Epilogue
Rhea
One year later…
Scattered research papers threaten to overtake every inch of my desk, the organized chaos creating a web of cross-referenced pages I somehow need to analyze all at once. I adjust my reading glasses, squinting at yet another dense paragraph about the most prevalent markers of religious trauma in adolescents. My pencil taps against my notepad as I try to focus on extracting relevant quotes for my thesis proposal.
A gentle knock soon breaks my concentration. I glance up to find Dean leaning against the doorframe, a steaming mug of coffee in his outstretched hand. His dark curls are still damp from the shower, T-shirt clinging to his broad shoulders in a way that makes my mouth water.
"Thought you could use a pick-me-up, babygirl." He crosses to my desk, setting the mug beside my elbow before dropping a warm kiss on my cheek. "You've been buried in here for hours."
"My hero." I reach for the tempting caffeine hit, humming appreciatively at the first sip. "Though I suspect you have ulterior motives for checking to make sure I’m almost finished here."
"Can't a guy just bring his girl coffee?" he chuckles. His fingers trail up my arm, raising goosebumps in their wake. "Without being accused of having a hidden agenda?"
"Not when that guy is you." I tilt my head back to meet his teasing gaze. "And not when I know you're planning something for tonight at the club."
Dean's answering smirk sends heat pooling low in my belly. "Maybe I am. But you'll have to wait and see."
"Give me a hint?" I catch his wrist as he starts to withdraw, pulling him back down to eye level. "Please?"
"Nope." He drops another quick kiss on my nose. "But make sure you wrap up by six. I want to take full advantage of every minute I have alone with you."
"No fair." I pout up at him, batting my eyelashes in a way that usually gets me what I want. "Just one tiny clue?"
His laugh rumbles through his chest as he cups my chin. "Those puppy eyes might work on Dad, sweetheart, but I'm immune. Besides..." His thumb traces my bottom lip. "Half the fun is watching you squirm while you wonder what's coming."
"You're evil."
"You love it." He winks, stepping back before I can try another method of persuasion. "Now focus on your work. Can't have you falling behind just because I'm distracting you with promises of playtime."
"Fine." I turn back to my papers with an exaggerated sigh. "But this better be worth all the hype you're building."
"When have I ever disappointed you? Trust me, baby. Tonight will be worth the teasing."
I bite my lip as warmth floods my cheeks, already imagining what delicious torments he might have planned. My mind drifts to our last club visit, when he made me come so many times, I was scared I’d never walk again.
"I see that look." His knowing chuckle snaps me back to the present. "Save those thoughts for later. Your thesis won't write itself."
"You started it," I grumble, but I'm already reaching for my highlighter again. The sooner I finish my work, the sooner I can discover what Dean has in store.
"That's my good girl." He brushes his lips across my temple. "Six o'clock. Don't be late."
I watch him saunter back towards the door, admiring the way his jeans hug his perfect ass. Just before he makes his exit, he tosses one final smirk over his shoulder that has my toes curling inside my fuzzy socks.
"I hope he wasn’t distracting you too thoroughly.” Ethan's deep voice cuts through my daydreaming. He leans against the doorframe where Dean stood moments ago, arms crossed over his broad chest. Though his expression holds amusement, I catch that familiar glint of warning in his icy eyes.
"I was just bringing her coffee!" Dean protests from further down the hall.
"Mhmm." Ethan pushes off the frame, prowling into my study with that predatory grace I've come to associate with impending discipline. "And I'm sure you weren't at all trying to derail her focus while you did it!"
I duck my head, suddenly very interested in reorganizing my highlighters as I try to stifle a giggle. "I'm working hard, I promise."
"Are you?" Ethan's palm lands flat on my desk as he leans over me. "Because your task list specifically outlined completing three chapter summaries before dinner. How many have you finished?"
Heat creeps up my neck as I glance at my barely started notes. "One and a half?"
"I see." His fingers drum against the wood, each tap sending little jolts through my nervous system. "And what did we discuss about maintaining proper discipline while Master is away?"
"That you're in charge of ensuring I stay on track with my protocols." The words come automatically—we've had this conversation several times since Master left for his research trip.
"Exactly." Ethan straightens, fixing Dean with a pointed look where he’s suddenly reappeared in the doorway. "Which means no distractions during study hours. Even if they come with caffeine."
Dean raises his hands in mock surrender. "Message received. I'll leave our girl to her studies."
"Good." Ethan's attention returns to me, his hard expression softening slightly. "Now then, little one. Let's review your remaining tasks for today."
I reach for the leather-bound planner Master gave me, flipping to today's schedule. Ethan moves behind my chair, his presence both alluring and intimidating as he reads over my shoulder.
"Two more chapter summaries, a complete bibliography for tomorrow’s reading, and an ‘everything shower’ before Dean's playtime tonight." His fingers thread through my hair, gently massaging my scalp until my eyes almost roll back. "Think you can handle all that?"
"Yes." I lean into his touch, not brave enough to say out loud that he’s distracting me just as much as his brother was.
“Perfect. Your Master will be home in three days. And you know what he promised for his return if you were on your best behavior..."
My eyes snap open at the reminder of Master's last phone call. "A group scene."
"Mmm. Which means you need to prove you deserve such a reward. Starting with completing today's work."
"I will." I straighten in my chair, already reaching for my next paper. "I promise I won't let myself get distracted again."
"Good girl. Though if you do..." His lips brush my ear as he leans down. "I'm sure I can think of creative ways to punish you."
A shiver runs down my spine at the subtle threat that doubles as an equally delicious promise. "I'll try to be good."
"We'll see." He steps back, that commanding presence never wavering. "I'll check on your progress in an hour. Try to have something substantial to show me."
"Yes, sir."
"And Dean?" Ethan calls down the hallway to where his twin’s bedroom is located in our sprawling home. "No more coffee deliveries until she's finished her work."
"Spoilsport," Dean quips back.
Ethan's footsteps soon fade away, leaving me alone with my research once more. But now I feel a renewed focus that has nothing to do with fresh coffee. I have three days until Master returns. Three days to demonstrate that I can maintain his strict protocols even in his absence. Three days to earn my favorite reward.
My fingers close around my pen a little tighter. I have work to do.
I beam at full pages of notes less than an hour later, stretching my arms above my head as I let my gaze wander around my little sanctuary. The afternoon sunlight catches the silver photo frames lining my bookshelf—snapshots of moments I never dreamed I'd have little more than a year ago. Dean teaching me to cook his favorite spaghetti dish in our kitchen. Ethan spotting me at the gym he convinced me to join. Both of them beside my Master, beaming with pride at my graduation.
My fingers trace the edge of my desk, remembering the day they surprised me with this space after we moved into our new home. "Every academic needs a proper study," Master had insisted, while the twins carried in boxes of my books. The bay windows were his idea. He knows how much I love natural light while I work.
I pull my planner closer, running my fingertips over Master's neat handwriting where he's outlined my daily protocols. Even while he’s away for work, he ensures I never feel untethered. The twins maintain his exacting standards, but each brings their own flavor to my training. Dean's playful encouragement. Ethan's stern guidance. Master's unwavering authority binding us all together.
Three days. Just three more days until he comes back to us and completes our perfect unit. My skin tingles remembering his last command before leaving—how I'm to prepare myself for him. For all of them. The thought of serving all three at once makes me nervous and giddy in equal measure, heat flooding between my thighs despite my best efforts to focus.
Focus. Right.
I shake myself from these dangerous daydreams, knowing Ethan will return soon to check my progress. The papers seem to multiply before my eyes, but I don't feel overwhelmed anymore. Each task has its designated time, each goal broken into manageable steps.
My pen moves steadily across the page as I complete my notes. The familiar academic language comes naturally to me now, reminding me that I'm still that dedicated student who earned her way here. My submission hasn't diminished my intelligence or drive. If anything, it's enhanced my ability to achieve my goals.
As Nat often says, I’m living my best life.
Soon Ethan will inspect my progress with that knowing smirk. Soon Dean will whisk me away to whatever delicious torments he's planned. Soon Master will return to praise me for working so hard.
But for now, I have this peaceful moment to myself. This beautiful study in this house that's become my home. This life I never knew I needed until three extraordinary men showed me exactly who I could be. No more suppressing pieces of myself, no more shame about going after what I want. Nothing but a fierce pride in the woman I’ve become.
And I've learned that the sweetest rewards come after proving myself worthy of them.