Page 46 of Beauty Sleep

I can’t quite come up with an answer to that. I just roll my head to the side against the pillow to gaze out the window at the slow break of morning’s light.

But I think he’s right. I have a lot that I’ve never given… a lot that I thought the world didn’t want. But I don’t have to hide any of my desires—Briar can stretch to fit them all.

And that’s not just a euphemism.

When he looks at me, I think he sees someone I haven’t yet met… the Prince I was always supposed to be. And just like I’m going to be the Daddy he needs to grow into the man he’s meant to be…

I think he’s holding on tight to that version of me, until I can see him in the mirror for myself.

And isn’t that a little bit magic right there?

“Thank you,” I whisper at last, but Beauty’s breaths are finally slow, deep, and even. I think he’s already drifting to sleep, and it won’t be long before I follow suit.

Beauty isn’t just the happily-ever-after I always wanted—he’s my new beginning.

Epilogue

BRIAR, SIX MONTHS LATER

God,my right wrist is just killing me.

But as I stumble out from a long day of writing exams, I already know who’s going to be waiting there for me.

My Prince—and he’s holding two cups of coffee.

“A fruity little blueberry number for you, my love,” he greets me, holding one out and leaning down for a kiss.

I lean backward and eye him. “Decaf?”

His eyebrows climb up, and he stares at me. “Of course. I know your sleep routine. Imadeyour sleep routine, boy.”

“Okay, okay,” I giggle, tilting my face up to let him kiss me as I accept the cup of coffee. “Sorry, Daddy.”

He grabs me by the ass until I squeak, pats me firmly, and lets go. “That’s better,” he murmurs, and we set off walking together. “So, how’d you do?”

“Pretty well, I think.” I grin up at him. “Really well, actually.”

Prince beams at me. “I know you did. You’ve been good as gold lately.”

I bat my lashes up at him. “Yes, Santa Daddy. I don’t want a stocking full of coal again this year.”

“I’m notthatold,” Prince scowls at me, but he manages to crack a smile. He’s starting to real about his age these days, and where he is in life.

Especially with how far he’s come in the last six months. And I’d like to take a little credit for that, thank you very much. Ever since I told him to let down his walls… well, his career has taken off.

Plus, now that we’re living together, he gets all the outlets he needs for that wicked streak I love so much.

“I know,” I groan at him. “But I’m sure the fairies talk to the elves, who talk to Santa. You can pass on a message.”

Prince snorts dryly. “Good save. So is it another meeting tonight? Who’s this one with?”

“Uh…” It’s getting hard to keep them all straight. almost reach for my phone before I remember. “Oh, right! The grad student who went into research.”

“I thought you wanted to practice?”

“I did. I do. But research matters, too. There are so many kinks we just haven’t studied at all,” I tell him earnestly. “If I can help normalize it, I could make such a difference. And now that I can stay awake through stats class…”

“God, Beauty.” Prince smiles crookedly, slipping his hand into mine. “You reallywillneed your sleep if you’re trying to change the scene from the top downandthe bottom up.”

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