Epilogue
There’s a new strand of pearls locked around my throat, only this time, the lock has AC engraved on the metal. The gesture felt even more significant than the new wedding bands we picked together, each engraved with the other’s initials on the inside.
Asher’s hand rests right below the pearls, squeezing my throat, enough for me to feel it but never enough to actually hurt me.
“I want to hear you say it,” he growls in my ear.
His cock is deep inside me, and there’s a vibrator pressed to my clit, bringing me closer and closer to what I know will be an overwhelming orgasm.
“Please,” I beg, knowing that’s exactly what he wants from me. “Please let me come around your cock, Sir.”
There are no sex clubs in Cedar Falls, so instead, Asher is building us a second house on the plot of lands that holds our new bookish bed-and-breakfast, simply because he doesn’t want to risk our guests hearing us fuck.
Until it’s finished, though, we’ve taken residence in one of the fully renovated bedrooms in the B&B, meaning we’ve yet to open our doors.
Which is fine. I’m completely happy to have this place, and this man, all to myself.
“Fuck,” I moan, and he slams into me again. Stars light up the back of my eyelids, and I come hard, his name on my lips, as he pumps himself inside me until he follows me over the edge.
“We have twenty minutes,” he announces once we’ve caught our breath.
“Why did we agree to host people here again?” I question with a sigh.
It’s New Year's Eve, and someone—me, precisely—decided it would be a great idea to host Kacey, Asher’s siblings, and my family at the almost complete B&B as a sort of test run.
Ending our cozy, only-us time. Which had to happen at some point, but right now, still filled with his cum, I’m regretting letting people into our sanctuary.
“You wanted to show off all the books you bought,” Asher teases, leaning in to kiss me. “Come on, let’s shower.”
About a half hour later, Kacey arrives with the Caine siblings, having flown on Asher’s jet with them. “Finally,” she groans, pulling me into her arms.
“How was your flight?”
She eyes Asher’s oldest brother. “Obnoxious. But we’re here now, and that’s all that matters.”
Gabe rolls his eyes. “Not sure I was the one causing all the problems…”
“Shut your big ogre mouth.” Kacey wags a finger in her direction.
Wren chuckles. “They’ve been like this the entire flight here.” And then my brother-in-law hugs me for what I think is the first time. “How’s the girl who finally got my brother to chill the fuck out?” He grins when Asher swats at his shoulder.
“Don’t touch my wife.”
Wren only smiles wider. “Aw, the two lovebirds finally have their happily ever after, how sweet.”
I smile. “One day you will too, Wren.”
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “Marriage isn’t for me. Those two, though”—he nods at Kacey and Gabe, who have returned to bickering with each other over who gets what room—“they’re already fighting like an old married couple.”
“No,” pops out of my mouth without pause. Kacey would never be interested in a Caine brother.
Wren shrugs. “Whatever you say.” He picks up his bag and heads down the hallway to pick out his room.
Dove is the next to greet me. I’m shocked when I see her. She looks so different from the last time I saw her on her wedding day. Her brown roots have grown out, and she’s dressed casually. She looks human, unlike the robot version of her she showed before.
“You look great,” I say as she hugs me.
“Thank you, so do you. It’s amazing what getting away will do for you.” She smiles and seems refreshingly genuine. “Oh, congratulations on your publishing deal, by the way. That’s amazing.”
I can’t help the blush that creeps onto my cheeks. “Thanks. It’s really exciting.”
I submitted my finished book to Rock Media, after I gave my characters the happily ever after they deserved. Rock Media offered me a publishing deal with a decent advance—not that money is much of a concern these days, but it felt good to know I achieved it.
After everyone gets settled and my family makes their way over, we eat far too large of a meal and drink too much wine.
And it’s actually enjoyable now that my dad and brothers have accepted Asher into the fold.
It was a rough few weeks once they found out that I took him back, but after my mom gave them a good talking-to and Asher earned their respect with work on the farm, tensions eased.
The fact that he’s moved here for me and is renovated a bed-and-breakfast inspired by me was just the cherry on top.
It feels good having everyone here together in our little inn. Even Asher and his siblings share some laughs and have pleasant conversations.
And as midnight approaches, Asher tugs me into his side.
“You know, it’s officially been one year, wife.
I narrow my eyes. “Don’t you dare try to tell me our contract is complete.”
“I would never. In fact, I think we have many more years to come.”
The clock strikes midnight, and surrounded by all our friends and family, Asher leans in to kiss me.
“Happy New Year, Sugar,” he whispers against my lips.
“Happy New Year, Sir.”