Page 104 of Playing With My Fire

She giggles through her tears. “My mother isn’t speaking to me right now. I told her everything, Essie. I told her I’m in love with the most incredible woman, and if I ever do get married, it will only be to her. I’m finally free.”

Her dark eyes shine so bright, and I can see how much weight has been lifted from her shoulders after a lifetime of imprisonment.

We kiss again for hours or days, I’m not sure, but I only break away to tell her how proud I am. “You’re amazing, my little hummingbird, and I love you so very much.”

More tears escape, but dare I believe these are happy tears?

“Your love means the world to me. For so long, I didn’t think I was capable of wanting anyone. Until I met you. I just feel so goddamn lucky that you want me. Your love is a miracle, and I will love you until the end of time and beyond. Keep me, Essie, because there is no place I’d rather be than in your arms.”

Time loses all meaning as we find ourselves once more on that chapel floor. I begin to take her like I’d been dreaming of when we’re stopped by a middle-aged man with a clergy collar.

“You two take that somewhere else.” His words are full of vinegar, but there’s a glint in his eye. Perhaps he approves because love is love is love.

Epilogue One

? Caleb ?

(One Year Later)

The night felt magical with so much love in the air, it was dizzying. Beau, myself, and Essie’s family watched on as Estrella and Sakura said ‘I do.’ Unlike when her mother was shoving her down the aisle, Sakura chose an understated white suit and a silk t-shirt while Estrella looked stunning in a form fitting mermaid gown with an art deco style. Together, they made the most beautiful couple I’d ever seen, and that’s not even mentioning their gorgeous souls.

For years, my best friend kept everyone but me, and her family at arms length. I don’t have much room to talk considering I did much the same. I glance at my man sitting beside me, looking rather dapper in his three piece suit, tailored to fit his muscled form to a T. He almost puts the brides to shame, but I’m biased.

It felt serendipitous that both Essie and I managed to find our perfect halves at the same time. Sure, the road to happiness was a bit easier for me, but in the end we all came out on top.

I feel a tear escape as my two favorite women say ‘I do’ before they consummate the marriage with a kiss that’s probably too intimate for the time and place, but it only makes me scoot closer to Beau.

His steady gaze moves over me in what can only be described as lascivious before he leans in to offer his own kiss. “A penny for your thoughts?” he whispers against my ear.

It’s a wonder after a year that the fire between us hasn’t dwindled in the slightest. In fact, I believe it’s only grown hotter. It seems there’s always a new avenue for us to explore, not to mention repeating our favorites. Docking being a personal favorite that I find myself begging for at every opportunity. It’s the intimacy as two become one as we look deeply into each other’s eyes until we find the other’s soul. When our cum mixes, it’s the biggest titillation, and half the time I remain hard because of that.

“I’m just so incredibly happy for them.”

He nods into me. “After everything they went through, they deserve the happiest ever after.” He presses another kiss, this time he keeps it chaste. “As do we, my love.”

I furrow my brow at him as I wonder exactly what he means. Before I can ask, the noise of popping champagne pulls us from our reverie.

We approach the brides, each of us holding up our flutes. “To the brides!” Beau toasts.

After taking a long sip, I lean into my best friend. “How does it feel?”

Her beauty has only grown as happiness radiates from the inside out. “It’s the best feeling in the world and I hope someday soon you can feel it, too.”

The thing is, I already feel it. I don’t need the legality or the ring on my finger to prove that Beau is mine as much as I’m his.

The night progresses with too much champagne, delicious food, and dancing until my feet ache and my head is light.

I lean into my man. “Take me to bed, lover.”

Beau’s smirk is devilish, full of wicked promises that have me hard in an instant.

Our hotel isn’t far, so we stroll on foot, our hands entwined, my head on his shoulder. “There’s nothing better than being in love in Paris.”

He squeezes my hand. “As long as I’m with you, I completely agree.”

I turn my head to press my lips against his stubbled jaw. “You say the sweetest things, Mr. Watkins.”

“Only to you,” he breathes, ruffling my hair.

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