12. Epilogue
Epilogue
Lillian
ONE YEAR LATER
With the warmth of the fireplace wrapped around me, I can’t help but move back to the window overlooking the front porch. Towering pine trees stretch toward the sky, their deep green needles swaying gently in the breeze. The surrounding mountains rise up behind the trees, like some kind of guardians, watching over our new home, our own slice of paradise.
The house smells like fresh paint and unpacked cardboard boxes, and the sunlight streams through the wide windows, making the hardwood floors glow beneath my slippers.
It’s peaceful here. Quiet in a way that feels almost surreal after everything we’ve been through. I take a deep breath, letting the crisp mountain air fill my lungs, and smile as I watch James haul another box inside.
My heart swells at the sight of him. We’ve just celebrated our first anniversary, but yet, his broad shoulders, that determined, steely expression on his face as he moves still does things to my body.
He looks more at home now we have a place to call our own. Misty Peaks has helped him relax, and I hope this house does just as much for the man who’s given me everything.
“Do we really have this much stuff?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at the sight of yet another box labeled Kitchen .
James grins, wiping the sweat from his brow. “You should see how much gear I have to keep for Search and Rescue. You’d think I’m building a whole command center.”
I laugh. “I don’t doubt it. You mountain boys and your gear.”
“Gotta stay prepared.” He winks at me, then sets the box down with a thud.
His muscles flex under his shirt, and for a second, I just stand there, admiring him. My big, protective Navy Commander-turned-Search-and-Rescue hero. He’s all mine and I can’t help but smile.
“Speaking of being prepared,” I say, leaning against the counter, “I think you were a little too prepared when it came to Logan.”
James looks up, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Logan?”
I nod, biting my lip to keep from laughing. “Yeah, don’t pretend like you don’t remember. The guy who suddenly decided Misty Peaks wasn’t for him after he saw you?”
James’ face softens into a slow, proud grin. “I didn’t do anything. Just stood there.”
“Uh-huh, sure. My big, protective man sent him running to the hills, and you know it.”
He shrugs, walking over to me with that smug look I know all too well. “Can’t help it if he felt intimidated.”
I laugh, rolling my eyes. “Intimidated? You practically stared him down like he was an enemy combatant.”
James steps closer, his hands resting on my hips as his grin turns teasing. “Maybe I did. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing,” I say, looping my arms around his neck. “In fact, I kind of liked it.”
His eyes darken with that familiar look, the one that sends shivers down my spine. “Oh, you did, huh?”
I nod, biting my lip. “I think it’s sexy when you get all protective over me.”
“Well, lucky for you, I’m always going to protect you, Angel,” he murmurs, pulling me closer.
The heat between us flares, and I feel the tension shift.
We have so much to do. The boxes, the unpacking and organizing. But somehow, all of it fades into the background as James leans down, his lips brushing against mine. My heart skips a beat, and I melt into him, the warmth of his body pressing against me, strong and steady.
“I think,” James whispers, his breath hot against my ear, “we need to christen this place.”
I blink up at him, the teasing glint in his eyes making me grin. “Is that so? And how exactly are we going to do that?”
He doesn’t answer with words. Instead, his hands slide up my back, pulling me tighter against him, his lips crashing onto mine. The kiss is hard and demanding, filled with all the passion I remember from the very first night I met him on Infinity Voyager .
I gasp as his hands find the hem of my shirt, pulling it up and over my head in one swift motion.
“Well, that’s one way to start,” I murmur, my voice breathless.
James chuckles, his lips trailing down my neck, biting and sucking at my sensitive skin. “This is just the beginning, Lily. I plan on making sure every inch of this house knows we live here.”
His hands roam over my body, strong and possessive, as he lifts me onto the counter. I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him closer. My pussy heats, the need to feel him growing.
“You know,” I say, my voice teasing. “We could move to the bedroom...”
James pauses, his lips hovering just above mine. “We could. But I kind of like this counter.”
I laugh softly, but it quickly turns into a moan as he presses his hips against me, his hands sliding down to grip my thighs. I can feel his hardness already and I don’t waste any time dipping my hand in his pants, reaching for his long length.
“Fuck,” he grunts, my hand wrapping around his cock and starting to stroke him. “Lily, you’re so fucking amazing.”
I wiggle my hips, sliding forward on the counter. James yanks his pants down, freeing his cock. I laugh against his mouth, loving the way he latches onto my neck, letting me grip his big dick as he sinks his teeth into me.
His mouth moves against my skin, is stubble prickling me as he works to my chest, releasing my bra and claiming a nipple in his warm mouth. A gasp escapes me as James’ mouth closes around my stiff peak, his tongue swirling over the sensitive bud.
My hand moves faster around his cock, stroking him with a firm, steady pressure. He’s hard and thick in my palm, my mouth watering at the temptation to put it in my mouth.
“God, Lily,” James growls, his voice thick with need. “I can’t wait any longer. I need to be inside you.”
The words send a rush of heat straight to my legs. I’m so wet. So ready for my big, possessive man to take me right here on the counter.
I tug at his cock, every stroke pulling a groan straight from his lips, vibrating against my skin as he sucks harder on my nipple, his other hand kneading my breast.
The cold counter is beneath my ass as James rips my jeans down, tossing them behind him. My panties follow and I feel the head of his cock at my entrance the second I’m naked before him.
James pulls back from my chest, his eyes dark and intense as he watches me, gripping himself as he slides up my folds.
“So wet, Angel,” he growls, heavy eyes locked on my pussy. “Look at you, all prepared for me.”
I nod, biting my bottom lip. “I’m ready, James.”
His big hands grip my thighs, spreading me wide as I feel the head of his cock slide up to my clit and back down. I bite my lip harder, holding his gaze. With one slow, deliberate thrust, he pushes inside me.
A moan tears from my throat, my head falling back as he fills me. Stretches me. Fuck . I’ll never get used to his size, but he gives me a moment, his breath ragged as I claw at his chest, urging him deeper.
I hold onto his muscular arms as he starts to move, his hips pulling back before thrusting in deep again. His hands grip my ass, pulling me against him until I’m gripping the edge of the counter, his movements more urgent, more desperate.
“You’re mine,” he growls, his breath hot against my ear. “Every fucking inch of you. Mine.”
“Yes,” I gasp, my body trembling. “I’m all yours, James. Always.”
He groans in response, his lips crashing down on mine in a heated kiss. It’s messy and desperate, but filled with love and devotion, passion and dreams.
It’s everything I ever wanted when I left Misty Peaks to find myself. I found a life in the arms of this strong man, and I’m never letting him go.
The pleasure builds with every drive of his hips, coiling tight in my pussy, my body on the edge of release. James’ hands are everywhere, searching my body. He grips my tits, my ass, my hips, each touch driving me higher and higher until I’m teetering on the edge, right there with him.
“Cum for me, baby,” he demands, big, rough hands coming down on the inside of my thighs. “That’s it, cum for me. Yes! Yes, baby!”
His words push me over the edge, and with a loud cry in our new home, the first of what I’m sure will be many, my body shatters.
The orgasm rips through me, wave after wave of pleasure crashing over me as my muscles tighten around him, milking his cock, giving me his warm, hot seed. My nails dig into his shoulders, my head thrown back until I come down from the all-consuming pleasure.
For a moment, we ride the crest, our heavy breathing filling our home.
Then, as James slides out of me and retrieves my panties and jeans, I rise off the counter and fold into his big, open arms.
“The perfect start,” I murmur against his hard chest.
James kisses the top of my head, his arms holding me tight. “The perfect start to forever,” he whispers.
And I know, without a doubt, that we’ve found our happily ever after.