Bryce

31. Epilogue

“Bryson,” Samantha called over her shoulder as she filled the small red backpack with extra clothes and training pants. “Where’d you go, bud? It shouldn’t take you that long to get your shoes on. Auntie Rayelle will be here any minute.”

Once she’d filled the bag with as much as she could possibly fit, she turned to see Bryce walking into the kitchen holding her son by the hand. Looking up at her with brown eyes full of mischief and curls wild, he still didn’t have any shoes on, but Bryce at least had them in his free hand. She felt bad being so anxious for her kid to go, but they hadn’t spent an entire night alone since he was born, and he was going on three years old.

“What do you say we put your shoes on, kid?” Bryce suggested in that easygoing dad manner that never failed to make her swoon. “Don’t you want to go see your auntie? And play with Benny?”

Benny was Rayelle and Dominic’s little boy. He was only six months younger than Bryson and the two were thick as thieves. Even with them living close to thirty minutes apart since they moved into their new place in Bayonne, they spent as much time together as possible. Samantha had decided to take a break after Rent finished because she wanted to spend as much time with her son as she could. Broadway wasn’t going anywhere.

As soon as Samantha heard the knock, Bryson went running to the door, squealing with excitement. His dad may have passed away before he was born, but he had no shortage of people to love him. And they were fortunate enough to have friends who loved him as if he was their own.

Bryce opened the door to let Rayelle in as Samantha finished zipping the bag and made her way over. Benny squirmed from her arms and ran over to Bryson, both boys running toward his bedroom.

“Hey! I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever,” Samantha said as she pulled her friend into a hug.

“It’s been like two weeks,” Rayelle pointed out. “I’m glad you finally decided to let the little man out of your sight for a night. You both need a break. Being a stay-at-home mom is no joke.”

Samantha couldn’t agree more. As guilty as she felt thinking it, staying at home taking care of Bryson day in and day out with no break was the hardest thing she’d ever done. She wouldn’t trade the opportunity for the world, but it was exhausting.

“Thanks for taking him. If he drives you crazy, just call one of us and we’ll come get him.”

Bryce had wrangled the boys from the bedroom, and Rayelle took both by the hand and directed them to stand by the door. After swinging Bryson’s bag over her shoulder, she took their hands and walked out into the hall.

“Bye, guys. I will not call you even if he burns the house down. You kids have fun.”

“Wait. Not so fast,” Samantha said, speeding into the hall behind them. “Little B. Give Mama hugs and kisses.”

Bryson turned and jumped into her arms, squeezing as tight as his little arms would allow, and gave her wet kisses followed by a raspberry on her cheek. Samantha laughed before putting him down, discreetly using her shoulder to wipe his slobber from her face.

“You be good. I’ll see you tomorrow. Are you okay going—” she started to ask, but he had turned and was running toward the stairs with Benny before she could finish her question. He would be fine.

After watching them disappear down the stairs, she finally turned and went back into her apartment. With a heavy sigh, she closed the door behind herself before leaning against it.

“He’ll be fine, you know.” Bryce sauntered over to her and placed his hands on the door, boxing her in.

“I know. I couldn’t wait for this break, but I miss him already,” she admitted.

“I know you do. And so do I. But I’ve also missed you.”

He stepped closer until she felt his body pressed against hers. “I’ve missed you, too.”

He covered her mouth with what started as a gentle kiss. As soon as his tongue teased at her lips, her body came alive. Sure, they’d had sex since Bryson was born, but the idea of having an entire night to themselves, to do whatever they wanted without worrying about being quiet? Yes, please. She gripped his shirt and tugged, expecting him to take over and pull it the rest of the way off.

“Easy.” He chuckled. “There’s no rush.”

With a short laugh of her own, she stepped back. “You started it. I was just over here minding my business,” she teased. “What did you have in mind?”

Bryce grabbed her by the hand, leading her into the living room. Feeling the same butterflies as she had when they first met, she followed him into the living room. She was skeptical when all he did was take a seat on the sofa.

“Movie night?” he suggested, patting the spot next to him.

“Oh. Okay. We can do that.”

“Sam.” He pulled her close. “We have all night.”

It was a reminder she needed to hear. Those words helped her to relax more than she had in what felt like years. They had all night. No one was going to interrupt them. They could watch a movie or do literally anything they wanted. Draping her legs over his, she turned toward him and rested her head on his shoulder as he picked out a movie.

Bryce really did want to spend some time with his wife and watch a movie. They rarely got a chance to do that, even if they included Bryson in on the movie night. Work was busier than ever, which was a good thing, but he wasn’t lying when he told Samantha he missed her. He missed her the way she was when it was just the two of them and she allowed herself a carefree moment.

The movie hadn’t been on long, but he was already spending more time watching her than he was the movie. She wore short cotton pajama shorts and a tank top, her smooth legs draped over his. He gave in to the urge to touch her, caressing her legs with long strokes. His touch was intended to be soothing, but when she went rigid beside him, he knew it was having a different effect.

“You said movie night,” she reminded him.

“I know. I just wanted to touch you while I watch the movie. If that’s not allowed, you shouldn’t have your legs in my lap.”

“You can’t make rules up as we go. You know this is my preferred way to sit on the couch.”

His chuckle came out closer to a growl. “It’s different when we’re alone.”

“Is that really a bad thing?” Samantha stroked his inner thigh, sending heat straight to his groin. “We designed the bedroom to have your office space in there so we could keep the third bedroom free. We need to work on filling it, so all that effort wasn’t for nothing.”

Effortlessly, he lifted her legs and positioned himself above her as she lay back on the couch, a look of surprise on her face. “Don’t threaten me with a good time. I’d love to fill this place with kids, and I’d also be fine just doing the things we need to do in order to fill it with kids.”

Gripping the waistband of her shorts, he tugged them down, tossing them to the floor as he moved down her body, only stopping when he reached the apex of her thighs. He placed a kiss at her most sensitive place before looking up to meet her gaze.

“I’ve missed this.” He ran his nose down her slit before circling her clit with his tongue.

“Fuck!” she shouted, gripping his hair.

She was already soaking wet, taking his finger easily as he slipped it inside her core while continuing to lathe her with his tongue. He knew the first time would be quick since it had been a while, but the way she tightened around his finger, he knew she was almost there.

“Not yet,” he warned. “Do not come until I tell you to come.”

“I’m so close,” she whimpered. “I need you inside me.”

His plan to take his time shattered at her words. He wanted to go slow since they rarely had that luxury. But the need in her voice nearly pushed him over the edge and he wasn’t even inside her yet. He removed his finger and then flipped them so she was on top, straddling him. After he ripped his shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor near her shorts, he raised his hips off the couch so Samantha could pull his sweatpants off.

“Take what you need,” he instructed, gripping her hips to guide her over his length.

She shuddered above him as she lowered herself down, closing her eyes and tipping her head back. His muscles were tense. He wanted to move. Needed to move. But he’d told her to take what she needed, and he would let her. When she lifted up and then slowly slid back down his hard cock, there was no holding back the groan that vibrated through him.

She stilled at the sound, and he took the opportunity to pull her shirt over her head. He wanted to see her. She had a few more curves than when he’d met her, and he intended to worship every single one. He placed his hands on her thighs and then moved them up her body. She whimpered when his fingers grazed the nipples of her heavy breasts.

“Don’t be shy,” he breathed. “Ride me.”

And she did. Her movements started off timid and unsure, but as he gripped her hips and met each one of her thrusts, she found her rhythm. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, watching as her breasts bounced and her muscles tensed. He would never get enough of her. His spine tingled as his orgasm began to build. With his hands tight on her hips, he took over control, slamming her down to him before lifting her and repeating the motion over and over until she screamed his name, her walls tightening around him. With one final thrust, he held her tight against him as he spilled deep inside her, pulsing as her walls continued to contract around him.

She collapsed onto his chest, panting as they both tried to catch their breath. This wasn’t exactly what he had in mind, and they’d probably made a mess on the couch, but he didn’t care. He wouldn’t change anything. They had all night. They had more than one night, and he would take her slow the next time. Or the time after that.

They had their entire lives.