Epilogue
EVERETT
Standing in front of the mirror in the back room of my sister’s house, I shake out the sleeves of my black suit jacket.
I didn’t have much of a say in the wedding planning, which was fine with me.
The girls found a vision and ran with it.
My only request was that I don't have to wait long to make Kelsea my wife.
She wanted a year to plan, so I compromised and gave her six months.
A knock on the door draws my attention and I turn to see my sister standing in the doorway in a stunning forest green satin dress.
“Sparky! Not too bad.” I pull her in for a tight hug.
“You look like you’re going to a funeral,” she says, gesturing to my black dress shirt, black silk tie, and black suit paired together.
“Hey, black is very flattering. Gotta make sure I look my best for your husband,” I say, quirking an eyebrow at her suggestively.
“You’re incorrigible,” she says, rolling her eyes at me.
“You wouldn’t have me any other way, Em,” I smirk.
“Would you look at us doing all this grown up shit? Getting married and having families. Can you believe that?” Ember jokes and I laugh.
“Honestly, no. I didn’t think this day was ever in the cards for me,” I tell her.
“Well, look where we are. You’re about to be somebody’s husband, Ev.” She beams back at me, so much joy and love in her eyes.
“Thank you, Ember. I feel like I could spend a lifetime thanking you for everything you’ve done for me.
I don’t think I could have made it this far without you in my corner.
” When I look over at her, her eyes are full of unshed tears.
“I’m so grateful that we’ve both found our soulmates, but you’re always going to be my other half, Sparky.
” I give my sister a gentle kiss on her temple.
“And you’ll always be mine, Ev. I love you so much. I'm so glad you pulled your head out of your ass long enough to lock down such a queen,” she jokes, elbowing me in the ribs. A knock on the door interrupts our hallmark moment as Elijah peeks his head through the door.
“You guys ready? Rory said Kels is gonna throw up or run away if we don’t hurry,” he asks, and Ember rolls her eyes.
“We’re ready! We’re coming right now,” Ember says, hustling her husband out of the room. “Meet you at the end of the aisle!”
I take a few more minutes alone, just letting the weight of today soak in.
Picking up the ring box, I make my way out to the gazebo.
Ever the romantic, it was Kelsea’s idea to say our vows in the same place I asked her to marry me.
As I make my way down the aisle, I spot Rory and Amelia sitting in the front row.
Jax and Willow are on the other side, the twins playing in the grass in front of them.
Helo and Iris sit behind them and when I glance to the right again, I see Owen, Axel, and a few other guys from the Bayou Reapers making their way across the lawn.
I didn’t expect to see them even though we extended the invitation.
My smile is warm and wide as I shake their hands and make my way to the front of the aisle.
In the shock of a fucking lifetime, Breaker offered to officiate our wedding.
I had no idea he was qualified to do that, but I jumped at the chance.
I think he’s a big softy on the inside. Deep, deep inside.
Soft music plays as Ember and Elijah walk across the yard and down the aisle to stand on our respective sides. I feel the tension rising in my gut as we all wait for Kelsea to make her appearance. Rocking back and forth on my heels, I try to quiet the jumbled mess of thoughts flooding my mind.
And then I see her. The soft pink color of her dress stands out against the orange glow from the setting sun.
I should have known Kelsea would choose a pink dress.
She looks indescribable, a dream come to life as she walks towards me.
An instrumental version of Everlong plays, bringing a huge smile to my face.
I think of the opening lines of the song,
Hello
I've waited here for you
Everlong
The rest of the world disappears until all I see is Kelsea gliding towards me.
She steals the oxygen from every atom of my body.
I never knew she was the one I had been waiting for until the first time I held her in my arms. The universe screamed to me that this is where she belongs until the end of eternity.
I barely register everything that Breaker says as we go through the typical wedding bullshit and both repeat our vows to each other. I just want to feel her lips on mine. At the moment, I don't care about anything else.
“Kelsea and Everett have chosen to dedicate a few words to each other before we close out this thing. Kelsea, ladies first,” Breaker prompts.
Kelsea's smile is watery and wide as she looks into my eyes.
“Everett, I've seen you in a way many never will. I’ve seen your kindness and strength.
I've seen you impatient and ragged. I will strive not to take you for granted, to bring you peace when your world is in chaos. You are my favorite person. No offense, Ember. I choose you to be my partner in this life, Ev. My heart is yours.”
I feel the tears burning a path across my cheeks, but I'm not scared to let them fall. All I've ever wanted was to hear Kelsea tell me she chooses me forever. I take a deep breath before beginning my own vows.
“I always believed it would be so difficult to find someone who loved me, even though I've always felt scattered in a thousand pieces. It's like trying to complete a puzzle when you’re not even sure if you have all the right pieces. But then you took my hand and showed me that every piece doesn't have to be in place to create something worthy of love. That this kind of love can exist in the most imperfect and broken people. I vow to you, Kelsea, that our life together will be just as beautiful, whether we’re in a thousand pieces or one.”
Kelsea, Ember, Rory, and Amelia are all crying in earnest by the time I finish speaking. I see Eli suppress a sniffle, but I know he’ll never admit it. Before Breaker can say anything else, I take a step towards my bride, my hands framing her jaw as I pull her lips to mine.
“Aw hell, you didn’t even let me finish! I now pronounce you man and wife, impatient ass,” Breaker grumbles, and everyone laughs.
“That just happened,” Kelsea whispers where only I can hear her, and I huff out a laugh.
“All mine now, goddess. All mine,” I tell her, pulling her back for another searing kiss.
Two hours of fun and festivities later and I'm dead on my feet. It was amazing of our friends and family to throw such a beautiful wedding and reception for us, but all I can think about is getting my wife home.
“You almost ready to go?” I whisper in her ear as we sway back and forth to a slow song about being tangled up in each other.
She lifts her head up from where she's been resting it against my heart and nods.
Lust blazes in her eyes as brightly as it is in mine, and I'm glad to know we’re on the same page.
We make our rounds, hugging everyone and thanking them for coming before we climb on my bike to head home.
Kelsea zips her black leather “bride” jacket up, holds the short train of her dress in one hand, and wraps the other around my waist as we make our way through town towards home.
When I pull up outside Grovewood Ink, I'm sure she's wondering what I'm up to, but I've got plans for her.
“What are we doing here?” she asks, climbing off the seat behind me and shaking her wild raven hair out. God, she is gorgeous.
“You’ll see,” I tell her, throwing her a sexy smirk. I unlock the front door and hold it open for her, locking it behind us as I follow her in.
“I thought the shop was closed tonight,” she says, slipping her jacket off her shoulders to reveal the smooth skin of her bare back where her dress is cut out.
“It is,” I tell her, slipping my suit jacket off and loosen my tie. Her eyes flare as she watches my fingers move over the soft silk, her tongue darting out to wet her lips.
“Whatcha doin?” she asks, faking innocence.
“I want to show you something,” I reply casually.
“Honey, there’s nothing you could show me I haven’t already seen,” she snorts, and I quirk an eyebrow at her.
“Is that a challenge, goddess? Because I can show you things you’ve never seen before,” I say, grabbing the tulle skirt on her dress and pulling her hips flush against mine. She lets out a moan as the stiff ridge of my cock grinds into her.
“If a challenge means you’re gonna fuck me, then yes. It’s a survivor level challenge,” she smirks, and I capture her lips. The sweet taste of champagne explodes on my tongue as I kiss her deeper, the fabric of her dress bunching in my fists.
“Mmmm,” I groan, never wanting to pull away from her lips. “My wife,” I whisper, and she smiles against my lips.
She backs away, stepping towards to counter, just out of my reach. “Now, why are we here? What do you have to show me?” She asks.
I step forward, crowding her against the counter until her back is slightly bent and her breaths are coming out in pants.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said to those girls all those months ago.
Been dreaming about it, Kelsea,” I say, running my nose up the column of her neck.
She shivers under my touch, and I grow hard as fucking steel behind my zipper.
“I don’t remember,” she says, her voice shaking, revealing her lie.
“Yes, you do. Don’t lie to me, goddess,” I growl in her ear and she laughs softly.
“You mean about you bending me over this counter and fucking me until I can’t stand?” She says, her voice light and innocent.
I kneel in front of her, sliding my hands under her dress and finding the bare skin of her calves with my fingertips.
I continue my perusal, slowly dragging my fingers up her soft skin until I reach the apex of her thighs.
I’m shocked to find absolutely nothing between my fingers and her slick folds.
She planned that for me, and I groan in satisfaction.
“No panties, Kelsea? Thats a dangerous surprise, baby,” I tell her, pulling her skirt up and revealing every inch of her to me.
I lean forward, breathing in the scent of her arousal, feeling the adrenaline rushing through my veins.
Holding her skirt up with one hand, I use the other to spread her wide for me, my tongue darting out to taste her.
Her knees buckle slightly and her arms shoot out to brace against the desk.
“Oh god, Ev. D-do that again,” she says, her hips bucking forward. Her body always searches for mine, even when she doesn’t mean to.
I give her what she wants, diving in to devour her.
The flat of my tongue swipes across her clit and she suppresses a scream.
I lick and suck her delicate flesh, feasting on her like she’s the remedy for hunger and I’m fucking starving.
Her sweet taste is like a lightning bolt straight through me, making me painfully hard.
I cup my stiff erection, squeezing slightly to relieve the ache.
Her fingers slide into my hair, gripping the strands tightly as her climax builds.
I nip at her clit and she explodes, unintelligible sounds falling from her lips.
I look up and see the most beautiful sight I’ve ever laid eyes on.
The body of an angel laid out before me, lace wrapped around her shoulders and waist, her skirt obscenely pushed up past her hips, and her pussy still throbbing for me. Fuck, I love this woman.
“Now, Ev. I need you now,” she says, pulling me to my feet and kissing me roughly. I know she tastes herself on my lips. It’s a heady feeling that makes us both feel off balance.
She pulls my tie free, making quick work of the buttons on my dress shirt.
Her fingers burn a path across my chest, down my abs, landing on my belt.
She has it undone and my zipper down before I can even blink.
My girl is in a rush, and I’m not gonna slow her down.
I slide my shirt off my shoulders, wincing the slightest bit when the freshly inked skin on my left shoulder pulls tight.
Kelsea’s brows furrow in confusion. I didn’t tell her I stayed late at the shop last night so Eli could finish my surprise for her.
“What did you do?” She asks, and I turn to show her.
Her fingers barely brush against the lines of the swallow now permanently etched into my skin. It’s almost a mirror image of the one on my right shoulder, white flowers surrounding this one and the other surrounded by red.
“Swallows mate for life, did you know that?” I ask, looking back at her over my shoulder. She shakes her head and smiles, tears welling up in her eyes. “Well, now you do,” I say, turning back around and pulling her in for a searing kiss.
“I love you, Ev,” she says between kisses.
“I love you, too, baby. Now be a good little wife and let me fuck that perfect pussy,” I tell her, snagging her bottom lip between my teeth before I turn her around.
I place my palm in the middle of her back, pushing her forward gently until her chest is flat against the counter.
I knew this would be an enticing scene when she first said it, but I’m ready to come from just the sight of her bent over in front of me.
The thought of sullying her beautiful wedding gown turns me on far more than it should as I pull my stiff cock from the confines of my pants.
I slide my swollen head back and forth through her wetness, tormenting her even though we’re both already on the edge.
“Stop teasing me, Everett,” she says, her tone utterly desperate.
I wrap her wild hair around my fist and pull her up slightly, leaning over her until my lips brush the shell of her ear.
“As you wish… Mrs. Blake,” I whisper, thrusting inside her fully in one stroke.
We both groan, the feeling better than any time before.
I knew the first time I took her as my wife would feel different, but this is better than I could have ever dreamed.
I give her only a few moments to adjust before I begin to move.
I thrust into her, each time deeper than the last, until the head on my cock is battering against her cervix.
She’s gonna be sore tomorrow, but right now I don’t care.
I can feel her inner muscles contracting, her release barreling down on her.
I reach my free hand around and slide my fingers over her clit, pinching the bud between two fingers.
She clamps down tightly around my cock, her climax surprising us both.
The feeling of her squeezing me so fucking tightly pushes me over the edge.
My balls draw up tightly as I release everything I’ve got into her.
Clutching her tightly to me, I hold us both still until our breathing evens out and our hearts slow to a dull pounding.
“You mean to tell me,” she huffs out, bracing her elbow on the counter for support, “that’s what married sex is like?”
I laugh, taking a deep breath and blowing it out, “For us? Yeah.”
“I guess it’s not so bad,” she says, suppressing a laugh. I smack her lightly on the ass and she laughs loudly.
This, right here in this moment, this joy is our forever.