EPILOGUE
* Finn *
“You have to give a girl more than three hours’ notice on these events, Finn!” Aspen’s voice heightens with each word as her panic sets in. She pulls on the hem of her dark pink knee length dress. I’m sure it has some kind of special name, but who the hell knows.
“It’s an art exhibit. Everyone will be in jeans. That’s how artists dress,” I reassure her on her clothing choice and place a kiss to her forehead from across the leather seat of the black Escalade.
She’s quiet and I think the conversation is done until, “You’re not in jeans. You’re wearing a suit!” She eyes my grey three-piece suit with distain.
Jake looks back from his place in the driver’s seat and gives me a look. Like I haven’t noticed she’s freaking out. I lift a shoulder a smidge not willing to be caught by Aspen in her panic. I just won her back last night. I won’t do anything that might make me lose her again. Now or ever.
“Baby, you look fine in whatever you wear.” It’s the truth and whenever I call her baby, she gives in easier. It’s the girl’s kryptonite. That and my black glasses, which I’m also wearing tonight. I’m leaving nothing to chance. She won't be able to resist me.
Aspen can make any outfit remarkable. Even that ratty pair of Detroit Lions fleece pants she sometimes wears on the weekends. Don’t tell her I said that. I have too much fun reminding her no one roots for the Lions, even if she did win them off a bet with Ben during her pre-college days.
I’d rather skip this art show all together, but Trey has demanded my presence. The artist’s entire display is composed of images from Dragons Reborn. He said it’s an honor to be there. I was thinking more along the lines of copyright infringement, but now that we’ve sold the game I guess it’s someone else’s problem. Thank God for that.
I give her another quick kiss on her temple and have to stop myself before I make it more. I want to make it more. My feelings toward Aspen haven’t waned since the first time I set eyes on her before she tumbled into the street. I’m worried they may never stabilize so I can be in the same room with her and not want to have her up against me. Actually, I think I’d be okay with that.
The Escalade closes in on the previously abandoned warehouse where tonight’s event is being held. “I promise we won’t stay long. I have big plans for you tonight," I whisper in her ear. I remove my hand from her thigh where somehow I’d been moving it higher up her leg feeling her soft skin against my fingertips. It takes effort. I’m getting used to having Jake as my personal driver, but I'm not ready for him to have visions of what I plan to do with Aspen running through his head.
“Oh really?” She looks at me with skepticism.
I didn’t make a move last night because I wanted to relish having her in my bed in my home for the first time. Not one I was borrowing, but mine. I needed that time to slide my hands over her, take in her slight lilac scent and that coconut shampoo that makes me think of all the beaches I want to take her to. The night gave me the time to allow the fact she's mine again to sink in. But it doesn’t mean she’s safe tonight. I’ve been lonely, but we've had our cuddle time, now it’s time for her to get reacquainted with another part of my anatomy. He’s missed her too.
I don’t get all mushy on her, though, and instead show my reply with an upturned eyebrow. The move frustrates her more since she can’t do it. At all, really. One of the best hours of my life will always be the night we sat on her couch and I tried to teach her the skill. It didn't help in the slightest, but damn she tries. It might be one of the first times I realized I was falling in love — even if I wouldn’t admit it then.
Aspen’s hand fidgets as she tugs on the newest addition to her jewelry box wrapped around her neck. The simple antiqued bronze skeleton key used as a pendant travels up and down the silver chain as Aspen’s fingers move it with her nerves. She's lost in thought.
“Do you like the necklace?”
My question draws her attention back from the window. “Of course. I love it, Finn. I told you.” She pulls the chain from her neck to admire the key again and stops at the diamond solitaire charm sharing space next to the key. “Although, I’m scared I’m going to lose a fortune if anything happens to this necklace.”
“What’s the point of all this money if I can’t spend it on you?” My question isn’t some cheesy line she’s always accusing me of using. I may not have set out to be this rich, but you can damn well bet I’ll enjoy spending every dollar of it on her.
Our vehicle slows effectively, putting an end to any protest Aspen might have been about to mount. This time I wait for Jake to cross over and open our door. Tonight’s show is for some up and coming artist I’ve never heard of, but as Aspen and I get closer to the main door, I notice a photographer set up outside.
We step to the side and stop in front of the white backdrop draped over the brick warehouse wall. The camera flashes and I lead Aspen back the way we came.
“Excuse me, sir?” a short kid with long hair and a too big suit jacket stops us as we’re back on the path. “Can I have your names to use with the picture?”
I’m caught off guard, but am actually thrilled he has to ask. Maybe I will be able to provide Aspen with the quiet life I want for us. “Finn McRyan and this is my girlfriend, Aspen Adams.” I pull Aspen closer to me as I answer.
The media has already figured out Aspen’s name from our picture at the charity gala, but I want to make sure the whole world knows what this woman means to me. I should have shouted it from the rooftops after our first date. It’s a mistake I won't make again.
I open the door for Aspen and am met with surprise when I follow her in. The space is wide open and bright, unlike what I was expecting. Digital drawings and paintings hang from the exposed brick walls and the light grey wall partitions they’ve erected. People in dress similar to our own mill about the space.
Aspen is taken in by the diverse art. Each framed piece features a landscape or character from the Dragons Reborn game, but each is redone in miraculous detail. Even I have to admit the artist has a raw talent.
My hand jerks as Aspen leads me to our left to a series of digital prints hung in a straight row. My first thought is of the straightness of the image frames. I’ve hung pictures for Aspen, and it’s hard to line them up as perfectly as these are. Eventually, my attention redirects to the images contained in each frame and I’m taken by the detail in each.
While the art is interesting, and even I can admit there is value in certain pieces, I don’t have the rapt attention to it that Aspen does. Her curly dark brown hair bounces back and forth each time her head moves to take in a new piece. It reminds me how much I’ve missed wrapping my hands around it. Her lips are tight as her eyes roam the walls with her head tilted in concentration. My thoughts are wrapped up in the curves of her body. I have to mentally promise my dick I’ll make sure he’ll see what she has hidden under that dress later so he'll stay down.
If it wasn’t game themed, there is no way I’d be here. Thankfully, Aspen makes up for my lack of cultural know how. Her head tips to the other side as she takes in each section of art-covered wall before she comments on a part she likes or dislikes. Each section receives some kind of comment, mostly praise. I do my best to confer at appropriate times while viewing her as my favorite piece of art in this place.
