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I think I nod, but honestly, every thought and function is focused on the soft heat surrounding my length. He’s so fucking tight. My gaze dips to his cock, the way it bounces with each upward thrust, droplets of precum falling to my stomach.

For a moment, I just watch him ride me, taking in the way his lids close in pleasure, his lips slightly parted as his hand slips from my mouth to my shoulder for leverage. I’ve imagined this so many times over the last year, pictured him here with me in bed, our bodies so close that nothing could ever come between us again, and now here he is. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted and more.

When I grip his waist, my thumbs rub circles into his hips, and his eyes open to lock onto my burning gaze. He slows to a stop, brows pinching in concern when he notices the tears on my lashes. “Hey, big guy. What’s that look for?”

“You’re beautiful,” I whisper, swallowing hard as I take a deep breath. “I don’t think I’ve ever told you, but you should know.”

Xed blinks, staring at me silently before his features harden. Reaching out, he grabs my jaw as he rises on my cock before slamming back down again, making me whimper to contain the moan that wants to claw from my throat.

“You. Can’t. Say. That. Shit,” he grits out through clenched teeth, accentuating each word with a roll of his hips, and I wrap my palm around his length, squeezing tightly.

“Yes, I can. You’re mine, and I’ll tell you every day from now on.”

His chest heaves as he starts to ride me hard, thrusting forward into my fist until I feel myself drawing closer. As soon as he leans forward to claim my mouth, I’m fucking gone, unloading inside of him with a muffled groan.

Warmth floods my hand when he follows me over, his movements halting as he spills onto my abs. The feeling of his ass clenching on my cock has my orgasm lasting forever, and once we’re both spent, Xed collapses on top of me, out of breath.

I wrap my arms around him, pinning him to my chest as I bury my face in his hair. A peace settles into my soul, unlike any I’ve known for a long time.

He sighs heavily, his nose brushing my neck when he nuzzles closer before rolling off me. A big grin spreads across my face.

“We get to do this forever,” I say, turning on my side to face him, and his eyes soften as I curl my pinky around his. “And ever, and ever.”

He snorts, rolling his eyes, but I catch the way his lips twitch into a smile before he presses his face into the pillow. “Yeah. Forever. Me and you, baby.”

“Promise?”

Peeking at me from the pillowcase, he raises our hands, slotting his legs between mine. “Pinky promise.”

Pinky promise.

No more fighting it. No more running.

Whatever it takes, however long, I’m going to keep him this time.

I may not know what will happen tomorrow, but one thing’s for sure:

Xed will be there with me no matter what the morning brings. And for the first time in so many years, I can’t wait to open my eyes when the sun rises.

Because the man I love will be the first thing I see.

Epilogue One

The clang of the penitentiary doors shutting behind us echoes off the peeling white walls, each sound slamming into me like a punch. The air reeks of bleach and despair, every step I take feeling heavier, like I’m walking through quicksand.

Xed’s hand tightens in mine, his support keeping me from unraveling. It’s been a week now since the accident, and we’re both sleep-deprived and on edge. We’ve spent every night with Hannah between us, calming her from the nightmares she’s started having. We’ve got an appointment with her therapist next week, but the sight of my baby girl struggling and not being able to do a damn thing about it is breaking my heart, which is why we’re here.

I can’t let her go through something like this again. I won’t.

As we follow the correctional officer down the hallway, I focus on Xed’s warmth beside me, giving me strength.

Ahead of us, the officer pushes open a heavy door.

“She’s waiting for you inside,” he says flatly, motioning us forward before stepping away.

I pause momentarily, staring into the sterile meeting room where Valerie sits on the other side of a square table, dressed in a prison uniform. Honestly, she looks like shit. Sallow skin, hair dull and greasy. Detox must be rough.

Her face twists when she sees us holding hands, her nose wrinkling in disgust, and Xed’s fingers twitch against my palm.