Epilogue
J ack-one month later
The air smells like pine and promise.
I’m standing under a canopy of trees with a ring in my pocket and a woman who’s still entirely too good for me grinning across from me in a white dress that makes my damn knees weak.
“You okay?” Zane says beside me, his tie crooked and eyes narrowed at me with amusement.
“No,” I grunt. “I’m standing in front of fifty people in a monkey suit. Of course I’m not okay.”
“You look good, asshole. And she’s about to make an honest man out of you, which is a damn miracle. Let’s not ruin the moment.” Zane’s eyes trail over my shoulder and then a frown crosses his face. “Oh, shit. Looks like trouble just walked in.”
I spin, eyes landing on the one thing I did not want to see today.
Holly’s parents.
She hasn’t talked to them since they showed up on my doorstep a month ago. My heart tightens when I think about what seeing them here, on our special day, will do to her. Maybe they’re here to celebrate us, but something tells me they’re here for another reason entirely.
I imagine them standing to protest our wedding mid-ceremony and all I can think about is protecting her from the pain they might cause. They’ve done enough already. I walk on swift strides across the grass until I’m standing right in front of them.
“Bold move showing up here.” I cross my arms, frown deepening.
Holly’s dad’s eyes take me in, hard and shrewd, but his mother looks sad, tears welling.
“We didn’t want to miss our daughter’s wedding,” she finally says.
I only grunt.
“Listen, boy—she’s the only thing that matters to us. We just want to make sure she’s safe.”
“Don’t call me boy . And your daughter is the only thing that matters to me—her and my little girl—” I keep my voice controlled despite my desire to throttle the man, “I think we’re in agreement, we both want them safe and happy. What you did was wrong on the deepest level, that little girl needs a dad and you tried to keep me from her. I won’t have anyone coming between me and my family, not even the two of you.”
Holly’s mom breaks down in tears, wiping at her cheeks with a tissue. Her dad shakes his head, eyes flicking around the crowd, anywhere but on me. “We’re just worried?—”
“You don’t need to be. Holly is a strong, smart, capable woman. And I’ll be here to catch her if she falls. If you think you’re going to waltz in here and destroy the only thing that matters to us?—”
“We would never—” her mother sobs. “You don’t know what it’s like having children?—”
“Thanks to you I missed the first five years of my daughter’s life. But thanks to Holly, I know now. I understand you’re worried, upset she didn’t tell you she was coming here, but I can’t have you here upsetting her.” I stand my ground. I’d go to battle for my family, no matter the cost. I just got them back, I will not lose them again.
“We come in peace—” her father holds up his hands in surrender. “I swear, we’re happy for the both of you as long as she’s happy and safe.”
“I’ll die before I let any harm come to her, and I’ll spend my life keeping her safe and happy.”
Her father nods, resignation in his eyes. “Okay, thank you for saying that. It puts our minds at ease. When we heard from her best friend that she was getting married we just...we just needed to see for ourselves.”
I nod, watching them closely. “You can stay, the only thing I need from you is to enjoy yourselves and make sure you don’t upset Holly.”
“We won’t, Jack, we promise.” Holly’s mom clutches her husband’s hand in her own, warmth rushing to her eyes. A soft gasp escapes the crowd then, and we all turn to see Holly walking down the pine-needle path. Everything else disappears. Her eyes widen for a moment when she catches me standing next to her parents. I smile and nod once, letting her know all is okay. A smile flickers across her face as she clutches her bouquet of wildflowers close. I turn and walk to my designated spot near Zane as I wait for my girl to reach me.
She’s barefoot. Hair loose. Smile soft. A flower tucked behind her ear that Josie picked herself.
I don’t remember how to breathe.
Fox fumbles the ring when Zane signals for it. Drops it in the dirt.
Cal grunts. "Idiot."
Finn kicks him. “Shut up. He’s emotional.”
Zane clears his throat. “We’re gathered here today to do something absolutely insane. Marry off Jack Rivers. A man who thought relationships were like duct tape—good in theory, useless under pressure."
Laughter ripples through the crowd.
My bride grins at me, all wild eyes and soft lips, like she’s ready to devour me the second this is over.
I grip her hand.
And for the first time in my life, I know exactly where I belong.
Zane keeps it short, thank God.
When it’s time, I slide the ring onto her finger. She slides one on mine. And before he can even finish the sentence, I pull her in and kiss the breath from her body.
The crowd cheers. Josie squeals.
Later, under twinkling lights and a sky full of stars, I pull Holly into my arms for our first dance.
“You’re not a bad dancer,” she murmurs, arms looped around my neck.
“Don’t sound so surprised. I’ve got moves.”
She laughs. Soft. Beautiful.
I dip my mouth to her ear and whisper, “Told you I’d make it real this time.”
She tilts her head back, eyes shining. “You did.”
“And I’m never letting go.”
“Good.”
We dance in the dark. Just us and the trees. And the life we carved out with nothing but sawdust, stubbornness, and a second chance.
Our forever starts now.
Later, we walk back to our cabin. Winter is watching Josie for the night while me and my girl enjoy our wedding night. Her breath hitches as I run my hands under her dress, pinning her against the door of our place. I can feel her nipples tighten as I press my lips onto her neck, teeth gently nipping at her flesh. It's intoxicating, the way her body responds to mine.
“Oh, Jesus, Jack,” she groans, and it's music to my ears. Her body writhes against mine as I swirl my fingers, my lips sucking softly at her neck. I slip a hand behind her ass and jiggle the doorknob, opening it easily and sending us falling backward into the cabin.
I catch her effortlessly, stopping us before we hit the floor and leaning my back against the wall. I kick the door closed as my fingers work in and out of her, feeling her first orgasm shooting across every nerve in her body.
“Maybe we should hit the bedroom?” she grins.
“Too far away.” I growl and yank her down onto the bare wooden floor. I love how small she feels under me, how her body responds to my every touch. “I love those soft little noises you make when you’re coming.”
I hover over her, caging her in with my body. The sound of my zipper as I push my suit pants down my thighs sends a thrill through both of us. My rough hands trail up her legs, over her rib cage, pulling her dress over her shoulders. I hook my fingers in her bra, pulling the fabric down to reveal her hardened nipples.
I can't resist dragging my teeth across her sensitive flesh as I slide between her thighs, teasing my throbbing arousal through her slick folds. A low growl escapes my throat as her nails dig into the muscle of my back, dragging across my skin when I push into her. And then I own her, my fingers slipping against her folds, working her clit until her second orgasm washes over her. I grind my hips between her thighs, slipping inside her in one stroke, the only words escaping her lips: “Oh, oh, Jack—oh God!”
“Say it louder, baby, I love hearing how filthy I make you feel,” I murmur, sucking her bottom lip between my teeth. “So fucking sweet and beautiful and sassy. I’ve been drunk on you since the beginning.”
I kiss her slowly, tasting her, savoring her, feeling her moan against my throat as her hands trail down my stomach. She slides her palms around my waist, her hips working against mine, grinding against my cock.
“I want you,” she moans, and it's all I can do not to lose control. I want to be inside her, filling her, making her feel wanted like she's never felt before. The way she touches me, the way her eyes take me in—all hooded and lusty—has my nerves tingling with awareness.
“Holly,” I growl, feeling a primal need to claim her.
“Yes, more, please.” She nips at my lip, and my eyes flash with desire. She makes me feel wild, in control of this sexy, incredible woman.
“I have something else I need to say first,” I whisper. “I think you’re breathtaking, and I can’t stop thinking about all the ways I can spend the rest of my life taking care of you.”
I cover her with my lips and tongue. Before I can even reach her thighs, she slips out from under me, positioning her knees on the floor at my side, her small palm fisting my pulsing cock.
“I want to suck you.”
My eyes flash with her words, and I hold my cock at the root with one hand, weaving my fingers in her hair, pulling her head toward my thick length slowly. Her breath comes out in rough pants as I tease the head at the edges of her mouth. She licks her lips and then takes my shaft in her hand, trailing her tongue up my length before plunging me into her mouth. Her other hand weaves in my hair as she takes me to the back of her throat. I growl from above her, my body twitching as she tries to swallow me whole. She peers up at me, her head thrown back, neck straining, the cut lines of my abs in high relief as I gasp.
“Sweet Christ, you feel so amazing,” I growl, rocking my hips slowly, a hard grip in her hair. “Seeing my cock in your mouth does things to me—I want to fuck you so fully, you feel me in the back of that pretty throat of yours.”
Her pussy is dripping with arousal, and I can see it trailing down her legs. She reaches one hand down and slides her fingers through the wetness, desperate to have me inside her again. But she can't focus on anything when she has my cock thrusting in and out of her mouth.
She moans, pulling and massaging at her clit, and it's the sexiest thing I've ever seen. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with this woman, exploring every inch of her body, making her feel as incredible as she makes me feel.
I roar, “Don’t touch yourself,” and watch her eyes snap open, pupils dark with need. My stormy blue gaze pins her to the mattress. I curl my fingers in her hair, shove my cock deeper into her mouth. “Up.”
She rises to her knees, eyes locked on me—so hungry she practically drools. My cock stands rigid, thick and impatient, aimed straight for her. I ache to plunge back into that soft heat, to hear her choke on my length again. Instead, I carry her to the bedroom, eager to be buried inside her again.
“You want this cock, don’t you?” I tease when I set her down on our bed, wrapping my hand around my shaft and stroking slow, deliberate glides that leave her breathless. I watch her eyes, see the truth there. “Answer me.”
She murmurs, “Yes,” head bent, mesmerized by my touch.
“Not yet.” I press her thighs apart, thumbs digging in at her hips, then lean down to lavish one long, torturous lick from her entrance up to her clit. She arches, groaning as my tongue flicks and swirls, teasing her opening before plunging inside in soft, wet strokes. I clamp my teeth on her swollen nub and pull, sucking until she’s slick and glistening.
When her thighs shine with her arousal, I slip a finger inside, hook her walls, then add a second. “Don’t come.”
I drag my fingers in and out, curl them to hit every sensitive ridge, my other hand pinching and rolling her clit. She trembles, moans, her body arching under my ministrations as she claws at her own breast.
I ease up just enough to speak. “Hold it, beautiful. I want you to come with my cock driving in and out of you.” My voice rumbles low as I swirl my fingers around her clit again, spreading her wetness up over her belly.
She whimpers, “I can’t,” fingers clenching her other nipple as I thrust deeper.
“The longer you wait, the harder you’ll crash,” I growl, easing off the pressure so I can draw out her need. I flick her nipple, coaxing her arousal upward, then lean in, dragging my tongue over her skin in a hot, wet trail. “Put it in your mouth.”
Her brow furrows. I cup her jaw, make her look at me. Desire flashes in her eyes, and I know she’s mine to command. “Your tits are big enough. Do it.”
She lifts a breast, shapes it into her palm, and brings her nipple to her lips. My heart pounds as she wraps her mouth around herself, tongue flicking and sucking with abandon. A fresh wave of lust surges through me at the sight.
“That’s it, baby.” I thrust my fingers in again, curling them inside her, brushing every nerve. Then I lower my head, seize her clit between my lips, and suck, even as I watch her mouth work on her breast.
She trembles against me, voice ragged: “Fuck, I can’t anymore.”
I pull back just enough to speak against her skin. “You gonna come for me, baby?”
Her answer is a broken moan: “Yes.”
“Come all over my face?” I ask, my grip on her hair tightening.
“Yesss.”
That’s all the invitation I need. I thrust my hips forward, filling her tightness completely, and ride her release as she paints my skin with her climax.
I won’t go without her. I break away and before she realizes it, I thrust deep inside her. She moans. I fill her totally, and start to pound. I grab both her breasts, squeezing them gently. I brush my thumbs over her nipples. My hair falls over my forehead, eyes closed, as I bite down on my bottom lip, pleasure coursing through me.
"Jack, God, Jack," She moans my name as she comes, her body shuddering with the intensity of it. I keep thrusting, grabbing her thighs, and pull her up onto my waist. I carry her into the bedroom, her legs still wrapped tightly around my hips.
"Get that ass in the air, gorgeous." I give her a playful smack on the cheek, and she jumps, surprised. I feel a fresh wave of arousal between her legs. She just came, and I'm turning her on again. I slide my palm up her spine, tracing every curve, and push her over the armrest, leaving her wide open to me.
"Mmm, love this pussy." I run a finger through her wetness before thrusting back into her. I hold her hips firmly as I move in and out, harder than ever before. With each thrust, I hit her deepest point, almost to the point of pain.
"I want this." I circle her back entrance with my finger, using her own wetness as lubricant. "So fucking wet, I don’t even need lube," I murmur, teasing the sensitive flesh. I groan as I slip one finger inside, just up to the first knuckle. It's so tight, but feels incredible.
"Feels so fucking tight when I’m inside you from both ends." My voice drops as I thrust my cock in her pussy and my finger in her ass, simultaneously.
"I can’t take it anymore," she groans.
"Sure you can. Feel me taking you? Owning this sweet body? This pussy, this ass." I punctuate each word with a thrust. "It’s mine. No one’s been here but me," I groan, slipping my finger further into her ass, feeling her come again.
"Look at you, so soft and open for me." I slow my pace and remove my finger from her back entrance. I pull out of her and tease the head of my cock at her other hole. "Gonna take you here, are you ready for me, sweet girl?"
I hear her moan in affirmation, but her body language speaks more of apprehension. She's scared, I can tell, her wide eyes fixed on my cock, hard and ready. I know she's unsure if I'll fit, if it'll feel good. I've got to go slow, make this good for her.
I feel her fists clutching the sheets as I gently press the head of my cock against her tight, virgin entrance. I swirl the tip, spreading her arousal, taking my time. Her body tenses as I start to push, a groan escaping her lips.
"It hurts..." she whimpers.
I still immediately, my hands running up her back, caressing her soft skin.
"Do you want me to stop?" I ask, my voice gentle.
"I... no, it hurts, but I like it..." she murmurs, her voice barely audible. I tighten my hands around her waist, holding her steady.
"Fuck, baby," I murmur, using my hands to relax her, caressing her backside slowly, lovingly. I feel her body relaxing, her muscles unclenching, her breaths evening out.
I knead the flesh of her ass, feeling her body adjust to me. Finally, I breach the tight muscle, seating myself inside her. I feel her pleasure, her body loosening, accepting me.
"Fuck, babe. So fucking tight. I need to go slow, but I don't know if I can," I grit out, my palms sliding over her skin, relaxing her as I slowly push deeper. I stop, taking deep breaths, kneading her ass cheeks before rocking in and out gently. A low moan escapes her throat as she throws her head back. I can tell she's feeling it too, the mix of pain and pleasure, the sense of fullness.
"Fuck, you do make me crazy, you know that, right?" I murmur, fisting one hand in her hair, giving it a soft yank.
"Yes," she moans. "Please. Harder, faster, anything."
I can feel her need, her body quivering with want. She's craving the release I can give her. "Baby," I push in a little deeper, "so fucking hot and tight."
I brace myself at her hip and settle into a deliberate, steady rhythm, feeling her warmth envelope me completely. Each slow thrust grounds me, and instead of intimidation, a fierce devotion swells in my chest—I crave every second of this.
“Harder,” she whispers, her voice low and yearning. I lean in, guiding one hand under her, the other slipping between us to cup my own balls. Her slippery fingers close around them, rolling me gently. A deep groan rips from my throat, and I find myself moving in and out faster, driven by the delicious friction she creates.
“I fucking can’t get enough of you. Feels so good, so right, goddamn perfect,” I murmur between thrusts, one arm tightening around her waist while my thumb circles her swollen clit. Waves of her pleasure pulse through me—every pulse sending shockwaves back into my core. I watch her body grow limp, her eyelids fluttering as a soft moan escapes her lips. Her legs turn to jelly, and I support her at the hip. She folds forward, arms splayed across the sheets, head resting on the mattress. Her whimpers fuel me, igniting a final, roaring crescendo.
My fingers dig lightly into her ass as my body tenses. I feel the taut release knotting in my balls, and with one last shuddering thrust I spill inside her. My chest rises and falls against her back as I come down from the high, the rhythmic pumping slowing until I finally collapse across her spine.
I trail gentle kisses down her shoulder blades, my hands smoothing over her skin, leaving goosebumps in my wake. The afterglow hums between us in warm, pulsating waves. She sighs and curves into my touch, a small, content smile on her lips.
“I want to hold you for the next three days,” I whisper in her ear, voice thick with longing, “to make love to you over and over again.” Then I ease out, savoring the soft friction of my cock sliding from her back entrance one last time. I wince at the tingle—proof of how perfectly she’s claimed me.
I pull her close, tucking her beneath my arm. My nose finds her hair, inhaling that spicy, piney scent I’ve come to adore. Heat radiates from her back into mine, every inch of her pressed against me.
By moonlight, I watch her hand drift down my chiseled abs. The silver glow catches the delicate ring glinting on her finger. She bites her lip, eyes soft. “Sometimes I think you’re crazy,” she murmurs.
I slide my hand over hers, pressing it to my lips. “When it’s right, it’s right, baby,” I say. “I’m not spending another night without you—call me spoiled.”
She smiles, the tension in her shoulders fading. “That sounds perfect.”
I brush a strand of hair from her forehead and kiss her tenderly. “From now on it’s just these mountains, our family, campfires and fishing trips and roasting marshmallows over a campfire.”
She laughs, light and free. “Are you a s’mores kinda guy?”
“Only when we’re making them for our kids.” I trace the curve of her jaw with my thumb.
Her eyes shine. “You’re crazy and I love you so much.”
I shake my head against her hair, chuckling softly. “Just wait, baby. I’ve got big plans for us.”
Holding her here, wrapped in this quiet afterglow, I feel invincible.
Together, we’re fireproof.