Epilogue 1
epilogue 1
LENA
The fire crackles softly in the hearth as I lean back against Cade, his strong arms wrapped around me. We’re both cozied up on the couch, a blanket covering our legs and a laptop perched on the coffee table in front of us. The photos from last weekend’s event in the city fill the screen, and I can’t help but smile with pride.
The gala I organized for Cade’s family firm was a huge success. Clients old and new flooded the ballroom, and the buzz around the firm has been incredible ever since. Cade’s dad and Max were so pleased, and while I know they wish Cade would come back full-time, we’ve found a compromise that works for all of us. He’s working remotely part-time, and I’m handling their social media, helping to keep the momentum going.
“Look at this one,” I say, clicking on a photo of Cade, looking sharp in his suit, standing next to Max and their dad. His family had come around, realizing that Cade’s happiness wasn’t tied to the firm but to the life we’ve built together out here.
“You’re so good at this,” Cade says, his lips brushing the top of my head. “You make it all look easy.”
I laugh softly, reaching for my phone. “Well, I’m about to make your family’s Instagram account look even better.” I pick one of the best shots from the event and type out the perfect caption: Bringing old friends back and welcoming new faces to the firm! Couldn’t be prouder of this family’s legacy. #FamilyBusiness #CityGalaSuccess
I hit ‘post’ and set my phone down with a satisfied smile. “Done,” I say, leaning back into Cade’s chest, feeling the warmth of him surround me.
He kisses my temple. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I tilt my head to look up at him, a playful smile on my lips. “Well, lucky for you, you don’t have to find out.”
He chuckles softly, his hands gently squeezing my hips. “Speaking of which... should we finish planning our wedding?”
We’re tying the knot in just a few months in a beautiful mountain clearing not far from our cabin. It’s going to be simple, intimate, and perfect—just like us.
“No,” I say, teasingly drawing out the word. “I have something for you, though.”
Cade raises an eyebrow, a curious smile tugging at his lips. “Oh? What’s this ‘something’?”
I sit up a little, turning to face him, my heart racing with excitement and nerves. I’ve been holding onto this secret for a few days now, waiting for the right moment to tell him. And now, with the firelight flickering softly around us, it feels like the perfect time.
“Cade,” I say softly, reaching for his hand. “I’m pregnant.”
For a moment, there’s complete silence. His eyes widen, and then, slowly, a smile spreads across his face—one so full of love, joy, and pride that it takes my breath away. “Pregnant?” he repeats, as if he can hardly believe it.
CADE
I’m staring at her, trying to wrap my head around the fact that Lena, this woman who’s completely turned my world upside down, just told me she’s pregnant. I can barely breathe, the rush of emotions so intense I feel like my heart might burst. Love, pride, joy—it’s all there, swelling inside me, making me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt.
“Pregnant?” I repeat, my voice cracking with disbelief and excitement. I don’t even give her time to respond before I’m pulling her into my arms, hugging her so tight I don’t know how she can breathe. “Lena... we’re going to have a baby.”
She nods, her eyes glistening with tears, and I swear I’ve never felt so much love for anyone in my life.
I pull back just enough to cup her face, my thumb brushing away the tear that slips down her cheek. “You’re incredible,” I whisper, my voice hoarse with emotion. “I don’t deserve you. I don’t know how I got so damn lucky.”
She laughs softly, her hands resting against my chest. “I love you, Cade.”
“I love you too,” I say, meaning it with every fiber of my being. “More than anything. And you’re carrying our baby. I’m going to take care of you both.”
Before she can say anything, I scoop her up into my arms, her laughter filling the cabin as I carry her toward the bedroom. “You’ve been working too hard,” I say, kissing her forehead as I lay her down gently on the bed. “You need to rest. You’re carrying my baby now, and I’m going to take care of you.”
Lena rolls her eyes, a teasing smile on her lips. “I’m not tired, Cade.”
“Oh, no?” I ask, raising an eyebrow, already knowing what she’s about to say.
“No,” she whispers, pulling me closer by the front of my shirt. “I’m horny.”
That one word, and I’m done. All the restraint I’ve been trying to hold onto goes up in flames. She’s looking at me with those teasing eyes, biting her lip, and I can feel the heat between us already building, crackling like a fire that’s ready to consume us both.
I growl softly, my lips crashing against hers as I pull her body against mine. “You have no idea what you do to me,” I murmur against her lips, my hands moving down to her hips, gripping them tightly. “You drive me insane.”
She moans softly, her hands sliding up my back as she presses herself closer, her body already reacting to mine. “Then show me,” she whispers, her voice thick with desire. “Show me how much you want me.”
That’s all it takes. I’m all over her, my hands roaming over every inch of her body, my lips trailing hot, desperate kisses down her neck, across her chest. I pull off her shirt in one swift motion, revealing her soft, perfect breasts, and I take one into my mouth, teasing her nipple with my tongue as she gasps, arching against me.
Her body is driving me wild, the way she responds to every touch, every kiss. I can feel her getting wetter, hotter, as I slide my hand between her thighs, teasing her, making her tremble beneath me.
“Cade... please,” she gasps, her voice breathless, her hips moving against my hand.
I groan against her skin, my fingers slipping inside her, feeling how ready she is. “God, you’re perfect,” I murmur, kissing my way down her body, my lips grazing the soft skin of her stomach, the place where our baby is growing. The thought of it—her carrying my child—makes me even more desperate to claim her.
I move lower, my tongue teasing her folds, and she cries out, her hands tangling in my hair as I taste her, making her moan, making her squirm. She’s so wet, so sweet, and I can’t get enough.
But I need more. I need all of her.
I pull back, lifting her up and positioning her on top of me, guiding her down onto my cock. The feeling of her, so tight, so perfect, has me groaning, my hands gripping her hips as she starts to move, riding me slowly at first, then faster as the need between us grows.
“Cade,” she moans, her hands on my chest, her body trembling with every thrust. “God, I love you.”
“I love you too,” I groan, my hands moving to her breasts, squeezing them as she rides me harder, the heat between us building to an unbearable level.
She’s so fucking beautiful, her body moving over mine, her breasts bouncing with every movement, her moans filling the room. I can feel her getting closer, her body tightening around me, and I’m right there with her, barely holding on.
“Come for me, Lena,” I growl, thrusting up into her, driving her over the edge.
She cries out, her body trembling as she comes, her release soaking me, and I lose it. I thrust into her one last time, pulling out just as I come, spilling my release across her belly.
But I’m not done.
The sight of my release glistening on her soft skin, her belly rising and falling with each breath, drives me wild.
I reach down, my fingers tracing through the hot mess I’ve left on her stomach, her eyes locked on mine, filled with desire and anticipation. She’s so damn beautiful like this—completely open, trusting me, wanting more. I love that look in her eyes, that need for me to keep pushing her, to keep making her feel.
I guide her back onto the bed, her body soft and pliant beneath me, and I settle her onto her back. I spread her legs gently, teasing her inner thighs with light touches, feeling her shudder under my fingertips. Her body is still quivering from her last orgasm, and I’m going to give her another—one that’ll have her screaming my name.
With slow, deliberate movements, I slide my fingers into her again, slick with my own release. She gasps, her hips bucking as the mixture of sensations overwhelms her, my cum and her own arousal making everything even hotter, even more intense.
“Cade,” she moans, her head falling back into the pillow, her chest rising as she breathes in short, desperate gasps.
I lean over her, my lips brushing against her ear. “You like that, don’t you? Feeling my cum inside you like this?”
She nods, her breath catching as I start to move my fingers, slow at first, teasing her, making her tremble. Her hands grip the sheets, her legs spreading wider, giving me full access as I push deeper, curling my fingers just right. She’s already so wet, so sensitive, and I know she’s on the edge again, so close to losing control.
I speed up, thrusting my fingers faster, watching as her body reacts, her back arching, her moans growing louder, more desperate. She’s right there, hovering on the brink, and I want to take her over it. I want to make her explode for me.
“Come for me, Lena,” I murmur against her neck, my fingers moving faster, harder, hitting that sweet spot inside her. “I want to feel you come. I want you to let go.”
And she does.
With a final, breathless moan, her body tenses, and she cries out, her release gushing around my hand as she squirts, soaking the sheets beneath her. The sight, the sound, the way her body shakes with pleasure—it’s everything. I keep my fingers moving, drawing out every last bit of her orgasm, making her tremble and gasp as I push her higher, further, until she’s completely spent.
When it’s finally over, I collapse beside her, pulling her into my arms, both of us breathless, covered in sweat, and more in love than I ever thought possible.
I press a kiss to her forehead, my heart full to bursting. “You’re everything, Lena. Everything I’ve ever wanted.”
She smiles up at me, her eyes soft and filled with love. “And you’re everything I never knew I needed.”
We stay like that, wrapped in each other, the world outside forgotten. I know our future is going to be full of challenges, full of surprises, but with her by my side, I’m ready for all of it. We’ve already started building something beautiful, something real, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.