Epilogue

HARLOW

“I’m almost ready!” I yell out to Shep, who’s waiting patiently in my living room.

I walk back into my bathroom where my phone is set up, Lennon and Margot on FaceTime. “Are we sure about this?” I stand up on my tip-toes and do another twirl, the red lace fabric swishing.

“Yes!” Lennon screams. “We’re SURE!” She claps her hands together and Margot just smiles.

“I don’t know, it feels more like a you dress than a me dress.” I straighten the shoulders of the long lace sleeves, attached to the bustier style mini dress that Lennon convinced me to buy for tonight’s Valentine’s date with Shep.

“You can always wear your Docs with it,” Margot chimes in. “Make it more you.”

Lennon cuts her off, “Absolutely not.” She scoffs, rolling her eyes. “Harlow, have I ever led you astray with clothing or fashion before?”

I laugh, remembering how she convinced me to buy a yellow dress for formal because she secretly knew it was Shep’s favorite color—a fact I didn’t learn until just recently. “No, you haven’t.”

“Great, then put on your heels, finish curling your hair, and go on your date!” Lennon smiles.

“Wear a red lip,” Margot adds.

“Okay, okay. I’ll send pictures later.” I blow a kiss and then hang up the call.

A few minutes later, my heels are on, my hair is curled, and I’m painting my lips red when I hear a knock on my door.

“Baby, our reservation is in twenty minutes.”

“I know, I’m—” A hand wraps around my waist before I can finish my sentence.

“Shep!” I squeal out. “You’re supposed to wait until I’m ready!”

“I couldn’t any longer,” he growls in my ear then playfully kisses my neck.

Squirming in his grip, I manage to pull away and when I do, his eyes widen and he bites down on his bottom lip. “Damn.”

My cheeks flush and I imagine they match the shade of my dress and lips.

“You look amazing, wow.” He steps forward and kisses me, my lipstick smearing on his mouth.

“Oops,” I giggle.

He takes my hand and walks me out towards the front door, but not without stopping and having me do another spin for him. Shep really knows how to make a girl feel beautiful.

We get in his truck and head to the Lodge in downtown Everson, which is as crowded as I imagined it would be. It’s basically the only formal restaurant in town, making it a prime spot for any special occasion.

We spend dinner talking about the rest of the semester, plans post-graduation, and where we see ourselves in the next few years. It’s so easy to dream about life with Shep, and after spending Christmas with him and his family, I can’t imagine my life ever not looking like that.

Our parents have even started trying to connect more for “future events,” which only confirms the truth I’ve known since before we even started seriously dating. Shep is my person and the reason I believe soulmates exist.

When we leave the restaurant, he reaches for my hand and we walk the sidewalks of downtown beneath the streetlights—a comfortable silence between us and a crisp chill in the February air. Shep takes off his suit jacket and drapes it over my shoulders.

Once we get to his truck, he stops just before opening the door, staring at me with emotion in his eyes that covers me with a warmth and heat, making me want to shed his jacket.

“What is it?” My voice is barely above a whisper.

“You,” his words are breathy. “It’s always been you.”

My heart starts beating rapidly in my chest and before I can say anything, he slams his lips onto mine, pushing me against his truck. We stay like this, trapped in time and lost in each other while it feels like our souls dance until he pulls away. “Let me take you home.”

He steps back and opens the door, helping me in and then buckling my seatbelt for me.

We pull back into my apartment lot and he picks me up bridal style before carrying me up the stairs to my front door. I can’t help the giggles that escape while I kick my feet. I never knew love could feel so good.

Using his spare key I made him, he pushes open the door and then kicks it shut behind him, heading straight for my room. He sets me down on the bed and stands over me, our breathing heavy.

“I want to show you something,” he whispers as he steps back and begins to unbutton his shirt.

I draw my bottom lip into my mouth, chewing on it in anticipation for what's to come. Shep and I have been taking things slow, but that’s not to say my body doesn’t burn up with desire for him every time we’re alone.

Once the final button is loose, he shrugs off his shirt and steps forward, rubbing his thumb over my cheek. I search his face, not entirely sure what exactly I’m supposed to be looking for, then he turns to the right, allowing me to see the side of his ribs.

Both my hands fly to cover my mouth as a gasp escapes my lips.

“Shep,” I whisper, my eyes stinging from the tears that are starting to form. I reach one of my hands forward and run it over the skin that's slightly raised.

“Happy Valentine’s Day.” He smiles. “My gift is making sure you know I’m yours.”

All words have left me as I trace over the tattoo of a butterfly on Shep’s ribs.

“You did this for me?” I ask, my voice unsteady.

He nods his head, “For you. My butterfly girl. Not just because of your swimming but because of everything you’ve been through. Your transformation left a mark on me and this is my way of showing it.”

The tears I wanted to keep from falling have abandoned my eyes and stream down my face as I jump up, throwing my arms around his neck. My soul feels so light and free and happy. “I love you, Shep,” I whimper. “I love you so much.”

He nuzzles his nose into my neck. “I love you, Harlow.”

When he pulls away from me, my heart thrums and the connection between us feels like a blue aura of electricity. We hold each other’s gaze for a moment before I tug on one of my sleeves, then the other, and let the dress fall to the floor. I watch as his eyes drink me in, skating over my naked figure and lingering on the red thong I wore to match the dress.

I step out of the pooled material and into Shep’s hold, his arms running up my back and leaving chills in their wake. My hands press against his chest and when my body becomes flush with his, a fire unleashes in my stomach and into my core.

I peer up at him, my gaze wanton, and brush my lips against his bare chest. His eyes watch me like I’m the most captivating thing he’s ever seen.

He bends down to find my lips with his, then trails kisses along the side of my neck and collar bones, before I realize he’s lowering himself down to his knees. When he sinks to the floor, his mouth level with my waist, I drag my nails through his hair and he lets out a groan.

“I want this. I want you,” my words come out so husky, I don’t recognize my own voice.

He flits his gaze up to me for only a second before raising one leg in his hand, taking off my heel, then mimicking the same gesture with the other.

Once I’m barefoot, he leans towards and peppers light, breathy kisses on the inside of my thighs. We’ve played around like this before but something is different tonight. Something has shifted.

I don’t know if it’s just my heart truly healing or the tattoo marking Shep as mine, but I know tonight will be the night I give all of myself to him.

He quickly wraps his hands around the back of my legs, cupping my butt before standing and bringing me up with him. Wrapping myself around him, our mouths find each other and we kiss in a frenzy—like we can’t get enough. And we can’t. I know I never will.

He walks towards my bed and lays me down, sliding down his pants and boxers before climbing on top of me. The way he looks at me takes my breath away. If Shep couldn’t speak, his eyes could say enough. This man loves me. Adores me. Cherishes me. He has for so long and I know he won’t ever stop.

“Can I take these off, baby?” he whispers while grazing his fingertips along the edge of my thong.

I nod while sucking on my bottom lip and when he pulls down the lace fabric leaving me bare before him, I almost can’t wait any longer.

“You know I have an IUD,” I blurt out and then feel the apples of my cheeks flush with heat as Shep smirks.

“Eager are we?” His voice is like smoke, wrapping around me and choking me out.

I worried that the moment we decided to have sex, old habits of mine would rush in and panic would consume me. But right now, all I can sense is my all-consuming love and affection for Shep.

He brings his lips to my neck and I reach out, lightly wrapping my hand around his dick. He pulls back, blinking a few times, then looks down at where I’m holding him. I don’t know what side of me he’s unleashed, but this Harlow feels bold and exciting.

I stroke him a few times, before sliding my hand up to capture the side of his face. My other hand draws lazy circles on the arm that's wrapped underneath me.

“I’m ready,” I whisper.

Shep leans forward to capture his lips with mine and when he does, he pushes himself inside me, and the sensation is so overwhelming, I break our kiss to cry out.

“Is it okay? Are you okay?” Shep rushes out, studying my face.

I nod quickly, rocking my hips to encourage him to move.

“More than okay. So good. You feel- You fit, so good.” The words tumble out of my mouth as he picks up the pace and rocks into me.

“Oh, shit. Baby. Harlow, you’re perfect.” He slows down and I feel every languid thrust. “Look at you, taking me so well.”

I open my eyes and follow his gaze, where he’s watching himself slide in and out of me. The sight is so erotic and it drags something out of my core, setting free the version of myself that didn’t feel comfortable with sex.

I moan and throw my head back, overcome with pleasure and a new sense of power. “I’m yours,” I cry out, closing my eyes and Shep pushes deeper, hitting a spot that causes white spots to start appearing behind my eyelids.

“Always have been.” Thrust . “Always will be.” Thrust . His words spark fire in my core and I feel the tightening and pulsing of my release creeping all the way from my toes to my cheeks.

“Shep!” I nearly scream when he puts a hand under me, tilting my hips up and reaching the spot that causes me to detonate underneath him.

“Oh, fu…” he groans while I let the delicious feeling wrack through my body. “I’m going to?—”

“In me. Do it in me. Don’t stop,” I shock myself as the pleads leave my lips, but the words are Shep’s undoing and after just a few more thrusts, warmth fills me and Shep’s body collapses on top of mine.

We lay there, silently, still connected while our bodies start to relax. I move some of his hair that’s fallen forward and is sticking to his forehead.

“I’m really happy it’s you,” I whisper.

He picks his head up and places a hand along the side of my face, before letting a lazy smile grace his lips. “Yeah? I’m really happy it’s you too, baby girl.”

“I wouldn’t want anyone else,” I let a smile of my own appear before a small giggle escapes.

“What?” Shep squints, but a playfulness remains in his eyes.

“I’m just glad you didn’t listen to me. Didn’t let me push you away.” I press a soft kiss on his lips before looking deep into his slate blue eyes. “I’m glad you didn’t stay in your lane.”

THE END