Epilogue

Ash

Ten months later

"Okay, you ready?" My hand, clenched tightly into a fist, rests on top of my other palm. Gage already lost the first round of rock, paper, scissors. We love keeping the spice in our life and finding fun games to decide who's getting fucked. This morning, I thought of a new twist for rock, paper, scissors: loser bottoms. I've won the first of three, and the outcome of the next one determines whether we continue playing or if my demanding boyfriend gets pounded.

"I'm always ready," Gage says with a wink, his hands mirroring mine.

I give him a skeptical look. He's been ‘ losing ' so many games lately. Ever since I expressed to him I wanted to try topping so I could experience how he feels when he's railing my ass. He's been wanting to bottom more, so there really aren't any losers here. I love the freedom we have in our relationship, where there are no strict rules and we're both open to exploring new experiences together.

"Ready?" He nods. "Rock, paper, scissors, go." My paper covers his rock.

"Oh no, I'm so sad I lost… just kidding. Woohoo!" Gage fist pumps the air at his loss-slash-win.

"You totally lost on purpose!" I pretend to pout, but I'm winning, regardless.

He wiggles his naked ass in front of me, slapping it with gusto as he celebrates his victory with the infamous ass winner's dance. Yeah, we play games naked. It's no fun when you're dressed because you can't see how turned on we are. This way makes it more fun, and the stakes are higher.

"Nope, I'm just terrible at games," he smirks and bounces on the bed like a little kid on Christmas morning.

Mhm. He thinks I don't know what he's up to. But it's all good. I'm happy to give him what he wants. While I may be smaller than him, I've had no complaints; instead, I've only elicited pleasurable moans of approval.

"Living room, now! Bend over the sofa with your ass out!" I give him the bossy voice he loves and as he makes his way out to wait for me, his body does a full shiver.

Our fully stocked bedside drawer holds an assortment of lubricants in various flavors. We had to get a subscription for the stuff, and now buy our lube in bulk. Who would have thought that was a thing? The moment Marie caught me buying a bottle in the store is permanently engraved in my mind, and I've no desire to relive it. It felt like getting caught by your own mom.

Pulling open the drawer, I decide we're going with watermelon this morning. I'm feeling in a fruity mood. We stopped using condoms a while ago.

After all the drama with Mom, I made some changes in my life. I opened my own bank account, and as a result, I now receive a legitimate paycheck. To eliminate the possibility of receiving any more unknown messages, we upgraded my old phone and changed my number. After having all the practical stuff dealt with, I felt a new sense of lightness and freedom. That's when I told Gage about wanting to have nothing between us, no more barriers. Only limitless trust and love.

He practically dragged me to Doc Green's office for testing. The doc maintained a professional demeanor throughout, even when Gage announced in the middle of the reception that I was there to get tested so we could have unprotected sex. Poor Sherry, ever the professional, focused on her work and avoided making eye contact with us. Gage got a swift elbow to the gut for airing my business in public and making me go beet red in front of the doctor.

Thank God the waiting room was empty, but I still made Gage sit outside with his grumpy face as punishment. After receiving the all-clear from my tests, Gage organized for Jaxon and Max to take over the bar duties for two days, giving us the chance to hide away and fuck like bunnies. It was the best 48 hours ever—although my ass might disagree! I've been contemplating therapy as well, and Gage is supportive of the idea. Although I haven't reported the abuse and neglect to the cops, their impact on me is long-lasting, and I felt the need to share my experiences with someone. Doc Green mentioned that there's currently no therapist at the clinic, but assured me he would look into it. Last week, he excitedly informed me that a new guy would be joining his team, and I would be his very first patient. It may be nerve-racking, but I recognize that this is essential for my mental health and to be the best possible partner for Gage.

Walking into the living room, I chuckle at the sight of Gage bent over the back of the sofa, his arms resting on the cushion's edge and his feet planted firmly on the floor. My dick is already hard, bouncing as I walk toward him.

"You ready for me?" I purr in my seductive voice. Running my hands down his taut back muscles, so I can see them twitch in response to my touch.

"Yesss, baby. I'm always ready for you—now fuck me."

What my man wants, he gets. I kneel, appreciating the roundness of his ass, and plant a kiss on each cheek before parting them to reveal his hairy, puckered opening. Precum beads on my crown at the sight of him. Flicking the lid, I apply lube to my fingers and insert one, feeling it go smoothly all the way to the knuckle. Gage loves the burn.

"Hmm, fuck, Ash. Feels so good. More, sweetheart, don't be gentle," he says, mouthing off. I love my dirty-talking bartender.

I give him a couple of pumps with my finger to loosen him up before I insert another one. I'm not a sadist, and I never want to hurt him. My fingers curl and brush against the smooth, squishy button inside him, my touch nearly bringing Gage to his knees. With each thrust, I intensify the pace and strength, coaxing untamed sounds from him until he can accommodate three fingers.

The intense pleasure of stretching him open brings me dangerously close to orgasm, so I remove my fingers, using my slick hand to coat my rock-hard length. Standing, I caress the tip of my cock along his crease, playfully teasing his hole.

"Get inside me, Ash," he says, panting. He changes his stance, crossing his arms over the back of the sofa and using them as a pillow to rest his head on. He then adjusts his position, closing his legs and slightly lifting his ass. With one hand gripping my cock and the other firmly on his shoulder, I push into him.

Surrounded by his scorching heat, I desperately cry out. "Aggghhh, fuck!" Gage's hole pulls me in deep. I need a moment to catch my breath, so I don't lose control before I've even fucked him.

"Please, baby, move," Gage whines.

I ease out slowly, relishing the sight of myself with just the tip of my crown still inside him, before forcefully plunging back in. I repeat the sequence of unhurried retreat and forceful re-entry until Gage is moaning so much that I know I'm not gonna last much longer. My muscles clench tightly, and I can feel the anticipation building up inside me, ready to be released. The sweat on our bodies makes my hand slip off his shoulder, so I readjust and wrap it firmly around his throat. I then pound his ass vigorously and rapidly, reveling in the slap of our skin and the heady smell of our combined arousal.

"Don't come yet," I grit. "I want your load on my tongue. I wanna taste you."

"Fuck, hurry up then. I need to come, Ash." His words come out labored and I know he's as close to the edge as I am.

Letting go of his neck, I grip his hips firmly, thrusting forcefully, and my arousal builds until I reach an explosive climax. " Fuck ," I groan loudly, my body spasming as I release myself into him. After placing a kiss on his back, I carefully remove myself and witness the aftermath of my cum seeping out of his clenching hole.

"Turn around for me, Gage." I drop to my knees again, my fingers wrapping around his throbbing pink erection and bringing it to my waiting mouth. I tease the sensitive tip with my tongue before taking him all the way down my throat. My fingers find his hole and push my load back in, curling them as I deep-throat him. With skilled fingers and a greedy mouth, I quickly bring him to the brink before Gage shouts loudly, filling my mouth with his cum, and I swallow every drop.

"Jesus, fuck, you're good at that, baby," he praises me. Standing back up, I lean in for a kiss, fully aware that he can taste himself on my lips.

"I learned from the best," I state confidently, making my way toward the hall, but turning back to give him a wink. "Let's shower quickly so we can make sure everything's ready for Max and Jaxon's party."

"Oh shit, we better get a move on. No messing around in the shower. We gotta hustle."

"Me? You're the one who always distracts me! I'm innocent here. You're the troublemaker."

"Ha, keep telling yourself that, sweet cheeks," he says as he walks past me to the bathroom, wiggling his wrecked ass for good measure.

Yeah, he might be right, but I can't help it. I'm obsessed with Gage. I need him all the time. He's my addiction.

With the party in full swing, the energy is high, and the atmosphere is electric as everyone eagerly awaits Jax and Max.

"Of course they're late to their own celebration," I say to Gage, as I walk past him to deliver a whiskey sour to Doc Green.

"They're probably fucking. Not every day you get to open a new business," he exclaims.

Max and Jaxon officially opened their shop yesterday. Instead of having a party on opening day, which we knew would be too overwhelming, we held it today, if they ever show up! The town has all come out to share their support, nothing like a buffet to bring people together.

"Yeah, you're probably right," I tell him, planting a soft kiss on his cheek, feeling his beard against my lips. Just then, the bar erupts with cheers, filling the air with a joyful cacophony. I turn my gaze toward the source and see the happy couple basking in the congratulations from everyone as they approach us at the bar.

As Max slams down a fifty-dollar bill on the counter, Gage can't contain his excitement and blurts, "I fucking knew it!"

"Yeah, well, don't get too smug about it," Max retorted, "because I'll be taking it back soon."

"What have I missed?" Confused, I glance back and forth among the three of them.

"Gage made a bet with me a while ago that Jaxon and I would eventually get married." Max gazes at Jaxon, and the realization finally hits me.

"You're engaged!" I exclaim, my excitement bubbling over. With a look of pride, Jaxon raises his hand to reveal the exquisite wooden band adorning his wedding finger. "Shut the fuck up, you guys." I quickly dart around the front of the bar and leap into Jax's arms. "I'm over the moon for you!" Jax has become such a great friend to me and has been since the day I met him. I couldn't be happier for him. "Show me the ring one more time."

Jaxon steps back as he extends his hand, exuding pure happiness. It's as if all his dreams have finally come true—a look that suits both him and Max.

Jax leans in, his voice filled with confidence. "I have no doubt that it'll be your turn soon."

As I look over at Gage, chatting with Max, I wonder if one day I'll see myself standing at the altar, saying my vows. I never gave it much consideration before, but now I can't help but imagine the joy and bliss that comes with being married to the one you love wholeheartedly. Being with someone who shares your good days and the bad days, someone whose love for you is all-encompassing, reaching the depths of your core. And Ash Miller does roll off the tongue quite nicely.

A sharp whistle cuts through the air, commanding everyone's attention. Gage's voice rises above the bustling crowd as he taps a mixing spoon on a glass. Everyone's attention shifts to him.

"We appreciate all of you for being here today to celebrate the opening of Maxwell and Jaxon's new shop. It appears Maxwell is a lucky bastard because he's not only started a new business with Jaxon, but he's also proposed to him!"

Thunderous applause fills the room as I make my way back to stand beside Gage behind the bar. He raises his voice, saying, "Okay, settle down. Join me in a toast to the happy couple, Hip, Hip, Hooray !"

Once everyone has settled down and resumed their conversations, Gage approaches me while I wipe down the bar. He hands me the fifty-dollar bill and says, "Here, sweetheart, keep this safe." After a quick kiss, he heads back to serve a thirsty customer.

Leaning on the counter, I check him out. His hair is tied back, but a lock has come loose, and I itch to pull the band out to let it all fly freely. Gage's sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, showing off the muscular forearms I love so much, and his tight jeans hide away the sinful body that I get to enjoy every day. The combination gives him that ruggedly handsome look. But it's his easy smile that makes me think, Yeah, I could totally marry him.

Someday.

I'm sure you've guessed who's coming next…

Everyone loves a Redemption Arc, don't they?