Page 130 of Never the Same

I whispered my own promises back to him, then stole the towel and tossed it so I could draw him closer—flesh to flesh, heartbeat to heartbeat. No drug, no anything, would ever take these memories from us. I knew that deep in my soul.

Emotional, teary-eyed, I urged him on top of me. On my forearms, I pressed up to find his lips. “Let me know when you’re ready to go again. I miss you already.”

He laughed against my mouth. “I’m only just getting started, darlin’. You have no idea how much I have planned for us tonight.” He licked my lips open before setting his mouth to my ear. “Can you handle that?”

I bucked against him in anticipation, greedy for more of him. “Mmm. Bring it on. Give me everything you have.”

“I’ve already given you my heart to keep,” he whispered. “Now I’ll give you the family we both want.”

Epilogue

Hollis

Two months later; December

The first notes of “Not Mine to Keep” from Callie Costa’s hit single drifted through the speakers, the melody soft at first, then swelling like a promise you could feel in your bones. Earlier, she’d debuted and personally sung her new hit with Audrey at the piano—you’d never guess she’d just had a baby. They hadn’t gone with my suggestion for a song name, but I had to admit “Into the Deep” had a nice ring to it.

Jason’s palm was currently warm against my waist as we danced beneath a canopy of white lights strung under the tent. Lanterns glowed on every table, softening the edges of the night. Our friends helped pull the entire thing together for us because party-planning was not my strong suit.

He spun me, then caught me in his arms, a grin tugging at his lips. I knew exactly what was on my husband’s mind: baby-making. After holding Audrey and Alex’s newborn daughter in our arms at the hospital three weeks ago, we were even more ready to have our own children.

Jason drew me closer and set his mouth to my ear. “I know what’s on your mind.”

I smirked. “Only because I read yours first.”

He arched into me, letting me feel the weight of his erection pressing against his dress pants. “We’re on a crowded dance floor, and I’m hard as a rock.”

“Maybe we can ditch our party for a few minutes and—”

“Mind if I cut in?” Mum interrupted.

Seriously?

Jason tried to protest, but with his current problem, he shut his eyes, probably conjuring up the most unsexy thoughts possible before surrendering to her.

“Traitor,” he mouthed with a smile before I disappeared into the packed crowd of mostly operators and their wives.

Almost everyone had shown up to our delayed reception. From Secretary Chandler and his SEAL teams to the Costas and Falcon Falls. Even Kylo and Rowan were there, but no longer as our protectors.

Heck, Jason’s parents were in attendance, too. He’d forgiven them a couple of weeks ago. That hadn’t been an easy decision to make, but I respected his choice. Didn’t change the fact I still wanted to plant a heel in his father’s ass for hurting him in the first place.

The only notably absent people tonight: Easton and Lyra. One had an invitation and declined, the other never received one.

While I may have forgiven her, I wasn’t ready for her to leave the center she was at and be here with us. My brothers and I were still sorting out how to pick up the pieces of the mess she’d left behind with Cassian and the others.

Everything will be okay, I told myself. One day. It had to be.

I stole a look at Julian on the dance floor with Gwen. He had to use an alias to even be here since the world believed he was dead. Thankfully, the majority of our guests were covert operatives and knew the truth, so he was mostly safe from scrutiny.

As for Gwen, months of recovery and PT had given back her glow. She was a living miracle on two feet. She tossed her head back, laughing at something my brother whispered in her ear. Part of me wondered whether they might become something more. Another part believed she belonged with the man who hadn’t shown up. But it wasn’t my business. I just wanted everyone to be as happy as Jason and me.

I started for the bar, where Tristan was sitting alone, when a tug at my dress stopped me.

“Dance with me, Auntie Hollis?” Chase stood there in his tiny tux, absolutely adorable. How could I say no?

“So,” I asked while taking hold of his little hands, “how does it feel to be a big brother?”

“Baby Katiya makes stinky diapers”—he scrunched his nose—“but nothing I can’t handle.” He shrugged.