Epilogue

Kylie

F ive Years Later

"Mama!"

I glance up as Jaycee's excited squeal rings out in the empty bar. My face lights up as I see Memphis striding through the doors, trying to contain her in his strong arms. It's not easy to do.

Our four-year-old is hell on wheels, exactly like her daddy. She never stops or slows down. She looks just like her daddy, too. Unfortunately for her, she got my size. She's going to be short and sassy as hell.

I blame Memphis. Loudly and often, actually. He just smirks and lets me do it, but we both know she got her attitude from me.

I won't be admitting that to him anytime soon, though. My mama didn't raise no fool. I need every advantage I can get with my wild husband. It's the only way I manage to stay a step ahead of him. After five years, he knows me far too well.

"Hey, baby girl." I beam at Jaycee, holding out my arms. "What are you doing here?"

She practically launches herself across the top of the bar at me, flinging her tiny arms around my neck. "Comin' to work, Mama," she chirps.

I meet Memphis's gaze, only to find his lips tipped up in my favorite half-smirk.

"That's not what I said, baby girl."

"Yes, it is. You sayed we were comin' to work, Daddy."

"No, I said we were going to see your Mama at work," he corrects, his eyes soft as our daughter narrows hers at him. "You know you can't be here when the bar opens, Sprout. It's illegal."

She huffs an annoyed breath, craning her head back to look at me. "Who maked it illegal, Mama?"

"Um, I'm not sure, baby girl. I guess politicians?"

"What do poltickans do?"

"They make laws and stuff," I explain.

"Oh." She thinks about this for a moment, the wheels turning in her little head. "Then we should fire them. Their laws are lame."

Memphis chokes on a laugh.

I close my eyes, trying not to laugh with him. "Well, if you want to do that, you're going to have to run for office yourself when you're old enough, Jaycee."

"'Kay, Mama. I'll do that." She squirms for me to let her down. "I wanna go see Uncle Jessup."

I drop a kiss on top of her dark head, smiling before I place her on her feet. God help the world if she ever goes into politics. "He's in his office, baby girl. No running."

"'Kay, Mama!" She takes off running.

"Jaycee Hughes!" Memphis barks. "What did your mama just say?"

She immediately stumbles to a stop and then slowly creeps forward, shooting him a devilish smirk. It's such a little replica of his own smirk that it's impossible to be mad at her.

"Jesus Christ," Memphis mutters, shaking his head as she disappears down the back hallway. His wild eyes run down my body. "If that baby in your belly is another fuckin' girl just like you, we're going to have problems, Toto."

"Uh, excuse me?" I plant my hands on my hips to scowl at him. "Just like me? That little girl is your mini me, Memphis Hughes. Don't you put your genes on me."

"My genes, huh?" He circles around the bar, a grin dancing at his lips, to hook a finger through my belt loop. "I've got something I'd like to put on you, Toto, and it's not my fuckin' genes," he growls, yanking me forward.

I collide against his chest, moaning as his lips come down on mine in a hard kiss. His hands roam my belly, his fingers brushing against the skin where my shirt has ridden up.

"Memphis," I gasp, pulling back when he slips his hand higher, reaching for my breast. "We're in public."

"We own this public," he whispers, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief, "and I've never minded putting on a show, baby."

His hands roam my body, tracing over the curves of my hips, squeezing my waist, grabbing my ass. His touch is so damn electrifying. Even after five years, all he has to do is touch me, and I'm a livewire.

"Goddamn, wife," he growls against my lips, pressing his erection against my belly. "I missed the hell out of you."

My heart flutters even as laughter bubbles from my lips. "You were only gone for two hours, Memphis."

"Yeah, that was too fuckin' long, Toto." He nips my lip, squeezing my ass. "Two seconds without you is too long."

"Then I have bad news," I whisper, biting my lip.

He pulls back, his eyes narrowed on my face.

"Laura called in tonight and Shannon is on vacation. I have to work a shift." It's been a while since I've had to cover for someone. Most of the time, I just help Jessup run this place for Memphis while he focuses on his music. I like doing it. It makes me feel like I'm part of Jayson's dream in some way, like I'm helping to keep his memory alive.

"Oh, hell no," Memphis growls, reaching into his pocket for his phone.

"What are you doing?"

"Calling in reinforcements," he growls, dialing a number.

"I've got it covered, Memphis," I reassure him, trying to pull the phone from his hand.

"No other way, baby," he says stubbornly, pulling back to give me a warning look. His cobalt eyes bore into mine with an intensity that still gives me shivers even five years later. He places the phone to his ear.

There's a pause as the phone rings and then I hear Priest's deep voice as he answers.

I sigh, giving up the fight. He's so damned protective, holding onto me like I'm something precious. Like if he lets go, I'll just float away. It's a side of Memphis that the rest of the world doesn't get to see—the possessive giant who loves fiercely, even when it scares the hell out of him.

"Priest, brother. I need a favor." I can't hear what Priest says, but Memphis responds, "No, nothing bad… just need you and Mina to babysit Jaycee tonight." He yanks me closer, and I squeal, pressing my hands against his chest while laughter spills from my mouth. "Kylie and I have to cover at the bar tonight."

He traces lazy circles on my lower back as he listens to Priest's response. He gives a short laugh. "Make sure you let Mina know too."

Ending the call, he tosses the phone onto the bar and turns back to me, smirking as he tips my chin up. "Now…what was that you were saying about me having to spend two seconds without you tonight, Toto?"

"You're impossible, you know that?" I roll my eyes, but I can't help but smile. There's nothing this man wouldn't do for me. I know because he's done it for five years. Every damn day with him is perfect. It's loud and messy and wild, and I couldn't ask for a better life.

Heat flares in his eyes as they darken. "Did you just roll your eyes at me, princess?"

"What? No. Maybe you should get yours checked. I think you're seeing things again, Memphis." I try to slip beneath his arm, my womb already clenching in anticipation.

He grabs me before I make it three steps, hauling me back against the hard wall of his chest. "I didn't see anything but you begging to be punished with this cock down your throat, Toto," he growls, his teeth closing around the shell of my ear in a hard bite. "But don't worry, baby. As soon as your shift is over, I'll give you exactly what you want. We've got all fuckin' night."

"No," I whisper, turning my face toward his as I melt against him. "We have a lifetime, Memphis."

"Hell yeah," he breathes, his eyes light as his lips comes down on mine again, stealing my breath.