Epilogue

BUTTFUCK NOWHERE, TEXAS

I have nothing to my name.

I have no shields, no control, no power. I am a nobody here. No one is afraid of me. No one shies away from my presence. I haven't looked over my shoulder in weeks. It's strange.

I have nothing...and yet? I've never felt more whole.

It's liberating to have no sway. I'm just an ordinary citizen. Another plain Jane. I can't make anyone stop, jump, or roll over.

Not anymore.

Well, at least not people.

"Good girl," I gush, dangling a treat above Minnie's head as she prances on her hind legs. Coco dashes toward me, knocking me on my ass as three other dogs charge the bag of spilled treats on the floor of the shelter. "Hey! Get off of me," I laugh, my face assaulted by four sets of wet, textured tongues. "Oh my God! Guys! Seriously! Do I look like a piece of meat to you?"

"Need a hand?" Kate asks, chuckling as she drops her backpack on the floor and scowls at the rambunctious rescues. "Y'all! Did I not say to treat Melody with the utmost respect while I was gone?" She shakes her head, rounding up the dogs and leading them back to their kennels as I stand up and brush the dog fur off my jeans. "Honest to God, they are usually much better behaved than this." She gives me a warm smile. "I think they're just excited by your newness, that's all. Don't worry, they'll settle down in time."

"Oh, I don't mind," I say, collecting the broken treats off the floor. "This is like a little slice of Heaven for me."

"Heaven?" Kate snorts, locking up the last kennel. "I don't know 'bout you, Mel, but my version of heaven doesn't entail picking up dog shit six times a day." She glowers at Rover, a grumpy old bulldog. "Yeah, I'm looking at you, boy."

"Hey." I give Kate a playful frown. "Leave poor Rover alone, it's not his fault he's got the bowel movements of a ninety-year-old with IBS. Cut the guy a break."

Kate rolls her eyes. "Talk to me in a few months, Melody, and I'm sure by then you'll be just as jaded as I am." She glances at the clock above the receptionist’s desk. "It's already 7 'o clock, you should head home."

"Already?" I hum, checking the time on my phone. "Time flies, huh?"

"Sometimes. Here." She passes me my hoodie as I remove the Noah's Bark lanyard from my neck. "Thanks for staying late today. My kid's soccer game ran longer than usual, there were so many flags thrown down, it looked like the dang yellow brick road."

"It's no problem," I say, handing her the keys to the shelter. "Are you sure you don't want to switch shifts? I can do nights if that's better for you."

"That's sweet of you Mel, but when you have three kids and a husband at home, three nights a week to yourself is a dream," she says, walking to the coffee pot. She lets out a sudden chuckle, craning her neck. "Hey, maybe this is Heaven after all."

"See?" I give her a wink as I head to the front doors. "It's all about perspective."

"Night, Melody!" Kate calls out after me. "Don't forget! Grill out at my house! Sunday at noon! Don't be late! Mel?"

"I'll be there," I holler back, fishing car keys out of my purse. "Just don't forget the veggie patties!"

"Wouldn't dream of it." Kate's voice fades as I get outside and head toward my car.

Seeing as this town is like two yards in diameter, I don't really need a car but apparently, these folks don't walk. Gotta blend in and shit. Jumping inside the rusty blue pickup truck, I place my cell phone on my lap and speed dial Zoey. She should be out of class by now. I scowl as the encrypted line rings. Unless she's with him again.

"Hello?" Zoey clears her throat, giggling as a muffled male voice looms in the background. "Ca—Melody?"

"Catch you at a bad time again?" I ask, pulling out of the gravel lot and onto the narrow street. "Whatcha doing, Zoe? Or should I ask, who you doing?"

"What?" she peeps. "Me? Oh, nothing, no one, just got out of class. Give me a sec."

"Okay," I hum, shuffling footsteps crackling through the receiver as she darts to another room. One with fewer distractions . "Zoey? Hello?"

"Hi. Sorry! I'm here. I'm here. So, umm... How…" She clears her throat again. "How are you? How was your first full week at the shelter?"

"It was fine," I say, pursing my lips. "I think they like me so far."

"Oh, that's good!" Zoey chirps. "See? I told you that Kate and Arnold would like you."

"I meant the dogs," I say, grinning. "But yes, I suppose human friends are good too."

"Do you have plans for this weekend?" she asks. "I read that there's like a corn fair or something happening at the square."

"Yeah... I'm not going to talk to you about corn , Zoey, especially not when we have other important topics to cover...like your education." I raise a brow. "How's that going, huh? How's Agent Williams? Or should I say, Professor Williams? Hmm? He still giving you a hard time?" I pause as Zoey's breathing turns heavy. "A really, really hard time?"

"Melody," Zoella grunts through her teeth. "Drop it, okay? There is nothing to talk about because nothing has happened, got it?"

I roll my eyes as I turn onto my street. I live on a cul-de-sac. Me. Hell has frozen over.

"Listen, Zoe, I haven't had any action in months ," I state. " Months ! So, no, I will not drop it , okay? I want every single salacious detail. I want length, girth, stamina, everything! "

"Oh...my...God," Zoey draws out, bewildered. Prude . "You need some serious help."

"Oh, shut up," I grumble. "I'm fine. Totally and utterly fine." I let out a sharp breath. "So? Please? Fill me in."

"I am not going to tell you about…" She swallows. "Melody." Her voice rises several octaves. "I am drawing a line, okay? This... This is me setting boundaries."

"Boundaries?" I huff. "Suddenly you care about boundaries? So, installing encryption software on my phone isn't crossing any lines but talking about your sex life is a no-no? Okay. Got it. Cool. Totally makes sense."

"Mel," Zoey grunts. "I don't want to talk about it, okay? Especially not when I'm in the hall of the dorms."

"Zoey's thirsty for her teacher," I sing-song, "Zoey's thirsty for her teacher!”

"Melody!" Zoey spits. "Shut up!"

"Ugh, you're no fun, Zoella ," I sigh, glowering at my driveway as I pull up. "Let me live vicariously through your sexcapades. Please!" I turn off the engine and hop out of the truck, propping my phone against my shoulder as I get out my house keys. "I'm literally in the middle of nowhere with a liquor store that only sells like five types of wine, okay? Sorry if I'm craving a little adventure and scandal."

"Are you home now?" Zoey asks in a super sus tone.

"Yeah," I say, frowning. "Just stepped through the door. Why?"

"Nothing," she chirps. "Just be careful what you wish for."

"What are you talking about?" My brows pinch together as I drop my purse on the kitchen counter. "Zo—" My heart seizes as soft music begins to play from the living room. "Shit, there's someone here."

"There sure is," Zoey coos. "Have fun, Melody ..."

"Wha..." My jaw drops, eyes widening as Hayden steps into my kitchen. My mouth waters as he bounces The Anaconda between his palms. "Holy shit," I swallow, blinking. Am I hallucinating? "You're..." This must be a fucking dream. My chest rises as he stalks toward me, a cunning smirk on his face. "What are you doing here?"

"This is rather large," he notes, cocking his head to the side as he licks his lips. "I take it you've missed me?"

I blink again, clenching my thighs together as I shake my head. "You're not supposed to be here." He continues to march toward me, his greedy gaze sweeping across my stunned face, my reactive body until he's two feet away from me. I swallow as he places the toy on the counter. "How are you here?"

"I told you, Camilla," he says in a low, deep voice as he begins to unbutton his dress shirt. "I told you I wouldn't give up, didn't I?" He maintains my flustered eyes as he teases me, taunts me, with every single fucking button. "Did you think I was lying?" He cocks his head, giving me a devilish smirk. "You did, didn't you?"

"I just…" My lungs expand in my chest as I flit my gaze across his smooth, sculpted chest. Biting my lip, I stare at his belt buckle and the growing bulge beneath it as I breathe out, "How are you here?"

"Well." He strips out of his shirt, throwing it aside as he takes slow, purposeful steps toward me. "Arms up. "

Silently, I obey, throwing my hands in the air as Hayden tears off my hoodie in one swift motion.

"Good girl," he rasps, grabbing the loops of my jeans as he walks us backward and thrusts his hips against mine.

"Answer my question," I breathe, the friction of his growing erection rubbing against my clit. "Fuck..."

"It took some time," he whispers, ducking his head into the crook of my neck, his tongue flicking and licking my skin as he peels the spaghetti straps over my shoulder, my tits spilling out. "But I convinced Cowry that in order for you to stand trial..." His teeth graze the lobe of my ear and I let out a moan as I reach for his belt buckle. "You need to be of sound body." Before I can unleash him, Hayden spins me around in his arms and pushes me against the counter, the granite icy against my breasts. With one hand, he unzips my pants, tugging them just above my knees. He growls, slapping my ass as I squeal. "And mind ."

He's a goddamn lunatic.

And I fucking love it.

"Therapy?" I pant, biting my lip as I wiggle my ass for more. Craning my neck, I give Hayden an amused smirk. "Is that what we're doing here, Doctor? You here to heal my soul?"

"You've been through a lot, Miss White ," he says, eyes darkening with desire as he winds up his hand and reddens my ass with a slap that could wake Atlantis. I expel a pleasurable yelp, my pussy soaking from the pain. "I think that requires at least three sessions a week. "

"Three?" I moan, my core tightening with anticipation as I hear his buckle drop to the floor. I reach behind my back, spreading my ass cheeks for him. "Come on, Doc. I think I need more than three."

"Fuck," Hayden growls, dragging two fingers along my drenched, wet pussy. He massages my clit, leaning over, his balmy breath hot against my flesh. "How many do you want, baby?" I feel the tip of his cock rub against my pulsating sex. I arch my back, willing him to fucking destroy me. He lets out a deep chuckle, wrapping his hand around my neck. "You want daily? Is that what you want?"

"Yes," I whimper, writhing against his touch as he sinks his cock inside of me, my walls stretching around him. "I want it every single fucking day." His grip tightens around my neck, my legs shaking with every thrust. "Oh my God... Fuck."

"Jesus fucking Christ," Hayden inhales sharply, yanking me against his chest as he palms my breasts, pinches my nipples, and fucks the goddamn cobwebs out of my fucking pussy. "Fuck, I've missed you, Camilla," he rasps, dragging his teeth against my shoulder blade as he annihilates me. "I missed this pretty little pussy."

"Harder," I beg, lowering my hand toward my clit. "Harder! Fuck me harder."

"That's right, baby," Hayden rasps, his breathing quickening with titillation. "Play with yourself. Play with yourself, Camilla." His voice deepens as he grunts into my ear. "I want to see you squirt, baby."

"Don't stop," I plead, pressing my fingers harder against my clit, creating friction, fire, fucking flames as he drills the living shit out of me. "Oh my God, don't stop!"

"Yes," he growls, his cock pulsing inside me. "That's right, baby. Come for me." He quickens his pace as glorious notes of skin slapping and smashing fill our ears. "Come for me, baby! Come all over my fucking cock."

"Oh my God," I scream, my entire body violently trembling, shaking, fucking glowing as I come undone. "Holy shit."

"Fuck." Hayden breathes heavily against my cheek, hips twitching as he comes inside me. I lean my head back against his chest, grinding my ass against his cock as I soak up all of him. He places a gentle kiss on my temple, brushing my hair aside as he holds me. "That was..."

"Long overdue," I breathe, parched as I close my eyes. "What took you so long? I was thinking you forgot about me."

His chest rumbles against my back as he laughs. "I apologize that I didn't meet your timeline expectations," he says, finally pulling out of me. I spin around, grinning at him as I lean against the island. His gaze soaks in every inch of my naked body, his cock growing once again. "I'm here now though."

"Yes you are," I say, sinking my teeth into my bottom lip. "It's funny..." I prop myself up, kicking off the jeans bunched up around my ankles as I slip off my tank top. I narrow my eyes at Hayden. "I'm suddenly a really, really big fan of therapy. "

"Are you now?" Hayden asks, quirking up a knowing brow. "See? I knew I'd break you sooner or later."

"We don't break things, remember?" I tease, slithering toward him for round two out of infinity. "We only bend."

I have nothing.

And yet...

I have fucking everything.