epilogue
NOIA
One month later...
“Ready or not, here I come...”
I bite my lip to stifle a giggle when I hear Ryder’s footsteps overhead, each heavy step making the old floorboards creak.
My heart races as I curl tighter into the cabinet beneath the kitchen island, knees pressed to my chest. It’s cramped in here, but worth it to see the look on his face when he finally finds me.
“Kitten,” he calls, his voice deep and playful. “Where are you hiiiiding?”
I press my palm against my mouth, fighting back another laugh. After three weeks of healing, my ribs have finally stopped hurting when I breathe, and we’ve been celebrating my recovery in every delicious way possible.
The footsteps stop. I imagine him standing still, listening for any telltale sounds. Then they start again, moving toward the stairs.
“I’m coming for you,” he sings, his voice growing closer. “And when I find you...”
The threat hangs in the air, sending a delicious shiver down my spine. My body tingles with anticipation, primed for what will happen when he finally discovers me.
His boots hit the bottom of the stairs, and I hold my breath. Through the small crack where the cabinet doors meet, I can see his feet as he moves through the living room, checking behind the couch and inside the coat closet.
“I know you’re not upstairs,” he muses aloud to himself. “Obviously there’s no place to hide in the living room...”
I hear him open the door to the walk-in pantry, rummaging through it. Pretty sure he’s trying to find another secret hiding spot. I’ve refused to tell him where they are just for this reason.
He moves back into the kitchen, and I shrink further into the shadows, pulse hammering in my throat.
Fuck, the tension is the most exquisite form of torture.
I bite my lip. I can hear him slowly circling the island, and my heart starts to thud in time with the pulse in my clit.
“I wonder...” His voice, a deep low growl, is now directly above me.
The legs of the stool scrape slowly across the floor, and there’s an excruciating pause before the cabinet door flies open, and his triumphant face appears. “Caught ya!”
Before I can react, he grabs me by the ankles, pulling me from my hiding spot, making me squeal.
Latching his big hands onto my waist, he lifts me onto the island and steps between my legs, crowding me with his heat.
“That was fast,” I pout.
“You think I don’t know every inch of this house by now?” He trails his fingers along the edge of my shorts, sliding just enough underneath to make my breath catch with anticipation. “Every place you could possibly hide?”
I shiver as his fingers dance along my skin. “Maybe I just suck at this game.”
“Or maybe...” His lips brush against my ear, breath hot. “I’m just that good at finding what’s mine.”
He grazes his lips along my jawline until his mouth hovers just above mine. “You know what happens now, right?”
“I have some ideas,” I whisper, reaching for the hem of his shirt.
Grabbing my hands, he pins them behind my back. “My game, my rules.”
“Tell me.” My breath catches as he nuzzles into my neck again.
“First,” he murmurs against my skin. “No touching until I say so.”
I whimper as he releases my hands. Knowing I’m not allowed to reach for him only heightens the excitement pulsing in my veins.
“Second,” he continues, fingers slowly working at the buttons of my shirt. “No holding back. I want to hear, every. Single. Sound.”
My shirt falls open, revealing the black lace bra underneath. Ryder’s appreciative growl sends a fresh wave of heat pooling between my thighs.
“Third,” he murmurs. “You don’t come until I say.”
Sliding his palms up my thighs, he pushes them apart. Dipping his head between my legs, nose against the fabric, he inhales deep.
“Fuck, kitten. You smell so good.”
The warmth of his breath against my center makes me squirm. He looks up at me with those stormy gray eyes, dark with desire, before hooking his fingers into the waistband, yanking my shorts down and off.
I gasp as the cool air hits my heated skin.
Leaving my shirt hanging open, he reaches for my bra, roughly tugging the cups down to expose my breasts. His mouth latches onto a nipple, sucking hard while his fingers find their way between my thighs.
“Oh, God,” I moan as he slides two thick fingers inside me, curling them as he starts to pump.
His teeth graze my sensitive nipple as he works his fingers in and out, his thumb circling my clit with devastating precision. The dual sensation has me arching off the counter.
“Lie back,” he commands, voice rough with need. He places his free hand on my sternum and gently pushes me down until I’m flat on my back.
“Such a perfect little pussy,” he murmurs, withdrawing his fingers, but before I can utter a complaint, his hands are on my thighs, spreading them even wider as he lowers his head. The first swipe of his tongue makes my back arch as I cry out.
“That’s my good little kitty,” he growls against my flesh. “Let me hear you scream.”
His tongue circles my clit before dipping lower, tasting me as his hands grip my thighs to keep me spread open for him. I thread my fingers through his hair, tugging when he hits a particularly sensitive spot.
“Rye…” I beg.
His only response is sliding his tongue inside me, his nose brushing against my clit. My hips buck against his face, chasing the pleasure that’s building with every lick, every suck.
“Not yet,” he says, voice rough with desire. “Remember the rules.”
I whimper in frustration, my body aching for release.
“Look at me,” he commands.
I lift my head to meet his gaze. His eyes are dark with hunger, lips glistening with my arousal.
“You’re so fucking beautiful like this,” he says. “Spread out on our kitchen island, so needy and wet.”
He lowers his head again, but this time he sucks my clit between his lips, applying just the right amount of pressure. Then, he shoves three fingers inside me to continue their relentless rhythm.
“Fuuuck!”
His answering growl vibrates against me, sending shockwaves of pleasure throughout my body.
“So close,” I gasp, tension coiling tighter and tighter with each swirl of his hot tongue as my hips buck against his face.
He pulls away only long enough to say, “Go ahead, kitten.”
With his permission, I come with a scream, my body shuddering as waves of pleasure crash over me. Ryder doesn’t let up, working me through my orgasm until I go limp.
When he finally lifts his head, his chin is glistening with my arousal, eyes dark and hungry.
Legs still trembling, he grabs my hips and yanks me off the counter. My feet barely touch the ground before he’s spinning me around and bending me over.
Pressing his hand firmly between my shoulder blades, he pushes me down against the cool surface, kicking my feet apart.
The metallic sound of his belt buckle is followed by the rasp of his zipper. Trembling with anticipation, I’m already aching for more.
The blunt head of his cock presses against me before he slams inside, burying himself to the hilt. I scream, hands scrambling for purchase on the smooth countertop.
“Fuck, kitten,” he groans, drawing back only to thrust hard again.
His hand comes down hard on my ass, the sting sending a jolt of pleasure-pain through my body. “You’ve dreamt about me doing this haven’t you?” he growls, pulling almost all the way out before slamming back in.
I gasp as he smacks the other cheek, leaving what I know will be a perfect handprint. “God, yes!”
The pace he sets is punishing, each thrust driving into me harder and harder. His hand comes down on my ass again, pain blending with pleasure.
“You feel so fucking good,” he pants, fingers digging into my hips as he pulls me back to meet each thrust. “Always so tight around my cock.”
I can only moan in response, pushing back to meet each brutal thrust.
Quickening his pace, each stroke hits the perfect spot deep inside as the sound of skin slapping against skin mingles with our desperate moans.
“You take my cock so well,” he pants, releasing my hair to reach around and find my clit. “Already close again, aren’t you?”
I groan in response, his fingers working me as my second orgasm starts to build.
“Can you come for me again, baby?” His thrusts become erratic as he nears his own release. “I want to feel you squeeze my cock so hard.”
Suddenly, I shatter, crying out his name. My inner walls clench, triggering his release as he drives into me, emptying himself with a hoarse groan.
Panting and trembling, we stay locked together for a few moments until he carefully pulls out and turns me around, gathering me into his arms.
“I love you so much,” he murmurs against my hair, pressing soft kisses to my temple.
“I love you too,” I say, melting into his embrace.
My legs are still shaky as Ryder scoops me up in his arms, cradling me against his chest.
“Let’s get you cleaned up,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my forehead as he carries me up the stairs.
I nuzzle into his neck, inhaling the intoxicating blend of sandalwood and leather that’s become my favorite smell in the world.
My body is deliciously spent, every muscle relaxed as he gently places me on the bed.
After a quick trip to the bathroom for a warm washcloth, he returns to clean me up. Tossing the washcloth into the hamper, he slides in beside me. Pulling me against his chest, my back to his front, he drapes an arm protectively over my waist.
“Sasha texted me this morning,” I say after a few minutes of contented silence. “She’s decided to open one of her fitness studios in Lakeside and move here permanently.”
Ryder’s chest rumbles with laughter. “Jax is going to lose his shit when he finds out.”
“Why? Because of what happened at the anniversary party?”
“Yup.” His fingers continue their idle path along my arm. “He’s been sexing up half the single women in town trying to forget her. Last week, he hooked up with that bartender from The Brew—Melody? I think that’s her name. Anyway, the week before that, it was some tourist.”
“Wait, seriously?” I turn to face him fully. “I thought they were on the same page. Sasha told me she was straight up about her intentions.”
“For her, maybe. But Jax...” His fingers trace lazy circles on my hip, causing pleasant shivers to ripple along my skin. “He’s been walking around like a lovesick puppy trying to pretend he doesn’t give a shit. Which is kind of funny because before Sasha, he also lived by the one and done rule.”
“Huh.” I settle back, a smile playing on my lips. “Guess we’re going to have to wait and see how their story plays out.”
“You want my guess? With their chemistry?” He chuckles. “They’re in for one hell of a ride.”
THE END
Stay tuned for Sasha’s and Jax’s story.
Coming Spring 2026