Epilogue

A Year Later

The past year since Jasper and I got married has been a whirlwind. He'd quit his art history degree and we'd moved into a house together overlooking Middle Beach, between the sides of Vemore. Our love had united the city, but there were still two territories and some community members still hadn't let go of the past, despite all that had happened. One of those being Tidus. He still has it in for me, even though I've shown him that I'm not going to break his cousins' heart. He needs to lighten up, and get the pole out of his arse, or have a dick shoved up there. He denies he's gay, but I've seen the way he looks at Malyk. And my best friend is tight lipped. If they're hooking up he's not kissing–fucking–and telling. Kinda pisses me off, but I don't let my anger get to me anymore. I let it out by fucking my husband rough.

It's not like Jasper doesn't love every second of it when I fuck him rough. He's always been a brat, that certainly hasn't changed by putting a ring on his finger. That's not all that's changed in our lives. All the changes have been full on, but the most amazing one–other than our feud ending wedding–is what's happening now. Jasper's art is in the Vemore gallery and it's opening night. I'm so damn proud of him. His paintings are stunning, epic landscapes mostly except for his showcase piece of me, with every one of my tattoos intricately painted as though it's a photo. My husband is insanely talented. I'm staring at the painting of myself, thinking back to when he painted it–in his art studio in our house–and we ended up fucking and getting paint everywhere, when I feel arms wrap around my waist.

And his soft chuckle in my ear. "How're you not full of yourself, baby?"

I turn to kiss him. "I'm just admiring my sexy husband's painting. I don't see that it's me, but that you painted it. I see you through my eyes."

"That's sweet, Ree. I love you."

"I love you more Jasp, and I'm so proud of you."

He steps back, and takes my hand. "Thanks. I'm so happy to be living this dream, with you by my side."

"Always, and forever, Jasper Capullo-Montserrat."

"Always, and forever and beyond, Reece Capullo-Montserrat." He gives me another kiss, and we turn our attention to the stage where my flamboyant best friend is sashaying onto the stage in booty shorts and a sparkly magenta bandeau top with peacock feathers sprawling from his back. Jasper gives me a wink.

"You organise this?"

"Yeah, Malyk wanted to perform. To show that art comes in many forms."

"Nice," I respond watching as Malyk dances all over the stage to the electronica, rave remix of Titanium. He's like a blur of colour on the stage, mesmerising the entire crowd of people gathered in the room. No one can tear their eyes from him.

Once the song ends, he slides a microphone onto the front of the stage. And his eyes find mine and Jasper's across the room.

"Hey fuckers, thanks for coming along tonight to celebrate Jasper's sick artwork. It's a pleasure to see you all here, and it's one hundred percent a celebration as Jasper has just purchased this art gallery!"

Malyk starts clapping–and everyone else joins in–and I turn to Jasper shocked.

"Is he serious?"

"Yep, I wanted to wait until tonight to tell you."

The applause dies down and I kiss him hard and passionately. "I'm so proud of you, Jasper. I love you more than words could ever say."

He doesn't respond, just takes my hand in his tighter and leads me through the crowd to the very back of the art gallery that's now his. He kisses me deeper, pushing me against the wall possessively.

This is where I'm supposed to be. I'm home. And all my Malicious Desires towards Jasper have been tamed. He's my everything, until my dying breath.