Epilogue
Carter
“If you weren't already pregnant, I'd fuck you right here in the kitchen until you were, Mrs. Cassidy.”
Olivia snickered. “Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Cassidy.”
When I’d walked in to find her arranging a tray of firehouse puppy cupcakes, her brow wrinkled in concentration as she carefully positioned each one, the sight stopped me in my tracks.
My eyes followed the graceful line of her neck, down to where it met her shoulder, exposed by the wide neckline of her sweater. The fabric clung to her breasts, fuller now in these early weeks of pregnancy.
I’d moved silently across the hardwood floor, coming up behind her and wrapping my arms around her waist. She’d startled slightly then relaxed against my chest with a contented sigh.
“These look amazing,” I murmured, nuzzling the sensitive spot behind her ear. “But not half as delicious as you. ”
My hands splayed across her stomach, fingers tracing languid patterns. Olivia's breath hitched, her body tensing deliciously against mine. “Carter,” she admonished. “Case will be up from his nap any minute. And the guests should be here soon, too.”
I kissed along her neck, reveling in the soft gasp that escaped her lips. “Then we'd better be quick, huh?”
I placed Olivia's palms down on the cool granite countertop before taking hold of her hips and gently urging her forward. Her breath quickened as I slid her black leggings down, revealing the smooth curve of her ass.
“No panties? So fucking sexy.” She moved to kick the leggings off fully, but I stopped her. “Leave them. I love you like this.”
She shivered as I ran my hands up the backs of her thighs, savoring the feeling of her soft skin. I pressed myself against her, letting her feel how much I wanted her. She pushed back against me with a quiet moan.
“We shouldn't...” But despite her protests as she arched her back, silently begging for more. I slid one hand up her shirt, bypassing her bra to cup her breast and thumb her pebbled nipple. When I reached between her legs with my other hand, I found her already soaked for me.
“Tell me to stop“—my fingers teased her slick entrance—“tell me you don't want me to fuck you right here, right now.”
Her only response was to spread her legs wider. I smiled against her neck, nipping gently at the delicate skin as I eased two fingers inside her. She gasped.
I began pumping my fingers in and out of her drenched pussy, using my thumb to circle her clit. Her breath came in short spurts as she rocked back against my hand, chasing her pleasure. She trembled beneath me, her body wound taut like a bow string ready to snap.
I curled my fingers inside her, searching for that spot that always sent her into ecstasy. When I found it, she let out a strangled moan, her hips jerking against my hand. I increased my pressure and speed as her inner walls began to clench around my fingers.
“Oh God, yes. Don’t stop.”
“Never,” I promised as my dick strained painfully against my jeans. “Come for me, Sunny. Now.”
Muffling her cry against her forearm, Olivia shattered. Her body went rigid, then shook with the force of her climax. I worked her through it, only slowing my movements when she slumped boneless against the counter.
But I wasn't done with her yet. Keeping one hand on her hip to steady her, I quickly undid my belt and jeans, shoving them down just far enough to free my aching cock. I lined myself up with her still quivering entrance.
“Ready for more?”
She nodded eagerly, pushing back against me. “Yes, please. I need you inside me.”
Groaning I sank into her sopping heat in one smooth thrust. We both moaned at the sensation. I stayed still for as long as I could, enjoying the feeling of being buried to the hilt in the woman I loved.
I moved slowly at first, relishing every inch as I withdrew almost completely before sinking back in. Olivia moaned, her fingers gripping the counter.
“Feels so fucking good,” I said as I increased my pace. The slap of sweat slick skin filled the kitchen, punctuated by our panting breaths and muffled groans.
I slid one hand up Olivia's back, tangling my fingers in her hair and tugging her head back. The new angle allowed me to thrust even deeper.
“Yes, right there.” Olivia gasped, pushing back to meet my thrusts. “Harder. Fuck me harder.”
Her pussy started to flutter around me, a telltale sign that she was close. I snaked my free hand around to stroke her stiff, swollen clit, determined to make her come again.
“Give me one more. Let me feel you.”
With a strangled cry, Olivia's body went rigid as her orgasm crashed over her. The sensation of her pulsing around me was almost enough to send me over the edge, but I gritted my teeth, holding back.
As the last tremors of her climax subsided, I pulled out, groaning at the loss of her wet heat. I gripped my cock and stroked hard and fast, my breath coming in harsh pants.
“Fuck, I'm gonna come.” I exploded with a guttural moan, painting her ass and lower back with thick pearly ropes. The sight of my release on her flushed skin was almost enough to make me hard again.
I reached for a nearby dish towel, gently cleaning Olivia up. “As much as I like the idea of you walking around with my cum spilling out of you, I'd hate for you to be uncomfortable the whole party.”
“My hero.”
I gave her ass a playful thwack with the towel before tucking myself away and tossing it into the laundry room .
“Well, now that’s out of the way”—Olivia was back to business, thrusting the cupcake tray toward me—“take this out to the dessert table.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Half an hour later, I surveyed the bustling backyard, filled with colorful fire truck decorations and excited children running around in firefighter costumes. The chaos of a three-year-old's birthday party wasn't my usual scene—a far cry from the controlled environments I usually preferred. But as I watched Case, decked out in his miniature fire chief uniform, squealing with delight as he opened his gifts, I couldn't help but smile.
He tore into the wrapping paper, his little hands working furiously to reveal the gift inside. When the shiny red pedal fire truck emerged, his eyes lit up like Christmas morning.
“Wow!” he exclaimed, bouncing on his toes. “It's just like a real one!”
Dad kneeled down beside him, his hands guiding Case's feet to the pedals. “See here, buddy? You push these to make it go.”
Case's face scrunched up in concentration as he stretched to reach the pedals, his legs not quite long enough yet. Dad laughed, a deep rumble that I hadn't heard in years until his grandson was born. Fatherhood had changed me, but grandfatherhood had transformed Dad entirely.
“Give it time, Case,” he said, ruffling my son's wild hair. “You'll be racing around the yard before you know it. ”
Olivia sidled up next to me and rested her hand on my forearm. “He loves that little boy.”
“Yeah, he does.”
A loud whoop from Wick caught my attention on the other side of the patio. Olivia and I turned toward the grill area where her father was flipping burgers with a practiced hand. The savory scent of sizzling meat wafted through the air, making my mouth water.
Robert looked very different from the man I'd first met. His eyes were clear, his movements steady, and he chatted easily with the other guests.
As we approached, I caught the tail end of his conversation with Marco, Meghan, and Wick.
“... and your mom made me a coconut cake to celebrate,” Robert was saying, his voice filled with quiet pride. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, circular token. “Never thought I'd make it this far, but here I am.”
“Can’t believe it’s been three years.” Wick clapped him on the shoulder. “I'm proud of you, Dad.”
Both he and Olivia had been skeptical when Robert checked himself into rehab shortly before Case was born. From what Olivia had told me, it wasn't the first time he'd done it, and they assumed it wouldn't be the last time either.
Robert's chest puffed up a bit, a smile spreading across his face. “Thanks, Son. It hasn't been easy, but it's worth it. Especially when I look at my family.”
He glanced over at Ellie, who was painting a puppy on the cheek of Callie and Emmett's daughter, Lilah.
“Speaking of family,” Marco said, “I heard you and Ellie are renewing your vows soon. Got any big plans?”
Robert chuckled, flipping another burger. “Nothing too fancy. Just a small ceremony in the backyard. But we're writing our own vows this time. Ellie's idea—says we've got a lifetime of experiences to draw from now.”
I listened, feeling warm inside. The man who had once been a source of pain for Olivia was now a pillar of strength and support. But that was the power of love, forgiveness, and second chances.
As if sensing my thoughts, Olivia looked up and caught my eye. She granted me one of her sunshine smiles—the ones that still knocked the wind right out of me. I planted a kiss on the crown of her head and surveyed the yard once more, grateful for the family we'd built—imperfect, but stronger for it.