Page 93 of Your Two Lips
EPILOGUE
Seven Months Later
Finn
The ribbon-cuttingceremony went off without a hitch on the warm summer day. My family, friends from the biking community, and a few people from town had been here to help celebrate. We had eight yurts spaced apart for privacy and completed with top-of-the-line beds and bedding, a small kitchenette, and even a cozy little bathroom with lavender soaps and shampoos. The luxury items and snack baskets on arrival were Emily’s touch.
After dinner, a few of us settled in for a beer by the newly installed fire pit, and my girl was on my lap. Except for Carrie and Dan—a yurt’s walls were too thin to contain the wails of their baby girl or dampen our shouts and conversations—all of our friends were here. We told stories and laughed. A good day about to get better. The ring, which until today had been tucked into the back corner of my top dresser drawer, called to me like a telltale heart from my pocket.
I bought it not long after Emily moved in. Lucas helped me pick it out in December while we were Christmas shopping. His knowledge of all things expensive finally came in handy. I was waiting for the right time. A lot had changed quickly back then, and I wanted to give Em time to adjust.
I was done waiting about a month ago. Luc said once I should just ask, and she would say yes, whatever I did. Em deserved special, unforgettable. I hadn’t figured out what that was, but I couldn’t wait any longer. I wanted to see my ring on her finger. People would knowIput it there, and she loved me.
Besides, everything was great with Emily. We settled into a routine of work, family dinners with my folks, making love on every surface, and of course, as many bike rides as the weather allowed in the wet winter and spring months. My new bike, the one Emily bought for me last fall, was awesome, and the color I got was a deep orange to remind her of her favorite tulips.
My house had transformed into our house with our things. A pale blue chaise lounge chair now sat in the corner of our bedroom. Emily encouraged me not to think of it as a catcher for discarded clothes, as it was her favorite place to read, with the fireplace on one side and the picture window on the other. I didn’t tell her, but I liked that delicate chair, long and lean, in my bedroom, like Emily.
I liked her lingerie drying on hangers in the bathroom because it meant I would see it on her again soon. I never thought I would be that guy. Lingerie was always nice but not life-changing. I was wrong. On and off, lingerie was becoming one of my favorite things. Important to me, like her beloved chocolate-covered strawberry ice cream.
I smoothed my hand up her thigh while my friends chatted in the warm firelight. With all the preparations for today, we hadn’t spent any naked time together in more than a week. Something I planned to change tonight.
She was wearing loose, fancy sweatpants made by lulu somebody. She loved how soft they felt. I loved how easily they fell to the floor, dropping quickly with the weight of the plush fabric. My hand slipped lower. I didn’t get close enough to be indecent, but close enough to hint at where I planned to be once these yahoos went to bed. We were all staying in the yurts. The first guests would be me, my girl, and our friends.
I slid my hand to her hip, and she winced. That was weird. I moved back toward her knee. “Are you okay, baby?”
“Yes.” She nestled a little more into the crook of my arm. “I’m happy. And warm.”
“What can we do to get these guys to go to bed so that we can? I want to kiss every inch of your body.” I whispered into her ear under the guise of a chaste kiss on her neck.
“That sounds great.” Her eyes shifted.
“Emily. If you're too tired, we can sleep. Naked cause I need to feel your skin, but we can just sleep.”
“No, it’s not that. I have a surprise for you, and I’m hoping it’s a good one.”
“Okay, we’re not waiting for them anymore.” I nudged her to stand. “We’re going to bed. They can do whatever they want.” I caught Alex’s eye. “Hey, man, you got this?” I could always count on Alex to roll with anything.
“Yep. I’ll make sure the fire is out before I turn in.” He lifted his beer in our direction.
“Thanks.” Holding my girl close, we waved our goodbyes. “Breakfast at what time, Luc?”
“Late, more like brunch.” He smiled and pulled his arm tighter around the woman beside him.
I held Emily’s hand as we walked toward the yurt farthest away from the fire. Her pace was a little slower than usual, and I slowed to match hers. Maybe I was too eager to get her inside and learn about the surprise. Her surprises were usually lingerie and always good, and I had one of my own. I tapped the ring in my right front pocket as I opened the door for her, and we kicked off our shoes. Even in a yurt, we were still in the PNW. No shoes on rugs.
Emily had led the work to decorate the insides. Warm tones and pops of vibrant color, she said. Since bikers brought home dirt from the trail, the fabrics were sturdy and easy to clean, but they were also luxurious where they could be. Soft towels, Egyptian cotton sheets, huge floor pillows near the gas heating unit. I flipped the switch for the warm light on the wall by the bed and the heater nearby. The evening air was chilly away from the firepit, and I wanted Emily comfortable.
“Are you thirsty? Can I get you a bourbon?” I lowered my voice the way she liked. “I stashed some Elijah Craig in here for us.”
“Sounds good.” Now I knew something was wrong. That particular bourbon usually got a much warmer response.
She moved to the bed and sat down, biting her bottom lip. I liked knowing I could do that to her now like I had imagined doing so long ago.
“Baby, what’s going on?” I was a little cautious.
“Nothing … I have a new lingerie set, and I want you to like it.”
I exhaled. “I’m going to love it. Let me tell you right now, I will love it on and off you. Can I see?”
