Epilogue
One Week After Homecoming
I thought homecoming weekend was a good one, but my weekend in Austin with Nick surpassed that. From the moment he picked me up from the airport on Friday with flowers, he kept a smile on my face. We went to dinner at his favorite restaurant and then he made me his dessert. On Saturday, he showed me around the city, and we did the touristy thing. That night, we went to dinner followed by dancing. It was an epic night and the way he put it on me when we got back to his place was the icing on an already delicious cake. So, it was no wonder my legs were tired and my body was sore when I woke up late Sunday morning.
“After the way you spoiled me, I’m not ready to go home yet,” I told him as I stretched out in the middle of his bed.
“You don’t have to go anywhere,” Nick countered, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me into him.
With my back to his front, I giggled. “If I didn’t have to be at work in the morning, I would take you up on that offer.”
He kissed my shoulder. “I’ve enjoyed you being here.”
“If these last two weekends have showed me anything, it’s that I thoroughly enjoy you.”
“I’m glad to hear that because I plan on seeing a lot more of you.”
A smile curled my lips languidly. “How much more?”
“As much as you’ll allow.”
I closed my eyes, biting down on my bottom lip. After a second of relishing in his response, I asked, “What if I say I want to see you every day?”
“Then we’ll be up and down the highway making it happen.”
I giggled happily as I gave in to the fantasy with him. “You say that now.”
“I say it now.” He kissed my shoulder again. “And I’ll say it tomorrow.” He kissed my neck. “And I’ll say it next week.” He kissed behind my ear. “And I’ll say it next month.” He turned my head so I could meet his gaze. “Because I mean it.”
I swallowed hard. “You better stop saying stuff like that,” I whispered.
“Why?”
“You’re going to make me fall for you.”
“Asha…” Bringing his lips to mine, he kissed me softly. “That’s what I’m banking on.”
Three Weeks After Homecoming
Nick Williams: I’m about to park now, beautiful. See you in five minutes.
Asha James: You got here quick! You must’ve really missed me.
Nick Williams: You have no idea how much I’ve missed you.
Asha James: Good! I have something for you.
Nick Williams: I have something for you, too.
Peering out the window, I watched Nick as he got out of his car in front of my apartment. I hadn’t seen him since Austin and the sight of him gave me butterflies. We’d been talking nonstop and video chatting every single day but seeing him in person was different.
My stomach fluttered.
Taking a deep breath, I gave myself one last look in the mirror. My braids were pulled into a high bun at the crown of my head. I wanted my neck exposed so he could grab it. My face was bare, and I wore no makeup or jewelry. I planned to give him the sloppiest head imaginable. My body was covered in a short, black robe with nothing underneath. Because I planned to drop the robe as soon as he crossed the threshold. And I had on a pair of fuck me heels because that’s exactly what I wanted him to do.
The knock at the door made my heart skip a beat.
Taking a step back, I smiled at my reflection. He’s not going to know what hit him.
The silk material brushed against my hard nipples as I adjusted the belt. My black six-inch heels clicked against the hardwood floor as I approached.
“Nick,” I said as I opened the door with a dramatic flourish. “Welcome to my home.”
“Hi.” His eyes swept up and down my body. “Damn.”
I took a few steps backward, allowing him to enter. “Allow me to give you the tour.”
He closed the door behind him and then dropped his duffle bag. “Asha…” He let out a low whistle as he closed the gap between us. “You can give me whatever you want.”
“Anything?”
“Anything.”
Crashing his lips into mine, he backed me into the wall. I moaned into his mouth as we deepened the kiss. When he pulled away, he reached for my belt. “I like this.”
“Good. I wore it for you.” I pressed my lips against his. “For the tour.”
He licked his lips. “I think you wore it to tease me.”
Smiling, I ran my hands down his chest. “I wore it for the tour.” I let my fingers dance over his abs before sliding over the bulge in his pants. “Teasing you is a bonus.”
His eyes flashed. “I have something for you.”
“I can feel it.”
He chuckled before kissing me again. Shifting my hand from his dick to his pocket, I felt another bulge.
“Oh!” I laughed.
He cleared his throat and took a step back, pulling the small box from his pocket. “This is for you.”
“Nick!” I gasped. I looked between him and the burgundy box before I took it from his hand. “What is this?”
“Open it.”
I knew he wasn’t proposing because we’d only been dating for a few weeks. But my heart thumped in my chest with that level of excitement. When he said he’d had something for me, I assumed he was talking about dick—or flowers. I didn’t expect it to be from the jewelry store. As I tried to slow my thoughts and my heart rate, my fingers shook as I opened the box.
With wide eyes, I froze.
“Nick,” I breathed his name.
I was stunned to see a white gold necklace with a double bar. My face flushed as I took in the details—one bar was engraved with the word blessed with two round diamonds on each end and the other bar was diamond encrusted. Overwhelmed, I processed what I was seeing. It didn’t look exactly like the necklace I’d had stolen from me, but it was close.
“Nick.” I barely choked out his name. My eyes stung with tears and my vision blurred as I tried to look at him. “Thank you,” I whispered.
A soft smile graced his sexy lips. “Let me put it on you.”
I nodded, swallowing around the lump in my throat.
He took the box from my hand. “Turn around,” he ordered gently.
I turned, facing the wall, and quickly swiped at my eyes. I wasn’t trying to have a complete breakdown, but the combination of the surprise and the thoughtfulness had the tears wanting to fall freely.
“I’ve never felt this amount of peace with anyone before,” he uttered softly as he put the necklace around my neck. “I didn’t know it was possible.” He fastened the clasp and kissed my nape. “And since you gave me what someone had stolen from me.” He turned me around so that I was facing him. Staring into my eyes, he continued. “I wanted to give you what someone had stolen from you.”
Blinking rapidly, I grabbed his face and brought my lips to his. The salt from my tears flavored the kiss as I expressed my gratitude, appreciation, and adoration for him. When I felt like I could speak, I pulled away fractionally. “Thank you,” I whispered.
He fingered the necklace. “I hope you like it.”
I covered his hand with mine. “I love—I love it.” I swallowed the words that almost came and tugged at the belt of my robe and allowed the material to fall away from my voluptuous body. “Let me show you how much.”