Epilogue

EDEN

Six Months Later

I pull my car through the gates of what is now not just Chase's house, but our home.

It's early—just barely past sunrise—and I smile as I look out over the purple skies and the dark blue water.

I'd changed my flight time on the charter jet Chase arranged for me so I could surprise him. Exhaustion is heavy in my bones, but it's counteracted by the exhilaration of seeing my man.

The night of the charity ball had been an unforgettable night in so many ways. Not only had Chase's speech been a huge hit, but the event raised well beyond the goal the guys were looking to hit.

In fact, Hudson, Graham, and Carter want me to host the event annually for them.

I agreed.

The money my company made off the event not only put us back in the black but allowed me to pay off some of the outstanding business loans .

Chase and I did our best to make up for lost time by holing up in the Presidential suite for three days.

But then it was time to get back to reality, and Chase headed back to Cape Sands, but we'd made plans for me to fly down the following weekend.

I flew down and never went back.

Well, that's not true.

I did go back to pack my apartment up and turn my keys in.

My job is one that can be done anywhere, so I gave my employees the option to work from home or in the office. We all meet at the office once a month to review upcoming events.

The fact I have a team I trust to be my eyes and ears in New York made the move to Florida easy.

In fact, I promoted Katie to vice president and she runs the New York office. The team loves her, and she's dedicated to the business.

With Charley's help and connections in Cape Sands, I now have a Florida office as well, offering event services in Cape Sands.

I already have a couple of weddings scheduled for spring of next year.

I leave my suitcase in the car and creep inside quietly.

Freyja wraps her little but growing body around my legs.

"Hey, sweet girl. I missed you."

I snuggle with her for a moment before setting her on the floor and tiptoeing into the bedroom.

God, I missed him. I was gone a bit longer than normal this time—ten days—and while we'd had phone sex every night, it just wasn't the same.

When I walk into the room, I stop and just stare at him.

I can't believe that sexy man is mine.

He lies face up in the center of the bed, one arm over his head, the other resting on his chest. The sheet is pulled up to his waist, leaving his chest bare but covering one of my favorite body parts.

The white of the sheet is stark against his tanned skin, and a five o'clock shadow darkens his strong jaw.

I bite my lip in anticipation of feeling that beard burn against the inside of my thighs.

Toeing off my shoes in the shadows, I grin as I quickly shed down to nothing and slide under the covers with him.

His skin warm under my touch, I brush a hand over his chest.

I lift the sheet and peek under it, my small grin turning into a full-blown one, heat rushing between my legs.

He isn't at full staff yet, but he's getting there, and my thighs clench at the sight of his piercing that makes me wild.

I drop soft kisses on his neck and shoulder, causing him to moan and shift slightly, but he doesn't wake up.

Pursing my lips, I eye his profile, wondering why he hasn't moved yet.

The kisses I drop this time aren't as soft, and I nip at his ear, my gaze on the area under the sheet that begins to tent.

But still he doesn't move.

When I bring my gaze back to look at him, those beautiful green eyes are on me.

Lust, love, and a dash of humor dance in his eyes.

Before I can take my next breath, Chase flips me on my back and stretches out over me. My wrists are in one of his hands and pulled above my head.

I'm completely bare to his gaze, and everywhere he looks makes me feel like he's branding me.

His lips curve into a smile. "Well, well. Isn't this a pleasant way to wake up in the morning?" He slants his mouth over mine and kisses me with such intensity, my toes tingle.

"Surprise," I murmur against his mouth .

Chase

Surprise indeed.

The last ten days have been hell on earth without Eden with me.

The only thing that got me through and kept me from being a total grumpy bastard—besides the nightly phone sex—is knowing that when she came back, she was staying.

There's nothing stopping us from being together.

I buck my hips, rubbing my hard length against her, her moans and mewls burning me from the inside out.

She arches against me, pleading for me to fuck her.

Who am I to turn that down?

When I slide into her wet pussy, we groan at finally being able to come together after the torturous foreplay over the last ten days.

I drive into her, and she wraps her legs around my waist, meeting my thrusts.

The way we move together always makes me push harder, the feeling of love so big in my chest, I think it might burst.

Her core muscles clench around me, and she tightens her thighs around my waist, putting me in that vise grip I love.

We come at the same time with such intensity, I swear the top of my head blows off.

And it's like that every time.

I'm a lucky, lucky man.

I shift off her and gather her against me.

She snuggles into my side, and there's no place I'd rather be than right here with her for the rest of my days.

But there's something I need to do, and I can't think of a better time.

"I have something to tell you."

"Okay, tell me. "

"Well, first you need to sit up and close your eyes."

"Ooooh…I'm intrigued."

She sits up, eyes closed, a beautiful smile on her face.

From my nightstand drawer, I pull out the black velvet box that I've been waiting to give her for the last week.

I pop it open and say, "Okay, open your eyes."

Her eyes open and she looks down at the ring I hold up. Immediately, tears fill her eyes. "Oh, Chase…"

I'll remember how she looks at this moment—turquoise eyes wide and shining, that beautiful pink flush to her skin from our recent bout of sex, her blonde hair a sexy mess—for the rest of my life.

"Eden Mitchell, you are the best thing in my life. I want to kiss you awake, and be the last person you talk to before you go to sleep. I want to watch you nurse our children, knowing that you and I created a life together in all the ways that matter most. I want to love you until my days on this earth are done. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

The ring glints in the early morning sun, but it has nothing on the light in Eden's blue-green eyes.

She nods and covers her mouth. "Yes, yes, I'll marry you, Chase."

I slide the large solitaire on her finger and cup her face in my hands. "I love you, Eden. Thank you for bringing me back to life."

Her smile is shaky, and tears run down her cheeks. "I love you, Chase. Thank you for loving me."

My lips meet hers, sealing the deal and making her mine forever.