Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
I stare at her.
“No.”
“Have you been?”
“No!” I immediately bark. “Did you think I was?”
Posey shrugs.
“I don’t know, Trek. You wouldn’t talk with me. You hardly even looked me in the eye, most days. What was I supposed to think? I knew Narax, Kixson, Sarah and Kelly were hooking up right and left with one another, as well as with the other eight girls. It was basically a non-stop orgy those last couple days in New York, and I had no idea if you were participating or not.”
“Not,” I say in a flat voice. “I’ve only been with you, Posey, since that first bikini fitting. You were so gorgeous, and I wasn’t interested in anyone else.”
“But will you be interested, now that you’re back at Mirago?” she asks, one brow arched.
“No,” I state flatly again. “I only want you. I promise you that, sweetheart.”
With that assurance, Posey’s eyes soften, and she leans against my chest before inhaling in a deep shudder.
“Good, I’m glad. I couldn’t bear it if you were with someone else.”
My big hand reaches up to stroke her soft curls, cradling her skull.
“Is this why you’ve been so skittish? You thought I was hooking up with other women?”
She tilts her chin to look at me, blue eyes wide and bright with unshed tears.
“Yes,” Posey confirms. “But now that I know you’re not, I feel much better. Thank you, Trek.”
“No, thank you, sweetheart,” I rasp, pulling her in for a kiss. “I had no idea you felt this way, and now that you know that I’m committed to monogamy, will you stay? I’m not promising forever, or a happily ever after, or wedding bells. But I want you to stay so that we can figure this out, you and me.”
Posey nestles into my chest.
“Yes, I’ll stay,” she murmurs. “And we will figure this out because this is only the beginning, not the end.”
With that confirmation, our lips find each other’s, tasting of salt and warmth and promise. Our hearts beating in sync, Posey and I take our first steps toward our life together, both of us finally willing to lose control.
EPILOGUE
Posey
I wiggle my toes in the cool sea water, focusing on the sensation on my feet. The sand is soft, almost like satin, and a breeze cools my hot cheeks.
Beside me, Trek tilts his face toward the blazing sun overhead, his dark hair glinting under the light. He looks relaxed, seemingly unfazed by this next big step we’re about to take.
“I can’t believe it,” I murmur, idly scooping at the water with a small seashell that washed up next to us.
“What’s that?” Trek asks in his deep drawl.
“Well, we’re leaving Mirago,” I say. “You’re leaving the place you’ve always considered home. You’re leaving your friends, except that one guy who lives in New York - Brax.”
But Trek merely chuckles, the low, throaty sound carrying to my ears.
“Brax, that bastard. I can’t believe he just proposed to Morgan because he’s always been such a stickler for tradition, which means the bachelor lifestyle for us. But yeah, I was ready to leave the moment you stepped into the picture, Red,” he says teasingly. “We both know who’s in charge in this relationship.”
I flush and roll my eyes. “You’re ridiculous,” I say with a giggle.
“No, I’m being honest.” He reaches out and links his fingers through mine. “You changed me, Posey. In more ways than one. Once I met you, I knew my time at Mirago was coming to an end because I wanted something long-term with you. And it’s just the rules because couples at Mirago can’t stay. They’re required to leave the island. But it’s worth if, if I have you by my side.”
I nod because the Island of Mirago has its own code of conduct. Sure, it’s ruled by a community of men who import women as temporary sex toys. But when long-term commitments form, as they do occasionally, the couples in question are asked to leave. A monogamous, two-person relationship simply isn’t a fit with the customs and practices of the island community.
Still, my boyfriend seems happy to depart. We’ve been here six months now, and it’s been a whirlwind of seeing his homeland, learning its customs, and meeting the men Trek considers “brothers.” But now, as a committed couple, we’re the ones being asked to leave.
“Are you sure you’re okay with it?” I ask hesitantly for the billionth time. “We can visit each other, if you want. Me to Mirago, and you to New York.”
Brax takes my hand. “Posey,” he says quietly, shaking his head. “Mirago will always have a place in my heart. But home? That’s wherever you are.”
My eyes fill at such a sweet sentiment, and I squeeze Trek’s hand in mine.
“Thank you,” I say in a broken voice. “I appreciate it so much. I know it’s a huge sacrifice.”