Epilogue -Eighteen Months Later
As I slice through the shimmering red ribbon with a pair of scissors, a wave of cheers erupts from the gathered crowd of our friends and local media. The boys are by my side, but since this was my idea, they wanted me to be the one to officially open our new women’s health and wellness center.
I stand with the boys in front of the shiny new building, its sleek, floor-to-ceiling glass facade shimmering in the sunlight and reflecting the vibrant energy of the surrounding city. Polished steel frames accentuate the building’s clean lines, giving it a bold, contemporary edge. My vision has been brought to life, and I still can’t believe it. A flurry of camera flashes momentarily blind us, mostly from Alex’s news crew who had gathered to document our story. He wants to make sure any woman in need knows about this place and our mission to help. He has been so supportive of my dream. They all have.
When the last flash goes off, I feel the brush of Alex’s lips on my cheek. “Got to go do my thing,” he says as a reporter approaches. The rest of us are happy for him to be the spokesperson, so we let him go.
“Going to go set up the gym for opening day. If you see Dani, can you send her our way?” Geovani says with Maddox at his side.
I spot Sloane coming toward me, and Ricky and I waddle toward her. “Well done, you guys, this is quite an achievement,” she calls, glancing over the place.
I beam back to her, so damn excited. All our hard work of the last year and a half has paid off. “Thank you. I can’t believe it’s opening day and somehow we brought this dream to life.”
“I can. Have you seen her when she’s determined about something?” Ricky quirks a skeptical brow at Sloane, a playful smile tugging at his lips as their laughter fills the air.
“You’re positively glowing as well, sis. I hope those babies aren’t still making you sick.”
“The morning sickness has calmed down. Now we just have to stop her from working so hard,” Ricky butts into our conversation, wrapping an arm around me, his hand resting on my baby bump. He’s obsessed with it. If I thought he was touchy-feely before, he’s hit a new level now.
I roll my eyes for Sloane’s benefit. “I’m not sure how I’m going to last another five months of this. Four overprotective assholes telling me what to do,” I huff out, only half serious as I lean into him.
She laughs. “Yeah, good luck with that, sis.”
Ricky kisses my cheek. “Not going to lie, taking care of you is my favorite thing to do, especially when I know it annoys you so much. We need to get you out of the sun, it’s scorching out here today.”
I take his hand, agreeing. It’s close to midday, and the summer sun is beating down over the front entry of our new center, and with my fair skin, I’m going to be burnt if I don’t get a move on. “Come with us, Sloane. Lola’s inside, and I know how much you like my fur baby.”
The three of us enter the lobby together, with Onyx following along closely behind. The lobby is understated luxury, with polished concrete floors, warm wooden accents, and strategically placed greenery that brings the outdoors in. The open floor plan is flooded with natural light, thanks to the towering glass walls. Off to one side of the building is the day spa and wellness part of the clinic, and off to the other are our offices, an art studio, gym, and doctors’ rooms.
“How are you getting on with your new co-worker?” I ask Ricky as we make our way to the gym where Geovani and Maddox are running some self-defense classes for our open day.
“She has her own way of doing things, but I’m sure she will be a great new addition to our team.”
“He was way too busy with clients before the clinic even opened, so we knew we would have to expand,” I tell Sloane, so proud of what Ricky has achieved already. “By the end of the year, we hope to have another couple of doctors on board as well.”
“Do you guys have some more flyers I can leave at the club?” she asks, hopeful. She has been one of our top referrers. Unfortunately, in her line of work, girls often find themselves in dangerous situations, facing threats and harassment or worse.
“I’ll get you some,” Ricky tells her.
I push open the heavy, swinging gym door, and Lola bounds toward us, tail wagging furiously. She’s the happiest dog you have ever seen. With her soft fur and gentle eyes, our adorable black Labrador is going to be a perfect therapy dog, already showing an aptitude for interacting with children and a clear love for people.
Sloane drops to the mat, the soft material cushioning her fall as she strokes Lola. They have a special relationship. She fell in love with Lola that first time she saw her, just like I did.
Maddox comes over to greet us, pulling me out of Ricky’s tight grasp with the confidence of a man who’s just won big. He kisses me then runs a hand over my growing belly. “How are the boys doing?” He grins, a playful glint in his eyes that says he’s teasing me.
“The girls are doing just fine, big guy.” I smirk back. He’s obsessed with the fact we’re going to have two boys, and I constantly rib him back that it will be girls. Neither of us really know because we’re waiting until they are born to find out. I think it’s more exciting this way.
“A little extra swagger today, Maddox.” Sloane smirks at him.
“He should, you’re looking at the new heavyweight champion,” Geovani declares, placing a kiss to my lips.
“You two do make quite a team. Who would have thought?” comes Dani’s voice from behind us.
She’s decked out in a little sports top and leggings and looks fit and incredible. “You ready to take your first class?” I ask.
“Ready as I can ever be,” she says nervously.
“Sorry to drop you in it, you know I would take the class if I was allowed to. But apparently, I’m not supposed to roll around on the MMA mats in my condition.” I roll my eyes, and she giggles. “But if it’s any consolation, I think you’re going to be amazing. I watched that last class you were doing with Geovani, and you nailed it. You also look hot, girl.”
Her smile brightens, and I know she’s going to be just fine. A small group of girls has gathered at the back of the room, decked out in their workout gear. Dani smiles at them. “I think that’s my cue to get to work.”
“We will leave you to it.” I offer her a wave.
Sloane collects Lola’s lead, and Geovani and Maddox head off with Dani to help get her set up. “They make a great team.”
“They sure do,” Sloane agrees, walking with me out into the hall. “Which one is your office?”
“Right across the hall.” I motion in the direction of my space, and she follows me in, with Ricky and Onyx talking in a hushed tone behind us. The boys have gotten close to Onyx, well, as close as anyone can get to the man who barely speaks.
Once inside my office, she lets go of Lola’s lead, and she bounds for the doggy bed I have made up in the corner for her. “This is perfect, sis, I love it,” Sloane gushes as we enter my office space.
I beam back at her, pretty pleased with myself. From my spacious office, I can see the fern-filled courtyard shared by all our offices, the natural light bathing my space. Off to one wall, I have a plush, blue velvet couch and behind me sits a large desk, with a bookcase overflowing with reference materials to hopefully help me with my new role, teaching art therapy. I have been back studying and finished my graphic design degree, along with a short course on how to teach art therapy. I’m also currently taking a psychology course to better my skills and hopefully one day be able to offer some other type of help to the women coming through our center.
“Can’t say I ever thought I would have a need for an office of my own, but now that the twins are on their way, I think I’m going to be grateful for the space to take them so I can still work and study.”
Onyx’s phone rings, and he steps outside to take the call, but I can see Sloane is watching him like a hawk. She’s acting strange today, and I need to get her alone so I can ask her what the hell is going on. “Everything okay?” I ask her.
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” she mutters, returning her attention to me and Ricky. But her cheeks are flushed, and she’s nibbling her lip in a way I have never seen her do.
I raise a brow in Ricky’s direction, knowing he’s noticing this as well.
Onyx pops his head back in the door. “Sloane. A minute?” he mutters, and she takes off for the door in a flash.
“Be back in a sec,” she says before hurrying off with him and closing the door.
“What the fuck was that?” I ask Ricky as soon as she’s outside, my eyes wide and my mind racing.
He chuckles, coming toward me. “If I didn’t know better, I would say your girl has a crush on her big bad bodyguard.”
“That’s what I was thinking as well. You know what?”
“What?” His lips turn up at the side, playing along with me.
“We should set them up,” I tell him, knowing my idea is genius.
His face turns more serious. “Harley, stay out of it.”
I purse my lips, thinking on it for a second longer. I have seen her like this more and more lately. Where she used to go about her day acting as if he wasn’t following along behind her, I have noticed her watching him, smiling to herself. She’s keeping shit from me. I feel Ricky’s hands in my hair, pulling me back into him.
“Did you hear me, baby doll?” He places a delicate kiss just below my ear.
“Yeah.”
“Stop thinking about Sloane then. We have five minutes alone, and I have been horny as hell since I saw you in this dress this morning.” His hand slips under my skirt, and he palms my ass cheek, feeling up along the side of my thong.
“Ricky,” I warn him, knowing there are people everywhere for the opening day.
His lips cover mine, and he kisses me deeply, moving me back toward the wall of glass that looks out over the courtyard, lifting one of my legs as he slips his fingers under my panties.
I place a hand on his chest, turning my head away from our kiss. “They will be back any minute.” I smirk cheekily.
His piercing blue eyes meet mine in a challenge that tells me he’s not backing down. “Then I need to be quick.” He pushes two fingers inside me, and my head drops back as I moan out in pleasure. I have never been able to resist him when he’s like this. It’s those big, adorable puppy-dog eyes begging me to give him what he needs. I give in every time.
He twists his hand in a way that sends tingles right through me. “Ricky.” I try to warn him again, but it comes out as a whimper. A desperate plea for more of what he’s doing to me.
Then the door flies open, and my heart hammers in my chest. “There you two are. I have been searching the place for you,” comes Alex’s voice.
I place a hand over my chest, trying to get the hammering under control. “You scared the life out of me.”
He flicks the lock on the door and comes a little closer, with a sinister look in his dark eyes. “I can see why, with my brother’s fingers buried deep inside of you. Naughty girl.”
Ricky pumps his fingers in and out of me leisurely. “It’s not my fault she looks so damn edible.”
“Sloane and Onyx will be back any second,” I tell Alex.
His lips twitch in amusement. “Just gave them the key to my office. Sloane’s got some spot fires to clean up. They will be a while, princess. Let Ricky make you cum.”
My eyes roll back, and I know I’m already close. Then Ricky scoops me up and places me down on my desk. Removing my thong, he places it in his pocket before spreading my legs out wide, then his lips are on me. My hands lace into his hair, knowing I shouldn’t be doing this right now but desperately wanting him anyway.
Alex drops his lips to mine, filling my mouth with his tongue.
My back bucks off the table, my orgasm building as Ricky swirls his tongue around my clit, the two of them working together to bring me undone.
Alex palms my tits through my dress, toying with my sensitive nipples. He forces them out of my dress, and next thing I know, his mouth is on me as well, sucking my nipples roughly. It’s a deadly combination.
Right as I tip over the edge, I see Sloane and Onyx through the window in Alex’s office. “Oh, fuck, Ricky.” I slap him on the shoulder, my orgasm taking over, my pussy clenching as I ride the wave.
As soon as I can, I sit up in a rush, pushing the boys out of the way so I can get to my feet. “Can you two see this as well?”
“Oh fuck. You were right about Sloane and Onyx.” Ricky chuckles.
Right there in Alex’s office is Sloane and Onyx making out, her legs wrapped around his waist, and he has his arms cradling her ass. They’re really going for it. I’m shocked, but it does explain her strange behavior lately. “That girl has some explaining to do,” I say to the boys.
Alex presses the button on the blinds so they cover the window and our peep show of my bestie and her bodyguard. “We’re not done with you yet, princess. You can question her later.”
The End