Epilogue
Roxie - Three Years Later
Life’s been amazing since that day three years ago.
We’re doing our annual flash sale, and just like the last two, I can’t help but think about the very first one we did. Everything has changed since then, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Sure, it was really hard to get past the fact that Duncan did what he did, but when I learned about how Max took care of it, it made sleeping at night a lot easier.
I’m thankful, though. It was a shock to my system to have to go through something so awful again, but I also knew I’d come out stronger, and that’s exactly what I did. My parents, my siblings, the guys in the club, and especially Max all made sure the events that happened because of Duncan wouldn’t take over.
And I’m not afraid to admit that I’d be lost without all of them. They all helped me get through what happened in ways I’ll never be able to repay.
I smile and shake my head at myself as I continue to finish up the old-school sparrow tattoo I’m working on.
“There you go. You’re all done.” I tell my tenth client of the day. I get them cleaned up and ready to head out so I can clean my station for the next person.
“You look like you’re enjoying this.”
I look up at Stanford and smile. “I am. This event means a lot, and I’m happy it’s continued despite the way it began.”
“Hey, it’d be a little hypocritical if I didn’t keep it going.”
“How do you mean?”
“We do this for women who suffer at the hands of men. I’m not going to stop helping because a man attacked a woman at the event. I’m going to keep going and show that we’re going to continue to help. I won’t let those who try to stop us win.”
I stand up and walk over to Stanford and give him a hug. “Thank you, Stanford. That means a lot.”
“You mean a lot to this shop, Roxie. This shop thrives because of you.”
“I don’t know. I think it has something to do with the new ownership,” I wink at him. He laughs before he tells me to get back to work. Stanford taking over the shop was what we all needed. He’s brought in a lot more clients. So much so that I’m almost completely booked for the year.
“Roxie, can you take Julie here for her first tattoo?”
“Sure, Mark.”
I smile up at both of them, “Thanks. Julie, this is Roxie. You’re in great hands with her, I promise.”
“Thank you,” I hear her whisper to Mark. I get her situated, and once she’s ready to go, I get started.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay. The pain isn’t too bad. Plus, I’ve had worse.” She’s quiet for a moment, and I want to ask more, but if I’ve learned anything, it’s to let people speak at their own pace. “I hope Mark isn’t mad at me for requesting I work with you.”
“I promise you, he’s not. He understands that there will be clients more comfortable with a woman than they will with a man. He’s a great guy, but we all get it. Your comfort matters most to us. Don’t ever apologize for making yourself your priority.”
“Thank you,” she whispers, and I give her a soft smile before I continue her tattoo.
Hours later, we’re cleaning up, and I do the same thing I’ve done each year.
“Hey, Mark?”
I hear him laugh, and I know what’s coming, but I can’t help it. It’s this compulsion I can’t escape.
“Roxie, again? We don’t have to, I promise.”
“I know. I know. But you also know that I do. Maybe this will be the last year.” We both laugh because we both know that that isn’t true, but I continue anyway. “I’m sorry for thinking everything Duncan did was you.”
“I know you are, Roxie. I appreciate you telling me that. I understand why you did.”
“I know, but still.”
“No, but still.” He pulls me into his arms and wraps me into a hug. “You were going through a lot, and I happened to be there. When you put two and two together, the answer made sense. I don’t hold anything against you, and one day, you’re going to believe me.”
Everything I thought was Mark was nothing more than a huge coincidence. That day I saw him down the street? Because he had bought the house that had been listed for sale for over a year. The grocery store? Weird, it’s where people buy food. Everything was due to why he moved here, and I’ve never felt more stupid. I told him why I had an issue with him that day and why I became awful with him. He didn’t bat an eye. He understood and told me he wished he knew what was happening because he would have done anything he could to have helped.
We’ve moved on except for when we do this sale. It brings it all back, and I have to apologize again.
“One day, I will. I promise.”
“Look, let’s stop thinking about that and think about the good news you got earlier,” he says, successfully shifting my train of thought.
“I can’t believe it’s real.”
“Believe it, Roxie. You earned it.” Stanford chimes in. “You’re going to do great.”
“What day again?” I know he told me, but in my excitement and disbelief, the finer details have escaped me.
“She’ll be here on Monday,” Stanford confirms before heading to the back.
“You fucking did it, Roxie. Your very first apprentice.”
* * *
“Fuck!”
“Oh…my…fuck. Fuck! Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”
Max pumps into me as if it’s the last time he’ll ever be able to. Every day with him is better than the last, and I still can’t believe I get to call him mine.
“I’m gonna come.”
“Come for me, baby,” he tells me before slamming his mouth onto mine. We taste each other’s moans as we come together. I feel his cock pulse as I explode around him. Sex with him is never the same. It’s always better, always exciting. Always perfect. Of course, we’ve had our fights, but true to our words, we’ve never run since the day we promised we wouldn’t.
Max exhales loudly before he falls off to my side.
“I swear, if you weren’t snipped, you would have just gotten me pregnant.”
He laughs in response before kissing me sweetly.
“Thank fuck for small miracles.”
“Oh, it’s not small.”
He chuckles as he runs his hand through my hair before he pushes it back. The look in his eyes is one I’ll never get tired of. It’s the look that tells me everything I need to know, but he always makes it even better with his words.
“I love you, Rox Marsden.”
“And I love you, Max. Always.”
The end.