Epilogue
Emery
Five Months Later
Hayes takes the turn onto an open stretch of road, and we break free from the traffic. For miles after that, there’s nothing but us and the hum of his bike as we ride through the desert. My arms tighten at his waist, my body flush against his.
The breeze whips the strands of hair that stick out from my helmet, and I’m completely free.
Since first arriving at Hayes’s doorstep, I’ve unlocked a part of myself that used to scare me.
A side that my uncle was constantly trying to stifle.
Hayes is the opposite, intent on watching me enjoy the world.
He wants me to embrace my strength, to be that example for our daughter. He respects me. He’s honest with me.
Together, we’ve made a home.
And surprisingly, it’s in the same house that he grew up in.
I gave him the option to build another house on the compound, but he decided he’d rather stay where we are and build upon the memories we’ve created in that house. So that’s been my mission, to create a new life for us out of these ashes. To find our own version of happiness.
For the first time in my life, I have friendships and family. A man who sees me for everything that I am and loves all my sides. He wants to see me grow—to see me flourish. He brings out the best version of me.
I couldn’t be more grateful.
In the months since Hayes and Mason dealt with my uncle, it’s been a whirlwind.
I helped return the money Uncle Rick had stolen from others while shuttering businesses that were funding his trafficking operations.
Mason and I sold off his remaining assets and closed everything else.
And with Mason’s blessing, we donated every cent to charities that help survivors of domestic violence.
My uncle’s legacy caused pain and suffering to so many people. The least we could do was make sure something good came out of us dismantling it after his death.
There was only one thing I kept of his: the original casino that my father and uncle started. We renamed it in honor of my dad, and while I retain ownership, I have other people running it. All profits are split between me and Mason, with healthy donations to causes we care about.
In every other way, I’ve severed myself from that life. I don’t need a casino empire. I don’t need to run Vegas. I just want my family.
My daughter.
My husband.
And our new baby, who I told Hayes about yesterday.
Which is why he decided to surprise me with a last-minute weekend trip. Tempe has Charlie, and she said not to hurry home. So we’re going to enjoy some alone time, which I’m hoping also includes uninterrupted sleep.
The empty desert is peaceful this time of night. The cool spring air is a comfort as we break free from the city. Hayes promised to bring me somewhere I could see the stars, and it’s clear he’s making good on that promise.
The club has properties scattered across the desert. Some of them are used to store contraband; others are old houses that once belonged to former members. He said this one was a getaway he’d use from time to time when he needed to be alone.
My fingers grip Hayes’s stomach as he makes another turn, and he plants his hand over the back of mine.
His thumb rubs back and forth, soothing me.
The first time I climbed on the back of his bike, I was a ball of nerves, gripping him for dear life the entire ride. Now, it’s one of my favorite places.
The bike vibrations hum between my legs, and I’m anxious to get where we’re going.
“You feel so good on the back of my bike,” he says through the speakers in my helmet. “Are you still nervous?”
“No.” I move my hand from his stomach to his leg. “Just anxious to get there. How much longer?”
“We’re almost there,” he assures me. “Why, you feeling sick? Do I need to pull over?”
His concern makes me smile. “Not sick, just looking forward to some alone time with my husband.”
I slowly drag my hand up his leg, gripping his hard length through his jeans. His growl fills my helmet, making my belly swirl.
“Fuck, you keep touching me like that, and I’m not going to make it there. Might as well just take me out.”
I laugh. “That’s dangerous.”
“Since when have you known me to bow out of a challenge?” He grips the back of my hand, rubbing it against his cock.
We’re alone in the desert. Nothing but empty road and us. I press my body closer, grinding my hand over him again.
“Pull over,” I whisper.
Hayes swerves to the side of the road, and I laugh because clearly I didn’t have to ask twice.
He holds out his hand, helping me off the bike, then swinging his leg over.
“Do you think anyone’s going to drive by?” I glance up and down the road.
“Would you care if they did?” He peels off our helmets, pulling me close.
I bite my lower lip, shaking my head. “I don’t care who drives by right now.”
After all, we aren’t discreet at the clubhouse.
Hayes makes sure I’m always comfortable and never lets anyone see certain parts of me, but we fuck around the clubhouse constantly.
He’ll corner me during a game of darts or claim me on a barstool.
He doesn’t care where we are or who’s around, and I love that he can’t resist me.
At first, I was worried about what people might think. But this is my life. Tomorrow isn’t promised. If I want to have sex with my husband, I’m going to do it.
Which is why I grab his belt and shove his pants down on the side of the road.
My knees hit the asphalt as I sink before him.
His hard cock is thick and ready as I stroke it root to tip.
He groans, looking down at me with so much desperation I can barely stand it.
And when I wrap my lips around him, I’m practically floating.
I’m slow at first, teasing him—torturing him. There’s something about his fingers catching in my hair that is so incredibly hot. His nails dig into my scalp, but he lets me set the pace. I take him to the back of my throat and swallow.
“Holy fuck.” He groans when I do it again.
Just because he’s the one who had experience walking into this doesn’t mean I haven’t kept up. He’s not the only one who likes a challenge, and I’m a quick learner.
His hips buck as he gets closer to his release, but before he reaches the peak, he pulls back and spins me around, bending me over his bike.
My jeans and underwear barely make it to my knees when he thrusts himself deep.
“Hayes.” I gasp, gripping the leather seat.
He isn’t slow or sweet as he fucks me; the bike rocks beneath us. Every thrust is deep and thorough. He strikes me just where I need him with every pump of his hips. I cry out into the desert, not caring who might drive by or hear us.
Hayes thrusts hard, smacking my ass just like I love.
My nails scrape his seat as my body starts to climb.
The sensations build until there’s an inferno in my core, threatening to detonate.
But just as I reach the edge of pleasure, he pulls out and squats down behind me, spreading my ass cheeks and licking me all the way up.
“You taste so fucking good.” He groans. “I could eat this pussy all night.”
He devours me, fucking me with his tongue as he reaches around to toy with my clit. I’m dripping down my legs, and he claims me like he’s starving. My legs shake as I climax. And I’m still pulsing as he stands and thrusts back in.
His cock strikes me deep, and it sends another wave of my release crashing through me.
Hayes grabs the globes of my ass, pulling me to him like he can’t fuck me hard enough. His jerks become uneven as my body continues to pulse around his cock. And when he thrusts deep, he pauses, stroking slowly as he fills me with his cum.
“You’re so fucking perfect.” He caresses my back, running his fingers up my spine. “I can’t get enough of you.”
“Good.” I glance over my shoulder, grinning at him. “I can’t get enough of you either.”
When he pulls out, I stay put. As much as Hayes likes to fuck, he enjoys taking care of me more. Only moments ago, he was rough, pounding into me until my screams went raw in my throat. Now, his touch is gentle.
He pulls my pants up, securing them in place and buttoning them. Once we’re dressed and put back together, he spins me in his arms, tucking my hair behind my ears.
“I love when you’re spontaneous.” He kisses my cheek.
“You love me regardless.”
“True.” He grins, leaning to whisper in my ear. “Now let’s get to where we’re going so I can fuck you some more.”
“You just came,” I remind him.
“Perfect.” He grins against my neck. “The more cum inside you, the easier it will be to slip inside your snug pussy. Climb on, freckles.”
He lets me go so we can climb back onto the bike. And even if what we did should have sated this desire, when it comes to Hayes, I always need more. He’s the man who unlocked the cage and set me free.