Epilogue
The savory aroma of my homemade seven-layer bean dip fills the kitchen as I stir the final layer of shredded cheese into the glass dish. Mack leans against the counter, stealing slices of avocado when he thinks I”m not looking.
“You”re going to ruin your appetite,” I scold lightly, swatting his hand away.
He grins at me and snakes his arm around my waist and leans into me, kissing me just below my ear. I shiver as his hot breath tickles my ear.
“We have guests arriving soon,” I remind him gently. “Plus, I need some time to recover from last night.”
Goosebumps dance across my skin as Mack breathes heavily on my skin and he plants another soft kiss below my ear. My heart pounds wildly in my chest as my core floods with heat.
“Okay, okay,” I moan softly, then kiss him hard on the lips once more before pushing him away with a smile.
Living with Mack still feels surreal sometimes. They always say that you’ll find love when and where you least expect it, and that’s what happened with us. The first time I heard his voice and saw him, it took my breath away. Every day with Mack has been an extraordinary gift of love and partnership. I”ve never felt as safe and cherished with someone as I do with Mack.
The oven timer beeps, and as much as I love Mack, I don’t mind the distraction. I slip on oven mitts and pull out the freshly baked cornbread muffins.
“Perfect timing,” I say. “Everyone will be here soon.”
“Perfect timing unless you were groping the most beautiful woman in the world,” Mack teases, letting his hands drop to my hips. A wave of lust washes over me when he lightly squeezes my hips and presses himself against me. The man is insatiable for me…but I also can’t get enough of him. He makes me feel like the most beautiful, desirable woman in the world.
The doorbell rings and Mack lets in our first guests – Wes and Kira, looking devoted as always. Wes was Kira”s father”s best friend, and they served together in the Middle East. Her father made Wes swear to look after Kira if something happened to him. After Kira”s father died, Wes came to Jefferson to honor his promise...and then they fell in love. Wes claps Mack on the back while Kira hugs me warmly.
“Where”s the bean dip?” Wes jokes.
I laugh and point to the table. “Just for you, Wes, front and center on the table.”
Eventually, the three other mechanics from Rebel Auto arrive, along with their wives and girlfriends. Roman and Marsha are set to get married in the summer. Everyone teases them about waiting so long, but they always look at each other and share a private smile, then say that there’s no rush because their love is so deep and unbreakable.
I smile when I see Quincy and Claire. They got married in winter and still have that newlywed glow. She”s got one hand resting on her just-noticeably pregnant belly. When Mack pulls Quincy aside to congratulate him again, the pride on Quincy”s face is touching to see.
“You’re here!” I exclaim when I see Maya. She gives me a big hug.
“I wouldn’t miss this for anything. I’m going to miss you while you’re gone!” Maya hands me a cake box, with the Sweet Temptation logo on it.
“Oh, thank you! I love this bakery!”
Everyone makes a plate and sits casually in our living and dining rooms, and our home is filled with happiness and the people we love. Laughter echoes as Wes loudly recounts a story from high school to Mack”s amusement. On the sofa, Claire and Betty are deep in conversation while their husbands grab second helpings.
As if reading my thoughts, Mack”s strong arms wrap around me from behind. He nuzzles into my hair and murmurs “Penny for your thoughts?”
I twist my head to smile up at him. “Just thinking how lucky I am. We have a life to be thankful for.”
He kisses me sweetly before heading to the buffet and making me a plate of food.
“Make sure you don”t burn the place down while I”m gone,” Mack calls out to the men, but his eyes are alight with amusement.
The other mechanics rolled their eyes, recognizing the joke.
“You know we got it, boss,” Roman says. “I”ll keep these boys in line. You just focus on taking a vacation with your beautiful girlfriend and having a damn good time on the coast.”
* * *
As Mack closesthe door behind the last guest, he pulls me into his arms and sways us gently to music only he can hear.
“Have I told you today how much I love you?” He murmurs in my ear as we turn slowly across the dimly lit living room, a loving smile on his lips.
“Maybe,” I tease in return, but then pull him back down for an impulsive kiss. “But you can always tell me again.”
He smiles against my lips and says solemnly, “You make me so happy, Aimee. This life with you...I never thought I”d meet a woman like you.”
My throat tightens with emotion at his words, nearly overtaken by the love in my heart for this man who has come to be the most important person in my life. Without another word, I reach up on tiptoe and drag his head down for an intense kiss.
When we finally break our kiss, Mack rests his forehead against mine. “Marry me,” he whispers.
My pulse races as I look into his eyes. “Mack...”
He cups my face tenderly. “I mean it, sweetheart. I want you by my side for the rest of our lives. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Aimee. I love you more than I thought a person could love another. Say you’ll spend your life with me, so I can make you as happy as you make me.”
“Oh, Mack,” I gasp, tears of joy filling my eyes. “Yes! I love you so much that it feels like my body can’t contain all the love. Spending a lifetime together would be heaven.”
Here in Mack”s arms, I know I”m home.
“We should go upstairs and make sure we’re finished packing for the road trip,” I say, nodding toward the stairs.
“Hm,” Mack says, pulling me so close I can feel how hard he is. “I think there is something better we can do upstairs.”
Mack takes me upstairs and my heart overflows with love for him. His hands are hot on my skin and I shiver under his touch. When I arch into him instinctively, Mack groans.
I gasp as Mack’s fingers slide between my thighs, and his touch sparks a raging fire through my senses. His hands move slowly and teasingly, sending blazing heat throughout my body until my core is on fire. I press down onto him urgently, begging for more as he takes me apart with expert skill.
Mack replaces his fingers with his tongue and I moan loudly as he works his magic, intensity building and shattering my world until an explosive orgasm bursts through me. I tremble and writhe in pleasure as Mack looks up at me with that wicked grin of his that always sends shivers down my spine.
“Get into bed,” I say, patting the space beside me. “Show me how happy you are right now.”
Mack kisses his way back up my body, then nudges my legs apart. My calf slides over his hipbone as he positions himself over me, and then thrusts deep inside me.
His strong hands grip my hips as he moves inside me, my pleasure intensifying with every thrust. I arch my back, pushing my breasts against his chest as my orgasm takes over my body and my pleasure aches to explode.
“Come with me, Aimee! I can’t hold back,” Mack groans as he thrusts deep inside of me. I push my hips up, my body moving wildly in its need for release and my need to make Mack happy, too.
“Mack!” I cry out as the first waves of pleasure wash over me. Mack moves inside me faster and harder, each stroke, making his body shake as his orgasm crashes into me. His body shudders above mine and I cling to him tightly until we collapse together onto the bed in a tangled blissful mess.
We lay there, catching our breath, and Mack pulls me close to him and kisses my lips tenderly.
Mack”s voice rumbles against my ear. “What has my sweet fiancée smiling so beautifully?”
I lift my head to smile at him, my heart overflowing. “You, Mack. Us. There is nothing more perfect than my life with you, loving with you.”
His hand comes up to cradle my jaw, keeping me close. “I love you,” his voice filled with emotion.
“I love you, too.”
* * *