Epilogue

SIX MONTHS LATER

TALULLA

FLYNN:

Your dinner is getting cold.

TALULLA:

You've been cold for a while, fangs, and you're still my favorite meal.

FLYNN:

Flattery will get you nowhere.

TALULLA:

I beg to differ.

FLYNN:

Still have lots of work?

TALULLA:

I'm much closer than you think.

FLYNN:

Not close enough.

TALULLA:

Aw, miss me?

FLYNN:

Always, little hunter.

The corners of my lips lift into a smile as I open the door to Flynn's building. Slowly, I make my way to the elevator and press number six. As soon as the doors open, I spot a very impatient vampire standing outside. My vampire. All mine .

"You sure text a lot for an old grandpa," I say, tiptoeing for a quick kiss. It's too bad it's never quick when Flynn Lancaster is the one you're kissing. His arms wrap around my waist, and I get lost in his vanilla and spice scent. His velvety fingers keep me as close as possible.

"I gotta catch up with the younger generation, you know?" he says, interlocking his fingers with mine as we make our way back to his apartment. I've been spending most of my nights here since the moment he gave me a key, well, six months ago now.

"Are you gonna start sending me memes?" I drop my bag in his—our—bedroom and pull my hair up in a ponytail.

"Never," Flynn says as he walks back to the kitchen. The aroma of tomato sauce and the new plant of basil on the counter give away his menu for the night. He's been taking care of me in ways I didn't expect. The cold-hearted predator who can't stand being around people too much is here, giving me every kind of attention that is humanly possible, and there are days when I ask myself how I got so lucky.

"Hi," I finally say, my voice barely a soft breath as I hug him from behind. My hands rest on his hard chest as he stirs the sauce and makes sure the pasta isn't overcooked.

"Hi, darling." One of his hands rests on top of mine, the soft touch sending electricity down my spine.

"Whatever you're making smells amazing." It really does. This man could be making the simplest thing, and it'd turn into a Michelin-star-level meal. Every. Single. Time.

"Just a quick, homemade tomato sauce and pasta. Sorry, it's nothing quite elaborate tonight. I was trying to acquire a Monet."

"You're apologizing because you cooked me dinner," I state. It's not a question.

"A simple dinner, and yes, I am."

"Flynn, do you realize that just the fact that you went out of your way, even when you were busy working, is more than amazing in my eyes?"

"You deserve sophistication every single day."

"How are you even real?" Because what man does this every single day for their partner? Heat grows between my legs as I continue to stare at him working around the kitchen, his black silk button-up shirt neatly contained in his dark trousers. The sleeves are rolled up to make sure he doesn't stain the fabric. Flynn's head slightly turns to the side, his grin impossible to hide as he inhales my scent.

"If this sight turns you on this much, I might have to cook for you every night."

"I think you've realized by now that there is basically nothing you can do that isn't a turn-on."

I hear him chuckle as he shakes his head. "Go change. Food will be ready soon."

"Yes, sir."

He drops the wooden spoon in the pot and quickly turns to face me. A hand grabbing my throat makes me gasp. "Say it again." His other hand cups one of my breasts, his fingers toying with my nipple, the fabric of my T-shirt adding to the friction.

"Sir," I whisper, my entire body ready for him to do literally anything.

"Fuck, you follow orders so prettily."

"Only when it's you requesting things."

"Only me, Talulla." He undoes my belt, and before I know it, my jeans are off. "Here, let me help you get changed."

"I'm capable of taking off my clothes."

"You can do anything, but I want to strip you and have you ready for what I have planned later."

"Oh?"

"Take everything off."

I cross my arms over my chest. "Eating dinner naked while you're fully dressed seems very unfair."

"It won't be when I'll have my sweet dessert."

"Which is?"

"Your pussy riding my face."

I gasp at his quick comeback. "What if I want to do something for you instead?"

"You can choke on my cock anytime you want, darling. Now, be a good girl and take your shirt off."

I'm now down to a red lacy bra with a matching thong. Flynn's eyes darken at the sight of my bare body. "Seeing something you like?" I say, turning around and showing off my ass to him.

"Every single inch of your body is a work of art. You're absolutely exquisite, Talulla." His tongue caresses my neck. "And red is my favorite color on you."

The timer for the pasta goes off, and we both jolt at the high sound. "Your pasta is overcooking."

"It will be perfect. Here, take this," he says, handing me an open bottle of red wine. "Now, please go sit down and stop distracting me."

"Distracting you? You're the one who stripped me naked."

"Semantics."

I roll my eyes as I make my way to the set table and pour two glasses of wine. Then I get to the fridge and grab a bottle of blood, only to be stopped as I try to walk back to the dining room. "Can I help you?" I ask Flynn, raising an eyebrow at him as he keeps his grip firm on my wrist.

"You don't have to do that."

"You drink blood around me all the time, but I can't take the bottle to the table where you'll be drinking it?"

He sighs and lets go of my arm. "I don't expect you to do that."

"Just like I don't expect you to cook dinner for me."

He tilts his head to the side. "But I want to cook dinner for you."

"And I want to pour you a glass of blood."

"Fine."

"Can we eat now?"

The corners of his lips tilt up, and fuck, he's gorgeous when he smiles. "Absolutely."

We sit down and start eating. As I take a bite of the pasta he prepared, a moan escapes my mouth. It's perfect. A freaking mouthwatering perfect plate of pasta.

"This is so good."

"Glad you like it," he says as he takes a bite for himself, his fangs appearing as I look at him sip from his glass of blood.

We continue to eat in silence, and as I truly look at Flynn, I notice his posture is different. He's tense, as if something is bothering him.

I put my fork down. "What's up with you?"

"Nothing. Why?" he says, continuing to avoid my stare.

"Spill it."

This is when his icy-gray eyes finally look back at me. "Talulla, you know I don't like insolence."

"And you know I don't like it when you avoid telling me things."

He rolls his eyes but smiles at my comeback. "Oh, I will tell you what I'm thinking. I'm just very nervous about doing so."

My jaw drops open. "Flynn Lancaster is nervous?"

"Extremely."

I take his hand in mine and bring it to my lips. "What's wrong?"

"I have to share something with you, and I need you to let me get it out before you say anything."

I nod. "I can do that."

He sighs, his eyes searching for mine. "What do you want to do in two weeks after you graduate?"

Tilting my head to the side, I reply, "Look for a job?"

"And what would you say if you could have an interview with the head of the archives department at the Natural History Museum in London?"

My eyes widen as I let the words sink in. "What?"

"Before you jump to conclusions, I did not use any of my methods aside from asking Ms. Sinopoli if she would write a letter of recommendation and Cassandra if she could help me put together your résumé."

"How?"

"Perseverance."

My eyes narrow. "Flynn, elaborate."

"What I mean is that I checked every single day for openings. I was getting quite desperate, really, because I knew you'd never forgive me if I used any other method, and truly, I wanted to show you that your résumé was more than enough to get what you wanted."

"Okay… and?"

"And one day, I saw the listing and sent your résumé, and with Ms. Sinopoli's recommendation, you got through all the interview stages."

"I did?"

"We talked, and they know you have two weeks left at Bear Creek and clearly want to read your dissertation, but they kinda love you." Flynn's lips lift up.

"You're kidding me."

"I would never joke about something so important to you."

"Flynn…"

"I had to try, Talulla… Please don't shut me out. Let's talk about it."

I grab his hands in mine from across the table. "I'm not angry."

"You're not?"

"I'm shocked," I say, shaking my head in disbelief.

"I know it's a lot, and I'm so sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but I also didn't want to say anything until it became real and possible."

"And now it is?"

"Well, they did ask this morning if you'd be interested in an in-person interview."

"So they knew they were not talking to me all this time?"

"Yes, I made it clear from the beginning," Flynn says, squeezing my hands.

"And they are still interested in my application?"

"Extremely."

"I can't believe it."

"It's true, sweetheart. They loved everything they saw."

"Okay, but what would happen to us?"

"Us? What do you mean?"

"It's on the other side of the planet, Flynn."

"Would you want me around?"

"Of course I would, but I also would never force you to go somewhere you didn't want to go."

"Talulla, I'd follow you to the end of the world. Why wouldn't I come with you to London? Did you forget that's where I was born?"

"Of course, I haven't forgotten it. The sexy accent is a dead giveaway."

"Sexy, you say…"

"Oh, come on. You know it."

"What do you say, little hunter?"

"That you gotta find a better pet name, or I won't let you get on the plane."

"You're saying yes?"

"I'm saying thank you."

"I did nothing."

"Incorrect. You give me everything, Flynn. You listen to me and take care of me, even when I protest about it. You're there. Always. And I didn't think I could ever feel this way about someone. Being able to trust you is one of the most beautiful feelings I could ever imagine."

"You're the spark lighting up my soul, Talulla. I'd do anything to make you happy."

I get up from the chair and reach for him. "Can I take care of you now?" I say, getting to my knees, my hands reaching for his belt buckle.

Flynn's hands grab my wrists. "You're a vision."

"Yours," I say, sliding the belt off and pulling his trousers down just enough to free his length.

FLYNN

I didn't expect Talulla to take the news with such maturity. Not because she isn't mature, but because I went behind her back and tried to do something nice. Maybe that's why she isn't mad about it. She understands I did this for her.

And now she's on her knees, in front of me, ready to suck my cock, and all I can think about is how it will feel when I come on her face.

"Mine," I say as she licks the head. A groan escapes my mouth as she continues to move her tongue on my shaft. Up and down, licking as if it were ice cream.

She takes me all the way in, and I fist her hair, keeping her head in place as I move my hips, matching her pace.

"Such a good girl," I growl, moving faster, her moans of pleasure making me harder and harder as I hit the back of her throat with each thrust. "If you continue to take me like this, I'm not gonna last much longer."

She comes out to breathe, her hands never leaving my balls and length. "Then you might want to take me to bed if you want to fuck me."

"I'm pretty sure you know I can come more than once."

"Can you? You're getting older. I don't know how long you can last."

"Get up," I say, my eyes getting darker as she follows my orders. "Bend down over the table."

"And why would I do that?"

"Because you're getting spanked for your colorful tongue."

"You love it."

I grab the back of her neck and push her down on the table. "And you're going to love my hand on your ass."

"Yeah, I probably will." She chuckles as she prepares for what's coming.

I squeeze her asscheeks and then go for the hit. I spank her hard, the sound making my ears ring. And her moans make my dick pulse as I stare at her skin turning redder.

I push the thong to the side and align the head of my cock with her entrance, feeling her wetness coat the tip. "The way you're always ready for me is the biggest turn-on ever." I slide my length in and groan at how her walls contract as I start moving in and out of her.

"Oh god," she moans as my movements get harder and harder.

"That's my girl. Look at you taking me so well," I say, spanking her once more. Her pussy keeps squeezing my cock with every hit. I keep one hand on the back of her neck, and the other starts playing with her clit.

Her pants are getting rougher and rougher, and with the sounds she's making, I know she's so close to orgasm.

"You're gonna come for me now, darling," I say as I continue to torture her bundle of nerves. "And then you're gonna make me come in your mouth."

"Oh fuck." Her sounds are getting more frantic, and as she erupts, the walls of her pussy contract even more, trying to keep me right inside her as she comes undone.

I continue to thrust into her, and as I get close, I slide out of her. Her groans of disapproval make me chuckle. "On your knees," I say, pumping my length as I wait for her to follow my orders.

She drops to the floor and sticks her tongue out, her eyes closing as I slide my dick in her mouth. Talulla's cries of pleasure make me want to fuck her for the rest of the night, but the sigh of her here, ready for me, makes me empty myself down her throat in minutes.

"Fuck, you take me so well," I say, slowing my pace but keeping her head in place as I let her drink every last drop of me.

After cleaning up, we lie in bed, her body entangled with mine. "I can't believe Cassandra helped you plan all this and didn't tell me anything."

"I have a slight suspicion that she has known for a while. Even before I did."

Talulla's laugh brightens up the room. "Of course she knew." Then she turns to look at me, her blue eyes searching for something. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"Darling, I have the plane tickets already booked."

With that, her mouth crushes against mine, her plump lips bruising from the continuous contact and sucking. Because we can't stop being with each other, not when everything is finally falling into place—our worlds colliding together to create a new one just for us. Her face heats up and turns the perfect shade of red.

"I think I have the perfect pet name for you."

"Finally tired of little hunter ? Because I am."

I click my tongue. "You'll always be my little hunter."

"You're insufferable," she says, rolling her eyes at me.

"And you're a brat."

"You like me this way."

"I do, very much." He chuckles. "And you seem to enjoy it when I spank the brat out of you."

She chuckles as she tries to get away from my embrace. "Maybe…"

"You're my world, you know that, right?" I wrap her in my arms once more, the bedsheets dropping to the floor.

"You've said it a couple of times," she replies, her breath mixing with mine. "So, what happens now, fangs?"

I turn to open the nightstand and grab a dark red velvet box. I open it and turn it toward her. Talulla's eyes widen as they drop to the delicate gold chain with a red stone pendant set in the middle.

"Is that—" she starts saying, but I finish the sentence before she can find any possible reason why she doesn't deserve jewelry.

"Time to start our life, my beautiful red ruby."

THE END (For Now)

Follow Talulla and Flynn's adventures in London in Red Ruby , soon to be re-released as a full-length novel.