Series Epilogue #5
“Words with Scott?”
I sighed and told Mackennon what I’d been dealing with.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” he asked gruffly.
“Like I said yesterday, I wanted to deal with it without you worrying about me.”
“But I knew something was up and was worried, anyway.”
“I’m sorry. I just … I thought maybe I was being sensitive because I miss Skye, but after you said that to him about his attitude, I realized I really wasn’t. So I let him have it.”
“Good. I’m glad.”
“Anyway, what are we watching?”
In answer, Mackennon abruptly switched off the TV and threw the remote to the other end of the couch.
“What—oof!” I found myself flat on my back as he slid out to brace himself above me. Grinning, I spread my legs so he could fit better between them. “Oh, I see.”
He grinned as he caressed the skin beneath my shirt. “I feel like watching you, darlin’,” Mackennon replied, voice thick with desire, “as you come around me.”
Heat flushed over me as I tingled between my legs in response. “That sounds like an excellent plan.”
His chuckle died against my lips as he kissed me with a passion and hunger I hoped never died between us.
I said as much to him as we made love quietly on our living room sofa.
Afterward, I thanked him for staying home to watch Skye.
I thanked him for supporting me through everything, and I thanked him for loving me.
“You never have to thank me for these things,” Mackennon replied, his hand coasting down my stomach, signaling he was ready to make me come again. “It’s my fucking honor, Arro. My honor to love you.”
“And mine to love you,” I whispered against his mouth, undulating into his touch as his thumb found my clit. “Thank you for a beautiful life.”
“It’s only going to get better, darlin’,” he vowed before he captured my moans on his lips.
ARRAN
“Nervous?” Brodan asked at my side.
Though my pulse raced like the clappers, it was more to do with anticipation than nervousness. “Eager to get it done.”
My brother snorted. “You make it sound like a bad thing.”
I cut him a dirty look. “You know what I mean, Mr. I Couldn’t Wait Five Seconds to Marry My Wife.”
“Aye, my marrying Roe so soon certainly made you look bad.” He smirked. “Took you long enough to get here.”
I rolled my eyes at him before staring straight ahead, waiting for her.
It was true Ery and I hadn’t rushed into matrimony like the rest of my siblings, but we wanted to wait until the ordeal with her sister’s murderer, Ezra Jefferson, was over.
Months had passed since the evil brute killed himself.
Months since Eredine could finally, truly breathe.
And only a few months since I’d proposed to her.
Now here we were.
My family stood on the private beach at Ardnoch, facing Brodan, the officiate, and me.
It was a warm late spring day, and thankfully the breeze was minimal.
The Adairs and Galbraiths were dressed in their best, even Skye and Vivien, who were already growing restless.
Lewis tugged at the collar of his shirt while Eilidh kept smoothing down her dress, looking way too tall and grown up for a nine-year-old for my liking.
I caught Arro’s eye and shared a smile with my sister as she leaned into her husband, who cradled their daughter in his arms. Ery and I talked about kids and decided when we were ready, we’d like to try adoption.
She was a big advocate for “found family,” and I wanted to give her whatever would make her happy.
Our child would be our child, blood or not.
The thought of our future and all it held made me rub my hands together impatiently. “Do you think there’s something wrong? She’s taking forever.”
“Lachlan probably made her cry with some mushy speech and she’s fixing her makeup,” Brodan joked.
“I hope that’s all it is.”
Suddenly, the music changed. The violinists we’d hired played an instrumental version of “Infinity” by Jaymes Young, the song we’d chosen for Ery to “walk down the aisle.” I glimpsed Lachlan’s head through the dune grass seconds before they both appeared, and I swear my fucking breath caught.
“Wow. She’s stunning,” I murmured in awe.
“She is that,” Brodan agreed, clapping a hand on my shoulder and giving it a squeeze.
Eredine had her arm threaded through Lachlan’s as he led her onto the beach, her bare feet peeking beneath the white silk dress that molded to her exquisite body. Her light brown skin glowed against the white of the wedding dress, and her hair hung loose in its natural curls.
She was perfect.
Classy and sexy and the kindest soul I’d ever encountered.
And she wanted to be mine.
I sucked in a breath, still surprised that was true.
Our eyes met and held as my eldest brother walked her toward me.
Instead of a father, Eredine had chosen Lachlan because, even though they weren’t related (thank fuck for that), she thought of Lachlan like a big brother.
He’d protected her long before I ever came on the scene.
I’d be grateful to him forever for that.
We’d chosen to marry with just our family present. Thane, Regan, and the kids (including the one in Regan’s belly), Lachlan, Robyn, and Vivien, Arro, Mac, and Skye, Brodan (as my best man), and Monroe, who held my nephew Lennox in her arms.
Our family.
The best bloody family anyone could ever hope for.
That was all Eredine and I needed here today.
Lachlan kissed Ery’s cheek and released her. I took her hand, drawing her before me and in front of our officiate.
“You look stunning,” I told her quietly.
“So do you,” Ery said with a loving smile.
“You ready?”
“I am. Are you?”
“I’ve been ready since I met you,” I promised.
“Adairs and Galbraiths,” our officiate announced over the softly lapping waves at our backs, “we’re gathered here today to witness the joining of this man, Arran Adair, and this woman, Eredine Willows, in loving matrimony …”
brODAN
As Monroe watched Eredine and Arran dance, Lachlan and Robyn swaying next to them and Thane twirling a laughing Eilidh around the dance floor, I noted my wife’s worried frown.
Arran and Lachlan had shut down the Gloaming for our private party for Ery and Arran’s reception.
However, half an hour ago, the nannies we’d hired had arrived to take Lennox, Skye, and Vivien.
These were men and women hired by celebrities, and security guards accompanied them from our estate.
The children couldn’t be in safer hands, and yet I knew Monroe couldn’t enjoy herself.
Our wee boy was almost seven months old, and this was the first time we’d left him with someone who wasn’t family.
“He’ll be fine,” I whispered in Monroe’s ear.
She jerked in surprise and then turned to me with wide, guilty eyes. At the sight, I sighed inwardly. Maybe we’d be better off leaving the reception early. But then she surprised me. “I’m sorry. I want to be here.” Roe clasped my face in her hands. “It’s just a bit of separation anxiety.”
“I know. If you want, we can go.”
“No.” She shook her head and held out a hand to me. “We’re going to enjoy your brother’s wedding.”
Grinning, I let my wife lead me onto the dance floor, then I drew her deep against my body and watched her eyes flare.
Anticipation filled me as I moved my pelvis against hers.
Sex had been a thing of the past for what felt like forever, but we were finding our rhythm again.
Still, we didn’t have time for much more than quick and quiet.
I was eager to make love to my wife properly.
I knew by her expression that her mind was in the same filthy gutter as mine.
“You know, I think my brother would understand if we disappeared upstairs for a while. I might have gotten us a room.”
Monroe’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushing with the telltale sign of arousal. “Really?”
“Really, Sunset.”
“Well, what the bloody hell are we waiting for?”
Throwing my head back in laughter, I cuddled her close. “What happened to separation anxiety?”
Roe scowled. “Teasing me about that is one way not to get laid, Brodan Adair.”
Straining not to smile, I nodded. “Good point.”
“Well?”
“What?”
“Uh … room … upstairs … now.”
She didn’t have to tell me twice. Taking her hand, I tugged her across the dance floor, meeting Arran’s knowing gaze, and ignoring the equally knowing gazes of my brothers and sisters.
“They all know,” Monroe whispered a little breathlessly as we left the pub and hurried upstairs.
“And they all completely understand,” I replied over my shoulder.
By the time we reached our room, Monroe was giggling at my side, making me chuckle. As soon as I unlocked the door, she shoved me inside impatiently.
She still wore her dress, and I’d only dropped trews and undies when she jumped me.
“We’re supposed to be taking our time,” I panted, holding her hips tight as I sat on the edge of the bed while she rode me.
“We’ll take our time after this,” Roe huffed against my lips. “I need you now.”
“Fuck,” I groaned as her tight heat stroked me.
We came like sex-starved teens, and as I held her in my arms, I smiled as I felt Monroe shake with laughter. “That was fast.” She chuckled, pulling back to look at me.
I reached for a soft, slow kiss and then murmured, “It was exceptional. But I’m calling the shots for round two. First order of business is to get you very, very naked, Mrs. Adair.”
Monroe beamed, as she always did when I called her Mrs. Adair. I’d achieved many a thing in my life, but nothing filled me with more pride than my son’s very existence or my wife taking pleasure in sharing my name.
As if she read my mind, her face fell. “Do you think Lennox is okay?”
I nodded reassuringly. “I wouldn’t let anyone near him I didn’t trust.”
Hearing the hard truth in my words, Roe relaxed.