Epilogue 1
Aiden
Summer is slipping away fast, and I’ve been awake for hours, my body pressed firmly against Jay’s side, listening to the steady beat of his heart and soaking in the warmth of his skin. Sleep evades me as my thoughts keep drifting over the events of the past few months.
My family is finally finding its footing after moving across the country. My mom got an administrative job at the same school where Ronda works, and she seems genuinely happy living with her friend.
The divorce, however, is progressing slowly, with my father finding new ways to make it difficult at every turn, so it will take some time before it’s final and settled.
James and Shelly have created a cozy home next door, making it their own. They both found jobs at a local brewery and spend their free time wandering through antique shops and exploring small coastal towns. They’re trying to enjoy their freedom before their busy school schedule starts.
Our monthly Sunday dinners have grown as more people started coming. The table keeps getting fuller and louder, especially now that Heather has a new boyfriend. We like him, although Jay can’t resist teasing him with questions about his intentions just to annoy Heather. It really riles her up.
Luke is still at the retreat center in New York. We mostly get updates through Shelly, who’s become his closest friend. We do occasionally hear from him, though he’s pretty tight-lipped about what’s going on with him.
As for Jay and me, we’ve done our best to be supportive while facing our own challenges. The media frenzy disrupted our lives for a while, especially when they dug into my past.
I’ve moved on from the world of adult entertainment, but Aiden Fox still exists online for anyone to find. It’s not something I’m ashamed of or regret, but it has led to some awkward conversations, especially with my family.
When it hit the headlines and my name was linked to his, my father predictably erupted in a fierce tirade.
He ranted, threw around words like shameful and deplorable, and tried to claim some imaginary moral high ground when he didn’t have a leg to stand on.
We’ve learned to tune him out and keep moving forward.
Not wanting to dwell on those thoughts for too long, I shift my weight, causing Jay to stir beside me, and roll onto his stomach. I move on top of him, letting my bare front settle against the warm surface of his back.
This is my favorite way to wake him up. He’s not much of a morning person, so it takes him a while.
“Baby, are you awake?” I murmur into his ear, my voice low.
He hums softly, reaching back to touch my arm, his fingers tracing circles on my skin.
Pressing more of my weight into him, my morning wood, hard and ready, grinds against the welcoming crease of his ass.
I feel him coming to life when he pushes back into me, a low moan escaping his lips as he shifts his hips back and forth.
“Mmmm, do that again,” he breathes, as I trail my shaft along the soft cleft of his cheeks.
Every pulse of friction is spectacular, sending pulses of pleasure through my dick. I lift my lips to the nape of his neck, feathering kisses down his jawline until our mouths meet in a slow, languid kiss.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” I whisper, my tongue tracing the soft skin just below his ear.
Goosebumps ripple across his heated skin as I suck gently on my favorite spot. His only response is a soft groan.
“Are you conscious?” I tease, running my fingers along his ribs.
I have things I want to say, and I need his complete attention.
“I’m awake,” he hums, his voice thick with sleep.
Breathing deeply, I dive into the speech that’s been circling my mind for weeks.
“Do you know what I love most about you?”
“Mmm…tell me,” he sighs.
“I love your skin—how warm and soft it feels against me in the morning.”
I run my hands up his sides, making him shiver.
“I love your mind. Your brilliant, incredible mind. You’re always two steps ahead of me and keeping me on my toes.”
I press a kiss to his temple as he squirms beneath me.
“I love this spot,” brushing my lips over the crease in his neck. “I could lose myself for hours right here. It’s my spot…only mine.”
His lips curve into a smile, and a soft breath escapes. “It will only ever be yours.”
That makes me smile. But I keep pressing on.
“I love your mouth,” I murmur, tilting his face toward mine and capturing his lips in a deep, lingering kiss. “I could taste you for days, savoring your words, your jokes, and your craziness that makes me smile and laugh more than anyone else ever could.”
My hands slide around his chest, my fingers touching the spot that pumps the lifeblood through him.
“I love your heart. It’s the truest, most genuine, and generous thing I’ve ever known. You give yourself completely—to me, to your family, to our friends. Your loyalty and kindness shape everything you do. You make me feel safe, seen, and supported. And being with you, I finally feel whole.”
Jay lets out a deep sigh. “You’re awfully sappy today, Cookie.”
I pinch his side, light and teasing. “I’m getting to the good stuff, so stay focused.”
“Hmmm…what’s the good stuff?”
My hand drifts downward, and he arches his hips so I can wrap my hand around his stiff cock. I trace the thick vein running along his shaft, sliding my thumb across the tip, swirling the wet pre-cum seeping out of his slit. His hips buck as he moans.
“I love your dick,” I purr softly. “I love how hard you are for me. I love its weight, the taste and smell of it, how it pulses in my hand, how you leak for me when I turn you on.”
I give him a few leisurely strokes, his muscles tightening.
“And when you’re buried deep inside me, and that beautiful tip slides across my magic spot, it’s pure bliss.”
A ragged moan escapes him.
“I won’t last through this speech with you talking like that,” he warns, breathless and needy.
I grin, leaning in to whisper against his ear as I roll my hips. “Don’t worry, I’m almost to the point.”
His body arches, pressing back into me. “You’ve got a point, all right.”
I grip his left cheek firmly, my thumbs kneading his soft flesh.
“I love your ass. God, this perfect peach of an ass. It does things to me. I could worship it all day, feast on it for hours with my tongue, make you come undone when I slip inside. You take my cock so good, baby.”
“Oh fuck, Aiden,” his breath stutters, his hands clenching the sheets. “You’re gonna make me come.”
“Hold on, baby, we’re almost there. Stay with me.”
I tighten my hold, then my voice catches on the most important words I’ve ever said.
“I love everything about you. But most of all, I love you and our life together. I want this—us, forever. Marry me, baby.”
He goes perfectly still, and I ease up so he can turn in my arms. His beautiful blue eyes lock onto mine with tenderness and certainty. I feel the pounding of his heart under my palm, and his hands tremble as he cups my face.
“Yes. Without question, a million and one times, yes.”
Tears sting my eyes as I brush my thumbs across his face.
“God, I love you, baby.”
He leans in, his voice thick. “I love you so fucking much, Aiden. I can’t wait to be your husband.”
Our lips collide in a passionate, trembling kiss, pouring out our hearts, our souls, our love for each other.
I easily slide inside him since we did this last night, making love to the man who will always be mine.
Every morning, I wake up more in love with him than the day before. He’s my best friend, my partner, my lover. When I’m with him, I feel loved, cherished, happy, and safe. And I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure he feels the same.