Bonus Epilogue
I push open the front door, the weight of the day sloughing off my shoulders like rain from my jacket.
The precinct was a madhouse today—endless reports, a chase that left me bruised but buzzing with adrenaline.
All I want is a cold beer, a hot shower, and Tory in my arms. But as I step into the living room, the air shifts.
It's warmer, scented with vanilla and something deeper, like her skin after a bath.
There she is, lounging on the couch in that silk robe I bought her last month—the one that's barely tied, slipping open just enough to tease the curve of her breast. Her hair's tousled, like she's been running her fingers through it while waiting, and her eyes lock onto mine with that mischievous spark that always undoes me.
We've been doing this dance for two years now, but damn, she still makes my heart race like it's the first time.
"Hey, stranger," she purrs, her voice low and inviting. She sets down her book, uncrossing her legs slowly, deliberately, giving me a glimpse of smooth thigh.
I drop my keys on the table, kicking the door shut behind me. "Miss me?" I ask, my voice rougher than I intend. I cross the room in three strides, but I don't touch her yet. I want to savor this, draw it out until we're both aching.
She stands, the robe whispering against her skin as she closes the distance.
Her hands find my chest first, fingers tracing the buttons of my shirt.
"Every second," she murmurs, tilting her head up to brush her lips against my jaw.
It's feather-light, a promise, and it sends a jolt straight to my dick.
I capture her mouth with mine, slow and deep, tasting the wine she's been sipping.
My hands slide to her waist, pulling her flush against me, feeling the heat of her body through the thin fabric.
She's not wearing anything underneath. I can tell by the way her nipples pebble against my chest. God, she's perfect.
I break the kiss to trail my lips down her neck, nipping at the spot just below her ear that always makes her gasp.
"Ranger," she breathes, her fingers threading into my hair, tugging gently. I love how she says my name like that, needy and breathless.
I lift her easily, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carry her to the bedroom.
We've got all night. I lay her down on the bed, but instead of climbing on top, I kneel at the edge, my hands skimming up her calves, parting her thighs.
The robe falls open completely now, exposing her to me, and I take a moment to just look.
She's flushed, her chest rising and falling, eyes dark with want.
"You're so beautiful," I whisper, leaning in to press a kiss to the inside of her knee. My mouth moves higher, slow kisses along her thigh, my beard scraping lightly against her skin. She squirms, but I hold her steady, my fingers digging into her hips just enough to tease.
"Please," she whimpers, arching toward me.
"Not yet." I want her begging, want to build this fire until it consumes us both.
I kiss the crease where her thigh meets her body, my breath hot against her core.
She's wet already, glistening, and the scent of her arousal makes my cock throb against my pants.
But I ignore it, focusing on her. My tongue flicks out, tasting her outer lips, light and teasing, circling but not quite touching where she needs it most.
Her hands fist the sheets, a moan escaping her lips.
I glance up, watching her face—eyes squeezed shut, lips parted.
It's my favorite view. I slide one finger along her slit, gathering her wetness, then push inside slowly, curling it just right.
She bucks, and I add my mouth, sucking gently on her clit while my finger strokes in and out.
"Oh God, Ranger..." Her voice breaks, and I add a second finger, thrusting deeper, my tongue swirling faster. She's trembling now, close, but I pull back just as she starts to tighten around me.
"Not yet, baby," I growl, kissing my way up her stomach, over her ribs. I take one nipple into my mouth, rolling it with my tongue, my hand kneading the other breast. She's writhing beneath me, her nails scraping down my back, urging me on.
I shed my shirt, loving the way her eyes devour me, then I settle between her legs, my hardness pressing against her through my jeans. I grind slowly, the friction torturous for both of us. Her hands fumble with my belt, but I catch them, pinning them above her head with one of mine.
"Patience," I tease, though my voice is strained.
I kiss her again, deep and hungry, our tongues tangling as I rock against her.
Finally, I release her hands, letting her undo my pants.
She pushes them down, her palm wrapping around me, stroking firmly.
I groan into her mouth, thrusting into her grip.
When I can't take it anymore, I position myself at her entrance, rubbing the tip against her slick pussy. "You ready?" I ask, my forehead against hers.
"Yes," she pants. "Please."
I slide in slowly, inch by inch, savoring the tight heat of her.
We both moan as I fill her completely. I pause, buried deep, kissing her softly.
Then I start to move, slow at first, building the rhythm.
Her legs lock around me, pulling me closer, and I lose myself in her—the way she clenches around me, the sounds she makes, the love in her eyes.
We climb together, higher and higher, until she shatters around me, crying out my name. I follow right after, spilling into her with a guttural groan, collapsing onto her chest.
We lie there, tangled and spent, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on my back. "Welcome home," she whispers, and I smile against her skin. This is everything.
The sun dips low on the horizon as I pull into the driveway, the familiar sight of our beach house coming into view.
I cut the engine and sit for a moment, letting the hum of the truck fade into the background.
It’s been a few weeks, this latest security detail taking more out of me than I expected, but knowing I’m home now—knowing she’s here—makes everything else melt away.
I grab my bag from the passenger seat and head up the front steps. The salty ocean breeze brushes past me, bringing with it the faint, mouthwatering scent of something cooking inside. I can’t help but smile.
“Tory?” I call as I open the door, stepping into the warm glow of the living room.
“In the kitchen!” she shouts back, her voice light and happy.
I drop my bag by the door and head toward her, the tension from the job already fading with each step. When I reach the kitchen, the sight of her stops me dead in my tracks.
She’s standing at the stove, stirring something in a pot, her blonde hair swept up into a messy bun. She’s wearing one of my oversized T-shirts, and it falls just below her thighs, giving me a view of those long legs that still make my mouth go dry.
“Hey, you,” she says, turning to smile at me, her eyes bright and full of warmth. “You’re back early.”
“Missed you,” I say simply, closing the distance between us and wrapping my arms around her waist from behind. I bury my face in her neck, inhaling the sweet scent of her. She smells like home.
She laughs softly, leaning back into me. “Missed you too. How was the job?”
“Same as always,” I murmur against her skin, pressing a kiss to the curve of her neck. “But I couldn’t wait to get back here.”
She tilts her head slightly, giving me better access, and I take full advantage, trailing slow kisses along her neck, my hands tightening around her waist.
“Ranger,” she whispers, a hint of a laugh in her voice. “Dinner’s going to burn if you keep that up.”
I chuckle, pulling back reluctantly. “Fine. But I’m not done with you.”
Her eyes sparkle as she turns in my arms, looping her hands around my neck. “Promise?”
I grin, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You can count on it.”
We finish cooking together, the easy rhythm of our relationship falling back into place as if I never left.
She stirs while I chop, and we talk about everything and nothing—how her jewelry business is booming, how my last job went, and how we’re thinking about adopting a dog once things settle down.
By the time we sit down to eat, the sky outside has turned a deep shade of purple, the first stars twinkling faintly above the horizon. The meal is simple but perfect—grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and a sparkling water she poured just before I walked in.
“So,” she says, swirling her water glass thoughtfully, “how long are you home this time?”
I lean back in my chair, watching her, memorizing every detail of her face. “As long as you’ll have me.”
Her lips twitch into a smile. “Forever sounds about right.”
After dinner, we move to the couch, the sounds of the ocean drifting in through the open windows. Tory curls up beside me, her head resting on my shoulder, and I wrap an arm around her, holding her close.
“This feels right,” she murmurs, tracing small circles on my chest with her finger.
“It does,” I agree, pressing a kiss to her hair.
For a while, we sit in comfortable silence, the only sounds are the soft crash of waves and the occasional creak of the house as it settles. But there’s something in her silence tonight, something thoughtful, almost hesitant.
“Tory,” I say softly, tilting her chin up so she’s looking at me. “What’s on your mind?”
She bites her lip, a nervous habit I’ve come to know well, and suddenly, I feel my heart rate kick up a notch.
“Ranger,” she says quietly, her eyes searching mine. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
I nod, waiting, my hand resting lightly on her waist.
She takes a deep breath, her fingers tightening slightly on my shirt. “I’m pregnant.”
The words hang in the air between us, and for a moment, time seems to stop. My mind spins, processing what she just said, but all I can focus on is the way her eyes are shining with a mixture of hope and fear.
“You’re pregnant,” I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper.
She nods, chewing on her bottom lip nervously. “I found out a few days ago. I wanted to tell you right away, but you were still on the job, and I didn’t want to—”
I cut her off by pulling her into a kiss, deep and slow, pouring every ounce of love and emotion I feel into it. When I finally pull back, I rest my forehead against hers, both of us breathing hard.
“You have no idea how happy you just made me,” I murmur, brushing my thumb over her cheek.
Her eyes widen slightly. “Really?”
“Really,” I say, smiling. “I love you, Tory. And I already love this baby.”
Relief washes over her face, and she laughs softly, a sound that fills me with nothing but pure joy. “I love you too, Ranger.”
We sit there for a while longer, wrapped up in each other, talking quietly about the future. About how we’ll turn the guest room into a nursery, about names we like, and about how our life is about to change in the best way possible.
Later, as we lie in bed, her head resting on my chest and her hand over her stomach, I can’t help but think about how far we’ve come. From the chaos of those early days to this—our quiet, happy life.
And now, we’re about to start the greatest adventure of all. Together. Forever.