Epilogue
You didn’t have to come, Ruby,” I tell her as Luke is off talking to Glen Oliver, next to the wall of the open house. I’ve met Glen a few times and he deeply dislikes crowds, but he always shows up to support his wife Claudia when she runs these events.
“I know,” she says, turning to me. “I’m not sure my landlord would allow it, but I wouldn’t mind getting a dog.”
I laugh and wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Then you’ve certainly come to the right place!”
“Well, I also came for the tacos!” Ruby laughs, throwing the wrapper of the taco she just finished in the trash.
Warrior Cares is combining their weekly Taco Tuesday night with an adoption night for dogs. Luke’s therapist has suggested getting one, but he’s always resisted. I said we should come and have a look, because I suspect that if he meets the right dog, he’ll be on board. But first, he has to actually meet dogs. Claudia and Glen run Sweet Redemption Refuge, and we see them occasionally on King Mountain, but they mostly keep to themselves and the dogs they rescue.
“This one is so cute!” Ruby leans over a crate and sticks her hand in for a dachshund to sniff. “Do you think my landlord would say yes? How could he say no to this face?”
I look at my friend, unsure of whether she really cares what her landlord thinks or not. “What does your lease say?”
“No pets,” she says, sighing and slumping her shoulders. “I need a better job so I can afford a house of my own.”
“One day,” I agree.
“Hey, gorgeous,” Luke says, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around me as he kisses my neck. “What do you think of all these mutts?”
I pause. I’ve never been much of one for dogs, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to support the man I love. If we choose a dog here today, I know I’ll love it as much as I do Luke. “Have you met any that you like?”
“Well,” he says, moving so he’s in front of me. He’s grinning like a kid right now. “I met one, but he’s a handful. He’s also big.”
“Uh oh,” Ruby laughs and I join her.
“Where is this dog?” I ask, shooting Ruby a glance. Clearly, Luke has already fallen in love with a dog, even though he was so sure he wouldn’t.
We follow Luke through the exhibition hall and I can’t help but check out Luke’s ass as we walk behind him. I can’t wait for us to get home, so I can rip off his jeans.
“This is Rufus,” Luke says, standing in front of an oversize kennel.
“Holy cow!” I exclaim as I see what is certainly the largest puppy I’ve ever seen in my life. Rufus jumps and barks in a friendly way, full of energy and life. This is exactly the kind of dog we need.
“He’s a bloodhound. He’s healthy, but needs obedience training, which Claudia has offered to help with.”
I look at Luke and smile. He’s so genuinely happy right now, that I know I could never say no to him when he’s like this. I also know enough about bloodhounds that it will be a good dog to have around if anything goes wrong at one of the safe houses he and Waylon have told me about. It’s rare they have problems, and one of Jake’s buddies over at Ghost Security has helped Waylon with setting up top-level security, but it’s always good to have a not-tech option.
“He looks like a perfect dog, sweetheart,” I say, walking up to Luke and standing on my toes so I can kiss him. “I have no objections.”
“Have I told you you’re the best?” Luke wraps his arms around me and lifts me off the ground, making me giggle.
“I love you, too,” I whisper in his ear. “Go talk to Claudia about whatever you have to do to make Rufus ours.”
Luke kisses me again, then heads over to where Claudia is standing with Glen.
Never did I imagine I’d ever be this happy, but I’m so thankful that neither of us bailed on Valentine’s Day, when we were unexpectedly matched by the matchmaker. It would have been so easy to take off and try to forget each other, but the matchmaker knew we needed a second chance. How she knew that, we have no idea. As a bonus, she still awarded us the cash prize, which we’ve been using to fix up Luke’s cabin, especially since I’ve been spending so much time there. I practically live there as it is, and we’re just waiting for my apartment lease to run out before I officially move in.
“How’s your new kitchen coming along?” Ruby asks, as if she knew I was thinking about our home.
“Almost done,” I say with a sigh. It’s been a long process getting it just the way we wanted it to be. The prize money from the matchmaking contest has allowed us to build a dream kitchen. “We’re just waiting for the electrical guy from Swinton Construction to come and check a few things, then we’ll be good to go.”
“You know you’re welcome for dinner any time, Ruby,” I say. “We’ve been going to other cooking classes, and we need guests to eat everything!”
Going to cooking classes regularly is now one of ‘our’ things that we like to do for date nights. We love working together, and we’re learning how to make incredible dishes.
“You can count on it,” Ruby smiles.
“You’re welcome to bring a date, too…” I tease.
“Don’t you dare do a set-up at one of these dinners,” Ruby warns, though she laughs. “I’m plenty happy being single right now.”
Ever since we got together, all I can think about is the pure bliss that comes from being in love. The guys Luke works with all roll their eyes, because he’s been telling them that there’s nothing better in life than sharing everything with a woman who loves you. Luke and I think that Reggie will be the next man to give up the single life. He goes into King Tap pretty much every chance he gets, even to get a cup of their terrible coffee, if Marian is working.
“But you two,” Ruby says quietly, threading her arm through mine and pulling me close. “You two are definitely getting cozy, especially with you moving up to King Mountain. Who am I going to watch reality TV with?”
I laugh and squeeze her arm. “I’m not yet fully moved, you know. I do also have this little thing called a car and can come to your place.”
“I suppose,” Ruby says, fake-pouting. “Are we going to be choosing a dress for you one of these days?
Ruby looks at me expectantly and I can’t help but grin at her.
“Well, he hasn’t officially proposed – yet – but we’ve talked about it and we’re definitely on the same page.”
“Oh my God!” Ruby’s voice is practically the pitch of a siren and I have to shush her.
“I know!” I whisper. “It’s…I know you’ve heard me go on about how happy I am, but…words can’t even describe how amazing life is now. Don’t tell anyone yet, though. We haven’t made anything official yet – we just know that we truly are a perfect match.” I grin as I look at Ruby. I can’t believe my cheeks haven’t cracked yet, from all the smiling I do because of how much I love Luke. “I really want you to find your man, so you can be just as happy.”
“But I am happy,” she says, somewhat defensively.
“Babe. I’m not criticizing. I was happy, too,” I say, though it’s slightly a fib. “It’s just…next level when you find the right man. I just want you to be as happy as I am.”
“Well,” Ruby smiles, “I’ll be real happy when we can go dress shopping and I can help you plan the best wedding ever.”
“Deal!”
“What are you two ladies over here scheming about?” Luke asks, reaching out to put his hand on my back when he rejoins us.
Ruby and I exchange a glance. “Just girl stuff,” I say.
Luke gives us both a long look, then leans over and kisses the top of my head. “Whatever you say.” Turning to Ruby, he adds, “I hate to break this up, Ruby, but I need to take my woman home. There’s rain on the forecast and we need to get back before the roads get muddy.”
“Totally understand,” Ruby says, giving me a hug and saying goodbye.
After we make promises to see Ruby soon, we hop in his truck and head up to King Mountain, thankfully beating the rain. On the way, Luke tells me how we can pick up Rufus in a couple days, once the refuge has time to officially process all the paperwork and give Rufus his shots.
“I’ve been thinking about this all evening,” Luke says, pinning me against the door to the cabin as soon as he closes it.
A familiar thrum of desire dances across my skin as Luke’s beard brushes against the sensitive skin below my ear. I reach for his hips to pull him close to me, aching to feel his body against mine.
“You’re not the only one,” I say, tugging his shirt open and sliding my hand against his hot skin. My fingers trace the ridges of his muscles and the outlines of the scars from when he served in the Army, and my core fills with molten desire for Luke. Every time we’re together like this, the depth of our connection takes my breath away. “I’ve wanted you so badly…”
Luke kisses my neck, his tongue licking and sucking at my skin and making me moan with carnal need.
“I love that about you,” he groans. “I love knowing that you’re aching for me, even when we’re out in public.”
“Always,” I say, running my fingers through his dark hair. Luke grinds his hips against me and a wild sound escapes my mouth.
“Are you ready for me to show you how much I love you, my beautiful Jess?” Luke’s eyes are dark and wild as he looks at me, a heady mix of obsession and vulnerability in them.
“Show me, Luke.”
Luke’s hands move more strongly over my body, grabbing my curves and pulling me closer to him. “Fuck, I love your body.”
Luke drops to his knees, kissing my stomach and unzipping my jeans and pulling them down to my ankles, then carefully sliding my shoes off so that he can take my jeans off. He looks up at me, closing his eyes as he takes a deep sniff.
“Fuck, I can smell how hot you are right now. Come here,” he says. He trails kisses up my thighs, his teeth nipping at my skin and making me tremble with need.
Luke roughly pulls my panties to the side, then parts my lips with his fingers and licks my hot, slick core.
“Oh my God,” I moan, pressing my back against the door for support. As Luke licks and sucks at my clit, my body shakes and I know I’m going to come if he doesn’t stop. We always say we’re going to take our time when we make love, but every time is hot and fast, because we can’t contain ourselves.
“Come for me, baby,” Luke moans, then works his fingers in me as he returns his mouth to my clit and sucks so hard my body rocks like I’m the epicenter of an earthquake.
“Luke!” I cry out, my hands finding his head and holding him as he licks and sucks at me as I ride out the waves of my orgasm.
“You are so fucking hot when you come on my tongue,” Luke says, smiling as he stands up and kisses me deeply, letting me taste myself on his lips and tongue. “I want to give you babies, Jess.” Luke puts his hand delicately on my stomach and I lean into him.
“I want that, too,” I echo. “I want everything with you.”
A primal growl rises up in Luke and it makes me giggle when he picks me up and carries me to our bed.
“Then we better get started.” The look on Luke’s face is possessive and intense as he moves his muscular body over mine, putting his knee between my legs to move them further apart. “Hand me a pillow.”
I do as he asks and he puts it under my hips. He moves my legs over his thighs, then fingers my slick core. Even though I’m still sensitive from coming, I’m aching to feel Luke’s cock inside me.
Luke plunges his thick cock into me and his eyes go half-mast. “Oh, Jess.” His voice is a thick moan of pure desire as he moves inside me, pinning me to the pillow and plunging deeper and deeper inside me. Each thrust of his cock rubs my g-spot in exactly the right way and already I feel another orgasm gathering force in me. He lowers his head to my breasts and alternates between them, teasing my painfully erect nipples with his tongue and teeth. Every nerve ending in my body is on fire and my pleasure is roaring inside of me, demanding to be freed again.
“I love you, Luke,” I say, wrapping my arms around him and pulling him closer to my body. I search for his mouth with me, our mouths locking as our tongues probe and claim each other, with the same rhythm as his thrusting. We thrash and move together, the sweat from our bodies mixing and making our skin slick as our movements become more frantic.
“Jess…” Luke groans, pulling up so he can look into my eyes, “I love you so damn much.”
Our bed creaks as we move harder and faster, my legs locked around Luke’s waist as he thrusts deeper and faster into me, his breath hot and jagged as his body starts to shake.
“Come with me,” I moan, my second orgasm breaking and making me shake like the storm roaring outside our window. I cling to Luke, my body trembling as my orgasm continues pulsing ecstasy through my body.
“Jess!” Luke’s voice is louder than the thunder outside. A bright flash of lightning lights up our window as he plunges deep inside me and his body quakes and he keeps his perfect cock buried deep inside me, and then Luke collapses his body over mine. He holds me protectively as our heartbeats slow and the storm picks up speed outside.
I run my fingers over Luke’s back, giggling as he squirms. He’s only ticklish right after he comes.
“Jessica…” he says, a playful warning in his voice. “What have I told you about that?”
“Well if you don’t want me to touch you…” I tease, flopping my arms back on the bed.
“Woman,” Luke’s voice is a playful growl, and he grins as he shakes his head over me. “What am I going to do with you?”
“We have a lifetime to figure that out, don’t we?” I smile, lifting my head so that I can kiss this man I love with all my heart.
“We sure do,” Luke replies, grinding his hips over me. His cock is already getting hard again and I know it’s going to be one of those nights, where we don’t get any sleep at all. “Now let’s keep working on making those babies, Jess. Let’s build a family and share our love.”