Epilogue
Lola
TWO MONTHS LATER
Not a fan of flowers?
Nah, fuck roses, when someone loves me, I want them to bring me coffee.
- Conversation between Roman, age 31, and Lola, age 24
My thighs burn as I follow Roman up the last stretch of the trail. It’s the two-month anniversary of the shop opening and Skyler insisted I take the day off.
My normal adventurous spirit is currently hibernating under the stress and strain of running a new business so I’d have been pretty content lazing about at home all day, but Roman’s been wanting to climb Tiger Falls together for weeks and my lungs are finally up to the challenge.
I smile at the thought of home. I’d been a little worried about moving in with Roman so soon, but nothing has ever felt more natural than waking up in his indoor forest with Roman’s lips on mine.
I miss my little studio above the shop sometimes, but I get to visit whenever I want because Skyler’s staying there until she finds a new place.
Her and Leda’s break up was a long time coming and I’ve spent many a night at the apartment with her, watching comfort movies and bingeing on left over apple fries and Beli’s ice cream.
Roman looks back at me, mischief in his eyes. “You know it was about here that I realized you were following us.”
I stop walking. “You knew?” The last time I climbed this trial I was eight years old, following Roman and my brother. I’d hid behind trees every time they looked back so they didn’t realize I was there until I reached the top. Or I thought they didn’t.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” I ask, holding the straps of the backpack on my shoulders. It's nearing the end of hiking season so we’re the only ones on the trail today and without the leaves crunching under my hiking boots, the rushing water of the falls fills the crisp morning air.
Roman shrugs, looking far too good than anyone has a right to after a one-hour trek in cargo pants and a hiking fleece. “We were so close to the top. I didn’t want to stop you before you made it.”
Sunshine unfurls behind my ribs, my heart basking in the knowledge that even at fifteen, Roman believed in me.
“Come on.”
I take his outstretched hand and we walk the rest of the hike together, stepping over roots and loose rocks until we reach the clearing.
I rock back at the sight of a picnic blanket spread out on the ground, coffee beans scattered like rose petals around it. I taper my gaze at Roman. “Did you do this?” He’d been out when I woke this morning but the idea that he’d hiked up and down once already today is crazy.
“Look.” Roman nods towards the waterfall and I follow his gaze to see fairy lights flicker to life, wound along the fence.
Behind the specks of light, choppy white-water cascades down over moss covered rocks, twisting and turning as it ladders over the natural surface of the rock before gathering in the pool of water just below us.
I get distracted for a moment by the waterfall and make my way to the fence.
I brace my hands between the lights as I peer over.
It never fails to amaze me how the thundering falls so quickly turns to still water, just the occasional ripple from the spray.
The water is crystal blue with just a hint of green like our own personal Emerald Lakes.
Roman slides my backpack off my shoulders and wraps his arms around me from behind.
“It’s so beautiful,” I murmur.
“Not as beautiful as you.”
I laugh softly at the cheesy line but then the heat of Roman’s body fades away, and I turn around to find him down on one knee.
I feel like the waterfall is cascading over me as he takes out a ring.
“Lola Rae Ford, before I met you, I didn’t know what it felt like to have someone look at you and smile.
To have them light up for nothing more than your presence.
” Roman’s hand trembles a little as he talks and he shoots me a sheepish smile.
“I’ve been searching for family my whole life, but I think part of me knew I’d found it the moment I met you.
It’s why I stayed here in Pine Rock, it’s why I followed you to parties every time you snuck out just to make sure you got home okay, it’s why I waited six years for you to come back to me.
“I don’t want to wait any longer. Lola, will you do me the honor of becoming my family forever. Will you marry me?”
Tears slip from my eyes, and my answer comes out on a sob. “Yes. Yes!”
Roman stands up and I fling my arms around him before he has a chance to put the ring on my finger. When I finally pull back, he slides the ring, with its gorgeous diamond studded silver band, onto my shaking finger.
I’ve known Roman was it for me since I was twelve years old, I just can’t quite believe I’m it for him.
The ring is cool against my skin as I cradle his face and draw him into a kiss.
“Oh my god, I’m going to be Lola Banks,” I say when we pull apart but Roman shakes his head.
“No. I’m going to be Roman Ford,” he says it with such pride I feel it in my chest.
“You want to take my last name?”
His hands drop to my hips, a single brow raising as he tugs me close.
“I’ve wanted to be a part of your family since I was fifteen.
So yes, I’m taking your last name.” His voice drops low, his beard rough against my cheek as he murmurs in my ear.
“But if you think that makes you any less mine, I’ll be happy to prove you wrong. ”
I squeal as he lifts me up, hooking my legs around his waist. My core settles against his hard length and I gasp.
Roman spins us around, walking past the blanket to a wide tree and holding me up against the rough bark.
My pussy pulses and I rock against him.
Roman tsks. “Such a little tease.” He drags the back of his fingers over my nipples. “Does the idea of being my wife turn you on, Firebird.”
“Hell, yes,” I moan, raking my nails along the sensitive skin at the back of his neck.
“Fuck it,” Roman swears, his hands dropping to his pants.
“Here?” I squeak, my eyes darting around the clearing. We may be alone right now, but this is a public trail.
Roman just smirks and flicks the button on my pants open. “You’re my fiancée. I get to fuck you wherever the hell I like.”
“Oh yeah, is that going in your wedding vows?”
Roman grins. “I’ll have it written in the small print.”
I open my mouth but any response is stolen away as Roman’s fingers glide through my folds. I tilt my head back against the tree, arching into him as his thumb rolls over my clit and two fingers sink inside of me.
“That’s a good girl. Let your husband play.” His praise shudders through me and I twist my fingers through his hair as pleasure bursts from my core.
My arousal soaks his hand and Roman strokes his cock, making his thick length glisten with my release.
“Hands around the tree, Firebird.”
I reach up and back, hooking my arms around the tree behind me and linking my fingers together. The position arches me farther into Roman’s hold and I feel every ridge as he sinks into me.
“Fuck,” he curses, burying his face against my neck. “I could stay here forever.”
I moan, needing him to move, my cunt fluttering around him. “Fuck me, Roman,” I say. “Fuck me like I’m your wife.”
He growls against my skin then bites down as he pistons his hips. I think I created a monster because he fucks me like a man possessed and it’s all I can do to hold on to the tree as he devours me.
His hands grip my ass, no doubt leaving fingerprint bruises to match the love bites he’s sucking into my skin.
Even through my fleece, the rough bark adds to the sensations and it’s not long before I’m falling apart, my cries lost under the crashing waterfall.
Roman comes with me, shuddering to a stop buried deep inside me, his release pulsing hot against my burning flesh.
I let go of the tree and slump onto his chest, winding my arms around his neck.
“I love you Roman Ford,” I murmur against his skin.
Roman’s lips graze my head. “I love you too, Firebird.”
We stay up at the waterfall for the rest of the day, sprawled out on the blanket as the sun starts to set, orange hues dancing over the tall pines.
By the time we head back down my legs are tired, my core aches, and I feel like I could sleep for days but I don’t stop smiling the whole way home.
Roman’s fingers twined with mine.
My heart tucked behind his chest.
The one person who never saw my wildness as anything but a strength and he’s finally mine.
The End