Epilogue Aston
Two Weeks Later
One more time.”
Everleigh laughs beneath me, attempting to squirm out of my hold as I kiss the base of her neck.
“You’ve broken me!” Her pitched voice is cute, but not as cute as the beautiful smile on her face. “Seriously, I think my vagina is broken.”
“I’d like to bet all the money in the world it is not broken.”
She bites her bottom lip, a move that drives me crazy. Just as I’m about to prove to her how wrong she is, a knock on the door interrupts us.
“It’s room service. I’ll get it,” she says.
“You think I’m going to allow another man to see my girl naked?”
Everleigh rolls her eyes with a hidden smile teasing her mouth. “Firstly, you don’t know it’s a man. And secondly, I was going to wear a robe.”
I hop off her, then grab the robe from the chair and place it on, tying the belt around my middle. She brings the sheets to her chin, hiding her mischievous grin.
My hand reaches out to open the door, only to see a young man carrying a silver tray. He eyes me, then notices Everleigh in the bed. I clear my throat, prompting him to pay attention to me and only me.
“I’ll take it from here,” I warn him, then sign the bill and add a tip.
I could be an asshole and not tip him for looking at my girl, but I circle the 20 percent before closing the door behind me.
“I’m starving,” Everleigh calls, then lets out a yawn.
“Lucky for you, food is meant to improve stamina.”
“Or, it can put you to sleep,” she teases.
“You’re lucky you’re so damn hot,” I tell her, then bring the plates to the bed.
Everleigh insists we turn on the television and watch some trashy show involving people marrying strangers. Before now, I barely had the time to watch any TV, but this show becomes interesting when one of the women reveals she’s attracted to another woman’s husband.
We’re starving, finishing the food off, and leaving the plates completely clean. With our stomachs full, we watch the show with light commentary every so often.
It’s been a whirlwind of events and both of us are trying to catch our breath.
When I approached Roland and asked to buy the land from him, he signed over the title so I could start my new future. I expected him to reject my offer based on his previous mention of wanting to keep it in the family, but his change of heart worked in my favor.
Everleigh hasn’t been able to contain her excitement, constantly showing me her Pinterest boards for inspiration. I love watching her gush over wainscoting, even though I don’t really care for wainscoting.
All I want is to make her happy.
And since that moment two weeks ago when I professed my love, I haven’t let her go.
So much so that we ended up in a hotel, because her brother cockblocked my plans.
I wrap my arms around her waist, kissing her shoulder. “Sleep… we have a big day tomorrow.”
“I know.” She yawns but tightens her hold on me. “But I miss you.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I whisper.
She turns around so our eyes meet. Her lips find mine, and my urge to be inside her roars back.
“I won’t hurt you, baby,” I tell her softly.
Her fingers reach out to caress my face. “I know.”
My hands slowly glide down to her beautiful, perfect tits. Slowly and agonizingly, I tease them between my fingers, then tug on them softly. I spent the day ravaging her, so I know her body needs a break.
Beneath me, her soft moans become more intense. My hand reaches down to enter her, but she stops me with her lips curved into a delicious and wicked smile.
Everleigh climbs on top. Reaching down, she grasps at my shaft, causing me to tense at her touch. Slowly, she eases me in until I’m completely seated inside her.
I rest my arms behind my head, watching her ride me at her own pace. Every single inch of her is perfect, and the more my eyes admire her body, the harder it becomes to resist blowing inside her.
A maddening rush suddenly grips me, so I reach out and grab her hips, rocking her harder. Our bodies move in sync, and even though we spent most of today exploring one another like it was our first time, I still crave more.
It will never be enough.
“Come with me,” I demand.
My blood is pumping hard, and every single part of me tingles in mad delight as her pussy clenches around me. My body combusts, and all I can see are bright stars.
We catch our breath, both of us parched from the physical activity.
“Okay, now I’m officially broken,” she says.
I bring her to me and kiss her softly. “I think you broke me, too.”
Everleigh chuckles. “I broke the stallion?”
“The stallion may be broken.” I wince.
“Oh no.” She laughs again. “Well, you have come how many times? I think it may call for a world record. Unless, of course, the stallion rode too many mares during his single days, and his record is yet to be beaten.”
I turn to face her as my eyes fall upon her lips. “No one, and I mean no one, has ever made me feel the way you do.”
“You’ll do anything to get me into bed,” she whispers with a smile. “But if that’s your way of telling me you love me…”
My cheeks rise. “I love you.”
“Okay.” She laughs, rolling her eyes. “Round six, here we go, I guess.”
We arrived at the store just as Elliot opened the door.
Back in high school, I saw him around, but since he’s a few years older than me, we didn’t run in the same circles. He’s a decent guy who doesn’t seem bothered by much, especially when Everleigh is repeating her list to him for the tenth time.
“Okay, so that I remember,” Elliot says, touching his lip. “I use this switch to turn on the espresso machine?”
He hides his smirk, and I hold back mine.
Everleigh is too easy of a target.
Everleigh’s eyes widen. “Are you really asking me that?”
“ No ,” he shouts. “Oh my God. For the millionth time. I know how to run this place.”
“He did get a Michelin star,” I remind her.
“Yes, but does the Michelin star make coffee for Mrs. McGregor the way she likes it?”
Elliot tilts his head, rubbing his stubble. “Who’s Mrs. McGregor?”
“You met her this morning !”
“I’m kidding. Relax,” Elliot drags. “Grande flat white with a triple shot of espresso and nonfat milk, extra foam but only on the bottom half of the cup. Shot of caramel and no sweetener.”
Everleigh crosses her arms. “Fine, you win.”
“And we will both win if we leave now,” I urge, tugging on her sleeve.
Our bags are packed and waiting in the car. I organized for a driver to take us straight to the airport so we don’t miss the flight.
Elliot hugs Everleigh, giving her more suggestions of where to visit around Paris. We have two whole weeks to ourselves before I am due back in Manhattan. Elliot and Chloe are managing the store, with Billie returning early next week.
Since my so-called viral post, the store has been incredibly busy, but Elliot insisted he could manage.
Frankly, many of the customers are young women, and apparently, Elliot has also gone viral.
The small-town chef has a major following.
It wasn’t my place to inform Everleigh her brother is more than busy after-hours, since she was worried he may get bored.
With the success of the store, Everleigh mentioned the possibility of opening another store in Manhattan with Billie taking over. After the death of her mother, Billie decided she wanted a different pace. It made sense, and so did calling the broker to organize some appointments when we return.
Everleigh insisted we wait until later in the year, but the rule of thumb in business is to strike when the iron is hot. We argued and had make-up sex, and now Everleigh is open to inspecting some storefronts.
The traffic is smooth with no major delays on the interstate. My phone rings in my pocket, so I remove it to see Madelina’s nickname flashing on the screen.
“Hey brat,” I tease upon answering. “You’re on speaker.”
“Yeah, you’re on speaker so I can hear just how amazing Europe is!” Everleigh’s eyes light up. “Is it just as fun as when we went?”
“Sure.” Madelina laughs over the speaker. “Though instead of chugging tequila shots in a rowdy bar in Dublin, I’m lying on a lounge chair in Saint-Tropez and being served by extremely good-looking men.”
I breathe a sigh of relief, not because my sister is enjoying gawking at French men, but because she finally sounds like the weight of the world has been lifted off her shoulders.
Harvey has decided to disown her, much to her disappointment. Unlike me, Madelina did have a relationship with him, but since our family name was dragged through the tabloids the last few weeks, Harvey has gone into hiding.
Frankly, I don’t care where he is as long as it’s far away from me.
“You need this break, Maddy. Just soak up the sun and enjoy your freedom,” Everleigh reminds her. “We’ll see you in a few days when you’re back in Paris.”
“See you guys then.”
We hang up the call, only for Everleigh to rest her head on my shoulder.
“Do you think Maddy will be okay?”
“My sister will bounce back. She always does.”
“But she sounds lonely,” Everleigh murmurs. “I know Myles wasn’t the love of her life, but where do you think she’s going to find him?”
I shrug. “Maybe he’s right under her nose. Give it time, Everleigh. Madelina needs to heal.”
“It’s going to be hard coming back to Cinnamon Springs. Maybe she’ll meet a French guy and fall in love…”
“Perhaps” is all I say.
Everleigh changes subjects and begins to complain about these two girls who ordered a pineapple donut to share, then stalked Elliot when he locked up yesterday.
“You know, he’s probably going to bring them back to your apartment,” I tell her.
Everleigh’s eyes bulge. “Like a threesome?”
“Sure, why not.”
“He should settle down,” she states adamantly.
“Leave the guy alone. Much like Madelina, his time will come.”
I’m waiting for her temper to flare. She looks sexy when trying to argue with me over something I couldn’t care less about. Suddenly, her eyes dart to the window.
“Um… the driver is going the wrong way. Excuse me, sir, you’re—”
“Everleigh, he’s going the right way,” I inform her.
We drive into the private area of JFK, where all the private jets are stationed. The one we’re flying in has been prepared and is ready for takeoff. All they’re waiting for is us and our bags.
“This is our plane? I don’t understand,” she mumbles, looking at the tarmac.
“Which part?” I ask, then continue, “Because we need to get on board so I can finally join the mile-high club.”
She slaps my arm as I kiss her hand. “You own this plane?”
“I own shares in the plane. Another perk of working for Lex Edwards.”
The driver stops the car at the base of the stairwell. I exit the car, then open the door for Everleigh. Her eyes are wide with surprise at the thought of flying in such luxury.
“So,” she says, eyes dancing happily, “any other surprises up your sleeve?”
I might have broken her heart twice, but I’m going to spend a lifetime making sure it only beats for me.
This trip to Paris will be something to remember.
My sister has made sure of it, planning the whole thing behind her best friend’s back because Madelina insisted Everleigh needed to get her forever .
Starting with the diamond ring, which sits inside my black leather suitcase.
I reach out, take her hand in mine, then tease, “I guess you’ll just have to wait and see…”