Epilogue

RILEY

Years later

" P out your lips for me," my sister requests. I do as she asks, knowing I don't have much of a choice.

Or maybe it's more that this one isn't my battle. We both have things we're sticklers about. I stay out of her way when it comes to anything glamour-related, and she stays out of mine when it comes to anything to do with food. We both know our strong suits.

"See?" Mona nudges me to look in the mirror. I was hesitant to wear red lipstick, but it has some copper undertones that make it match my hair. Mona's hair was always brighter red than mine and silky smooth. Where mine is wavy and a bit untamed, with hints of copper throughout.

"I like it." I lean in to get a closer look.

She didn't apply an excessive amount of makeup. Mona is good at playing up your own features. Years ago, I wasn't my own biggest fan when it came to them. But when you're married to a man like Nikolai, he can really stroke your ego. The way he loves me has made me more confident and comfortable with myself.

My freckles no longer bother me, nor does my wild hair, which is still hard for me to control on the best of days. Thankfully, today it's been workable. I'm sure there will be a million photos taken by the end of the night. I will proudly stand next to my man in all of them. Even thinking about all that he has accomplished brings tears to my eyes.

"Sweetness." I spin around to see my husband standing in the doorway of our bedroom. He's got our son on his hip. They're in matching tuxes. It might be the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life.

We're in the city for the weekend, so we're at the condo. We stay here more often than not. After we got married, Nikolai and I tried to get our own place, but my sister kind of lost it. So did Matteo. I don't think Nikolai realized how much Matteo really saw him as his son. It was sweetly eye-opening.

After some back and forth, we came to an agreement on some remodeling. Now while we're still somewhat connected, we each have our own floors. It's nice with the kids. It's a bit the same at the estate, but there are whole wings to the house, allowing each of us to feel as though it's our own home.

At first, I wasn't sure how it would go, but I'm so grateful that Matteo and Mona pushed for us to stay together. Seeing our kids grow up together and getting to have a lot of dinners together has made us all a closely bonded family filled with love. That is something none of us had growing up, but we have chosen to have it now and give it to our children.

"You look stunning." Nikolai walks over and leans down to kiss me.

"The lipstick!" my sister tries to warn Nikolai. There is no way lipstick would ever deter him. When he lifts his head, I'm impressed by how little comes off on him. I give my baby boy a kiss on the cheek.

"I'll take him." Mona takes him from Nikolai, leaving us all alone.

"Where are your glasses?"

"Oh." I glance down at my vanity. "I thought I might wear my contacts." I search around for the case, but Nikolai grabs my glasses, slipping them onto my face.

"The contacts irritate your eyes."

"I know, but I thought?—"

"Even more stunning." He cuts me off. I can't help but smile up at him.

"You're not too bad yourself." I run my hands up Nikolai's chest. I don't think I've seen him in a tux before. A suit, sure. "Who did your tie?"

"Matteo." Nikolai's hands slip down to my ass. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," I reassure him. My first pregnancy was a bit rough. I was sick a lot and worn out more often than not. Our son was no small baby either. Nikolai swore up and down that we'd never have another. He paced the hospital room in an almost comical manner.

But once I was given the all-clear on sex, Nikolai was all over me. He mentioned birth control, but I never took it. I wanted our babies to be close in age to not only each other but also their cousins.

"I worry." Nikolai drops his forehead on mine.

"Well, this little princess isn't as ornery as our son," I tease. "I'm past the first trimester and have never gotten sick once." This one so far has been smooth sailing, and I think it's going to stay that way.

"She's sweet, like her mother." Nikolai grabs the side of my dress, pushing it up as he guides me backwards. My ass hits the vanity, making me sit down. Nikolai stands between my spread thighs.

"We can't be late," I remind him. This is, after all, about Nikolai.

He'd opened a few gyms in rough parts of town. When he noticed more and more kids coming in, he started a youth program that grew. Seeing many young boys in need of guidance struck a deep chord with Nikolai. I've been so damn proud of him. It not only helped those boys out but it's also helped Nikolai heal.

"There is always time to eat my wife's pussy." Nikolai drops to his knees in front of me. "No panties." He groans.

"I know what my husband wants." I run my fingers through his hair.

"Always my wife."

"Always." I agree because I, too, always want him. From now until forever.