Epilogue
“Oh, my god. Would you chill out?”
“No,” he states simply.
“Ryker. You’re going to irritate the hell out of me.”
He grins. “Will you cut those evil eyes at me while I handle myself?”
“You’re disgusting,” I manage without a laugh. But I break when he laughs, and I titter.
“You can’t stay mad at me,” he says walking us up the steps. He bends to kiss my cheek. “I’m too good-looking for you to stew with pissyness.”
I roll my eyes, mirthfully. “You’re exhausting.”
Why? Why did I give him that ammo?
He flicks his gaze to me. “You’ve never complained when I leave you sated after hours—”
“What have I done to be punished by you?” My tone is frisky and sarcastic.
“Loved me.” He flashes a grin and pushes open the door.
“Welcome home!” Everyone scares the hell out of me, shouting in unison.
I yelp, stumbling backward, but Ryker’s hands are there to brace my back. His eyes laugh at me. His lips twitching to let loose. I raise a brow at him.
“You knew?”
He spreads his hands to the side. “Surprise?” He laughs.
“Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” Candice skips to me with her grabby hands out. “I want my nephew.”
Easily, she takes Kaden from me and sits on the couch. Everyone coos and ahhs huddling around her.
“You look good with a baby,” Kyce says.
Immediately her head jerks to him. “You planning on impregnating me?”
Oh god. Ammo. We’re on a roll at passing it out.
Kyce blows her a kiss. “No, but I’d practice like hell.”
Suddenly, Harold smacks Kyce upside the head. “Watch your mouth,” he chastises.
I bite my lip to keep from laughing.
Ryker wraps Kyce in a headlock. “Yeah. Watch your mouth around my son.”
“Like you have any room to talk,” Kyce grunts. “Get off me.”
“Aww what’s wrong baby brother? Sad you’re no longer the baby Hayes?” Ryker jests.
It doesn’t take long for Jackson to add his two cents. “He was at work the other day brooding because, and I quote, ‘all eyes are going to be on Ryker…again.’”
“You’re a chump,” Ryker squeezes his neck tighter. “I’ve always been better to look at.”
“There’s where you’re wrong,” Jackson steps beside him and quickly pulls Ryker’s head into the crook of his arm. “I’m the preferred, strongest, best looking of the Hayes.”
“Excuse me?” Harold rotates toward the three stooges. “I believe you’ve forgotten who you got your looks from.”
“Oh burn!” Kyce calls out from the bottom.
Ryker smacks him upside the head. “Shut up, idiot. He’s talking about you too.”
“Boys,” their mother calls out sternly. “Quit.”
Everyone straightens up, taking their hands off one another.
Kyce points to Ryker. “He started it.”
Jackson reaches out behind Ryker and pops Kyce in the back of the head. “Snitch.”
Oh hell. This…is what I get to look forward to.
“Unk Ry. Can I hold him?” Gracie pulls his shirt, tilting her head to look at him.
He scoops her up and plops her on the couch. Gently, he takes Kaden from Candice and places him into her arms. All eyes fall on Ryker and how he’s looking at the two loves of his life. The two tiny pinkies he’s wrapped around. The two small hearts who owns his soul.
He blinks, clearing his throat, and looks up to me, grinning from ear to ear.
When I first met Ryker, he was arrogant, egotistical, and so sure of himself. He emitted his narcissism everywhere. But slowly, I learned there was more to him. He fights his own battles, his own contradictions—good versus evil, strong versus compassionate, Ryker versus the Striker. Deep down, under that solid frame and the stubborn thinking is the most loyal and sweetest man I know.
And he’s all mine.
Only for me.
I’ve seen him cry twice since we’ve been together. Once when I told him I was pregnant and then again when he held Kaden for the first time. He was floored, overwhelmed with emotions he couldn’t control. It’s also the same day he showed off his new tattoo he had gotten the day before.
It says “Hayes” in the most incredible script with the tail of the Y long, supporting the T from my name and the K in Kaden’s. And the sweetness behind it…well that makes my husband even sexier because that’s the side reserved for me. Even if I called him crazy for putting my name on his body.
He’s gentle for me. Caring for me. Loving for me. Strong for me.
Is he flawed? Yes, but I wouldn’t change him for the world.
I didn’t know what I was missing in life until I caved in and allowed myself to love. But not just anyone. Him. He’s my unique euphoria.
He kisses my cheek. “Thinking about me again?”
I smile up at him. “Yeah.”
“My sexy body all over yours?” he whispers against my ear.
I shake my head. “No. Just you.”
He smirks. “How’d I ever get so lucky?”
“You threw your cocky self at me at their wedding anniversary.” I beam.
“Excuse me. I know everyone in here but you.” He taps his head. “I remember that day clearly.”
“Did you speak with Brian?” I ask switching gears.
“I did. I’m not scheduled for another few months.”
“And Carter?”
“I heard my name,” he calls out. “You’re telling him you’re leaving him for me, aren’t you?”
“Would you please quit dreaming about my wife before I knock your f-f-f…head off your shoulders?” Ryker grumbles.
Carter’s expression brightens. “Nope.”
I laugh, leaning into Ryker. “I married into chaos.”
He kisses the top of my head. “I married my fantasy.”
THE END