Epilogue

Epilogue

The house felt so quiet in the daytime. Party-goers had fallen asleep on the couches, in the extra bedrooms, and snuggled up on the floor with blankets and throw pillows. Groaning, hungover Daniel was shuffling around the house, tossing beer bottles and empty cans into a massive black trash bag when Manson and I came down the stairs.

“Well god damn.” He paused when he saw us, blinking rapidly. “Is that what I think it is?” He pointed at our hands, our fingers interlaced. I just smiled.

“Easy, buddy,” Manson said. “Let’s not start any untimely rumors, hm?” But he winked as we turned away, and I heard Daniel mutter, “No fucking way…”

Poor Ashley had spent the morning in the bathroom, feeling the after-effects of all her drinks. She’d dragged herself to the car ahead of me, muttering that she needed something greasy for breakfast and giving Manson a long side-eye.

“You sure you don’t want to come with us?” I said, as Manson walked me up the sidewalk toward the car. The morning air was crisp and breezy, so he’d given me his massive soft hoodie to wear. It drooped over my hands, and came down to my thighs.

“I need to help Daniel with the cleanup.” He turned to me as we reached the car, enfolding me into his arms. I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes for a moment. He still smelled so good. “Besides, I don’t think Ashley is warmed up to me enough for that.”

“Oh, she’ll get over it.”

“Eventually,” he smiled, leaving a kiss on my forehead as he parted from me. “But getting breakfast, some other time, sounds like a good idea.”

“Good. Next weekend then?” I didn’t want to leave his arms. His closeness brought up flickering memories of the previous night - the intensity, the passion, the brutality. It made goosebumps prickle over my skin.

“Sounds good to me.” He gave my butt a swat as I walked away. “Be good now.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that.” I paused, my door half-way open. Ashley was groaning at me from the passenger seat, swearing she was never going to drink again. “It’s hard to be good.”

“I guess I’ll have to keep teaching you then,” he said, with an exaggerated sigh. “What a pain.”

I smiled sweetly, fluttering my fingers at him. “Bye, loser.”

He smirked, his tone a warning. “Jess…”

He had to know what he was getting into. He could handle me, but that didn’t mean I was going to make it easy. “Sorry, sorry. You can punish me next time,” I lowered my voice, just loud enough for him to hear, “Master.”

THE END