Epilogue

Harlow

One Year Later

I've never been this fucking nervous before. I stare down at the ring in my hand, knowing on a logical sense that Cal is going to say yes. But the other part of me, the part that still sometimes has trouble believing Cal would want to be with me, is doubtful.

I take a breath and remind myself that Cal chose me. He wants me, even when I'm not sure why he would.

The scent of the Christmas trees surrounding me helps calm me. It's the first time we've been back to Idaho since we left a year ago. I haven't seen or talked to Jackie since. I did hear from Aubrey that the vandalism turned out to be from a couple of guys at the local community college who got drunk and thought it'd be funny to tag the place.

"Harlow?" Cal's voice calls out to me from the entrance to the Christmas village. "Where are you?"

"Over here," I call from in front of the massive Christmas tree already decked out in twinkling white lights. The village hasn't officially opened for the holiday yet, but Aubrey let me in for this in return for helping her set it up for her first time running it.

Cal comes around the corner of the main office, and his face lights up when he sees me. "What are we doing here?"

I reach out when he gets close enough and take his hand, hoping he can't tell how much mine is shaking. "I need to tell you something."

"Okay?" His thumb brushes the back of my hand in that comforting way I love. "Is it something bad?"

"No. No, I…" I take another breath to clear my head. "I hope you know by now how much I love you. And how I can't see my future—my life—without you."

Cal's face softens. "I feel the same way about you, Harlow."

Relief pulses through me, and I hold onto his hand as I get down on one knee in front of him.

Cal gasps, and his fingers tighten around mine instantly. "Yes."

I laugh. "Let me say it. I have a whole speech prepared."

Cal nods wordlessly, but the excitement in his eyes is undeniable.

I clear my throat. "I fell in love with you in high school, but I never thought you'd go for a guy like me. When you came back into my life a year ago, and I saw you again, I didn't look at it as a second chance because I didn't think I deserved one of those. I didn't know I could be wanted by someone for just being me. And then you showed me that it was possible, and you never backed down. Not even when I tried to push you away. Ever since the day I saw you again here at this place, I've fallen more in love with you every day. You are everything to me, Cal." I lift my free hand to show him the silver ring nestled inside the velvet box. "I think I might already know the answer, but…will you marry me?"

"Of course I will," Cal says, his voice soft as his eyes fill with tears. He pulls me up and wraps his arms around me, hugging me tightly.

I press my body to his, seeking that warmth that I only get from Cal. "I love you."

"I love you too." He pulls back, and I take his hand again to slide the ring onto his finger.

"Would you believe Min was irritated that I didn't ask her permission?" I say, chuckling when I remember the indignation on her face over video call when I was getting her opinion on a ring.

Cal laughs. "I actually can. It sounds just like her."

"Well, she'll be here tomorrow morning with George, and we can celebrate." I still can't believe she took George in to foster him and is now looking into adoption. I'd mentioned his situation to her once when we were all hanging out together, and the next thing we knew, he was headed to Nevada with her. I miss seeing him, but I'm thankful he finally found a home.

Calvin leans up and kisses me softly. "Well…while we wait for them, maybe we could have our own private celebration."

My skin heats at his words, and I grab his hand. "Let's get out of here."

Even though we hurry to our cars, it seems to take an eternity before we're back at our hotel room. And it doesn't help that Calvin palms my ass from behind while I'm trying to get the keycard in the scanner.

When I finally get the door open, we stumble inside the room together, and I barely take the time to lock the door behind us. All I can focus on is Cal and the smell and feel of him. The way his hands pull at my jacket and then my shirt underneath. He's kissing every inch of my skin as he reveals it, and I slide my hand into his hair, tilting my head back against the wall.

"No, don't do that," Cal says, straightening up to look at me. His lips are puffy and red. "On the bed."

I follow his order, pausing only long enough to get rid of my jeans.

Cal strips off his own clothes before straddling my lap. His hands lock around the back of my neck, and then he's kissing me again, hard and fast and desperate.

"I can't wait to be your husband," he whispers. "I can't wait for the world to know you're mine forever."

I can't either. I want everyone to know that Cal belongs to me.

He lets go of me only long enough to grab the lube from our side table, then he straightens back up and pours a generous amount on his fingers. Without a word, he reaches down and fists my cock.

"Fuck." My eyes close, and I rock my hips up. When he releases me just a second later, I can't help the whine that climbs up the back of my throat.

Cal shushes me before guiding my cock between his cheeks until I nudge his entrance. Then he drops down suddenly, allowing me to enter him fully.

I take a beat to just feel his body as it let me inside, as he shudders around the sudden intrusion. I still don't think he has any idea how fucking sexy he is, especially when he's riding me.

He grips my shoulders for balance and starts up a fast pace that has me grabbing his hips. He drops down to seat himself fully in my lap before grinding against me.

"Fuck, Cal." I dig my fingers into his waist as my hips snap up to meet him.

Cal leans forward to bury his face in my neck, kissing my warm skin. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," I murmur. "God, Cal, I love you."

My cock throbs inside him, begging for release, but I'm not going there until I make sure Cal has.

I release one side of his waist so I can wrap my hand around his cock between us and stroke him.

He leans his head back as he bites his lip, lifting up to slide deeper into my hand. I keep my grip tight, letting him get off on my palm as much as he needs. And when I feel his body tensing, I quicken my pace, drawing his orgasm from him.

He cries out as he spills his release against my stomach, his ass clenching over and over around my cock.

I lean forward, capturing his mouth with mine as I surge up into him, burying myself as deep as I can go as the orgasm washes over me.

Cal's body relaxes, and I wrap an arm around him to pull him close to me. I'll never get over how perfectly he fits against me, how much I love feeling his heartbeat against my own. He's the best gift I ever could have asked for, and I can't wait to spend all of my future Christmases with this man.