Epilogue

epilogue

. . .

One year later

Adam

I gaze out across the glittering ballroom, the champagne in my hand untouched. The crowd of elegant guests swirls before me, but my eyes seek only one person—Kaitlyn, my beautiful wife.

She stands near the large glass windows, her auburn hair shining under the chandeliers. That emerald green dress hugs her lush curves like a second skin. Just the sight of her takes my breath away. I still can't believe she's mine.

Our fairytale romance captured the media's attention this year. The billionaire bachelor Adam Prescott finally settling down with the talented graphic designer Kaitlyn Bennett. Cinderella stories still sell headlines, it seems.

I stride across the room, the guests parting before me. Kaitlyn turns as I approach, her green eyes sparkling.

"There you are," I murmur, pulling her into my arms. "I was getting lonely without you."

"I’m surprised you left me alone for this long," she teases.

My hands possessively span her curvy waist. I haven't let Kaitlyn out of my sight since our wedding. Some call me overprotective, even obsessive. But after the very real fear of never finding my mystery woman, I refuse to squander a single moment with her.

"Dance with me," I command softly.

As I whisk her onto the dancefloor, Kaitlyn gazes up at me, a small smile playing about her lips.

"Any New Year's resolutions, Mr. Prescott?"

"Just one," I reply, pulling her flush against me. "Making you deliriously happy, Mrs. Prescott. And putting a baby in that belly."

I punctuate each word with a brush of my lips against her soft skin. Kaitlyn shivers in my arms.

As the countdown to midnight begins, the anticipation in the ballroom reaches a fever pitch. Champagne glasses are raised, ready to toast the New Year. I pull Kaitlyn even closer, my eyes locked on hers. In this moment, she is my entire world.

"Ten, nine, eight..." the crowd chants.

Kaitlyn's breath catches as I lean in, my lips a hairsbreadth from hers.

"I love you," I whisper. "More than anything."

"I love you too, Adam," she breathes.

"Three, two, one...Happy New Year!"

As cheers erupt around us, I capture Kaitlyn's mouth in a searing kiss. I pour all my love, my desire, my obsession into that single moment. Her lips part under the onslaught and she melts against me, surrendering completely.

Fireworks explode outside the windows, bathing us in multicolored light. But I barely notice. All I can focus on is the feel of Kaitlyn's lush curves pressed against me, the sweet taste of her mouth, the scent of her perfume enveloping me.

My blood races hot through my veins and my cock swells to full hardness, straining against my tuxedo pants. I need her. Now. I don't care that we're in the middle of a crowded ballroom. I don't care who sees.

I break the kiss and sweep Kaitlyn up into my arms, bridal style. She lets out a surprised little yelp, her hands flying to my shoulders. A hush falls over the ballroom as every eye turns to stare at us.

Then the crowd erupts into raucous cheers and catcalls. I hear snippets as I stride purposefully toward the elevators.

"Atta boy, Prescott!"

"Someone's getting lucky tonight!"

"Is it hot in here or is it just those two?"

Kaitlyn blushes prettily and buries her face in my neck. I just smirk, completely unashamed. Let them gossip and speculate. All that matters is that I have Kaitlyn in my arms, right where she belongs.

The elevator doors slide open and I carry her inside, punching the button for the top floor. As soon as the doors close, I set Kaitlyn on her feet and cage her against the mirrored wall with my body.

"I couldn't wait another second," I growl against her lips. "I need to be inside you."

I capture Kaitlyn's lips in a bruising kiss as my hands roam greedily over her curves. She arches into my touch, a breathy moan escaping her.

The elevator dings and the doors slide open. I reluctantly tear my mouth from hers and take her hand, practically dragging her down the hallway to our private office. Yes, that’s right. My wife works with me. I set her up a desk right next to mine where she works as a graphic designer, and I made damn sure everyone knows how talented she is. She has all the work her pretty little heart desires, and I know I might be biased, but her work is fucking amazing. Her clients are lucky to work with her.

She smiles up at me, and my pulse pounds with anticipation, my cock rock hard and leaking. God, she’s beautiful. My obsession hasn’t dimmed at all. If anything, it’s only grown stronger.

As soon as the office door closes behind us, I'm on her. My hands find the zipper of her dress and yank it down. The emerald fabric slithers to the floor and pools at her feet, leaving her clad only in a black lace bra and panties. My eyes feast on the rich curves I know so well, the dusky nipples straining against delicate lace.

"Fuck, you're exquisite," I rasp. "I'll never get enough of you."

I strip off my tuxedo jacket and dress shirt, not caring where they land. Kaitlyn's eyes darken with lust as she takes in my chiseled chest and abs. Her pink tongue darts out to wet her lips and my cock jerks in response.

Reaching out, I unclasp her bra and toss it aside. Her full breasts spill free, the rosy nipples already puckered for my touch. I palm the heavy globes, reveling in their weight. Kaitlyn whimpers as I roll the sensitive peaks between my fingers.

"Please, Adam," she pants. "I need you."

"I know, baby," I murmur, hooking my fingers in her panties and dragging them down her shapely legs. "I'm going to take care of you."

I walk her backward until her ass hits the large mahogany desk. With a sweep of my arm, I send the papers and pens flying. Then I'm lifting her onto the polished wood, nudging her thighs apart to step between them.

Cupping her face, I claim her mouth again. She opens for me eagerly, our tongues tangling together. I kiss her until we're both breathless, until the world narrows to just her and me and this all-consuming need.

Then I'm trailing my lips down the graceful column of her throat, pausing to nip and suck at her wildly fluttering pulse. Lower still, mapping the curves of her collarbones, the soft swells of her breasts. I draw one aching nipple into the wet heat of my mouth and Kaitlyn nearly comes off the desk, her nails digging into my shoulders.

"Oh god, Adam!" she cries out, her head thrown back in ecstasy.

I lavish attention on her perfect tits, suckling and nipping until she's writhing beneath me. Her arousal coats my fingers where they delve between her thighs, stroking through the slick heat.

I find the swollen pearl of her clit and rub tight circles around it. Kaitlyn keens, her hips bucking into my touch. I stroke and caress her sensitive flesh until she's quivering on the edge, her juices dripping down my wrist.

"Adam, please," she begs breathlessly. "I need you inside me..."

With a growl, I drop to my knees and bury my face between her thighs. Kaitlyn cries out sharply as I devour her, licking and sucking at her throbbing clit. I thrust my tongue deep into her fluttering channel, fucking her with it. She grinds herself wantonly against my mouth, chasing her pleasure.

"Oh fuck, just like that!" she pants. "Don't stop, I'm going to come!"

I double my efforts, lashing her clit with my tongue as I slide two fingers into her soaked pussy. I crook them just right and she shatters, screaming my name. Her velvety walls clench rhythmically around my fingers as I work her through the aftershocks.

Before the tremors have fully subsided, I'm surging to my feet and freeing my iron-hard cock from the confines of my pants. Kaitlyn watches me with hooded eyes, her gaze riveted to my impressive length. Pre-cum beads at the tip and she licks her lips hungrily.

I notch myself at her entrance, coating my cock in her slick arousal. Then with one powerful thrust, I bury myself to the hilt in her tight heat. We groan in unison at the exquisite sensation. She feels like heaven, hot and wet and perfect.

"God, you feel incredible," I grit out. "So fucking tight for me."

I pull back until just the tip remains inside her, then slam forward again. Kaitlyn throws her head back with a sharp cry, her nails scoring down my back. I set a hard, driving pace, pistoning in and out of her clenching sheath.

The obscene slap of flesh against flesh fills the room, mingling with our harsh pants and moans. My balls draw up tight, slapping against her ass as I rut into her. Kaitlyn meets me thrust for thrust, rolling her hips to take me even deeper.

"Harder," she demands breathlessly. "Fuck me harder, Adam!"

With a primitive growl, I comply, hammering into her with savage intensity. The heavy desk creaks and shudders beneath us but I don't let up. I snake a hand between our sweat-slicked bodies to thumb at her clit and she keens.

"That's it, baby," I coax gruffly. "Come on my cock. Let me feel this sweet pussy squeezing me dry."

I pinch her clit hard and she shatters with a scream, her pussy clamping down on me.

“Fuck, gonna get you pregnant baby. Make sure every man who looks at you can tell you’re fucked good and you’re mine.”

“I’m already pregnant,” she pants.

And that does it. The thought of my beautiful wife pregnant with my seed sends me flying over the edge.

I come. Hard .

I roar my release as I bury myself to the hilt one last time, my vision whiting out. Scorching ropes of cum paint her fluttering inner walls as my cock jerks and pulses endlessly, pumping her full. The knowledge that she's already carrying my child sends primal satisfaction surging through my veins.

Gasping, I collapse over her, my face pressed to her heaving breasts. Kaitlyn's arms come around me, cradling me close as we both struggle to catch our breath. Sweat cools on our skin and the scent of sex hangs heavy in the air.

After a long moment, I lift my head to meet her dazed, sated gaze. "You're pregnant?" I ask hoarsely, hardly daring to believe it.

Her lips curve in a brilliant smile. "Yes, Adam. We're going to have a baby."

Joy like I've never known explodes in my chest and I crush my mouth to hers in an exultant kiss. "I love you," I breathe against her lips. "God, I love you so much."

"I love you too," she whispers, happy tears shimmering in her eyes. "We're going to be a family."

I gather her close, marveling at the incredible woman in my arms. My wife, the love of my life, the mother of my unborn child. I vow in that moment to cherish her always, to love and protect her and our baby until my last breath.

As I hold her there amidst the scattered remnants of our passion, I know a profound peace. This woman, this love, this life we're building together—it's everything I never knew I needed. And now that I have it, I will never let it go.

I can’t think of a more perfect way to bring in the New Year.

Want a free book from Emma Bray? Go to www.authoremmabray.com .

Keep reading for an excerpt from Unmasking the Billionaire .

Eve

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this!” I practically have to yell over the music to be heard by Jenny, my best friend since childhood.

Jenny just smiles her dazzling, millionaire-dollar, rich girl smile at me from behind her sparkling, Swarovski-crystal mask.

We’re at some sort of masquerade ball for New York’s elite. It’s the Halloween party of the season and surprisingly not as stuffy as I’d expected it to be.

Honestly, it’s kind of cool with the dim lighting, high-end decorations, elaborate costumes, and all the masked faces on parade, but still.

This isn’t my element.

“Oh, come on, Eve! This is fun! You need to lighten up and live a little for once!”

That’s easy for her to say. She’s a trust fund baby without a care in the world. Her mommy and daddy pay for everything, from her expensive haircut to the designer shoes on her feet. She doesn’t have to worry about anything.

Not that I begrudge my bestie anything. I’m glad she hasn’t had the same struggles in life I’ve had. It’s how she’s able to have that beautiful, happy glow about her.

She doesn’t know the worry that I do of how she’s going to pay next month’s rent or how she’s going to juggle the electric bill so that the power doesn’t get cut off.

And while she’s offered to pay my bills before or let me move in with her, I have way too much pride to accept her offers.

I’ve been making it on my own since I turned eighteen and aged out of the group home, and I’m not about to start accepting charity now that I’m twenty.

“Your birthday only comes around once a year!” she reminds me, flinging an arm around my shoulder familiarly. “It’s time to turn up and party!” She pronounces “party” like “par-tay,” and I can’t help the smile that ghosts across my lips at her giddiness.

Jenny is a blonde bombshell. Model thin, tan, and tall, she’s all bubbly and light whereas I almost look like a goth chick with my midnight black hair, pale complexion, and short stature. And although Jenny’s slender, she has a little bit of curves in all the right places.

Me? Nothing. I’m so thin my breasts and ass are laughable at best, and it’s not because I don’t eat because trust me. I’ve gone hungry before, and you’ll never see me turn down a meal or feign a weak appetite. I can put it away like a football player, and I’m not even the least bit ashamed of it. At barely five foot, though, I’m teeny tiny and still look like a pre-teen—no matter how much I eat.

My best friend and I are total opposites. She’s outgoing whereas I’m quieter. I’m not exactly shy, but I don’t have a desire to be the life of the party either. She’s like the light, and I’m the dark. Seriously, I was born on All Hallow’s Eve, and she was born on Jesus’ birthday, a perfect little Christmas baby.

“Come on,” Jenny grabs my hand and starts dragging me along with her, “let’s go find some hot guys.”

I roll my eyes. That’s another difference between us. Jenny is boy crazy, and I couldn’t care less about the opposite sex. I’m not a lesbian or anything, but I just don’t have any experience with men.

Survival has kept me from getting into any serious relationships. The most I’ve ever done is let a few boyfriends in high school kiss me, and I wasn’t impressed with those slobbery attempts, so I’ve never been tempted to even try anything more.

So, yeah, I’m a twenty-year-old virgin. Pathetic, right?

Jenny drags me by a table filled with Halloween-themed cookies, cakes, and other confections, and my mouth begins to water.

I pull back on her hand to try to stay her. “Let’s get some refreshments instead!” I yell to her over the pumping music.

She looks over her shoulder at me and rolls her eyes. “I swear, Eve, you’re always freaking hungry. I don’t know where you put it all.”

I smirk at the obvious envy in her tone. Jenny is the stereotypical gym bunny, counting every calorie she eats to maintain her perfect physique.

“Don’t hate,” I grin at her smugly before reaching out to grab a miniature black cupcake covered with purple frosting.

I barely have time to pop the bite-sized confection in my mouth before Jenny is yanking on my hand again, pulling me through the crowd.

“Jenny, slow down!” I hiss at her, afraid I’m going to break my neck in these five-inch heels she insisted I wear tonight to make me not look like so much of a smurf. Her words—not mine. Plus, she claims they’re just the perfect addition to the lacy black dress she dressed me up in.

I swear sometimes I think Jenny is my friend just because she wants a real-life doll to play dress up with. There’s no greater joy for her than dressing me up in fancy clothes, doing my hair and makeup, and dragging me to shit like this with her.

And I go along with it because I love my best friend and want to make her happy.

Her eyes are scanning through all the masculine choices, and then she suddenly stops dead in her tracks.

“Oh. My. God.” she breaths out.

“What?” my brows furrow at her melodramatic reaction.

“Check out Mr. Big and Scary,” she breathes, and my eyes follow her line of sight and widen when they meet the object of her gaze.

A huge man in a black mask stands in a corner looking surly and brooding, towering over the other guests. The mask covers most of his face except his mouth. Think of the Don Juan mask Gerard Butler wore in The Point of No Return scene in that film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera . That’s what his mask reminds me of.

His hair is dark brown. It’s stylishly disheveled, like it’s windblown and wild without looking messy. When he tilts his tumbler up and takes a sip of some liquid that’s probably brandy or cognac or something else equally expensive, I watch his suit rustle as his muscles bunch with his movements like it’s all the fabric can do to contain the beast within.

I don’t know who the hell the guy is or what he does, but he exudes power and wealth. He’s not wearing a costume like the other partygoers. No, he’s wearing what I already know is a custom-tailored suit.

I don’t need to be able to see all his features to see that he’s gorgeous and dark and dangerous-looking. I’ve never seen a more perfect specimen of male masculinity, and my heart speeds up as my breath catches in my throat.

I’ve never reacted to a man this way before, and Jenny notices it if the sly, mischievous grin she gives me is any indication.

“I dare you to go over there and kiss him,” she elbows me.

I laugh and push her back. “You’re crazy! I’m not going to do that! I don’t even know the guy.”

“Exactly!” Jenny’s eyes are excited. “You don’t know him…” her voice sing-songs, “he’s super smexy.”

I roll my eyes. Only Jenny would make “smexy” a word in conversation.

Jenny ignores me and goes on, “You’re twenty years old today, and you’ve never had a decent kiss.”

I glare at her, suddenly wishing I hadn’t told her all the embarrassing details of my failed boyfriends.

Again she ignores me and keeps ticking off reasons I should follow her insane suggestion. “It’s dark in here, and you’ll never have to see him again. You can simply go lay one on the hot stranger and have a great memory for your birthday, and then we’ll go eat cake and dance and party and everything will be perfect! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!” she says happily.

I stare at her like she’s sprouted another head.

Jenny is seriously out of her mind sometimes.

I’m laughing and shaking my head ‘no’ at her when she narrows her eyes and adds, “Plus, I’ll give you a thousand dollars if you do it.”

My laugh dies off as I nearly choke. “Whoa, wait. What?” I shake my head at her. “You can’t be serious, right?”

Jenny’s not laughing, though. She’s looking at me challengingly with that I-want-to-get-you-in-trouble look that only a best friend can have.

“Dead serious. I’ll give you a thousand bucks to walk over there and kiss that guy.” She nods her head in his direction before that evil twinkle enters her eyes again. “And not just a quick peck on the lips. A real kiss. Like with some tongue.”

I glance back over at Mr. Smexy. Jesus, did I just refer to him as Mr. Smexy in my head? I obviously need new friends. Jenny is rubbing off on me too much.

The man might be good-looking, but he’s terrifying too. God, he could crush me with one hand.

And what the fuck will he think when some random girl comes up and kisses him out of the blue?

He’ll probably have me arrested.

I’ll embarrass the hell out of myself.

God, am I really considering this?

But, fuck, a thousand dollars? That’d give me a huge boost on paying my bills.

I look back over at Jenny. She’s grinning at me impishly. She knows my struggle, and I think she halfway expects me to chicken out and not do it.

And that is what cements my decision.

I cross my arms and tell Jenny, “I want it in cash.”

I see the surprise skitter across Jenny’s face before she raises one delicate eyebrow and smiles like the Cheshire Cat, the glee practically oozing off her as she claps her hands together and laughs, “You got it, babe.”

Before I lose my nerve, I take a deep breath, square my shoulders, and begin making my way over to the corner where Mr. Smexy skulks like some kind of standoffish canine.

I can almost feel Jenny’s eyes boring a hole into my back, taking in the whole scene.

A thousand dollars. A thousand dollars , I chant in my head with each step I take.

As I get closer to him, he starts to notice my approach.

His head tips up, and his eyes laser in on me. The lighting is so dim where he’s standing, it’s hard to make out his features, but his eyes are golden and almost seem to glow like he’s a vampire or wolf or something.

I swallow nervously and try to calm my racing heart.

A thousand dollars. A thousand dollars.

I just hope he doesn’t bite me.

Lucian

My eyes are trained on a tiny form making its way in my direction, and they narrow as it gets closer.

It’s dark in here, and lights flash out on the dance floor, but I’ve sequestered myself in this corner for a reason.

I don’t want to be bothered.

In fact, the only reason I’m here is to meet with a business associate, and the fucker is late.

I’d much rather be back at my mansion. Alone. Secluded. The way I like to be.

I have no use for people beyond employing them.

Social settings aren’t my scene and for good reason. The only reason I agreed to see my associate here is because he’s only going to be in town for one night, and this is where he’s going to be.

For some God forsaken reason.

And it’s a masquerade-themed Halloween ball, so I can cover my scarred face. It’s not that I particularly give a fuck what people think about it. I know that I’m still considered handsome, that maybe the cut that spans right side of my visage simply gives me that allure of danger that some women find so enticing.

But it’s the questions I can’t stand. The curiosity. The goddamned nosiness.

People don’t know me. Nobody seeks me out. My demeanor is just menacing enough to off-put any curious eyes that glance my way.

So why in the hell does this little slip of a thing seem to be walking my way?

My eyes take in her long, dark tresses that flow down to her impossibly tiny waist. Milky white skin that almost seems to glow in the darkness.

Fuck, she’s covered in lace. Her dress must be corseted if the way the two little globes of her breasts are pushed up is any indication. They’re not large by any means, but just the sight of that little bit of modest cleavage has my blood roaring in my veins.

How long has it been since I’ve been with a woman? Since before the incident five years ago at least. I know I have enough money that I can still have plenty of women on my arm if I want.

That’s not what I want, though. Shallow companions, fake smiles.

Since I can’t have a connection, something real, I settle for nothing.

My hands work just fine.

But Christ Almighty, seeing a female approaching me after all this time has every nerve in my body pulled taut. I’m on edge and feel like I could blow at any moment.

My eyes drag back up her form to her head, most of which is covered with an elaborate peacock mask.

I can’t make out her features through the dim lighting and all the ostentatious feathers that cover her face, but I see a flash of midnight blue before she’s suddenly standing right in front of me. Her body isn’t touching mine, but she’s so close that I can feel her heat through our clothes, smell her scent. Violets and vanilla and something I can’t identify.

Her head barely reaches my chest, and before I can ask her what she’s doing, who she is, hell, anything, I hear her take a deep breath, and then she clumsily grabs my face and pulls it down to hers, pressing her lips firmly, if somewhat nervously, against mine.

I’m so stunned I don’t react at first. But then my mind and body registers the feel of her tiny lips on mine. They’re pressing softly against them, and then she takes my bottom lip in between her lips in an innocent, single-lip kiss. It’s unpracticed, but god there’s something so fucking hot about it, I feel a drop of precum bead the tip of my suddenly hard cock.

Hunger, hot and immediate, roars in my chest and bleeds through my veins.

I don’t think. I just react, my hand reaching out to fist in her hair as I angle her head up to mine, deepening the kiss.

I suck on her bottom lip before my tongue forces her mouth to part, and she does so with a gasp of surprise.

I lick inside her mouth and taste her. Fucking hell, she tastes so goddamned sweet. Like pure sugar.

She whimpers, and that sound only spurs me on. I growl and mate my tongue with hers, desperate for more. More of her mouth. More of her.

I don’t know who the fuck she is, but I know I’m not just turned into an animal because of five years of abstinence.

This is something more. Something primal. Like a wolf imprinting on its mate.

She tastes so fucking right . That might be a cliche, but fuck if I can help what I’m thinking and feeling.

Never, I mean, never, has a mere kiss affected me this way.

Just as I manage to set my glass of cognac down on a nearby table and am getting ready to pull her flush against my body, maybe throw her over my shoulder and stomp out of here caveman style and take her back to my lair and make her mine, she pulls away harshly, her little hands pressing hard against my chest.

We’re both panting. I watch her little chest moving up and down as she gasps for breath. Her lips are ruby red and puffy and swollen from our kiss. I’m dying to see her eyes again, to demand who she is, where she came from, why the hell she planted her little lips on mine, but I never get a chance to ask any of that because she never looks back up at me.

Quick as a flash, she turns and runs away from me.

Panic explodes in my chest when I see her flying through the crowd.

Just as I start to take off after her, Adrian shows up and claps a heavy hand on my shoulder.

“Lucian, my man!” he greets me jovially.

I glance over at him distractedly, irritated that he took my attention off my little raven.

By the time I look back into the crowd, she’s nowhere to be found. Rage and loss bubble up inside me to create a nauseating cocktail of emotions.

And I want to fucking murder someone.

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