Epilogue
One month later
“YOU’RE REALLY MOVING here,” Ryan said huskily, his big hands wrapping around Avery’s waist as he pulled her close. “You’re not going back to Panama.”
She looked into his eyes, smiling as heat washed over her. His thumbs moved in slow circles over her hips, and her body alighted under his touch. “I’m not going back. I just gave them my official resignation. No one was surprised given what happened. I’ve had my adventure, and while it was a good experience helping the patients there who so desperately needed medical care, I realized I’m ready for my next adventure. With you.”
“Thank God,” he breathed, kissing her deeply as one hand moved to palm the back of her head, the other still securely gripping her waist. Ryan tasted of spice and man, and she pressed closer, her arms wrapping around his broad shoulders, Avery never able to get enough of him.
They’d spent the entire Saturday morning in bed. While it was different than their typical Saturday morning adventures in the past, they’d enjoyed getting lost in one another. Repeatedly. Ryan had been extra careful with her ever since she’d been back from her ordeal, and she’d practically had to beg him to take her harder and faster when they’d made love.
He’d finally relented, setting her atop him in bed and thrusting up, his hands on her breasts and throbbing cock buried deep inside her, exactly where he belonged. She’d playfully rolled them both over afterwards, and Ryan had allowed it, the weight of his body settling on top of her as he gazed into her eyes.
“I love you,” he’d told her huskily, his deep voice saying the words she’d longed to hear and sending a thrill shooting straight through her.
“I love you, too,” she’d said passionately, nearly overwhelmed with emotion.
Ryan’s expression grew serious, and he nuzzled against her before once again meeting her eyes. “I thought I lost you, Av. I’d have done anything in my power to get to you. Anything. I wouldn’t have stopped searching Panama until I found you. I’d have searched the entire world if I had to.”
“I know,” she told him earnestly. “But you did find me.”
He’d kissed her again, deeper, and they’d made love slowly, their bodies joining as one until both of them came apart, clinging to one another like they’d never let go.
He studied her now as she licked her lips, smiling, and she saw the smirk on his face. She’d tasted herself on his mouth this morning after he’d feasted on her swollen folds, and she knew they were both remembering the same erotic moment right now. “Later,” he told her. “After the party is over, I’m having you for dessert, Av.”
“Promise?” she asked, flushing.
“If it makes you blush like that, absolutely. You know I can’t get enough of you,” he growled, lightly nipping at her neck. “And I can’t wait to tell everyone you’re staying here for good. I’m about ready to shout it from the rooftops.”
She smiled as he pulled her close, those muscled arms wrapping around her as she nestled against his chest. Every time Ryan touched her, Avery practically went up in flames, but right now, she felt safe and secure. Happy.
She’d spent two nights in the hospital after flying out of Panama City, recovering from her kidnapping ordeal, and she’d been staying at Ryan’s house since. Life with him would be an adventure of its own, and she loved that their life together was just beginning.
Their friends started to arrive for the party this afternoon, the sounds of conversation and laughter soon filling the backyard. Ryan had finally purchased a patio table, and there was nothing better than sitting out there with him in the evenings enjoying the balmy Hawaiian weather and then spending every night in his bed, both of them lost in one another.
“Looking good,” Sawyer said with a grin, noticing that Avery had been in Ryan’s arms the entire night.
“Better than when you found me a month ago,” she said.
“Let’s never talk about that again,” Ryan said.
“I’m glad you kids are happy,” Sawyer told them. “Avery’s too good for you, of course, but I’ll let it slide.”
“Asshole,” Ryan muttered, but there was no heat in his tone.
Alexa and Austin walked over, saying hello to them, followed by Aaron and Emersyn. “Heard you’re staying here, sis,” Aaron told her, amusement in his eyes. “After Panama, I know there’s no one better to keep you safe than Ryan. I think he would’ve burned down the world to find you. I’m happy for you both.”
“Thanks man,” Ryan said as Avery hugged her brother.
“Now I just need a job,” Avery admitted. “I’d planned to start looking for a pediatric nursing job here before my Doctors Without Borders position ended, but we know how that went.”
“There’s no rush,” Ryan assured her. “You’ll find something when you’re ready. And you know I’ll take care of you,” he added in a low voice, pressing his lips to her temple.
She flushed as they exchanged a look. He’d take care of her in more ways than one. Protect her with his body. Provide for her. Make her come apart in his arms. Carefully guard her heart. The hot, possessive look Ryan gave her sent a thrill shooting right through Avery, but she couldn’t deny that she loved it and being with him felt right.
“Walters is in prison,” Wyatt said without preamble as he walked over with Callie, a hard look briefly crossing his face. “After he was extradited back to the States, he tried to claim insanity. Luckily that fell apart, and the CO let me know that he’s not leaving incarceration until his trial.”
“Thank God,” Avery said, feeling Ryan’s arms tighten around her. “He’s an absolute monster for selling women and deserves an entire lifetime behind bars.” She sobered, looking around at the men who’d gathered. “Luciana is still missing.”
“She is,” Ryan said quietly. “If we get any intel, we’ll find her. She wasn’t ever in that house, but she may have been taken to another...buyer.” He choked out the last words, and Avery swiped tears from her eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said, brushing his lips over her hair. “We’ll get answers, no matter how long it takes. I promise you we’re not going to forget about her.”
“The party can start now!” Hudson called out as he and Layton walked into the backyard with their little girl, Caroline. Layton was glowing, more than halfway through her pregnancy, and Avery was happy for them.
“That’ll be us some day,” Ryan told her, a spark of amusement in his eyes.
She shot him a glance. “Oh yeah?”
“Oh yeah. Because now that I have you, I’m never letting you go. Plus, we’ll make some damn cute kids.”
“We would, wouldn’t we?” she said lightly, then laughed as he spun her around in his arms, kissing away her tears, and making her feel safe. Secure. Her world was complete here in Hawaii with Ryan, and life didn’t get any sweeter than that.
Sawyer’s phone buzzed just then, and he pulled it from his pocket, a frown on his face as he looked at the screen.
“What’s wrong?” Ryan asked.
“It’s a text from Riley. How the hell did she get my number?”