Epilogue
Brierley looked up from the intricate filigree work on her latest piece.
It was unconfirmed, but she may have even been sticking out her tongue in concentration!
It was the purring growl of a car engine that had made her look up from her work.
It was rare that anyone parked directly outside of Ohpaua, and the sound captured her curiosity.
The emptiness of the store was another rarity; usually, there was a constant flow of customers coming through her door, but the day's peace had allowed her to replenish her wares.
She put the tools down on the studio bench and stood.
She peered into the cabinets, opening the glass door of one of the long display cases and carefully nestling an item of jewellery in its temporary home.
Glancing over her shoulder, she carried herself over to the front door, her curiosity piqued.
Her heart gave a fluttering leap when she saw the Mercedes parked directly outside her door, and when the car door opened, she let out a squeal of delight. She surged out the door, and before the orc of her dreams was even out of the car properly, she threw her arms around his neck.
Breht was pinned against the side of his car with her warm mouth, kissing his cheek.
He turned his head and returned the affectionate greeting.
Their lips touched, and he caught the scent of her sweet perfume: vanilla and honey.
She had remembered to wear the gift he’d sent in his absence. Of course, she had.
His heart pounded a staccato as the softness of her mouth brushed against his maw; he’d missed the caress of her lips against his.
His knees weakened, causing him to slump against the door of his expensive car.
He closed his eyes as her arms peeled away from his neck to cup his cheeks, holding him in place as her fingers slid up towards his ears.
He felt her tongue slip out, and when it touched his lips, he opened his mouth willingly.
He adored the hot sensations that she awoke in him, and he hungrily nibbled her bottom lip, trapping her in the fire she’d started.
Her teasing fingers sent heat searing to his groin, and he pulled away from the kiss before things went too far.
With her bundled in the back of his car for the ravishing she deserved.
“I’ve missed you,” she informed him, planting a swift kiss before he could protest.
His rough thumb reached out, and he caressed the side of her face. She leaned into his touch. “I can tell,” he murmured.
While he'd been back in the city, he'd informed Dura of his intentions to start down his own path in life, helping small businesses.
At first, the information had been a bit of a shock, and his Matriarch had protested.
She didn't understand his choice—couldn't fathom why he'd throw away a guaranteed executive position for what she called "charity work with failing ventures.
" But after hours of discussion, she'd recognised something in his voice she'd never heard before: absolute, unshakeable conviction.
She didn't approve. She made that abundantly clear.
But Dura was nothing if not pragmatic, and she could see that no argument would sway him.
If her son was determined to pursue this path, then the logical course was to ensure he did it properly.
She offered financial backing and helped him establish the non-profit with the same clinical efficiency she applied to all business matters.
As for the Reiyroris family and their daughter, she'd dealt with them swiftly—not out of maternal warmth, but because their continued interference was an irritation she refused to tolerate.
Breht told Brierley to hold out her hands, which she did while closing her eyes. “It’s not flowers, is it?” She cringed.
“No,” he promised.
“Strawberries?” Her nose wrinkled at the very thought.
“No. Ungrateful Princess!” The orc chuckled; he knew better than to buy her such things. He placed a weighty box in her hands.
She frowned at it when she opened her eyes, peeling away the soft paper. She opened the box, and the strong scent of lavender assaulted her nose. “Bath bombs?” She asked, slightly confused.
“Yes, baby girl,” he whispered close to her ear. Not once had he forgotten how much she’d complained about her aches when he’d spoken to her on the phone the day after they’d left the hotel. “You’re going to need them,” he tantalised.
Holding the box in one hand, she slipped her arm into his. She felt warm when she pressed against him. Breht kissed her again, and he escorted her into the jewellery store. Full of promise for all the wonders yet to come.