Epilogue

Two Years Later

J osie traced a scar on Corey's chin and said, "I like this. I'm glad it didn't fade all the way."

"You like my scar?" he asked on a laugh.

"I do. It adds character."

"Thanks, I guess." But there were other parts of his body he'd prefer she handle, other than the scar that remained from the attack that had changed his life.

"Are you ready for tomorrow?" she asked, apparently in the mood to talk.

"Yes."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"I don't believe you."

He laughed. "Why not?"

"You've been in the military for a long time. And as of tomorrow you won't be."

Leave it to Josie to lay it all out there. The cold hard truth.

"I'll be fine," he assured her.

That wasn't a lie. After spending the past two years on recruiting duty, it was time.

His brain, much like his scars, had healed, but not completely. The doctors had agreed and he was okay with that.

He'd done his part. Time to move on and let the next generation of drone operators take over.

Speaking of the next generation?—

"Are you going to be okay?" he asked, turning the question back on her.

"With what?"

"With being engaged to a high school hockey coach?" he asked, touching the ring that glistened on Josie's left hand.

She snorted. "Hell, yeah. I'm going to use all my newfound hockey knowledge to ramp up Paragon's online sports presence."

Corey shook his head. He knew Xander was going to be trouble from the moment he'd first seen him.

He'd been right.

The bastard had swooped in and given Josie her dream job—running the social media for his company, the Paragon Agency, in the city.

She worked from home, but that also meant she worked day and night. She loved every minute of it, and he loved her, so how could he complain?

He wouldn't dare.

But he did expect some things to change. He laid a hand over her belly where just the slightest rounding was starting to show.

"You able to keep anything down today?" he asked.

"Some tea and one of your mom's scones."

"Good."

"Not good. Jelly stole the last one off the counter and ate it under the table with Peanut Butter."

His lips twitched, earning him a slap on the arm.

"Not funny," she reprimanded.

"A little funny," he admitted. "To be fair, the cats lived here before you moved in." When that earned him a scowl, he added, "And I'm sure my mom will bake you more scones."

She was so excited about her first grandchild coming, she'd do anything for Josie. Including insist they live with her.

It made sense. His mom would help with childcare and Josie's parents were right next door.

The fact his mom's room was at the other end of the house and she had her own bathroom made the situation bearable for everyone involved regarding privacy concerns.

As Josie walked her fingers down his chest and kept going, Corey was immensely grateful for the distance and the thick walls in the old house.

"You sure you're okay with us waiting to get married until Bailey's back from her tour?"

"Yes," he said, pushing the waistband of his boxer shorts down to give Josie better access to where her hand was headed.

"I'm going to really be showing by the time we walk down the aisle," she reminded him. "It'll give the gossips something to talk about."

"Do you care?" he asked.

"No. You?" she asked.

"No."

"All right then. We'll wait and get married when she's back."

"Fine. I'm happy to wait," he agreed. But as she continued to hover just shy of her goal, apparently lost in thought, he said, "Josie."

"Yeah?"

"I'm happy to wait… for the wedding." He looked pointedly down to where she'd stopped just shy of taking him in her hand.

"Oh." Her eyes widened as she got the point. "Got it."

Finally, she straddled him and slid her body down over his.

"Good girl," he said on a breath and felt her shudder over him.

How he'd been lucky enough to win back Josie's heart he wasn't sure, but he knew one thing—now that he had her, he was never letting her go again.