Page 64 of Starfallen
Epilogue
Six Months Later
After spending twohours in the gardens and another two spent chopping firewood this morning while everyone slept, I rest the back of my head against the bathtub and soak in the cool water.
Knock-knock.
Already knowing it’s Tilly from the sound of her breathing and our bond, I open my eyes.
“You don’t have to knock, Red.”
She cracks the door open and pokes her head inside. “Mornin’.” A smile plays on her lips as she slides in the room. “Kaden’s still sleeping.”
My heart stutters at her beauty. The early morning sunshine streaming from the high window lands on her face and hair, highlighting the red strands and caressing her cheekbones.
“Come here,” I say in a low voice, unable to take my eyes from hers. There’s a dark command in my voice but I can’t help it. Every day I want her more than the day before.
Her eyebrows lower, but she must see something in my gaze because she nods once, then shuts the door softly and pads toward me.
I drag my attention down her body and lift a finger from my hand resting on the edge of the tub. “We’re going to finish that game you started months ago. Now strip off your clothes.”
She opens her mouth to say something, but I hold up a hand. “If you make me get out of this tub, I don’t know if I can control myself. I need you.”
Our eyes remain locked together, and in less than a minute, she’s removed everything.
I point to the tub. “Get in.”
“So bossy,” she mumbles under her breath, but she complies, lowering herself into the water facing me.
Grabbing her hips, I settle her onto my lap, then slide my hands up the velvet skin of her back until I tangle my fingers into her fiery hair.
A soft sigh escapes her mouth.
I pull her chest to me and put my lips to her ear. “I have a surprise, but first, I want to make hot, passionate love to you. I want to create more babies with you. I want to spend eternity with you.”
A shiver travels through her body.
As I loosen my hold to position her over my hips, I catch her stare and still. There’s such compassion and love in the curve of her lips, the gentle touch of her fingers stroking my chest.
“I love you.” Her simple words are filled with such emotion my heart swells in my chest.
Unable to answer over the lump in my throat, I bury myself in her, shuddering at the exquisite sensation of total connection—body, mind, and soul.
Water splashes onto the floor with our frantic, desperate movements.
I devour her sweet mouth, her silky skin, her moans of pleasure.
“Red,” I pant. “I love you, too.” Sensing she’s at the peak, I slow but clutch her body tighter, the momentum of our movements causing waves of water to crash all around us. “Say my name, tell me I’m yours.”
“Oh, Jareth. You’re mine and I’m yours. Always.” Her entire body clenches.
“I love the sound of my name on your lips.” And that whisper of my name sends us both over the edge and into that brief, beautiful moment of pure heaven.
****
MINUTES LATER, ONCEour breathing calms and the water’s turned chilly, she pulls away.
“Well, that’s a way to start the morning.” Her voice is shaky, and her cheeks are still flushed from sex.
