EPILOGUE
CADANCE
E lijah’s cabin was the perfect size for us.
All my fears of not fitting in at the ranch were cast aside the moment I stepped into the found family community who adopted me just as they had adopted Elijah and everyone else who came along.
Just like they adopted new rescues. I figured I was one of those, and so I suited the theme.
I still wasn’t sure who was healing who out of Elijah and me, or if it matters.
Right now, we were happy working side by side at the ranch, and spending evenings together.
I still wasn't sure how I felt about him blindsiding me on paying for my van repairs, but that was three months back and he’d made me a stack of pretty treats to make up for it.
Somehow that seemed butt about, but he kept trying and his creatures grew more and more creative… so really, who was I to complain?
“What’s this one?” I traced the patterns on the back of what I thought was a turtle shell, but because I knew it would also end up in a matching gourd that would complete the art work, and give perspective to the piece, I had stopped guessing months back.
“Green sea turtle. I know it’s a bit out of the ordinary, but Declan organized our first tour bus and got us on a few tourist websites, so now we’re an official destination.
I squealed and looped my arms around his neck, pressing my lips to his. "That's incredible,” I breathed. “Do you want socials done? Get him to send me everything,” I demanded.
Declan had happily handed me their socials accounts and interactive newsletter that Elijah didn’t even know existed.
I’d resurrected the poor thing and it had increased foot traffic from other local towns too.
Now, weekends were big trade days and we spent more time during the week fulfilling preorders for coming events and weekends than anything else.
“I’m so excited for you,” I glowed at him.
“Mmhm.” He fidgeted and I stopped.
As in, everything stopped.
“What?” he asked warily.
“That.” I pointed to his twisting fingers.
He quickly hid them. “It’s nothing."
“Spill,” I demanded.
Because my boy never fidgeted for no reason. Even when he thought he did, he didn’t. Unless he was trying to keep a secret. Elijah Campise really sucked at those.
He dipped his head and kissed me, the sort of long, slow kiss that said we’d be here for a while. The sort that stole my breath as he pushed me back against the wall and slid his knee between mine.
A moan built low in my chest. I broke away, gasping and shoved at his shoulders. “That was a naughty distraction technique," I betrayed him, slapping his chest lightly.
“Was it.” Large hands squeezed my waist, leaving need zinging through me.
“Very,” I murmured, all too aware of my breasts suddenly heavy beneath my t-shirt, without any bra. One hand crept up to squeeze gently, milking my nipple. I swore my eyes rolled back in my head. "Stop that,” I moaned as he levered his knee higher.
“Stop what?” Elijah teased, dipping his head to brush his mouth over mine. “Stop making you come in that short little denim skirt? You know better than to wear something like that around me.” He pushed his knee higher and I opened my eyes when he growled. “Glitter bomb…”
“What?” I said innocently.
The hand grasping my breast dropped to slide between my legs. I moaned as he speared two fingers straight inside me. “No. Fucking. Panties.”
“Oh. That,” I said faintly, bearing down on his hand.
“Ride me,” he instructed, working gently, but leaving the greater work to me. I did as he demanded, driving my hips downward, chasing the pleasure that was just out of reach. My core tightened. I leaned forward?—
Elijah’s mouth crushed mine as he pushed me back, pumping his hand into me.
I screamed into his mouth, coming too fast. Something caught my wrist tight for a moment before he released me, then my orgasms ripped into me.
My legs shook, and I collapsed against his chest, little more than a soaked, trembling mess.
Elijah pressed his wet fingers to my lips, coating them. I sucked them clean then offered him my mouth. He kissed me greedily like I knew he would, savoring the taste of me before he dropped to his knees, pushing me back to the wall. I closed my eyes, floating as he took me through another orgasm.
I rocked my hips gently over his face, leaning my weight safely on him, the ultimate trust exercise between us. I came on a soft cry and he gathered me into his arms, carrying me to the sofa where we both collapsed in a tangle of limbs.
“That was…Wow.” I closed my eyes and sank into his embrace, listening to his heart beat fast against my cheek.
“Mm. Wear this skirt more often for me, glitter bomb?” He ran his fingers along my arm, down to my wrist and back again.
I remembered the pressure on my wrist and glanced down, expecting to see a cheap pair of sex shop handcuffs dangling from them. But around my wrist, in perfect miniature, was a bracelet of tiny, carved gourds. And between each was a glittery, pink bead.
I marveled at the workmanship of each carving, as always stunned at his work, how much time and care he took with each one.
“When did you do this?” I turned the bracelet around, unable to pick a favorite. Each was as delicate as the next, and each was individual. It must have taken him hours.
He shrugged. “You know if I don’t sleep a lot, even though I have you.
So, I wanted to make you something. It’s not an engagement ring, not yet.
I figured you’d been tied to the wrong man before, and that you wouldn’t want to rush.
” He tipped my chin back so I could see his eyes, the question there in them.
He’d never asked me about my real name, and he’d never forced me to go back to it.
I settled in to listen. “And I don't want to rush you, Cadance. But I wanted to make something. I wanted to give you something that came from me.” His voice thickened on that last, and my sight blurred.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you,” I whispered, overwhelmed. “And it’s perfect for us.” I snuggled into him.
He was right. I didn’t need an engagement ring, and I didn’t need a white wedding.
I’d had both of those things before and look how that had turned out.
Elijah gave me the sort of fairytale love I’d always dreamed about.
Selfless, fun, with a solid dose of flirtation and friendship underneath.
That’s who we were. And his gift was so beautiful, beyond anything I could manage.
I giggled. “I mean, I can give you a pedicure? I don’t know what I can give you in return,” I said wistfully.
He laughed and stretched. “You can paint me whatever color you like, glitter girl. And you give me plenty every day.”
I smiled, sinking into the shape of him. Maybe, if he was lucky, I’d find some of that powdered sugar, or that strawberry sticky jam stuff he seemed to keep in excess and we could make one hell of a sticky mess together. Something to make my gourd boy good enough to eat.