Epilogue
One Month Later
DEACON
“You know I can just keep my eyes closed right?” I asked Charlie as she stood on her tiptoes, giving her best attempt of covering my eyes with her hands.
“I know you’ll peek.”
I raised a brow, and I felt the tiny hairs brush against her open palm. “I’m no surprise ruiner.”
“Mmhmm,” she hummed. “Says the man I could barely keep away from this place all month!”
“I was only trying to break in because I missed you.” It was the truth. Aside from the flooring renovations I’d had done after the burst pipe was fixed, Charlie had spent countless hours painting away in the tiny cabin. We’d decided together that her moving back in wasn’t the right play. We both wanted the other close and given how quickly things were progressing between us, her and Casper staying with me made the most sense.
That didn’t stop her from wanting to turn Badger Creek Cabin into a little getaway space for us and anyone else who needed it.
Her giggle broke through my thoughts as she started to lead me through the front door. “I missed you too! But this had to be done. It was calling to me and I can’t wait for you to see it.”
“Me too, Sunshine.”
Having her maneuver me through the small space was a clusterfuck to say the least. But by the end, she got me to the edge of the kitchen counter where I could stop tripping over her tiny feet.
“Ready?” she squealed with excitement.
“Let’s see this thing,” I responded.
“Okay! Open your eyes!”
It took a few blinks for my eyes to adjust to the space, but once they did my jaw went slack in awe of what Charlie had created. Months ago, she’d started on the far wall, turning it into a misty scene of the cabin’s backyard.
Now, the entire interior space made me feel like I was outside.
She’d continued the scene of pine trees on the back wall, bringing it along the space next to the bed. Then the painting transitioned to a field of tall grass with hazy gray skies over rolling hills, just like the ones throughout my property. It was a perfect replica and somehow it looked even better than the real thing. Whimsical, like I was in a dreamland that seemed overwhelmingly perfect. As I continued turning, the sky she’d painted started to brighten until I looked back at the front door we’d come through and saw the view of a sunrise. Soft hues of purple, red and orange melded together in such a way that I found myself losing my breath at the sight.
“Charlie,” I whispered, bringing her in close. “This is magnificent.”
“You like it?” She sounded unsure.
I looked down at her, grasped her chin between my fingers then kissed her lips. “It’s the second most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“What’s the first?” She batted her long auburn lashes at me while a hint of a smirk danced at the corner of her mouth.
“I think we both know the answer to that question.”
She rolled her eyes at me. “Yeah, but I want to hear you say it, Grumps.”
I lifted her onto the kitchen counter and groaned as she wrapped her legs around my waist. “What did we talk about? Grumps is out. I need a new nickname.”
She leaned forward and tugged at my bottom lip with her teeth. The sensation had my cock flexing against my jeans. “I might be persuaded with some kisses.”
I chuckled. “Is that right?”
“Mmhmm!” She nodded, biting her own bottom lip.
“What about here?” I dipped my head low and kissed the crook between her neck and shoulder. Goosebumps rose along her skin and some feral part of me loved watching her come undone from my touch.
“Nope.” Her lips popped on the p.
“Hmm.” Narrowing my eyes on her, I reached for her hand and lifted her wrist to my mouth, pressing my lips just over her pulse. “Here?”
Lust filled her gaze as she shook her head.
“I think we need to go lower then.” Kneeling in front of her, I lifted the pale pink sweater she wore revealing the edges of her scar. I kissed the raised skin, no longer feeling the heavy weight of guilt bear down on me at the sight of it.
“What about now?”
She leaned back on her hands and said, “Just a little lower handsome and you’ve got a deal.”
I huffed a breath. “Oh, I think I can manage that. Lift your hips for me, beautiful.” She did as she was told, and I made quick work of her jeans button and zipper before sliding her pants down to her ankles.
A lace baby blue thong was the only thing standing between me and her sweetness. “Always wearing the prettiest things for me.” I ran my thumbs along the edge of the lace.
Her legs’ grip on my waist tightened. “Stop teasing me, Grumps and give me what I want.”
“Feeling feisty, are we?” I cocked a brow at her.
“Only when my man denies me pleasure.”
I nipped at the sensitive flesh of her inner thigh, and she yelped. “Oh, there’s no denying here, Sunshine. You might want to hold tight onto the edge of the counter.”
I watched as she laid all the way down on the counter and raised her arms above her head so she could grip the edge behind her.
“That’s my girl,” I whispered against the tiny triangle of fabric covering her sex. Hooking my finger into the side, I ran the fabric back and forth over her clit. As her head tilted back and she released a moan, I knew the friction was just enough to get her riled up.
“I love seeing you come undone for me, baby girl. Love watching your pretty little lips part so I can hear your breathy moans. Fuck. It makes my cock so damn hard.”
“Never mind,” she breathed. “No kisses. Just you.”
“Already begging for it.” I leaned over the counter and sucked her bottom lip into my mouth, then released it. “You know what that does to me.”
The blue of her eyes were glassy with lust. “Please, Deacon. I want you to fuck me.”
Leaning my head back until the ceiling came into view, I damn near came in my pants just from the sound of her sultry plea.
Straightening, I unclasped my belt buckle and had my pants undone faster than ever before. My cock felt heavy as I released it from my boxers, and I saw Charlie glancing down at me.
Her tongue darted between her lips. It demolished the last thread of control I had. I wanted to bury myself so deep inside of her until the only thing I could feel was her body surrounding mine.
I slipped her thong down her legs, letting them fall to the floor. Running my thumb over her pink clit, I said, “I’m going to make you come so hard. I want to hear you scream my fucking name. Do you understand?”
The corners of her mouth tilted upward as she nodded. Taking my length in my hand, I slapped the tip against her pussy.
“Tell me you want it.”
“I want your cock. I want you to fuck me hard, baby.”
It was all I needed to hear as I lined myself up at her entrance, then slid my hands over her breasts and slammed into her.
She cried out. Her lips forming that perfect little o that I loved so damn much.
“Hold on,” I coaxed, seeing that her hands had slipped from the counter.
Once she had the edge gripped again, I pulled all the way out, teasing her entrance with the head of my cock. Then I pushed into her, nearly making myself see stars as she contracted against me.
“Deacon!”
“I know, baby girl. It’s. So. Fucking. Good.”
Her breasts bounced as I rolled my hips against her over and over again. There was no controlling my thrusts as wild lust took hold, consuming every part of me. It was a frenzy, chasing after the blissful sensation that only she could give me, but not wanting to go too fast and have it be over.
But then, I realized, she was mine . And I could have her any time I pleased. Never having to think again of what it might be like to watch her leave. That thread between us pulsed as I buried myself deep inside of her, leaning forward again to cover her chest with mine.
I rolled my hips forward, meeting the apex of her thighs again. “Kiss me, baby girl,” I whispered, hovering my lips just above hers. I wanted her to claim me. To take everything she needed. To come completely undone beneath me.
Letting go of the counter edge, she wrapped her arms around me, threading her fingers through my hair as she sealed her mouth to mine. Her tongue was warm, and the sweet smell of vanilla wafted around me as she started moving her hips in tandem with my thrusts.
“So needy for my cock. So fucking ready for it. Always.”
“You feel so good,” she murmured. “I love you.” She placed a hand over my heart. “I love this .”
Emotion swelled in my chest, making my entire body tingle as I slowed my pace. I was nearing dangerously close to the edge and wasn’t ready to tip over. I wanted her to fall with me.
“I love you, Sunshine. I love you with every broken piece of me.” I pulled out, then pushed slowly into her again.
“Not broken.” She grasped the sides of my face and kissed along the edge of my jaw. “Not anymore.”
I buried my face into the crook of her shoulder, sliding my hands beneath her head, holding her as close as I could. Her grip around my shoulders tightened as I moved inside of her, rolling my hips forward again.
My legs shook with how good it felt to be this close to her. It was other-worldly. Like falling into one of her paintings. The most beautiful moments of my life had been with her, and I knew there was a lifetime to go. Of her shedding her light everywhere, we ventured together.
I could see it all.
That whatever darkness came our way, I’d be okay with her by my side.
“Deacon, I’m…”
“I’ve got you, baby.” Keeping her close, I picked up the pace, making sure to press myself against her clit to give her the friction she needed. “I’ve got you.”
I felt her tighten around my cock, sending me spiraling toward my climax. Holding her tight to my chest, I ran my teeth along her shoulder, nipping and suckling on the sensitive curve of her skin.
Her back arched and her body quivered as she screamed my name. Just in time for me to find my own release. Sinking deeper into her with one final thrust, I roared my love for her before collapsing forward.
Our breaths were heavy, her chest pushing into mine with each inhale as we just laid still together. After a few moments passed, I rose to my forearms, hovering just above her.
“You’re incredible.” I pressed a kiss to each one of her cheeks and she smiled.
“Get used to it, handsome. I’m sticking around for a while.”
My eyes darted back and forth between hers, as I tried to imprint every shade of blue of her irises into my memory.
“How about forever?” My voice was thick, but I stayed focused on her.
A lock of hair fell into her face as she tilted her head to the side, her smile growing wider. “Forever’s a pretty long time. You sure you’re up for that?”
I rubbed my nose against her chin then gave her a chaste kiss.
“Forever won’t be long enough,” I said, meaning every single word.
She wrapped her arms around me again, pulling me in close until her breath tickled the cuff of my ear. “Forever won’t be long enough.”
CHARLIE
There was a touch of warmth to the breeze this morning. Not that it stopped me from making more hot chocolate.
Steam rolled over the edge of the mug as I tucked my legs under myself, resting my elbow on the armrest of the bench Deacon had finished for us.
The front door to our home creaked open, Casper’s white fur caught my eye as he darted out with Deacon following right behind him.
Stopping in front of me, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to my lips. “Feeling inspired today?” he asked.
I looked out over the tall pine trees, seeing the tops wave back and forth in the wind. I nodded as he sat down next to me, placing an arm over the back of the bench.
“I think we both are from all the ruckus I heard coming from the garage. How’s the armoire coming?”
He stole my mug of hot cocoa and took a sip. “It’s going to be a pain in the ass to move to the gallery, but I’m really proud of it. The oak tree carvings are turning out pretty great.”
I settled into his side. Being close to him would never get old.
“So, you’re really on board for this thing?” I peeked up at him. “Opening the gallery with me.”
He settled his stunning green eyes on me. My heart skipped a beat as that thread between us pulled taut.
“It’ll be our next great adventure, Sunshine.”
I smiled.
Because it certainly was.