Epilogue
SIENNA
“Give it thirty days,” I insisted, bouncing Tyler on my lap as we waited for the game to begin on the TV. I shot River a smug look. “Sometimes it can make all the difference.”
“Listen to you, all pithy, like you didn’t fight your feelings for August every step of the way,” Louise remarked from her place on the sofa across the room and I scowled at her.
“We got there in the end,” Grams said, ever the peacemaker.
Or maybe she was mellow because of the pitchers of sweet tea she’d made for the group and had slowly been polishing off with the help of Louise.
She patted my hand from her spot next to me and then gently squeezed Tyler’s chubby cheek.
While she hadn’t said as much, I knew she was enjoying having a young kid around again — especially because she’d missed out on that with me.
River huffed a laugh. “It has been nice visiting.”
“You’d have built in babysitters,” I coaxed and his chuckle was warm, surprising me.
“Alright, alright. I’ll think about it.”
I grinned, pleased. It would be nice to have August’s brother, and Tyler, closer to us. August’s parents were coming out to visit next month and I was both excited and incredibly nervous, but hopefully we could begin enacting our master plan to slowly move everyone we loved out to Lavender Creek.
The game began and I tried to pay attention in between disentangling Tyler’s grip on my hair. Much like me, Tyler only really perked up when August was on screen for half-time in the commentator’s hub.
“I can’t believe we know someone famous,” Haven mused and I shared a look of baffled humour with Cade who was sat next to him. “No offence, Sienna.”
“None taken?”
Ryder chuckled and Joe threw a chip at Haven from the floor looking up. “You’re an idiot.”
Wyn was sat on the floor next to Joe and nudged her. “Aw, don’t be mean. He can’t help it.”
“Not a fan of the bashing, guys,” Haven deadpanned and I shushed him when August came back on screen, his smooth voice sending chills over my skin as he grinned into the camera.
“God, he’s hot.” Joe sighed and I laughed but didn’t argue, she was right after all. “All he needs is to be able to ride and he’d be the perfect man.”
“He’s getting there,” Ryder defended and I hid my smirk. The two men had struck up a bit of a bromance, with Ryder teaching August about being a ranch hand and giving him riding lessons.
The game passed quickly and our group started to drift off. Haven and Ryder were helping Grams make more pitchers and River was talking quietly with Louise while Cade balanced both Tyler and Muffin in his large arms.
Warmth effused the room and I wasn’t sure I’d ever been so relaxed before, surrounded by both the family I’d found and chosen.
My phone vibrated and Joe and Wyn shared a sly look.
“That your beau?”
I checked the screen and felt my cheeks flush. “Yep.”
“Well, don’t let us keep you.”
I glanced around the room and Wyn laughed quietly. “We’ll cover for you so you guys can have some alone time.”
“Thank you.” River and Tyler, as well as Cade and Louise, were staying with me and August in the pink house, which meant privacy had been few and far between for the past week and a half.
August had messaged to tell me he was ten minutes away and his impending proximity had my heart racing even three months later.
Maybe it was true what they said about absence making the heart grow fonder. It also made it hornier.
I slipped out of the lilac house, blowing Grams a kiss when she glanced up and saw me sneaking away.
Ten minutes to get back to Pink and maybe slip into something more comfortable…
It didn’t matter how often I saw August on the screen in his tailored suit, I wanted to climb him every single time. Fuck the guy could make a tie look good.
He’d started his new job commentating matches played in Calgary and had brought his own jump in numbers to the viewing stats as soon as he’d debuted, and I was convinced at least some of that was the sheer magnetism he exuded even through the screen.
I joined him in the city when I could, but tonight I’d opted to stay home at the ranch to watch him on the TV with everyone else.
The house was quiet when I walked in and toed off my shoes. The changes since August had decided to stay were subtle, but filled me with a soft kind of happiness all the same. I dropped onto the sofa to wait for August, not wanting to lurk in the entryway like an eager puppy.
It was his last game for a while tonight and then we were taking a break together before my new album was released in a few months’ time.
It was strange to think I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be making music again after I’d left the label, but now here I was with a full album that I’d written, co-produced, and branded myself.
Sometimes it was hard to believe that this was my life.
The front door to Pink opened and I bounced up. August was barely inside when I threw myself into his arms, but he caught me. He always caught me.
My legs wrapped around his waist and my mouth met his in a feverish clash of tongues and teeth as he moaned into my mouth. Maybe one day this constant need for him would settle down into something less hungry, but not tonight.
“I missed you,” I breathed and he squeezed me tightly, tie slightly askew where he’d loosened it. My hands ran down his front, unbuttoning his shirt in smooth tugs that made him chuckle.
“Hello to you too, sweetheart.” Rough kisses, punctuated by his stubble, pressed to the space beneath my jaw as he nipped at me. “Were you watching me tonight?”
I nodded. “We all were.” I breathed him in, enjoying his warmth and the feel of him against me.
“Did you do what I asked?”
“Yes,” I gasped the word in a breathy moan as his fingers trailed down my sides, up and over my stomach to cup my breasts.
“Let me see.” August lowered himself to the ground, pushing up the hem of my dress to see my underwear. “You love it when I fill you up, don’t you sweetheart?”
I whimpered as his finger traced over the outline of my pussy through the lace.
“You kept them on all day?” his low voice sent a rush of anticipation rushing through me and I nodded. “Shall we see how well you took all of my cum?” August lowered the lace and his bare fingers on my clit had me widening my stance. “You did so good, sweetheart. You’re already dripping for me.”
Two fingers pressed into me easily as his thumb stroked my clit, the pressure perfect as his fingers curled.
“Let me hear you come for me.” The words were a desperate rasp and I obeyed, shuddering in August’s grip as he freed himself from his suit trousers. “Spread yourself for me, Sienna.”
I leaned back against the hall wall and my hand dropped between us. His eyes darkened as he watched me touch the sensitive space between my legs, readying for him as he gripped my thighs and lifted my legs.
His first thrust made us both groan, the breath rushing out of me in a desperate gasp as I tried to pull him closer, needing him deeper.
“So perfect,” he groaned and our pace increased, need driving us to a new height as his hips circled tightly into mine.
We came together, falling apart at the same time with a messy kiss. Our breaths were loud as my legs came back to the floor and August smiled into my mouth as he kissed me again.
“Welcome home,” I mumbled against his lips and twined my hands around his neck as he deepened the kiss.