Tonight I want you both

Tonight I want you both
Violet
Even though a few days had passed since Manfreidi’s attempt to grab me at the gym, I started to think maybe I had hit my head after all. I had to be seeing things. There was no way two proud, beautiful men were actually on their knees in front of me, each holding out a ring.
This entire scene, the gazebo, the tiny lights, the roses, was so much, so extravagant, that I would never have dared to write it into one of my books.
The scared part of me spoke up first. She had a list of reasons why this was wrong. I am not old enough, I am too hurt inside, we have not been together long enough, this is not a normal relationship. I am too broken.
It was the part of me that was terrified to offer my heart, only to have it smashed again. The part that was too frightened to let anyone care for me, because I did not think I could live through losing that love. The part that believed, deep down, I was not worth loving. The part that would rather hide inside the stories I made up than risk a real, messy life.
My therapist was helping me understand that voice. I felt sorry for her. But I was not going to let her drive my life anymore. I quietly put her fears away and said, "Yes."
Yes, I would promise myself to Richard and to Michael. Yes, I would be brave and take this chance. Yes, every love is a gamble, but I did not want to spend my whole life wondering what if.
Because I knew I loved them. Both of them. The same amount, but in different ways. Michael, who was full of life, kind, and so much more feeling than people knew. Richard, who was solid, smart, and would always keep me safe. Just like the two rings locked together to make one perfect piece, the three of us seemed designed to fit.
Their love was putting me back together.
"Can we... take this to the suite?" Richard asked, after Michael finally ended his kiss.
"What?" I teased. "But you put so much effort into this gazebo. All the flowers and the lights and…"
Before I could finish, Richard bent down and scooped me up, throwing me over his shoulder like I was a bag of flour. He gave my backside a slap, then started walking across the lawn toward the hotel. "Michael!" I cried, trying to wriggle free, but I was laughing too hard to get any air. "Michael, help me!"
Michael followed us with a happy, silly grin on his face, but he did nothing to save me from Richard’s shoulder. We got some looks from the people we passed on the way to the elevators. Some were entertained, some were clearly annoyed by our noise. The guys did not care. And I found that I did not care either.
I had a feeling the three of us would get a lot of stares in the future. I might as well get used to it now. I was not embarrassed to be with two men, and I was pretty sure Michael and Richard were proud of it, too. One older woman put a hand over her heart as we went by. I just smiled and waved from my spot, hanging upside down.
Once the elevator doors closed, I told Richard, seriously, to put me down. Being carried like that was putting too much pressure on my stomach, which was very full from the incredible dinner they had made for me. Richard said he was sorry and set me on my feet right away.
When the elevator opened, we ran like children to our suite door, and then the guys had to search all their pockets for the key card. Good for them, I had mine in my sundress pocket. We fell into the spacious room together.
Michael was the first to get rid of his Richardet, tossing it onto the couch. I slipped off my sandals by the door, and Richard was already loosening his tie. "Uh, Violet?" Michael was hopping on one foot, trying to pull off his nice leather shoe. "Are you finished with your, um." He made a funny face. "Your period?"
I laughed at him for being so uncomfortable. He would have to get used to it if we were going to be together forever. "I finished yesterday."
"What? And you did not tell us?" Richard pretended to be upset. "We could have finished what we started in the hot tub!"
I gave him my best fake-innocent look. "Have you not heard that 'Waiting for something is the best part of the fun'?"
He made a low sound in his throat and grabbed my wrist, pulling me back against his solid chest. His fingers moved through my hair, and he tilted my head back so he could reach my mouth. "Do you have any idea how much we have missed you?"
"You know," I said with a big sigh. "We could have been doing other things while I was on my period, if you two were not so worried."
"We were not being worried," Michael said, coming to stand behind me so I was pressed between their bodies. I could feel his hard length against my lower back, while Richard was rubbing against my front. "We just thought you might need some time to feel better, and, well, you know. To think about everything that has happened."
"Okay," I said, wiggling free so I could reach the zipper on my dress. "I am finished thinking." I slowly pulled the zipper down. Richard reached for me again, but I jumped up on the couch, just out of his reach, and slid the straps down my arms, showing them my lacy bra. I moved my hips a little as I pushed the dress lower, showing my stomach and my favorite butterfly belly ring.
Michael took a loud breath, so I turned around and slowly pushed the dress down over my backside, leaving my underwear on. I had picked out what I hoped was a sexy matching set when the guys said we were going to dinner. I was fully expecting something to happen later. I had no idea that dinner would end with a stunning proposal.
I moved my hips until the dress fell from my legs and pooled on the couch around my feet. I used my foot to kick it toward Michael, who caught it easily from the air.
Richard stood in front of me and started to undo the buttons on his shirt. "Tonight is your special night, darling," he said slowly, his fingers moving over the small buttons. He was probably afraid that if I helped, I would just tear it open. I licked my lips as more of his chest was revealed, the strong muscles, his small, flat nipples, the dark hair in a line down his middle. "So you can choose... how you want us."
I licked my lips again. I knew this was a big thing for Richard. Richard needed to be the one in charge, he needed to lead, he needed to be the guardian and, sometimes, the one who corrected me. But the truth was, I was always the one with the final say. Even if my hands were tied or my eyes were covered, I had the power to stop everything if I needed to.
But I had never needed to. Richard was very good at what he did. He always knew exactly how far to take me. Bringing me right to the limit of what I could take, but never going too far. And Michael... Michael was always tender and thoughtful. I trusted those two men more than I ever thought it was possible to trust anyone.
I loved them, and I had not even told them yet. But I wanted to show them. I jumped off the couch and took Michael's hand with my right, and Richard's with my left. I looked up at each of them. They looked down at me with the same look of love and wanting. I took two deep breaths before I spoke.
"Tonight I want you both," I said, my voice quiet and sure. "At the same time."