He seems surprised, but he smiles. “That’s good. Because I want you too,” he tells me. “You’re mine, Brynn. You belong to me.”
“And you belong to me.”
“Yes, I do.”
I snuggle closer to him and revel in the feeling of his big arms wrapped around me. I breathe deeply, savoring the scent of him. Relish the strength and power in his body. Being with him makes me feel protected. Safe. Cared for in ways I never thought I would be. Burke makes me feel truly loved. It’s not something I ever thought I’d be lucky enough to have in my life. But I have him now, and I’m never letting him go.
“You feel like home to me,” he says softly. “Youarehome to me.”
“I love you, Burke.” Then, I add softly, “my daddy, TIPCI”.
“And I love you back, baby!”
Cuddling tightly, as if we couldn't be physically close enough, we settle into a comfortable silence, letting the warmth of our bodies convey our feelings. Eventually, we drift away, and for the first time in a very long time, I fall into a peaceful, dreamless sleep, comfortable and secure, knowing the man of my dreams has finally come into my life.
EPILOGUE
BURKE
One Year Later
“You did it, babe,” I say.
Brynn beams at me, clutching her diploma like her life depends on it. The glow of pride in her face warms my heart.
“I did it,” she says. “I can’t believe it.”
“I can.”
She leans over and gives me a kiss. A lot has changed over the past year. I’ve changed a lot over the past year. And it’s all because of her. She’s helped me re-enter the world as a different man. Made me see it through her eyes. She’s helped open me up in ways I never believed I could. Made me feel things I never knew existed. Brynn has been nothing short of amazing.
Cole Dosset opted to take a plea rather than go to trial, and he’s going to be in prison for a very long time. I’m glad for that. And I’m glad that Brynn will be spared the spectacle of a trial. It’sbeen weighing on her for some time. Knowing he will be going away and she won’t have to face him in open court and detail that horrible night is an enormous weight off her mind. I’m glad for that. It’s allowed her to be free and light.
As for us, things have grown. Every day is a new adventure with her, and she has me doing things I never saw myself doing before. Enjoying life, being chief among them. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy life before, but with Brynn by my side, it’s… different. I’m enjoying it in a completely different way than before. Each and every day has a depth and meaning it didn’t hold for me before her.
She moved into my place a couple of months ago and having her with me every single day has brightened my world. She’s brought me a joy that’s entirely new to me. And it’s become clear, with every passing day, that my life is just better with her in it. Not only that, but I’ve gotten to a point that I can’t imagine her not being in my life. Not even for a single day.
The driver lets us out of the back of the car, and we take the elevator up to the rooftop restaurant. I’ve been planning this night for weeks. Mostly, it’s to celebrate Brynn’s graduation. But I’ve also been planning something else. Something I never thought I’d be doing, honestly. The door chimes, then slides open, and we step out and into the lobby of the restaurant.
“Good evening and welcome to Velvet,” the hostess greets us.
Brynn turns to me. “This is one of the hottest spots in town.”
“I thought for your graduation, you deserved something nice.”
Her cheeks flush. “Thank you, Burke. This is really thoughtful.”
“Only the best for you.”
She pulls me down and gives me a quick kiss and a smile, then we turn and follow the hostess to our table. Moonlight sparkles dazzlingly off the surface of the sea, and the air is redolent with the aroma of the ocean. We talk and laugh our way through appetizers and dinner. I do a good job of maintaining a veneer of calm, but under the surface, my stomach and heart are both churning wildly.
“Tonight has been amazing,” she says. “Really, I never thought I would ever get to eat in a place like this. It’s been… incredible.”
“It’s a momentous day in your life,” I tell her. “And you deserve the best.”
I pick up my champagne flute and raise it to her. Brynn smiles, then raises her own and taps it against mine with a high-pitched ting.
“To the future,” I say.
