EPILOGUE
OLIVIA
EIGHT MONTHS LATER
T he scolding water is welcoming as it rains down on my aching muscles.
Grayson decided it was time for me to learn what goes into the day-to-day life of a cowboy, and I’m paying for it. The man is a machine. That’s all there is to it.
I spent half the day watching him and that alone was exhausting. Not to mention the four-thirty AM wake up call.
It should be a crime to wake up that early.
The shower door swings open, and the man himself stands before me, gloriously naked. I feel no shame in the way my eyes drink in every inch of his tanned, ripped body.
His muscles tighten as he adjusts the temperature of the water and my nipples tighten as droplets of water roll down his tattooed chest, leaving a wet trail all the way down to his hard length.
“Hmm,” I hum as I run my hand down his chest, “happy to see me, cowboy? ”
His eyes are hooded with arousal as he stares down at me. “Always.”
He grips the back of my head, tangling his fingers in my soaked hair and pulls me towards him, his lips meeting mine in a hungry kiss.
I open for him, allowing his tongue entry as he deepens the kiss. I moan into his mouth and his hands wrap around the back of my thighs as he lifts me, his mouth moving against mine with unrestrained urgency.
I wrap my legs around his waist, and he wastes no time lining the head of his cock up with my entrance and sinking into me.
We let out a simultaneous moan as Grayson turns, backing me up against the wall before thrusting up into me.
“Watching you all day has been driving me fucking crazy,” he growls against my mouth before his mouth moves to my neck, licking and biting a path from my ear down to my shoulder, driving my need higher.
His movements are quick, the tiles rough against my wet back and the combination of pain and pleasure pushes me to the edge with a speed that makes my head spin.
“I love you so much, Blue.” Grayson’s voice is hoarse against my ear as he drives up into me, the head of his dick hitting that delicious spot inside of me that has my eyes rolling back.
“I love you,” I cry out as my core tightens, my legs shake, and I shatter into a million pieces. Grayson bottoms out once, twice before he stills with a groan, spilling inside of me. His body shudders against mine as he places tender kisses along my shoulder, and I fight to catch my breath.
Once the tremors have worn off, he places me back on my feet and grabs the sponge. Lathering it up with soap, he gently washes my entire body, taking extra care between my thighs before moving on to his own.
I climb out while he finishes up and begin going through the routine of getting ready. I dry my hair, leaving it straight and throw on a summer dress.
Today is the Fourth of July.
One year ago today, Grayson and I met for the first time.
Five years ago today, Rueben died.
A lot has changed in the past year. We’ve each grown individually and we’ve also grown as a couple. It’s crazy to think that merely a year ago, we couldn’t stand each other. And now we barely spend a day apart.
After the big declaration of love in front of the entire family, I of course forgave Gray for his wrongdoings. Only a monster would still hold a grudge after that speech.
I moved in with him on the ranch three months ago, leaving Bella and Daisy the house to themselves. Savannah and I still own it, but the pair rent it from us. It’ll be nice for us to have somewhere to escape to if our men ever act up.
And also, girls’ night.
Tonight, we’re meeting the others at the Fourth of July festival the town holds annually, but first, Grayson and I are taking a little detour to Ruebens grave.
I’m incredibly proud of how far Gray has come in his journey to finding closure. He has helped me in my own journey more than he could ever know and my only hope is that I have done the same for him.
“You almost ready?” His deep voice drags me out of my thoughts, and I look at his reflection in the mirror, letting out a low whistle as I take in his outfit.
“Damn. You clean up nicely. ”
He’s dressed in dark denim jeans, a white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and what looks like a new pair of cowboy boots. He’s forgone the hat, his dark curls styled perfectly with not one hair out of place.
A light blush stains his cheeks. “Thanks, baby. So do you,” he says, giving me an appreciative once over.
I apply a small layer of gloss to my lips, spray some perfume and grab my bag before meeting him in the doorway. He leans down, placing a soft kiss on my lips and whispering, “You’re so beautiful,” before slapping me on the ass and shooing me out the door.
***
I stare up at the towering ride before turning to the others and placing my hands on my hips. “So, which one of you handsome fellas are riding with me?” I repeat the question I asked exactly one year ago today.
I get a chorus of laughter as Grayson steps forward, wrapping his arm around my neck. “You’re with me, blue.”
I pat him twice on the chest with a laugh. “Better buckle up, Grumps.”
Noah makes a gagging noise as Grayson shakes his head at me and leads us to the car waiting for us. The ground worker double checks we’re strapped in before moving the ride along for the next people to board.
“Still think I’m annoying?” I ask Grayson as we reach the top.
“Not in the slightest,” he responds, his voice seemingly far off.
I look around at the town below, taking in the twinkling lights beneath us and the people milling around as their kids run from stall to stall, squealing with excitement. The stars are bright in the sky above us and I soak up the beauty all around us.
“It’s so beautiful up here,” I whisper.
“Yeah. It is.” Graysons voice is quiet, and I turn to look at him, finding his eyes already on me.
“I love you, Liv.”
I search his face, not understanding the sudden seriousness. “What’s wrong?”
He shakes his head. “I see this going so differently in my head.”
My stomach sinks with dread. “What are you talking about, Gray?”
He shifts in his seat, reaching behind himself and retrieving something from his back pocket. My eyes follow his movements, and a gasp escapes me when his hand reappears with a small black box.
My eyes fly up to his.
“Liv. The last time we were on this ride, I was a broken man. I was in a dark place in my life and the moment I saw you walking towards me, I knew you would be my undoing. I thought if I was a big enough prick to you, I’d be able to keep you at arm’s length. And I have never been so happy that I was wrong.”
Tears well in my eyes and Grayson clears his throat as he opens the box, revealing the most beautiful ring I’ve ever laid eyes on. “Today, I sit here no longer a broken man. I sit here a man that is head over heels in love with a woman I in no way deserve. But I am willing to do everything in my power to become one that does.”
I sniff as tears roll down my cheeks in quick succession. Gray’s eyes hold mine as he picks up my left hand, holding it tightly in his grip. “Will you marry me, Blue?”
A sob slips from me as I nod my head and cry, “I love you so much. Of course I’ll marry you. ”
His face breaks into a wide grin as he pulls the ring from the box and slips it onto my finger before gripping my face with both hands and crashing his mouth to mine in a kiss that I feel all the way down to my toes.
He pulls away all too quickly and I stare down at the ring in complete awe, shaking my head in disbelief.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen to me. I never thought I would be lucky enough to know a love so pure, so fulfilling.
I look back at my new fiancé, finding him watching me with nothing but unconditional love and I know without a doubt, this man is it for me.
And I know somewhere, my parents and Rueben are looking down on us, proud of our far we have come. Proud of the people we are today.
“I love you, Gray.”
“I love you, too, Blue.”