Room 24: Theirs to Humiliate, Theirs to Pleasure

“But is it a deal breaker?” Arden asks again.

Is it? This doesn’t change who they are. They’re still the same people they were a few minutes ago before I asked. And back then, I was nothing but happy, relieved, and even overjoyed. Full of hope, ready to move into my future with these three in my life.

What’s changed?

“No, it’s not a deal breaker.” I shake my head firmly in case they think I’m just saying this. “You do what you do. So long as you don’t take crazy risks or anything, I won’t complain. I just want you guys to be safe.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah. It doesn’t change who you are as people and how you treat me. I would rather be with three good men who kinda-sorta do illegal things to support themselves than a so-called respectable person who’s a raging asshole behind closed doors.”

I can almost taste the relief that spreads through the room. I would never have guessed they were so nervous about telling me. It’s cute and endearing. And one more thing to confirm I’ve made the right decision. These are the people I want to be with.

For right now, though, what matters most is getting some sleep after everything we did tonight. Arden shows me to the guest bedroom. It’s bigger than the room at the motel, but that isn’t saying much, with more beautiful views, just like the view from the living room. There’s also a queen-sized bed that’s almost calling my name.

Arden goes to close the drapes, but I stop him. “I want to look out. I want to see everything.”

“I guess it’s a better view than the parking lot of a motel,” he murmurs.

“I was too afraid to leave the curtains open.”

He meets me at the foot of the bed and takes my face in his hands before placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. Nothing in the world has ever felt more right. “You’re never going to have to live like that again. We’ll make sure of it.”

I believe him with all my heart. So much so that as I slide between the soft sheets and rest my head on the pillow, I can’t stop smiling. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in my whole life.

And to think, this is only the beginning.