on my property. If I or any of my staff see you on my property, then you will be arrested for criminal trespassing,” Emma says before turning to me. “You guys get out of here. Mia and I will see you guys before you guys fly out.”

“Okay. Thank you,” I smile and turn to Mia, who is teary-eyed.

“I love you, Mia. I’ll see you guys tomorrow,” I say softly.

“I love you too, Anika,” she sniffs.

“Bye, sweet girl,” Quinn says as he wraps me in a giant teddy bear hug and squeezes me. “I’ve always thought you two looked good together. Congrats. Get him to knock you up so Uncle Quinn will have a baby to spoil.” I laugh and kiss his cheek.

“Bye Uncle Quinn,” I say with a smile. I turn to go to the truck and Rowan kisses me deeply.

“You are amazing,” he says with a smile. I momentarily forget that anyone else is around when I look into his eyes. “Let’s go home.” Rowan opens the truck door for me then offers me his hand to help me up into the seat. He and Max get in, all while Isaac and Harper stare daggers at us. We drive away in silence but as soon as we are out of the parking lot, Max breaks the silence.

“Unbuckle,” he says. I do as he asks. He motions for me to come to him. I give him a strange look, so he leans over the center console, grabs me, and pulls me into the backseat. I giggle as he pulls me into his lap to straddle him.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“I’m going to fuck you while your husband drives. When we get there, he’s going to bend you over and fuck you while I watch,” he says as he pulls my dress up so that it’s less constricting. I lean up so he can pull himself out of his jeans.

Just before Max fills me with his cock, I decide to potentially ruin the moment. “I like both of you,” I blurt out. “I might even love you guys. I know both of you have feelings for me and we all have so much history, but I don’t want to hurt your friendship.” Max pauses for a moment and searches my face. “Please say something so I know I didn’t just fuck everything up,” I say in a small voice.

Max squeezes my hips as he fills me with his cock. My breath catches and I tip my head back and moan. “You belong to both of us now, Nika. This cunt is just as much mine as it is his. We love you with every part of who we are and that will never change,” he says softly in my ear.

I sync the movement of my hips with his and each thrust of his cock sends moans and cries from my mouth. I tip my head back and cry out as I ride him hard and fast. I am doing most of the work and he holds on to me to help me stabilize myself. “Oh fuck, Max,” I moan as my climax peaks, and I come hard. Max falls with me and we are both left breathless.

I lay against his chest, completely spent. I notice that the truck is stopped right as the back door opens and Rowan pulls me out of the truck and leads me into the house. He doesn’t even bother turning off the alarm before he bends me over the arm of the couch and slams into my cunt, dripping with his best friend's cum.

“Oh, fuck,” I yell. Rowan’s thrusts bring me to a place where the only sound I can make is whimpering as he fucks me like a frenzied man. He steals the sounds from my throat before they can breach the surface and I am sent to heaven as I unravel under his brutal pounding. All of my sounds rush back to me as my pussy clamps around his cock and I yell out his name. Rowan thrusts into me harder as he comes. Together we pull each other through the ripples of our fading climax.

Without a word, Rowan scoops me up like the proper bride. He lays me on his bed and goes into his bathroom. I remain where I am as I am stuck in this dazed state as Max lies beside me. He is propped up on his elbow looking at me with a soft smile on his lips.

Rowan returns with items to clean me off. Once again, I do not protest. I am far too weak and tired to try and be independent. When he finishes he sits me up.

“Hands up,” he says simply. I smirk and do as instructed. Rowan undresses me and puts one of his shirts on me. I could swoon at the intense happiness that I am feeling right now. “Get up there and lay down. We will be back.” Rowan and Max leave the room and I again do as instructed and lay down under the covers.

Rowan’s house shows who he is so well. He has family photos on the walls. Everything is so warm and inviting. His room is comforting as well. It may be because I am absolutely exhausted, but this is the most comfortable bed I have ever laid in. The fast-moving ceiling fan pairs nicely with the thick comforter that I am curled up under. There is nothing better than being snuggled up under a warm blanket with cool air surrounding you. I must have been a penguin in a past life because I could sleep in a freezer and be content as long as someone gave me this comforter.

I am well on my way to an exhaustion-induced sleep when they return to the bedroom. I open my eyes for a second to see that they both have changed clothes.

Rowan is wearing pajama pants and no shirt. I have seen him like this dozens of times when I would go to his hotel room to bring him food that we had ordered to mine. We would always end up eating together and discussing work. He could have tried something so many times, but he didn’t. He remained respectful and professional until the perfect time to ease me into this. This is what I’ve always needed.

Max is wearing basketball shorts, also with no shirt on. Most of the time if I was with Max, I was at the club. We didn’t always do scenes though. Half of our time together we would just talk and hang out. For me, an important part of those scenes was the trust I have for Max. I had to be willing to let him tie me down and respect my wishes for nothing to be sexual. I could see it on his face that he wanted to touch me so badly. I am confident that I could have been on his table completely naked, and he wouldn’t have touched me without my permission. So, spending time with him as my friend was vital for me. I always enjoyed the times we would sit at a table and just talk. There was never any pressure for more or questions about my vague history. I expressed that I had a toxic family, and he knew that Harper was the source of the toxicity. I often wished I had the guts to tell him my entire story in the hope of him whisking me away and saving me. I know that he would have in a heartbeat.

Rowan slips under the covers behind me and pulls me against his chest as Max takes the bed in front of me. I am properly sandwiched between them. This is what true happiness feels like.

“If either of you try to touch me, I’m saying my safe word,” I mumble. Both men roar with laughter, making me smile.

“No touching, just sleeping,” Rowan says as he snuggles me closer.

“This is nice,” I murmur.

“Yeah?” Max asks.

“Yeah. Maybe this isn’t the time to say this, but I mean it when I say I won’t choose. I won’t be a friendship wrecker,” I say with a heavy coating of sleepiness in my voice.

“We don’t want you to choose,” Max says as he kisses me. “Sleep now, my sweet Nika.”