Epilogue

“It’s today?”

“Of course—you’re the one who set it up. How did you forget?” Clare glanced over at Rory as he sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on his socks.

She considered how handsome he looked right then, doing something so simple as getting ready for the day. That’s when she appreciated him the most, in all the mundane moments that most people passed by without a second thought. There was nothing that described love more to her than having someone to do nothing with—someone to wake up next to and put her socks on with.

“I’ve been so busy getting all the renovations at the clinic going, it must have slipped my mind. Are you nervous?” He looked up curiously at her.

“Beyond nervous. Even though I know Dr. Prentiss, and I’m excited about the apprenticeship, it’s still terrifying.” She frowned, putting on her earrings; she was already mostly dressed. The couple had woken up only a short while ago, and they both had busy days lined up.

“You’re going to be amazing—you’re a natural.” Rory stood up from the bed and pulled his shirt over his head, then kissed her squarely on the lips.

“I hope so.” She glanced down at her phone, the time flashing on her screen. “Crap, I’ve got to go. I need to get home to grab my books before I go over there.”

“You know, if you lived here you wouldn’t have to dash back and forth between apartments every morning.”

“Rory, we talked about this. I don’t want you to have to take care of me.” She turned to face the mirror and smooth down her hair, hoping he would drop the topic. She had never been around much money because her parents never spent a dime, which made her inheritance that much more of a surprise. Either way, Rory’s wealthy lifestyle was taking some getting used to.

“I know you think that, but you’ve been living with Casey for a few months now, and it’s taking away a lot of my time with you.” Rory joined her, his arms on either side of her, against the dresser, as he stared into the mirror with her.

“I’m here every night.”

“But not every morning.” Rory pushed her hair to one side and trailed his lips from behind her ear, down her neck. His breath was hot on her skin and tiny bumps appeared at the contact.

“You’re going to make me late if you don’t stop that,” Clare whimpered, knowing she probably didn’t sound very convincing as she tilted her head sideways to allow Rory more access.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he teased, continuing his assault, placing gentle kisses on her neck, nipping softly at her tender flesh.

“Rory.”

He gripped her hips firmly and spun her around to face him, leaning her back against the dresser as he pressed tightly against her.

“What, mhuirnín?”

“Um…” She blinked quickly, breathing heavily as her hands fisted in his shirt and her hips pushed against him. “I don’t remember.”

“That’s my girl.” He grinned and stole her lips with his, nibbling her bottom lip between his before sucking gently.

His tongue invaded her mouth at the same time as he cupped her bottom with both hands and lifted her onto the dresser. She wrapped her legs around his waist instinctually, her arms flying around his neck. He pushed her skirt up her thighs, leaving it around her waist as his hand found her panties and yanked them down.

Clare had moved to help him with the task, her chest heaving against his. His erection stood firm between them, covered only by his pants, and she squirmed with desire. She loved how intensely her body always reacted to him, and how much he wanted her every single time. He slid one hand between her legs, gently swiping against her naked sex. She jolted at the contact, gasping as he grinned wickedly.

“You want me.” It wasn’t a question, it wasn’t a command. It was a fact. She knew that he had just felt how ready she was for him, and that he was more than willing to give her what she wanted. She nodded her head furiously, her green eyes dark and hooded with desire as she grabbed at his belt buckle and unfastened it. She found him ready and slid her hands up and down his length.

Releasing him from his pants, she widened her legs and he pulled her bottom to the edge of the dresser, rubbing himself against her. She pressed forward, begging him, and he rewarded her immediately. Rory thrust inside her with one quick move, her body stiffening against him as she accommodated his large presence.

He moved swiftly in and out as she moaned into his chest, his face buried in her thick blond ringlets. It didn’t take long before she felt herself clenching around his member, and she knew she was close. Before she knew what was happening, he pulled out abruptly, grabbing her by her upper arms to keep her from falling over.

“What? Don’t stop.” She panted breathlessly, a bewildered look in her eyes as she reached for him to try to pull him back to her.

“Say you’ll move in with me,” he countered, looking seriously at her.

“Right now?”

“Right now.”

“Rory, please,” she moaned, her back arching as she slid her hands down his chest. He held her arms still, stopping her attempt at going lower.

“Mhuirnín, you think moving in here means I’ll be taking care of you. It doesn’t. I don’t care about money. What I need is you. I need you here with me—you being near me is what takes care of me. I go crazy when you’re not around. Hell, I go crazy when you are around, too.” Clare blushed as he spoke, but he didn’t stop. He needed her in his life more than she would ever know.

“You need me?” Her voice was soft and shy, unsure of herself as she looked up at him through long eyelashes.

He moved forward and wrapped his arms around her. Without warning, he pushed back inside her and she groaned at the welcome intrusion.

“If I could stay like this every second of every day for the rest of my life, I would. I need you, Clare.” He spoke in a low, gruff tone while locking his silver eyes on hers before asking again.

“Will you please move in with me, mhuirnín?” She nodded in agreement, trying to hide the smile on her lips. His face split into a bright grin, and he reached down to steal another kiss. She wrapped her legs around his waist again, pulling him deeper inside her and picking up rhythm again.

He held her hips in his hands, moving her with him as his lips devoured hers. Clare’s fingers ran through his hair, locking around it and pulling gently. She tensed as she felt herself climbing toward the finish again. He wrenched his lips from hers, finding her pert nipples pressing against the fabric of her shirt. Brushing away the garment, he grabbed one nipple gently with his mouth and swirled his tongue around the peak as Clare tossed her head back and moaned loudly. The sensation was too much, she was sure she would implode.

“Rory, please.”

“Táim i ngrá leat, mhuirnín.” I love you, sweetheart.

“I love you, too.” She kissed him hungrily before he moved to bury his face in the base of her neck, moving faster and deeper. Seconds later, they both crashed under the weight of their release. Clare fell against him and he leaned both hands on the dresser to steady himself.

“I’m going to be so late,” she murmured into his chest, giggling slightly.

“Just tell Dr. Prentiss you were busy moving into your new home.” He brushed a few stray hairs from her face as he cupped her cheek in his hand. She leaned in to him, smiling and holding his hand in place with hers. She wanted to melt into a puddle and dance around all at the same time; she wasn’t used to feeling this much happiness about anything, ever.

But she did anytime she was with Rory.

“Are you sure about this?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t sure, Clare.”

“Do you think Ace will mind?” Clare began laughing, pointing to the dog sitting next to the dresser staring at them. Rory followed her direction and chuckled, leaning down to pat the dog on the head.

“He seems to be a big fan of the show.” Rory shook his head, laughing, then stepped back and helped her down from the dresser. He tucked himself back into his pants and straightened his shirt. Finally, he picked up her panties off the ground and handed them to her, and was immediately rewarded with a mischievous grin.

“Not today,” she said simply, dropping the panties back onto the dresser and smoothing down her skirt. He raised one brow to look at her, his mouth falling open slightly and his pants beginning to feel tight again.

“Oh, really?”

“See you tonight, Rory,” she said with a giggle, walking out of the bedroom. He followed her, with Ace tagging along as he always did.

“See you tonight at home, mhuirnín.”

“Yes, at home. Our home.” Clare wrapped her arms around his neck and feathered his lips with kisses, before releasing him. She finally left for her new apprenticeship. At the same time, Rory left to go train Kane.

All Clare could think about was that she couldn’t wait to get home.

Their home.