34. Epilogue

34

EPILOGUE

PHOENIX

One year later…

T illy readies herself for Halloween, her eyes bright and her body buzzing excitedly. She reminds me of a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, radiant and full of life. It’s been a year since I brought her into my world, and she has flourished like a flower in bloom.

Our trailer is filled with the scent of her perfume and the sound of her laughter as she moves about, deciding on the perfect costume. I see her hesitate, torn between a sexy pirate and a mystical fairy. She notices me staring and flashes me a smile, dimples appearing on her cheeks. “What do you think, Phoenix? Should I be a pirate or a fairy tonight?”

I push up from my desk, unable to focus on the coding project I had been working on. Tilly’s question pulls me into the present, and I take in the sight of her, so full of life and vibrancy. “You’d look beautiful as either one,” I reply, my voice soft. “But I have a particular fondness for fairies.”

She giggles and strikes a playful pose, the green and purple wings of the costume fluttering. “Then it’s decided. I shall be a fairy tonight and enchant everyone at the carnival.”

I stand up and walk over to her, unable to resist the pull of her energy and excitement. “Just be careful who you enchant,” I warn, my hands resting on her hips. “I don’t want to have to murder anyone tonight.”

Tilly’s eyes sparkle with delight as they drag down the length of me. I’ve chosen to dress as her favorite video game character, Ghost from Call of Duty, and the look on her face tells me I’d made the right decision. The costume is nearly complete except for one crucial element.

“You forgot the mask,” she teases.

I smirk, reaching for the mask on my desk. Sliding it on, I transform into the mysterious figure, Ghost. “Better?” I ask, my voice muffled by the mask.

She nods, clapping her hands together. “Much better! Now we’re both ready for fright night.”

Normally, the prospect of attending the carnival would make me feel sickeningly uneasy, but with Tilly, everything has changed.

Together, we step out into the lively carnival atmosphere, with its lights and sounds surrounding us. Tilly’s excitement is infectious, and I feel myself relaxing and enjoying the moment.

We wander through the carnival, attracting curious glances from passersby. Tilly drags me to chat with her friends, Lily, Alice, and Aurora. I’m glad she’s finding her place here, mixing with others.

Lars clears his throat and claps me on the shoulder. “Good to see you out of that fucking trailer, man.”

I glare at him through the eyeholes of my mask, as I hate people touching me.

He just chuckles and shakes his head. “Lighten up. It’s Halloween.”

Cade, dressed as a zombie, turns to me with a grin. “So, Phoenix, you finally decided to join the land of the living, huh?”

I roll my eyes behind my mask. “Very funny, Cade. I’m here for Tilly, not for your amusement.”

Lars chuckles. “Come on, man. You gotta admit, it’s nice to see you out and about. I was starting to think you’d merged with your computer.”

I flip him off, but there’s no real heat behind the gesture. “Fuck off, Lars.”

Cade snorts. “Yeah, busy hacking into everyone’s lives.”

I tense, ready to defend myself, but Gage’s deep voice interrupts us. “Leave him be. We all have our ways.”

We turn to look at Gage, standing nearby, his usual skull mask firmly in place.

Lars raises an eyebrow. “Speaking of ways, Gage, where’s your costume?”

Gage tilts his head. “This is my costume.”

Cade bursts out laughing. “Seriously? You’re wearing the same damn mask you always wear!”

Even I can’t help but chuckle at that. Gage just shrugs, unfazed. “It works for me. ”

Lars shakes his head, still grinning. “You’re a strange one, Gage. But I guess we all are, in our own ways.”

I nod, feeling a sense of camaraderie with these men. We may have differences but understand each other in ways that outsiders never could.

Tilly bounces over to us, her fairy wings fluttering behind her. “What are you guys talking about?”

I wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her close. “Just admiring Gage’s creativity in choosing a costume.”

She giggles, leaning into me. “Well, I think you all look great. Now, come on! There’s so much to see and do!”

As she tugs me away, I glance back at the guys, feeling a sense of belonging I’ve never experienced before. For the first time, I feel part of something bigger than myself. And with Tilly by my side, I know that anything is possible.

Of course, old habits die hard. As the night progresses, I find myself drifting back toward my grouchy tendencies, especially when we encounter a group of rowdy teenagers. But Tilly quickly senses my shift in mood and gently takes my hand, squeezing it.

“Don’t let them ruin our night,” she whispers, her eyes shining with determination. “Let’s get some cotton candy and find a good spot for the fireworks.”

I nod, grateful for her presence and her unwavering ability to pull me back from the brink of my darker thoughts. As we walk hand in hand, mask still in place, I realize that while I may never fully shake my grouchy demeanor, with Tilly by my side, I can find moments of peace and even enjoyment in the chaos of the carnival.

As the carnival winds down and the crowds begin to disperse, the night takes on a different feel. The shadows lengthen, and a hush falls over the once-lively grounds. It’s in these quiet moments that Tilly shines the brightest, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I know what she’s thinking—tonight is the perfect night for one of our risky adventures.

I watch as she strolls over to the bumper cars, her eyes scanning the area. I recognize that glint in her eye; she’s planning something naughty. I smirk, already knowing what she has in mind.

Slipping back into the Ghost persona, I pull on my mask and follow her silent footsteps. With each step, I embrace the character, becoming the mysterious, menacing figure that fascinates and excites Tilly.

I spot her standing near the bumper cars, her eyes fixed on me with anticipation. Without a word, I stalk toward her, my movements deliberate and purposeful. She backs away, playing the part of the innocent bystander, but I can see the desire burning in her eyes.

I reach out and grab her, pulling her toward me. She resists, but I’m too strong, and I know this is what she wants. I continue the charade, climbing into one of the cars and forcing her to straddle me.

She struggles, her hands pushing against my chest as I hold her down. “Please, let me go,” she whispers, her voice laced with fake fear. “Don’t do this.”

I growl in response, the sound muffled by the mask. My hands grip her hips hard. “You know what I want,” I say, my voice harsh. “Don’t make this difficult.”

She bites her lip, her chest rising and falling with exaggerated breaths. “No,” she says. “I won’t give in to your demands.”

I lean in close, my lips brushing against her ear. “You have no choice,” I whisper.

And with that, I tear her panties in two and unzip my pants, rubbing my dick through her soaking wet arousal.

I grin as her eyes widen in surprise. Her body is soft and warm against mine, her curves pressing into me as she reluctantly sits on my lap. She’s playing the part well, acting reluctant even as I feel her heat and her wetness against my length.

“You don’t want this, fairy?” I growl, my hands gripping her hips possessively. “Tell me you don’t want my cock.”

She shakes her head, her breath coming in short gasps. “I don’t... I won’t...” Her words trail off as I lift her up, positioning her directly over my aching dick.

With a swift motion, I fill her, pushing inside her tight heat. Her eyes roll back, and her mouth falls open in a silent scream. Her walls clench around me, and she tries to shift away, but I hold her firmly in place.

“You can fight all you want,” I murmur, my voice thick with desire. “But we both know you want me.”

I thrust up into her, over and over, reveling in the feel of her softness surrounding me. Her fake whimpers only spur me on, and I groan with pleasure, my hands digging into her hips.

“That’s it, baby,” I encourage, my voice harsh in her ear. “Take it all. Feel how deep I’m inside you.”

She squirms, but it’s no use. I lift her up and down on my shaft, each movement driving me further inside her. The pleasure builds, and her walls clench around me, her body responding even as she pretends to resist.

“You like that, don’t you?” I tease, feeling her wetness coat me. “Admit it, fairy. Admit that you love my cock.”

“No...” she pants, her chest heaving. “I hate it... please... stop...”

I chuckle, my breath hot against her neck. “Liar,” I whisper before licking and nibbling on her sensitive skin. “You’re so wet for me. Your body can’t lie.”

I continue to move her up and down on my length, each thrust bringing me closer to the edge. The sensation is incredible, and I tighten my grip on her, unwilling to let her go.

“That’s it, baby,” I growl, my control slipping. “Come for me. Let me feel you fall apart around my cock.”

Her breath catches, and her body tenses, her inner walls clenching rhythmically as her orgasm washes over her. I feel her heat consume me, and with a few more powerful thrusts, I let go, groaning her name as I fill her with my release.

Collapsing back against the seat, I keep her pinned to me, my arms wrapped tightly around her. She turns her face away, maintaining the pretense of resistance even as I feel her body relaxing against mine.

“Admit it,” I whisper, my lips brushing her ear. “Admit that you loved it.”

Tilly hesitates, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “What if I don’t?” she asks, her voice playful. “Will you do it again? ”

I growl, feeling my desire stirring once more. “You’re a naughty fairy,” I tell her, my hands roaming over her body possessively. “A greedy fairy. But I love you for it.”

She leans in and presses her lips to mine, her kiss full of passion and longing. “I love you too,” she whispers, pulling my mask up enough so my mouth is visible.

And just like that, we’re kissing, our bodies still intertwined, the connection between us as intense as ever. Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer, and I respond eagerly, my tongue tangling with hers.

The world around us fades away, and all that exists is this moment, this connection with Tilly. She breathed life into my soul, chasing away the darkness.

I’d spent so many years living in the shadows, my life consumed by obsession and loneliness. But now, with Tilly by my side, the sun has broken through, casting light on a future I never thought possible. She’s my savior, my light in the darkness, and I know I’ll do everything I can to protect her and keep her safe.

Our lips never break contact as I lift her off my lap and stand up, holding her tightly against me. I walk around the bumper car, placing her on the hood, and then I’m inside her again, our bodies moving in perfect sync.

The intensity builds as we kiss and touch, our hands exploring familiar territory with renewed fervor. I feel my control slipping as I thrust into my girl, her walls clenching around me, drawing me deeper.

I break away from her lips, burying my face in her neck, my breath hot against her skin. “You’re mine,” I growl, my voice thick with desire. “Only mine. ”

Tilly moans, her nails digging into my back. “Yes,” she pants. “Yours, always.”

Her hands, which had been pushing against my chest, now find their way to my back, pulling me closer and encouraging me to take her deeper. “Yes,” she moans, her fake resistance melting away. “Take me, Ghost. Make me yours.”

And I do. With each thrust, I claim her as my own. The bumper car creaks beneath us, its movement adding to the intensity of our passion.

As our pleasure builds, I feel her walls tighten around me, her breath coming in ragged gasps. “Come for me,” I growl, my voice demanding. “Come all over my cock.”

She obliges, her body shaking as she climaxes, her fake fear long forgotten. I follow soon after, my own release surging through me as I fill her with my essence.

I lean down, my forehead resting against hers as we both catch our breath. I know she can feel my heart racing beneath the mask, and I wonder if she can sense the depth of my obsession with her. Slowly, I remove the mask, revealing my true identity to her again.

She smiles, her eyes shining with a mix of satisfaction and love. “You sure know how to make Halloween memorable, Phoenix,” she says softly.

I pull her into my arms, holding her close as the reality of our life together sinks in. “And I intend to make every single one for the rest of your life just as memorable.”