Epilogue II

ARCHIE

My husband was driving me mad.

It had been a week since the kidnapping and imprisonment, yet he refused to touch me more than gentle kisses.

At first I thought it was because he was concerned about what happened to me while in that woman’s home. That thought vanished once we had our debriefing with Tank where I explained the entire story from beginning to end.

I hadn’t been assaulted or anything.

Sure, it was a traumatic experience, but I was doing better. I had a therapist lined up to speak with, and my body was fully recovered.

And I was horny.

So fucking horny.

I knew my husband well enough to understand he wasn’t going to be the one to cross that line just yet. He’d make me wait even longer, his patience was far greater than mine.

Thankfully, Cohen understood my plight after having to suffer through his own recovery period and getting together with Godric after the fact.

“Seduce him,” he’d told me when he caught me pouting during our ASL lessons. Since I’d returned, the crew demanded mini lessons throughout the day. They were almost like smoke breaks for them, where they’d bounce between talking NightShade business and then coming to me to learn the basics.

“How do I seduce him? I’ve never had to do that before.” At my words, Cohen chuckled and let me know he’d help me out.

Later that day, I got a list of options with a note telling me to choose one and he’d help run interference. All the planning led to this moment where I’m seated on the edge of our bed surrounded by candles and soft music.

Battery operated candles of course since we didn’t want to invite the fire department to our lovemaking. Yet another gem of advice from Cohen.

The guy might have been a goofball, but he had a heart of gold too. And he was willing to help me set this up even though it had to be awkward for him.

I heard the sound of keys dropping in the bowl near the doorway, the signal Takeshi had made it home. Given I’d claimed to have a headache earlier in order to come prepare for this, it was no shock to see him go wide eyed when he stepped into our bedroom.

“Hey, husband,” I said softly. “I wanted to surprise you.”

He looked around the room, taking in the candles and how the bed was made up to be all inviting. There was even lube and condoms on the nightstand, an obvious tell if there ever was one.

I blushed when his gaze met mine. As much as I wanted to hide and pretend this hadn’t happened, my dick was begging me to get on with it.

I needed my husband.

Needed him inside me, filling me and claiming me all over again.

With a false sort of confidence, I walked over to stand in front of him. “I’ve missed you. Missed us. Will you —”

My bravado failed as I realized just how stupid this was. Why was I begging him to take me? If he wanted me, wouldn’t he have already fucked me?

Maybe getting kidnapped showed him I wasn’t worth it. Maybe it broke the spell we’d been under before.

A firm grip on my chin tore me away from the downward spiral of thoughts.

Takeshi’s expression was stern, though I could tell he was also confused. I choked back the tears I could feel were right on the edge of falling. I needed to explain to him. Confess what I was feeling so we could move past this.

“I feel like you don’t want me anymore. We haven’t had sex since I’ve been back. It’s like I’m invisible to you now or that I’m this fragile man when all I want is to be fucking railed by my husband who I’m so madly in love with — oomph.”

His mouth slammed against mine, ending my runaway speech. Hands yanked at my shirt, tugging the fabric off in one swift movement. My pants quickly followed, the thud on the ground making it clear they were in the way.

Since I’d gone commando, I was now completely bare before Takeshi. And yet, I didn’t feel uncomfortable.

God, no.

Not with the way his eyes trailed over me hungrily or the way his cock tented his pants.

My husband wanted me. He was eager to have me.

I wouldn’t waste another second.

We came together, our bodies moving like we’d choreographed the whole thing beforehand. Our mouths dueled as we trailed our fingers over sensitive areas and frotted like we couldn’t hold back another second.

I was thankful I’d prepped while waiting for him since neither of us seemed to have any more self-control. Especially not once I was on my back with a naked Takeshi hovering over me.

He slid inside me with one smooth motion. I threw my head back as pleasure overtook the last bit of rational thought I had.

From there, we became a sea of grunts and slapping skin. It was the most beautiful song I’d ever heard. One I’d want to re-enact again and again now that the dam had burst on our restraint.

It was only once we’d both come, our bodies covered in sweat and our breaths heavy, that I felt relieved. We were going to be ok. This entire ordeal would be a blimp in the story of our lives.

Because that was the crux of it all.

I wanted a life with this man. A long one, where we got to be together growing old and signing on our front porch about how the neighborhood had changed through the years. I wanted the memories and the family surrounding us.

From the soft kiss my husband planted on my forehead before he fell asleep wrapped around me, I had a feeling I’d be getting that dream. Our marriage might have been anything but convenient , but it was absolutely perfect in my eyes.

I wouldn’t change a single thing.