Epilogue

Meli

Out in thenave of the church, the organist my mother hired launched into Pachelbel's Canon, the song I'd chosen half-heartedly to signal the arrival of the wedding party. Cairo's cousin Luxor held out his arm to my mother, who sniffed, pasted on a fake smile, and began her march down the aisle.

I exchanged glances with Jess, who was trying not to snicker.

Mom was doing her best to make her feelings on this wedding clear, as if she wasn't the one who'd insisted on it happening. She'd planned it, because the thought of her youngest daughter moving in with a male without an actual wedding was just not done. Besides, it gave her a chance to show off the mother-of-the-bride dress she'd originally purchased for Harper's wedding.

Shoulders back, my older sister took a deep breath and marched through the doors after Mom. With the amount of makeup she was wearing, no one should be able to see the worry lines she'd been sporting lately.

Harper had broken it off with Simon in mid-July. I have no idea if her visit to Eastshore had anything to do with it, but our mother had an absolute fit when she found out the wedding was canceled. She probably viewed today's ceremony as a second prize, a hastily thrown-together second-best wedding for second-best daughter.

And you know what?

I didn't care.

I didn't care about this wedding, or what she thought of it, honestly. Cairo and I only went along with it because neither of us particularly objected to it, and there were cupcakes waiting for us in the reception hall after.

In our minds, we'd been married since the Fourth of July, when he'd held me on the beach and given me his heart.

Jess followed Harper down the aisle, and I knew her smile was for Karnak, who was standing between Cairo and Sakkara up at the altar, all three of them looking positively stunning in their tailored suits.

And me?

I was wearing pink ruffles.

Smiling, I glanced down at myself. Mom had another conniption when I told her I didn't want to wear white, and she raved about how big girls shouldn't wear ruffles. Well, as Cairo said…fuck ‘er. He thought I was perfect just the way I was, and he liked to see me smile.

That was a powerful aphrodisiac, you know.

"I still think you should've kept Sweetcheeks for one last ride," my dad whispered at my side. When I glanced at him, he offered a crooked smile. "I could've chauffeured you home."

"Daddy, we're two blocks from Cairo—from our house." I winked. "Besides, I know he's happier in your garage."

Back in July, Cairo had apparently had a conversation with my father about the classic Karman Ghia, because out of the blue, Daddy had offered to buy the car from me—and he paid fair price for it too. I'd used the money to buy a sensible used SUV—having an orc mechanic at my side meant the car salesman didn't try to bullshit me at all!—which was much better for Eastshore.

Cairo had taken out the backseats and installed storage for baking trays, but I hadn't started delivering yet. After his beautiful words, I realized I was happy here on Eastshore, and I didn't want to expand. I was good enough, happy enough, thankful enough. And most importantly, stressed enough. I didn't need to expand my business or add anything else to my plate.

Maybe one day I'd offer delivery here on the island, but not yet. For now, I was just glad to have a working vehicle and one less thing to have to think about.

Thanks to Cairo and my father.

On the other side of the door, there was an expectant silence.

"You ready, Meli?" Daddy whispered.

I slid my hand into the crook of his elbow and tightened my grip on the simple bouquet in my other hand. "So ready."

The organist launched into the wedding march, but Dad cleared his throat. When I glanced at him, there were tears in his eyes. "I just want you to know that it's been an absolute joy to be your father all these years. I'm so happy you've found a guy like Cairo who knows how special you are."

I was not going to cry on my wedding day.

Instead, I threw my arms around him, not caring if I was squishing my flowers or wrinkling us. Because that's who we were.

"I love you, Daddy."

And he whispered back, "I love you too, baby. Let's go get you married to the orc of your dreams."

Meli

I was strangelynervous about the wedding night.

I mean, duh, I shouldn't be, but I couldn't help it. Cairo had asked if I wanted to go on a honeymoon some place, but honestly? Eastshore is exactly where I wanted to be.

Here in Eastshore, in our house.

I'd gotten out of my apartment contract, and Cairo had moved his various projects out to the garage. I still enjoyed helping him and learning about what he was doing, and I was even coming to understand it a little more.

He turned the kitchen over to me entirely, and I'd loved shopping for all-new appliances and cookware. One of his favorite things to do was help me test out new recipes before I debuted them in the bakery.

You've heard of a sweet tooth? My Mate has a sweet tusk.

But the reason I was nervous on my wedding night was just because I wanted everything to be perfect.

I'd put new sheets on the bed—a super-high thread count, and they felt so luxurious. Honestly, I knew we were just going to dirty them up, but come on, it was our wedding night! Live a little.

I'd shaved and plucked and primped and curled until I felt as pretty as a princess. And as the final piece…

I took a deep breath. "Okay," I called. "You can come in."

The speed at which the door opened told me Cairo had been waiting. He stepped into our bedroom and rocked to a stop.

It might've been the candles. It might've been the way the bouquets perfumed the air. Or it might've been me.

Judging from the hungry way my Mate was eyeing me, I figured it was that one.

"Do you like it?" I asked, determined not to be shy.

He wore only that sexy pair of gray sweatpants, slung low on his hips. His hair was still damp from the bath and hung over his ears. His hands opened and closed, as if they wanted to be touching something. "Turn around," he rasped.

I did, spinning in a low circle.

"Gods of the ancestors," he growled, "You look…"

He only lost his train of thought like that when he was really aroused. Judging from the bulge in his pants, mission accomplished.

Tonight I didn't wear a traditional white teddy, oh no. I'd found this little number online—thank God, because I can't imagine going in to buy this in person! It wasn't so much a teddy as a bodysuit…if a "bodysuit" could be described as having far more holes than actual material.

In reality, the thing was a series of black faux leather straps, the lowest around my thighs, climbing my body to loop over my shoulders. My breasts rested in two cups, which included holes so my nipples were on display. And the crotch…

Well, as I recall, the straps were arranged in such a way that the manufacturer used the phrase "easy access" three times in the description.

"You like it?" I teased.

"Fuck yes I do."

His groan didn't give me any warning. One minute he was across the room, admiring me, the next he was in front of me, his pants already down around his ankles. I barely got a glimpse of that beautiful cock before he was on his knees in front of me.

"Meli," he rasped, his fingers encircling my ankles, then dragging upward in a way that made me shiver. "You're so beautiful."

I felt beautiful. "Well, I wanted to give my husband something to remember on our wedding night."

"A present, wrapped up prettily, just for me."

His palms skimmed my hips, then slid up my sides to cup my breasts, while he knelt in front of me, as if I was a goddess and he was worshipping me. Yeah, that's what this felt like; I was being worshipped.

"Mate," he whispered reverently.

I tangled my fingers in his hair. "Mate," I agreed.

It was all that needed to be said. With a growl, he lowered his head, placing a kiss on my navel, then lower. I shifted my weight, pressing up on my toes, and spreading my thighs as his mouth found my core.

Because of the outfit and because I was standing, he couldn't tease me the way he normally did. But the friction of the leather straps was just amazing. He lifted one leg, throwing it over his shoulder, while he cupped my ass. I wobbled, supported by only one leg, but he wasn't going to let me go.

Without his fingers, he licked and stroked and teased and sucked, using only his tongue and his lips. His fingers teased my asshole, and each sensation sent another wave of lust through me.

"Fucking delicious," he murmured against my skin, in between licks. "Perfect."

I shuddered, my head tossed back, my eyes closed. I still wasn't used to how often Cairo liked to eat me out. I shouldn't be surprised because I had to admit that I loved to give him head. The first time I'd tried it—that evening earlier in the month—I'd nearly choked in astonishment as his spicy cum flooded my mouth.

"Cinnamon?" I'd gasped when I could speak again, glaring up at his amazed expression. "You taste like cinnamon and didn't think to mention that to your baker Mate?"

But tonight he wasn't going to let me tease him.

He hummed against my core, tongue darting in, as I rocked my hips back and forth atop his face. His tusks scraped my sensitive skin when he moved upward. When he closed his lips around my clit at the same moment he pressed a finger against my ass, I gasped and burst.

I loved the way he lapped at me as I came, and I'll admit it made the orgasm last longer. Holding onto his hair, I ground my pussy against his face, desperate for more more more.

Finally, though, my tremors eased, and I exhaled. Our night was just starting, and I knew there was plenty to come. I—"Cairo?"

His face was still plastered against me, and he muttered something as he shook his head.

"What's wrong?" I asked, suddenly self-conscious.

"I'm stuck."

He sounded so miffed, I immediately dropped my leg from his shoulder and stepped back. Unfortunately, he hadn't been lying; he was stuck, and he fell forward to his hands and knees, face still attached to my pussy.

"What—" I tried to peer down. "Your tusks?"

One of his tusks had become trapped in the leather straps. "I feel like a fucking fish in a net," he muttered, only it came out as "I ‘eew ‘ike a ‘ucking fish i' a ‘et."

And by this time, I was laughing too hard to help him.

Eventually he solved our problem by scooping me up—I didn't think he could do that, with his face attached to my crotch—and carrying me into the bathroom. I held onto his shoulders and laughed and laughed.

He had to use my toenail clippers to free himself.

"Definitely a story to tell our grandchildren," I quipped as he stood up, scowl in place and hard-on still going strong.

"I'm not telling anyone about this," he growled, grabbing me by my hips and lifting. "And as for grandchildren…" He turned me around so I was facing the mirror over the vanity, and pushed the center of my shoulders until I leaned forward and braced my hands on either side of the sink. "First, we should concentrate on making kits."

Wide-eyed, I watched in the mirror as he reached between my legs and cupped my core, which still wept from his earlier ministrations. Instinctively, I spread my thighs, and he stepped between them.

"Meli."

I glanced upward and met his gaze in the mirror. His eyes were glowing faintly green, a sign he was definitely in the grips of a strong emotion. I suppose I shouldn't have teased him about the tusk-in-sexy-lingerie incident.

I knew what he wanted. It was what I wanted to.

"I love you, Cairo," I said, lifting my ass higher in offering.

Holding my gaze and my hips, he pushed his thick cock into me.

Immediately, I came again. It was a quirk of orc biology I absolutely loved, this ability to make me orgasm immediately in order to lubricate the endeavor.

"Cairo," I gasped, my inner muscles spasming around him as I dropped my head. "Oh my god, Cairo."

From the corner of my eyes, I saw his reflection grin, the tusks making him look downright wicked.

He'd frozen, his fingers digging into my hips, allowing me time to enjoy my orgasm and get used to his size once more. While this pleasure was nice, it wasn't as good as it could be, so before my muscles had finished throbbing around his cock, I was moving.

I'd braced my weight on the counter, and now I rocked forward an inch, sliding from his erection, before easing back.

Cairo groaned. "That's it, cupcake. Ride my cock. Enjoy yourself—oooh fuck."

I loved his dirty mouth. I mean, I loved his dirty tongue—earlier should've made that obvious. But I loved the way he talked dirty to me in bed. Or in the bathroom. Or wherever.

I loved him.

"Look at me," he rasped, and I jerked my head up, realizing I'd closed my eyes. In the mirror, I met his gaze. "Good. Now…look at yourself. Look at how beautiful you are, Meli, how goddamn perfect you look."

Unintentionally, I dropped my gaze to my own reflection, but once there, I couldn't look away. I still had on all my makeup, and my hair was half-up and half-down around my shoulders. I looked…pretty.

My lips parted as I studied myself, and behind me, Cairo began to move, his thrusts small at first. He kept up a running monologue of dirty praise, telling me how perfect I was.

And I had to admit, I did look fairly beautiful in the mirror with him behind me.

Yes, okay, there was a bottle of mouthwash and my electric toothbrush in the picture, so it wasn't like porn-level beautiful…but it was pretty amazing.

"You take my cock so perfectly, Meli," he crooned. "You were made for me."

My lips parted, my breathing coming quicker, as I dropped my gaze to my breasts, which hung free from their leather confines now. They swung back and forth as he plunged into me from behind, rocking me…and even I could admit that was pretty damn hot.

And still he murmured to me, telling me how perfect I was.

It does wonders for a girl's self-esteem, I have to admit.

Maybe I hadn't really come down from the last orgasm, I dunno. But I could feel my pleasure building again, with each kinky praise. Oh God. I was going to come again soon, already! I looked up to meet his eyes, and he knew.

Somehow, he always knew.

"Yes, Mate," he whispered harshly. "Come for me."

I wanted to, but I also… "Come with me," I commanded.

This time, his grin looked triumphant.

He leaned forward, plastering his chest to my back, reaching around to close his large hand around one of my breasts and press his other to my pussy.

Then he straightened, taking me with him, and began to thrust upward into me. I was now being held off the ground by his strength as his cock plunged into me from behind. He squeezed my breast, and I gasped and squirmed against him.

When my head dropped backward to his shoulder, hair spilling around us both, he chuckled harshly. "That's it, sweetheart. Come for me now."

And he lightly pinched my clit.

It was all I needed. "Cairo!" I screamed, my inner muscles spasming yet again. I came around his cock as he thrust once, twice—

I could feel his cum filling me when he roared wordlessly.

I ended up draped over the sink again, his sticky white seed spilling down my thighs, a cramp in one leg, and completely out of breath.

It was amazing.

Chuckling, Cairo had to use the nail clippers to get me out of the rest of that outfit, but we were both happy to throw the ripped and difficult thing away. It would be a hell of a story, if we ever wanted to share.

After, he bathed me in the large shower, and I moaned with pleasure when he massaged my scalp. It was amazing that fingers as large as his could be so good at delicate little fiddly stuff.

Like me.

I sighed happily as he dried me, then bundled me into bed. I could get used to this being treated like a princess thing.

He turned off the lights and climbed in beside me, reaching out to pull me against his chest. I could hear his heart beating strongly, and marveled that it was for me.

"I love you, Muhtapkahplin," I whispered.

I could tell I'd surprised him from the way he started. But then he kissed the top of my head. "I told you, you don't have to call me that. That hasn't been my name for a long time."

"I want to call you a name you're most comfortable with."

When he shrugged, he nearly dislodged me, but then snuggled me closer. "In the last five generations, it has been increasingly unlikely that orc males will find their Mate. But we were still told the stories—Giza keeps them now, for any orc born in this world."

I liked that. It made them sound like immigrants, finding new homes in places like Eastshore. I would be forever grateful this particular orc found this particular island.

"Karnak said orcs had a bunch of names."

Cairo hummed sleepily against my hair. "If a male was lucky enough to find his fated Mate, then in our world, he'll often take a new name. I don't think it works that way here, but you're welcome to give me a new one."

I considered his words. He was right; taking on a whole new name—especially when the government records knew him as Cairo—probably wasn't feasible. But that wouldn't stop me from trying.

I pushed myself up to loom over him. Although I couldn't see him, I could feel his smile, and wondered if his Mating senses were rubbing off on me. "So I can give you a new name?"

"If you want." His hands settled against my back, warm and callused. "I trust you."

It was a humbling reminder of his love, his certainty. I brushed a kiss against his nose.

Or at least, that was the intent. In the dark, I hit his tusk instead, but that was okay. "I love you, Cairo."

He grunted. "So you're keeping that name for me?"

"No, I have a new name for you." Another kiss. "Ready?"

"Tell me, Mate."

I grinned in the darkness, then lowered my lips toward his, and whispered,

"Mine."