To him.
To her.
To the woman I’m finally starting to recognize in the reflection of these flickering flames.
To me.
EPILOGUE
Rhett
I push open the door to the cabin, the weight of the day finally lifting off my shoulders. Mark Renshaw's done—locked away for good, no more threats hanging over us. The air inside is warm, scented with pine and something sweeter, like vanilla from the candles Emma loves. And there she is, my girl, curled up on the couch in that little sundress, her legs tucked under her, reading a book like she hasn't a care in the world. God, I love her. The way her hair falls over her shoulder, the curve of her lips as she glances up and sees me. Her eyes light up, and it's like coming home to the sun.
"Hey, baby," I say, my voice rough from the long drive, kicking the door shut behind me. I drop my keys on the table and cross the room in three strides, pulling her up into my arms before she can even set the book down. She laughs, that soft, breathy sound that goes straight to my cock, and wraps her arms around my neck.
"You're home," she whispers, her body pressing against mine, all soft curves and warmth.
"Damn right I am." I bury my face in her neck, inhaling her scent—sweet and clean, like home. My hands slide down to her ass, squeezing just enough to make her gasp. "Missed you, Emma. Missed this." I lift her a little, her feet dangling off the floor as I carry her toward the bedroom, but hell, the couch is right here. I set her down on it instead, looming over her, my knees bracketing her hips.
She looks up at me with those wide eyes, biting her lip in that way that drives me insane. "How did it go? With... you know."
"It's over," I growl, not wanting to talk about that bastard. Not now. I lean down, capturing her mouth in a kiss that's all heat and possession. My tongue slides against hers, tasting her, claiming her. She moans into me, her fingers tangling in my shirt, pulling me closer. When I break away, her lips are swollen, her cheeks flushed. Perfect.
"Good girl, waiting for me like this," I murmur, my voice low and dirty, the way she likes it. Daddy-lite, yeah—she melts when I take control, but I keep it tender, loving. I trail my fingers up her thigh, under the hem of that dress, feeling the smooth skin there. "You been thinking about me, baby? Touching yourself while I was gone?"
She nods, a little shy, but her eyes sparkle with that fire I adore. "Maybe," she teases, her voice breathy.
I chuckle, dark and promising. "Maybe? That's not good enough, sweetheart. Tell Daddy what you did." My hand inches higher, brushing the edge of her panties. Lace, from the feel of it. Fuck, she's killing me. I press my thumb against her through thefabric, feeling the heat, the dampness already. "Were you wet like this, thinking about my cock?"
"Yes," she whimpers, arching into my touch. "Rhett, please..."
I love hearing her beg. I slide my other hand up to her breast, cupping it through the dress, my thumb circling her nipple until it pebbles under my touch. "Please what, baby? Use your words. Tell me what you need."
"You," she gasps, her hips rocking against my hand. "Touch me more. Kiss me everywhere."
"That's my girl." I dip my head, kissing down her neck, nipping at her collarbone while I hook my fingers into her panties and tug them down her legs. She lifts her hips to help, and I toss them aside, spreading her thighs wider. She's glistening for me, so ready. I run my fingers along her folds, teasing, not quite dipping in. "Look at you, so fucking wet. This all for me?"
"All for you," she moans, her hands fisting my shirt.
I circle her clit with my thumb, slow and deliberate, watching her face— the way her eyes flutter shut, her mouth parts. "Good. Because you're mine, Emma. Every inch of this pretty pussy." I slide one finger inside her, then two, curling them just right to hit that spot that makes her cry out. She clenches around me, and I groan, my cock straining against my jeans. But this is for her first—foreplay, drawing it out until she's shaking.
I lean down, kissing her inner thigh, my beard scraping her skin. "Gonna make you come on my fingers, baby. Then on my tongue. And after that? Daddy's gonna fuck you so deep you'll feel me for days." Her response is a whimper, her body trembling as I pump my fingers faster, my thumb still workingher clit. I love her like this—open, needy, all mine. And tonight, I'm taking my time.
I keep my fingers buried deep, curling them in that slow, deliberate rhythm that makes her thighs tremble around my hand. Emma’s breathing turns ragged, little desperate sounds spilling from her lips every time I drag the pad of my thumb over her swollen clit. She’s so fucking tight, so wet, gripping me like she never wants to let go.
“That’s it, baby,” I rasp against her throat, kissing the frantic pulse there. “Ride my hand. Show Daddy how bad you need to come.”
Her hips buck, chasing the pressure, and I give it to her—harder, faster—until her back arches off the couch cushions and a broken moan tears out of her. I don’t let up. I want her to shatter.
“Look at me,” I order, voice low and rough. Her lashes flutter open, eyes glassy and dark with want. “You’re so goddamn beautiful when you’re falling apart for me. Come on, sweetheart. Let go. Come all over Daddy’s fingers like a good girl.”
That does it.
Her whole body locks up—thighs clamping around my wrist, pussy fluttering and pulsing around my fingers in hard, greedy spasms. She cries out my name, sharp and sweet, nails digging into my shoulders as the orgasm rips through her. I work her through every wave, stroking slow and deep until she’s whimpering, oversensitive and shaking.
When the aftershocks finally ease, I ease my fingers out, slick and shining with her. I bring them to my mouth and suck them clean, holding her gaze the whole time. Her cheeks flush darker, lips parted like she can’t quite catch her breath.
“Fuck, you taste good,” I growl, already reaching for my belt. The metal clinks as I rip it open, shove my jeans and boxers down just enough. My cock springs free—thick, heavy, leaking at the tip from watching her come undone. I give it one rough stroke, spreading the precum, and her eyes drop to it like she’s starving.