10. Epilogue
RYU
Months have passed, but the way I feel about Tessa hasn’t changed. If anything, it’s grown stronger. Watching her in my space—our space—feels right. She’s curled up on the couch, legs tucked under her, scrolling through her phone, wearing one of my hoodies and yoga pants. Her hair tucked under a silk scarf. Face free of makeup. Fucking gorgeous.
“Babe,” I call out, grinning like the lovesick fool this woman has turned me into, as I walk into the living room. “You gonna sit there all day, or you planning on spending some time with your man?”
Tessa looks up, grinning, with a twinkle in her eyes. “Maybe…”
I chuckle, sitting next to her, pulling her into my lap. I kiss her forehead, feeling her relax against me.
She snuggles closer, her hand resting on my chest.
Every moment with her feels like a fucking miracle. I’ve never felt this kind of connection with anyone. My heart, my body, my fucking soul feel warm and at peace with this woman in my life.
* * *
TESSA
Living with Ryu has been… intense, in the best possible way. His world is so different from mine, but somehow, we’ve made it work. And even with all the changes, one thing has stayed constant: the way he looks at me like I’m his whole world. How he touches. Makes love to me. Fucking wrecks me in the best possible ways. It’s overwhelming and fulfilling in the best possible ways. I never expected to find so much love, laughter, passion and care in a relationship.
We’re wrapped up in each other on the couch, and it feels fucking amazing. Simple. Right. Fucking everything.
I tilt up my head to look at my man’s handsome face. His amazing eyes warm on me.
Somehow, it feels like I’ve been here forever. Like we’ve been building this life together for longer than just a few months.
I trail my fingers along his arm. “So… you said you wanted to spend some time together?”
Ryu raises a cocky eyebrow, his tawny eyes darkening with that familiar intensity that always sends a shiver through me. And without answering my tease, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box, flipping it open to reveal a huge- ass diamond ring. My heart stumbles in my chest, and all of a sudden I can’t breathe.
“Ryu…” My voice barely comes out.
“Let’s make it official, baby.”
I blink, my heart racing, but when I look into his eyes, I see nothing but certainty. He’s not asking. This motherfucker is just fucking telling me. Typical. But I don’t care. Not one bit. This is us. How we started. With him sweeping me away at first sight and never letting go. And now? Now this asshole is doing it all over again.
I nod, unable to speak, my throat tight with emotion. Laughing and crying all at once. “Yes,” I finally whisper in a croaky voice. “Yes, Ryu. I’ll marry you.” His mouth is on mine. Hot, deep, wet. And I barely have time to let out, “fucking Yakuzas,” before he lays me back on the couch, the rumbles of his deep chuckle vibrating against my skin, one large, warm hand sliding under my clothes.