Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103712 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
They thought of everything.
Her days were spent doing whatever she pleased. If she showed an interest in a hobby, she’d find herself surrounded by resources within hours. Books, crafts, and obscure ingredients whenever she had a craving to bake something. They indulged her every whim.
And she indulged them much the same. Though their desires were less tangible than hers and more often of the carnal sense.
And on the mornings after those exceptionally long nights, she found herself pampered beyond anything she’d ever known. They had a team of discreet specialists at their disposal, and often spoiled her with spa treatments that redefined her understanding of indulgence.
They instructed the massage therapists to work every knot out of her muscles with oils that smelled like heaven, until her skin glowed like moonlight and she felt like a living goddess. She even had a personal aesthetician to perform a long list of beauty treatments until her skin appeared reborn, transformed into something that belonged on marble statues rather than mortal women.
She had stylists to take care every inch of her grooming. Every hair below her neck had been removed with precision that bordered on artistry. She let the staff buff and polish her until she gleamed like smooth, precious marble. They shaped and painted her nails, lathered her skin in lotions, and basically transformed her into living velvet.
And then there was her very delicate, very thorough nurse, Elena, who saw to the more intimate preparations that often made Marigold’s cheeks flame. Her approach was clinical but professional, and mortifying beyond description. But Elena’s matter-of-fact methods made the process bearable, and afterward, Marigold always felt cleaner and more prepared for whatever intimacies awaited in the darkness ahead.
These rituals, which were once so foreign and strange, now felt like necessities. She shouldn’t become so dependent on luxuries, but whenever she uttered the slightest hint of guilt, the men chastised her in a way that made her remember their corrections every time she sat down the next day.
“We like taking care of you. Leave it at that,” Hunter had growled the last time she worried she was taking advantage of their kindness.
Stone drove home his point by planting another reminder on her bare ass.
“Okay!” She squirmed under the sharp sting. “I won’t complain anymore.”
Ash tsked. “What kind of woman complains about being spoiled anyway?”
“A naughty one.” Stone spanked her ass again.
Suffice it to say, after that night, she never felt guilty about accepting their gifts again. She simply accepted that she was their greatest treasure, and no matter what they gave her, they would always wish they could give a little more.
Ash said she needed to learn her worth.
Hunter said she was priceless.
Stone said she needed to be spanked more.
Maybe they were all correct on some level.
But after months of running and narrowly escaping a life sentence in a padded cell, it was hard to believe anyone would want her, let alone love her as deeply and completely as Hunter, Stone, and Ash.
While some people waited their entire life to find a single good man, she’d managed to fall in love with not one, but three gorgeously generous, doting—often demanding—men. Despite their rough edges, at their core, they were all honorable and kind.
And tonight, they were officially marking her as their own, a commitment she’d requested, and a gift they couldn’t resist granting. She was not just theirs. They were hers, and she wanted to make that claim for all the world to see.
Knowing dinner wasn’t for a few hours, Marigold drew a bath and grabbed a novel from the nightstand. She sank into the tub with a sigh that bordered on ecstasy. The water was perfect, hot enough to melt the tension from her muscles, and scented enough to make her feel like a goddess. When her eyes got heavy, she set the book aside and floated peacefully.
This was what security felt like—not just physical safety, but emotional sanctuary. A place where she could explore desires she’d never dared acknowledge, with men who would push her boundaries while keeping her absolutely safe.
When the water had cooled, she finally emerged, wrapping herself in a soft towel. In the mirror, her reflection held a radiant glow—relaxed, like a woman who’d finally found her place in the world.
A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. “Come in,” she called, as she combed through her damp curls.
Ash entered, carrying what appeared to be a jewelry box. His eyes tracked over her towel-wrapped form with evident appreciation, but there was something deeper in his stare—possession mixed with reverence.
“I hope you don’t mind the intrusion,” he said, taking her comb and setting it on the vanity. “But we have something for you.”
“What is it?”
“Open it and see.” He handed her the small package, and she lifted the lid.
Inside the box, nestled on black velvet, was the most beautiful necklace she’d ever seen. Not gaudy or ostentatious, but elegant in a way that spoke of old money and older power. The centerpiece was a pendant, chiseled with raw diamonds.