Alex and I skate across the ice, hand in hand, his ring hot against my skin, and then we start down the tunnel to change back to our shoes.
Austen and Cameron were both right. Being nervous was worth it. Seeing the smile on Alex’s face and knowing he is my forever is the best thing that could ever have happened to me.
Epilogue
Alex
The sun filters through the window, lighting up the room in a bright haze as I move through the kitchen with precision and purpose.
I glance at my watch and curse. Jordan should be home any minute, and I’ve got a little less than an hour to get to practice.
The door opens just as I’m plating up our dinner—cheesy pasta with smoked sausage and steamed vegetables.
“Hey,” he calls out as I’m rushing about to get everything put together and set on the table.
“Hey,” I say, looking at him with a grin as I sprint back toward the cabinet to grab our glasses to pour our drinks, but before I can get them from the cabinet, I feel him. He wraps his arms around me, pushing me againstthe sparkling quartz countertop. A small gasp leaves my throat as he kisses me slowly, pressing his body against me. I can’t help but relax. I feel his heartbeat against my chest, and when he breaks away, I realize I’m breathing easier.
“What was that for?” I ask, feeling slightly flushed.
“Sit down,” he says with a dark look, and just like that, the switch is flipped. I bite my lip, realizing he’s still pressed against me and he’s hard as fuck.
I groan, leaning my forehead against his. Food or fucking? Which do I choose? I’m not sure I have time for both.
I thrust my hips against him, sliding my hands around his waist. His body is heavy against mine, and I fucking love it.
“I know exactly where I want to sit,” I murmur as I kiss him. The scent of the cheese and meat is thick in the air and he groans, sliding his tongue into my mouth before grinning and breaking away.
He gives me a knowing look, as if he can read my mind, and says once more, “Sit the fuck down, Alex.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine.”
Food it is, I guess.
I do as he says and sit at the dining room table. Every time I sit here, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride because I built it. It was the first project I tackled in this house, and the first full piece of furnitureI’ve ever built. Well, “upcycled” is the term, I guess. I frankensteined it from a couple of other pieces of furniture, including his table from his house in Ashbourne and mine. Of course, I hadsomehelp. Though Jordan’s help mostly consisted of moral support every time I wanted to throw the pieces against the wall in frustration because it was taking too long.
But now it’s done, and looks amazing.
He brings the food and drinks into the dining room, and I steal a glance at him in his fitted black polo and khakis, hair slicked back, and those thick forearms bulging from where his flannel sleeves are rolled up.
My cock twitches, and it hits me all over again.
This man is going to be mine. Forever.
How the fuck did I get so lucky? I don’t know, but I thank my lucky stars every day because this… this is so fuckingperfect.
“What?” he asks as he pushes my bowl to me. Time stands still as I stare him, making no apologies. I never apologize for staring at him like the cut of filet he fucking is.
“Just appreciating the view,” I say as I stab my pasta.
He chuckles, taking his seat.
“So I was thinking,” I say with a grin, knowing he’s either going to be receptive to my idea or he’s going to tell me I’m a fucking idiot, but I’ve learned in the lastfew years, it’s better to just be out with things than hold them in.
“That’s always a dangerous thing,” he teases me, and I kick him under the table.
“Asshole.”
He laughs as he shovels a forkful of cheesy pasta into his mouth and groans.
