Epilogue
SIX MONTHS LATER…
KNOX
“Watch your step, darlin’.”
I guide Ava down the hall, holding her arm gently and steering her toward the kitchen.
“I’m blindfolded,” she quips, a note of wry humor in her voice. “I can’t watch anything, in case you’ve forgotten.”
“It’s just a figure of speech, love. But you know what? Forget I said anything. I’ve got this.”
I scoop her up in my arms and turn sideways as I carry her down the hall, careful not to bang her head on the wall. In the kitchen, I set her down on the newly finished tile, and she laughs, the throaty, musical laugh I will never get tired of hearing.
“Is this some kind of new sex game? Because if it is, I better get a turn to blindfold you too.” She frowns. “But don’t expect me to carry you anywhere. You’ll have to do your own walking.”
I chuckle. “Noted.”
She reaches for her blindfold, and I gently push her hands back down. “No peeking, or you’ll ruin the surprise.”
It’s been torture trying to keep this from her, and I want everything to be perfect.
Ava doesn’t know it, but I finally broke down and hired contractors to finish the house a few months ago. It was uncomfortable at first, especially when I started seeing all the changes, but I think my mom would approve.
She’d want me to be happy, and sharing my home with Ava and making new memories here will do just that.
It wasn’t easy to come to terms with the fact that I couldn’t do all the work myself, but I’ve made peace with it. Between training and road games, there just wasn’t enough time.
The upside of hiring professionals is that the house is finally complete, and now I get to show it to Ava.
Damn, I sure hope she loves it as much as I do.
“Wait right here,” I tell her, walking backward to the mudroom to make sure she doesn’t peek.
She’s grown bolder in the last few months, and I fucking love it. She’s still the same woman I fell in love with, but she’s got a newfound confidence that I find sexy as hell. Especially when she’s giving me the business.
It doesn’t happen often, but like any couple, we have our spats.
And then we have mind-blowing makeup sex, and all is right with the world again.
I quickly prepare her surprise and carry the box into the kitchen, where I place it on the counter.
Ava’s getting impatient, shifting her weight, and I grin. “You about ready to take that blindfold off?”
“Yes, please,” she says, reaching for it.
She rips it off and blinks several times, her eyes adjusting to the bright sunlight that streams through the back windows of the house.
“Oh, Knox.” She presses the blindfold to her chest as she turns a slow circle, taking in all the changes from the quartz countertops to the modernized fireplace and coffered ceilings in the living room. “This is beautiful.”
I step up behind her and slip my arms around her waist, resting my hands on her abdomen. “I’m glad you like it. The designer took inspiration from your Pinterest board.”
Apparently that’s a thing women do. They scroll the web and collect ideas for their future homes, weddings, and even their wardrobes. I had no idea, but the designer tipped me off, and boom, we had all the inspiration we needed.
“Just a little light social media stalking, huh?” She covers my hands with her own. “I—honestly, I’m speechless. I can’t believe you did this. That you incorporated some of my ideas into your family home.”
It’s only the beginning.
“I want you to be comfortable here, Ava.” I press a kiss to the top of her head. “Which is also why I’d like you to help decorate this summer. Nothing’s been purchased yet, but I thought we could do it together, so the house works for both of us.”
“I’d like that.” She tips her head back and looks up at me. “Unless we discover we’re one of those couples who can’t agree on anything, in which case—”
“In which case we will have lots of makeup sex and compromise.”
She laughs. “I like the way you think.”
As much as I love the game, I’m looking forward to the off-season this year. We finished the season strong, and in the fall, we’ll return to the Treehouse stronger than ever. But for now, I want to enjoy my summer with Ava and make the most of the slower pace.
I spin her around so she’s facing me and grip her ass to pull her close. “I have another surprise for you.”
“Let me guess.” She rolls her hips seductively, and my cock stirs. “Is it about yea big,” she asks, holding her hands a solid eight inches apart, “and guaranteed to deliver an endorphin rush?”
“How’d you guess?” I turn her back toward the island. “Take a look.”
Her brow furrows, and a devilish grin splits her face. “That’s not what I had in mind, but I do love a good present. What is it?”
“Darlin’, you have to open it to find out.”
She flips the lid off the box. Then she squeals with delight and immediately clamps her hands over her mouth. “Oh, my gosh. I’m so sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
A tiny head peeks out, and Ava immediately scoops the kitten up. She’s a gray and silver tabby, and from what I can tell, she’s a cuddler, which makes her perfect for my girl.
“She’s so precious,” Ava coos, cuddling the kitten in her arms and stroking the top of its head. “And she has the sweetest little face.”
That’s because she’s the spitting image of the stuffed cat Ava won for me on our first official date, right down to the pink bow around her neck.
“I thought she could keep you company while I’m on the road.” I stuff my hands into my pockets. “So you wouldn’t be alone.”
“Thank you. I can already tell she’s going to be great company.” She glances up. “What’s her name?”
“That’s totally up to you, but I thought maybe we could call her Tink.”
Ava’s face softens, and I know she’s remembering the night we met and the nickname I gave her.
“Tink is purr-fect.” She tips her head, studying the cat more closely, and I see the instant she remembers. “Oh. You’re good.” She smirks. “And now we have a model for your next tattoo.”
“Hey, if it makes you happy, I’m down.”
She leans against the counter, the kitten held close to her chest. “You’d really get another embarrassing tattoo if I asked?”
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.” It’s the perfect opening.
The one I’ve been waiting for. More like the one you’ve been dancing around for weeks.
I shift my weight, working up my nerve. It’s now or never.
“I love you, Ava, more than anything, and these last eight months with you have been the best of my life. I want you to move in with me. I want to build a life with you and make this house our home. I want to live here with you and have wild adventures and hot sex, and I want to grow old together. What do you say?”
AVA
Knox wants me to move in with him officially?
Nervous energy coils low in my belly. I’ve never lived with a partner before. Heck, I’ve never even considered it.
He spends most nights at your place anyway.
True. Maybe moving in together won’t be a big deal, but it will mean giving up our separate spaces.
The thought is terrifying, but in the best possible way.
I’ll get to wake up to his handsome face every day, share meals and responsibilities, and know he’s committed to me fully.
Not that there was ever any doubt, but moving in together adds just a little more weight to the promise of forever.
The kitten purrs and I scratch her gently behind the ears.
Moving in together is going to change things between Knox and me, probably in ways we don’t even expect, but I’m ready. Ready to fully merge my life with his.
“Ava?” He stares at me expectantly, a worry line creasing his forehead.
“I would love to move in with you, Knox.” His shoulders sag and his face relaxes. “I just have one question. Since we’re moving in together, does that mean we also get to christen each room together?”
“Darlin’, I like the way you think.” A slow smile curves his full lips. “Where should we start?”
I match his smile. “They say the kitchen is the heart of the home.”
He takes the kitten—Tink—and deposits her on the floor. Then his big hands are around my hips and he’s boosting me onto the island, wedging himself between my thighs.
His fingers skate up my outer thighs, pushing my sundress up. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life in this house with you.”
A frisson of happiness warms my chest, spreading into my limbs and leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. I cup his cheeks and pull him closer, brushing a gentle kiss to his lips.
The heat between us surges from a slow burn to a blazing inferno.
Knox crushes his lips to mine, desperate and hungry. He devours me, trailing kisses across my jaw and down my throat. He nips and sucks, and oh god his mouth feels so good.
Arousal pools between my legs and my hands find his broad shoulders. I dig my nails in, using them for leverage as I grind against him, needing to feel his cock between my legs. He’s long and thick, and the relief is both instantaneous and not nearly enough.
“I need more,” I pant, head tipped back.
“Don’t worry, darlin’, I’ve got just what you need.”
His hand slips between us, his knuckles brushing my core, and a quiet whimper bursts from my lips as he unzips his pants and frees his cock. At the sight of the blunt head, my mouth begins to water. I slide off the counter and onto my knees.
Knox groans, and I look up at him from under my lashes.
“I haven’t even touched you yet.”
“I know, but you’re so fucking hot when you get on your knees for me.”
Emboldened by the praise, I stroke him, working his shaft from root to tip.
A bead of precum leaks from the head of his cock, and I spread it with my thumb, earning a quiet moan of pleasure.
“I love watching you suck me off,” he says, forcing the words out through gritted teeth. “Your mouth is so hot and wet, and that thing you do with your tongue drives me wild.”
“You mean this thing?”
I swirl my tongue around his shaft as I suck, and when I reach the head, I use the tip of my tongue to tease his slit, savoring the salty-sweet taste of him.
“Fuck yes,” he roars. “You know just how I like it.”
The needy ache between my legs grows stronger, and I rub my clit through the thin fabric of my dress. The sensation is dulled by the material, but the slow build is just what I need. The tension between my legs spirals higher with each touch, and I increase the pressure, chasing release.
“That’s right,” Knox drawls, watching me with hooded eyes. “Be a good girl and touch yourself while you suck me off. I want to watch you come with my cock in your mouth.”
Good girl.
His words echo through my head, and I want nothing more than to please him. To hear it again. To make him writhe with pleasure.
I may have broken out of the trap, but I still relish being a good girl—on my terms—during intimate moments.
Knox tangles his fingers in my hair, fisting large swaths that tug at my scalp with every thrust of his hips. I’m working frantically now, my tongue and fingers moving in concert as I push us both toward release.
I come first, my orgasm striking hard and fast.
Pleasure radiates from my core, and I clamp my eyes shut, riding the wave as my thighs shake and my muscles contract.
“You’re so pretty when you come.” Knox brushes the pad of his thumb across my cheek, and I bear down on his cock, sucking as I use my newly free hand to massage his balls and perineum.
He goes off like a rocket, spilling his hot seed into my mouth as he thrusts into me. The roar that’s ripped from his lips is music to my ears.
I work him until the last aftershock has subsided and he’s a shivering mess.
Grinning, I climb to my feet and stretch up on my toes for a kiss.
Knox meets me halfway, lowering his mouth to mine. Then his arms snake around my back as he pulls me close and leans against the counter. “One down…however many to go.”
I huff out a laugh. “You may need to pace yourself, St. James.”
“Nah. Give me twenty minutes and we can move onto the next room.” Tink wanders over and flops down on his foot, as if to challenge his plans. “Nice try, furball, but I was here first. You’ll have to wait your turn.”
I bend down to scoop her up and hold her to my chest as I return to Knox’s embrace.
Life is good. Really freaking good.
The Gliders’ new staff psychologist has been a dream to work with, my relationships with my family—on both sides—are better than ever, and I have the love of a good man who’s as devoted to me as I am to him. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know life doesn’t get much better than this.
Thank you so much for reading The Good Girl Trap!