Epilogue
Jasmine
Two Years Later
"I can't believe there are so many people here," Lilah says, looking frazzled as she steps up behind the counter, her cheeks flushed from exertion.
"I can," I murmur, my eyes locked on River. He's across the room, standing in front of a Step-and-Repeat banner with his latest book cover plastered across it. A line of eager readers stretches all the way out the door, waiting patiently for two minutes of his time.
He's so good with them!
Even though he's anxious about his first big event in years, he doesn't show it.
He just welcomes everyone who approaches, talking, laughing, and signing whatever they put in front of him.
We hired security to help keep everything calm and orderly, but we don't really need them. He's managing it all by himself.
I'm impressed.
I'm also so horny, I'm ready to scream. I can't help it! Pregnancy hormones are no joke.
"You expected this many people?" Lilah scraped her hair back into a bun, quickly tying a ponytail holder around it.
"I don't think anyone expected this many people, but you've read the book.
" I shrug. It's been flying off shelves since it was released earlier this month.
The first in the series topped bestseller lists for over a year after being leaked.
Everyone who read what was leaked wanted to read the rest, and everyone who didn't read the stolen, leaked version was curious to see what the fuss was about.
This one is going to put it to shame. It's truly beautiful.
I told him once that he was emotionally constipated. I didn't really mean it, but in a way, I think it might have been true. Because the way he writes now? It's like emotion just pours out of him onto the page. Readers don't just feel seen when they read this series. They feel everything.
"That's true," Lilah murmurs, peeking over at me. "He should definitely keep letting you inspire him. It's good for him."
"It is, isn't it?"
She laughs, nudging me with her arm. "Of course you aren't going to be humble about it."
"Nope, not even a little bit." I grin, shameless.
Most people have no idea that my stubborn ass is the inspiration behind Melody, but they relate to her because we all have baggage.
We're all petty at times. We're all fierce when we need to be, and soft enough to break sometimes.
We all have hopes and dreams. We all love, even when it scares the hell out of us.
And we all want someone who loves every piece of us, even the messy, complicated ones, the way Threl loves Melody… the way River loves me.
We might not relate to being stranded on an alien planet, surrounded by a race of warrior aliens, but we relate to wanting to find the person—and the place—who makes us feel like we're allowed to be ourselves and fly as high as we want.
We relate to wanting to feel like everything we've ever struggled with has been worth it.
River glances up, his eyes locking with mine across the room. His expression softens.
"Love you," I mouth.
His eyes darken, heating in a way that's all too familiar to me. He leans over to murmur something to the security guard stationed beside his table without even breaking eye contact with me.
"Mr. Jamison is going to take a quick break," the security guard booms, his voice rising above the chattering, excited crowd. "He'll be back at the booth in ten minutes. Staff will be around with water and snacks for anyone who would like anything."
"Guess that's my cue!" Lilah says, scurrying out from behind the counter as River strides across the store, his attention focused on me.
He doesn't say a word when he reaches my side. He just grabs my hand, pulling me into the back.
I don't give him time to make a move before I shove him back against the wall, leaning up to press my lips to his. He grunts, his hands locking around my hips.
"I need you," I whisper.
"I know." He spins us, lifting me at the same time. "I could feel how needy you were from all the way across the room, princess." One hand slides up my thigh, raking my skirt up. "Are you wet for me?"
"Always." My head thumps against the wall, my back arching.
God, I'm never going to get enough of this man.
I keep blaming it on the pregnancy hormones, but honestly…
it's just him. It's the way he touches me, the way he looks at me.
It's the way he fucks me like he wants to worship and break me at the same damn time.
It's the way he loves me.
His fingers slip inside my panties, already seeking my clit.
I bite my lip, fighting like hell to stay quiet so no one out there hears me, but he makes it impossible.
"Jesus, Jasmine," he growls, curling two fingers inside of me. His thumb works my clit, his eyes locked on my face. "You're dripping for me, princess."
"I know," I gasp, my nails digging into his shoulders. I feel my heartbeat everywhere, pounding through me like a wild drumbeat. "Oh, please, River."
"What do you need, baby? Tell me."
"I need you inside me."
He growls, claiming my mouth in a deep kiss. We work together to get his zipper down, our hands slipping against one another before my fingers wrap around his cock.
"Put me inside you," he orders, bossy like always.
This is usually the part where I'd mess with him, but I'm too far gone for that today. I need him more than I need to fuck with him.
I spread wide around his hips, pressing his cock to my entrance.
"Riv—!" His hand clamped over my mouth silences my shout as he slams inside me, taking me in one hard thrust.
He fucks me hard and fast, lifting me up and down his cock until I feel like I'm flying. The way he grunts praise and filth in my ear has me sobbing against his palm, my entire body trembling and aching.
"That's it, princess," he croons, his teeth closing around the shell of my ear. "I know you want to come for me."
He's right. I do. I want to come so damn badly, but I can't yet. Not until…
He yanks me down on him, pressing his lips to my ear. "I love you."
I shatter around him, clawing at his shoulders. He grunts, his face buried in my throat as he follows me over the edge, spilling into me.
"Love you, love you," I breathe against his palm, my whole body liquefied.
I'm not sure if he hears me until I feel him shudder against me. "Fuck. I'll never get enough of you saying that while I'm inside you, princess," he groans, placing adoring little kisses all over the side of my throat.
And to think I thought it was a cliché…
Truth is, Lilah was right. There's nothing better than hearing those words while he's inside me. If heaven exists, it's that moment. It's always that moment.
Who knew stalking him would turn out this way?
His hand slides from my hip and then onto my belly. "How's my girl?"
"Perfect," I sigh.
"You talking about you or my baby, Jasmine?"
"Both. We're both perfect."
He tips his head back, meeting my gaze. His glasses are smudged, sitting askew on his nose, but his eyes are bright behind them, his smile full of affection. "Yeah," he breathes, reaching up to cup my cheek. "You are."