Epilogue
Two Years Later
Bella
Dominic’s first art exhibition is a small and intimate affair at our small town’s community theater building. Ruby and Emily are here, grinning from ear to ear and chatting with anyone who’ll listen about how they knew Dominic was in love with me before anyone else. They might not have been the first, but they were definitely ahead of the game because I clearly missed the memo.
He’s added to his portfolio so not every painting or sketch is of me, but I’m prominently displayed throughout the building at this practice run for the one next month in New York. It’ll also be an intimate affair, but the clientele will be dripping in diamonds and gold.
After I finally convinced Dominic to submit his work to a contest, we almost forgot about it. It’s easy to do when you’re busy working, going to school, and spending as much time as possible together.
It was a Friday afternoon when he received the call with the offer. The front page of a magazine that graces almost every tattoo shop’s waiting room in the United States. Dominic glances at me over his shoulder.
We celebrated that night with dinner and dancing. And a little nipple play that made me orgasm with no other stimulation. He saunters over to me and pulls me to his chest with one hand on the small of my back and the other cupping the back of my head. “I love you, Wildflower.”
The scent of his cologne sends my brain into overdrive. My nipples tighten, rubbing against the fabric of my bra. The sensation is crazy. I don’t even have to pull on my own nipples. The rings do it on their own.
Why don’t they tell people about that in advertisements? They’d get so many more clients if people knew. But I’m not telling Dominic to post those flyers around town. He doesn’t need any other female clientele.
“I love you, too. Congratulations. You deserve all the accolades from today.”
“I hate all the gushy, over-the-top platitudes.”
“There’s nothing phony about any of these people.” I smack his upper arm. “You’re just horrible at taking compliments.”
“No, I’m not,” he growls in my ear. “Tell me how good my dick feels inside of you. I love it when you say that.”
“Stop it.” I giggle as heat floods over my cheeks.
Life can’t get any better than this, and no Brock in sight. He spent over a year in prison, and when he got out, he moved away. Good riddance.
Maverick strolls by with his wife, Ember, snuggled under his arm. Their size difference highlights how adorable they are together. “Congratulations, Dom.” He claps him on the back.
“Thanks, man.”
As they shake hands, Ember pats her hair. “When can you get me in? My hair is a mess. I need to trim the dead ends and do something that looks decent pulled up. I’m tired of the baby yanking strands of hair out of my head.”
“I understand that.” I smile at her. Finishing cosmetology school and getting my own shop was amazing. I still have several classes at the university to finish my business degree, but I’m getting there.
It only made sense to change my focus to business with a minor in accounting. And made all the difference in enjoying the classes.
Well, I’ll have to postpone things for a year.
I study Dominic as he chats with Maverick and Rob, his boss at Twisted Ink. All his bosses, including Rob’s brother Remy and Rissa, are there to support him.
Once we’re alone again, Dominic leads me to a corner away from the crowd. Everyone’s too busy talking and eating appetizers to care that we’re otherwise occupied.
“Bella?” He places his index finger on my chin, tipping my head backward until my eyes meet his. “I’ve known that I was in love with you since you were eighteen. You’re the most important person in my life. Thank you for tricking me into the contest.”
My heart thuds in my ears. We live together, but he’s yet to ask me to marry him. We only spent a couple of months with my brothers before we bought a small house a few blocks away.
“You’re welcome.” My stomach clinches. Is he? Oh, my God. This yoyo waiting for an engagement ring is getting on my nerves. And it’s going to be a problem in eight months when this baby is born.
Do I tell him now? I only found out this morning, and we haven’t had a moment alone. I’m not worried that he’ll be upset. He’s been quite adamant and energetic about getting me pregnant. But I was expecting the ring first.
He steps back and swipes his palms on his pants as his eyes sweep over me. “This is harder than I expected it to be.”
“Okay….” My heart lodges in my throat. Is something wrong?
The corner of his mouth rises as he reaches into his pocket, pulls out a box, and drops down to one knee. Oh, my God. I bite my lips together to keep from laughing. Or crying. Or screaming.
“I’ve been planning this since the day we found out about the contest. That’s why I organized this event. I wanted to ask you here. In front of our friends and family.”
I glance behind me as the room goes silent. Everyone from my best friends to our families to his coworkers watch with wide grins on their faces and white posterboards with shiny red letters that spell out, ‘Wildflower, will you marry me?’ on them.
“Bella Wright.” Dominic holds my hand in his. “Will you marry me?”
Tears spill down my cheeks. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” I launch myself at him, knocking him backward, as he struggles to remain upright while wrapping me in his strong embrace.
Our friends and family break out into cheers and laughter as pops of champagne bottles fill the air. Then comes the flashing of lights as several people snap pictures of us, but all I care about is this man in front of me.
I cup his face. “It’s about time you asked.”
He winks. “You’re welcome.”
“God….” I roll my eyes. “You’re such a pain in the ass.”
“Oh, baby,” he growls, sending goosebumps scattering along my flesh. “You know I am. And you love it.” His lips cover mine as he takes my breath away. Again.
He flips open the box, and my mouth drops open. Wow. The ring is a 2-carat emerald-cut diamond frame engagement ring that glistens under the lights. “This is too much.”
“Nothing is too much for the love of my life.” He slips the ring on my finger and kisses the skin around the diamond.
Once the crowd returns to stuffing their faces and downing crystal glasses of champagne, we climb to our feet. “How long is this engagement going to be?”
“Eager to be my wife?”
“Yes, I am.” I place my hands on his chest as he drags me against his hard body.
“Just look at you. Hearing your laughter. Seeing your smile. It turns me inside out. Now I regret asking you in front of everyone. If we were alone, I could be deep inside of you, filling you with my cum, and getting you pregnant. I want my baby growing inside of you. Connecting you to me for the rest of your life. Then, you won’t have a choice whether to stay with me or not.”
“You’re crazy.” I laugh at his words as joy bubbles inside of me. “But you have nothing to worry about.” I wrap my arms around his neck because I can’t survive if I’m not surrounded by him. “We’re having a baby. I found out this morning.”
He closes his eyes and exhales. When he reopens them, they shine with tears. “Thank you. I promise I’ll be the best father I can possibly be. I realize–”
“Shut up.” I place my finger over his lips. “You have nothing to worry about. You’re the best man I’ve ever met, and I have no doubt that you’ll love and cherish our baby with the same intensity that you love me.”
“I will.” He brushes his thumb over my cheek. “How far along do you think you are?”
“I believe it was the day you played football with my brothers.”
“I was pretty amped up that day.”
“And I was pretty horny that day. I wish you would’ve been on the skin’s sides years ago. Your body is delicious.”
“Thanks, darlin’.” He glances around the room. “How soon can we ditch these people?”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“Baby, you’re always tempting me.” He grinds his dick against me. “Fuck it.” He grabs my hand and drags me outside.
****
Ready for another forbidden romance? Grab your copy of Her Filthy Professor and see what happens between a college professor and his innocent student.