Extended Epilogue
AURORA
HALLOWEEN
With a final tug at my thigh holster, I glance at my reflection in the mirror and grin at my costume. It took some online shopping to collect all the pieces necessary, but with the grey shorts, tight white tank top, and holsters galore, I’ve pulled off Lara Croft pretty well. The push-up bra I’m wearing has my boobs nearly beneath my chin, and I cup them for a second to test the hold before nodding in approval.
“I wish you didn’t make us get ready in different rooms, because this? This is a damn good fuckin’ costume,” Johnny boasts as he comes into the bedroom.
I whip my head to look at him, and he freezes, brashly checking me out. He insisted we dress as Lara Croft and Indiana Jones this year, and I agreed instantly. Now, I’m glad I did.
He grins lazily at me, and it only intensifies the attraction sparking low in my belly. His long-sleeve button-down has been torn open to expose his entire chest, and he’s ripped the one arm, leaving his bicep bare, farmer’s tan obvious. I’ve never seen him in a pair of khaki pants before, but I think I have a fetish for it. They suction cup to his thighs, and if he turned around, I’m sure his ass would be tugging at them in the best way.
“I’ve decided we’re not going to the party,” he states, suddenly prowling toward me. “I’m keeping you here instead.”
I laugh, setting my hands on his bare chest when he gets close enough. “We’re going. It’s your birthday, and everyone’s waiting to celebrate you.”
Dipping his head, he takes my mouth in a hot, deep kiss, silencing me. His fingers slide between the chest holster and my boobs, giving it a tug.
“I want to celebrate my birthday with undressing you piece by piece,” he declares, voice throaty.
I want that so damn bad but shake my head anyway, staying strong. “You can once we’re back at home. If you behave tonight.”
He brings his mouth to my jaw before slipping beneath it and licking at my pulse. “I thought birthday boys got everything they wanted.”
“Johnny,” I gasp when I feel fingers slip between my thighs, brushing over the seam of my pussy through my shorts. “Eliza will be sad. Think of how excited she’s been to host this for you.”
“You’re cruel, darlin’. Bringing up a sweet old woman when I’m touching you like this.”
I lick my lips, my eyes rolling back when he applies pressure over my clit, rubbing it through my shorts. “You better be fast. We’re going to this damn party still.”
“With you lookin’ like this, I’m going to blow in two fuckin’ minutes,” he says before spinning me and pushing me to bend over the bed, my ass up in the air.
I moan softly as he pulls my shorts down my thighs and growls at the holsters when they keep him from being able to remove them completely. The sound of him lowering his zipper fills the room before he pushes his cock between my thighs, coating it in my wetness before sliding inside of me .
One thrust of his hips and we’re connected. He groans, folding his body over mine and kissing the back of my ear.
“That’s what we needed. Fuck, I missed you this morning. You were gone before I got a chance to do this.”
“I had plans.”
He grinds his groin into my ass, burying himself even further inside my pussy before pulling out and thrusting back in.
“So did I, but I’ll make good on them now.”
I cry out and grip the duvet with both hands, stabilizing myself as I rock against the bed with every punch of his hips. It’s been months of moments like these, and I can’t get enough. I’m certain I’ll never be able to. He’s so imbedded into my heart and soul and my fucking life that even if I wanted to, I’d never be able to rid myself of him.
“It’s going to take more patience than I have to know other men are looking at you like this. Dressed like a wet fucking dream,” he grunts, fingers dipping into my hips as he uses the hold to jerk me back into his thrusts.
I whimper, then scream when my release comes thrashing through me already, and he follows right after, spilling inside me with hot splashes. Everything is sensitive when he slips out and gently turns me to face him, petting my cheeks and kissing my lips.
“Happy birthday,” I murmur through a sly smile.
His laugh is bright and loud, settling in my chest. “You’re the best gift I could have gotten, Rory. With or without this outfit and what we just did. You know that, right?”
I reach out to touch his face. “I know. I love you.”
“I love you more,” he replies before tucking himself into his pants and helping me to my feet.
I wobble slightly on weak knees as he disappears into the bathroom and then returns with a cloth. Gently, he cleans between my legs before I tug my shorts back up and check my makeup in the mirror.
“You look beautiful. Perfect,” he says behind me .
Facing him, I take another inspection of his outfit. “The ripped shirt was a good touch. You look ridiculously good.”
“Only the best for my baby.”
“We need to go,” I say, resting my hand on his bare arm. “Anna and Brody are back.”
He hums, tucking my hair behind my ears. “They are. And all of my siblings are back in town.”
“And Eliza’s been baking all week in preparation.”
I still love going into work every day with her, and even during this week, where her attention has been spread through a thousand different things, she’s been the most helpful person ever. She still refuses to take more time off, but it works for us. I’ve grown to think of her as the grandmother I never had, and between her and Bernice, I’ve been showered with the kind of love that can only come from a grandparent.
My mom has come down to meet both of them, and while there were a lot of tears and apologies, there’s a sense of peace between everyone that can’t be measured. It’s overwhelming in the best way, and I’m glad my mom is experiencing this now, even if it is a few decades overdue.
“She’s somehow kept it hidden from all of us. Tommy’s been sniffing around like a hound,” Johnny jokes.
“We should go before he finds it and eats it all without us.”
Twenty minutes later, we’re walking through the fake spiderwebs hanging from the doorframe and stepping inside the ranch house. It’s loud already, with the soundtrack to Ghostbusters playing over the chatter.
I choke on a laugh at the sight of Poppy and Garrison dressed in matching Star Wars costumes. Poppy looks like a goddess in her Princess Leia outfit, but her boyfriend scowls at everyone in his head-to-toe Darth Vader costume. With the helmet gripped in his hand instead of on his head, he can’t even hide from everyone’s ogling. Poor guy.
Bryce is dressed like a devil, with her legs showing in tight red shorts and lower stomach exposed beneath her tiny matching red top. She looks hot, and I’m not the only one who thinks so. Flipping off Thomas when he waggles his brows at her, she downs whatever’s in her plastic cup before staring at someone across the room. At Daisy and her angel costume.
My eyes bulge as I take in the obvious moment between them. I’ve never seen them in the same vicinity like this, but from the heat in Bryce’s stare as she focuses on Johnny’s twin, I can imagine why. Bryce gives herself away so easily, her fa?ade of indifference non-existent.
Did she know Daisy was going to dress like an angel? Considering I thought Bryce was being a Ghostbuster again…
“Eliza and Wade throw quite the rager,” I say in an attempt to keep Johnny from noticing the way Daisy glances back at Bryce, something secret passing between them.
“The birthday boy!” Eliza calls, and we both turn in the direction of her voice.
Incredible timing. I blow out a slow breath.
She’s wearing a long, flowy dress and has her hair tied in an elegant updo that I’d bet Anna styled for her. “I hope you forgive me for not dressing up. I’ve run out of ideas at my age.”
“You don’t need a costume. You’re beautiful just like this,” Johnny tells her, hugging her tight. “Thank you for tonight.”
She sniffles into his chest as Wade appears beside her, eyes sharpening when he hears the sound. He lifts a brow at me, and I nod to show everything’s okay.
“No costume for you either?” I ask him.
“I don’t remember the last time I wore a costume.”
“Oh, I’d say four years ago,” Eliza says, stepping into her husband’s chest and staring up into his heavy gaze. “You were the scarecrow, and I was Dorothy from Wizard Of Oz .”
“I don’t remember this,” Johnny says, sounding offended to have missed the chance.
Eliza pats Wade’s chest. “That’s because I couldn’t get him out of the house with the costume on. ”
“Alright, that’s enough walkin’ down memory lane, woman,” he grunts.
I stifle my laugh with the back of my hand as he tugs her away from us. He glances over his shoulder and wishes Johnny a quick happy birthday before they’re leaving the room.
“Is it weird to consider them cute? Wade’d have my balls for considering him cute, but damn. Only Eliza would be able to get that man into a costume,” Johnny says.
I wink. “I’ll keep your secret. We don’t want him to demote you.”
Johnny doesn’t have any actual title for Wade to demote, but after the stable construction was finished and marked as a success due to his handling of the crew, Wade’s been piling more and more responsibility onto him. Nothing too heavy for him to handle, but just enough to make it obvious that my man’s really important to the smooth running of this place.
One day, I could see him and Wade speaking about even more responsibility, maybe the drastic kind that would have Johnny taking over for him once the time comes.
There’s no one that would do as good of a job as him if that day did come. I know that for a fact.
Taking his hand in mine, I lace our fingers and step in front of him. Like it would pain him to look away from me for even a second, his eyes follow me, the corner of his mouth tipping up.
“Have I told you lately how proud I am of you?” I ask softly.
“Yeah, but I’m always up to hear you say it again.”
“I’m proud of you, Johnny. You’re the best man I’ve ever known.”
He cups my cheek, bringing his head down to kiss me just once. It’s enough to make my toes curl and heart rate jump.
“It’s you and me forever, darlin’, my wish come true.”
“Forever,” I whisper.
All of the chasing I’ve done led me here. To him and a family— a home that I never knew was out there waiting for me.
THE END