Between Then and Now (Hallow’s End #1)

Epilogue

T HE COZY CANVAS WAS a haven of festive cheer as Christmas approached. Twinkling fairy lights adorned the gallery, casting a soft glow over the artwork and decorations. Garlands of holly and mistletoe hung from the rafters, and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree stood proudly in the corner, its branches heavy with ornaments.

I stood in the middle of the gallery, admiring the festive atmosphere in a cozy, oversized sweater and a Santa hat, my cheeks flushed from the cold outside. Ethan was by my side, his arm draped casually around my shoulders. Our relationship had grown even stronger over the past months, and the love between us was tangible.

The gallery buzzed with activity and laughter, the walls full with the colourful expressions of my students’ work. Seeing them pour their hearts into their art, and watching their confidence grow with each brushstroke, brought me an indescribable happiness. The Cozy Canvas had become more than just a gallery—it was a sanctuary where people could express their emotions, and work through their experiences in a creative and healing way.

Ethan’s support had been unwavering. He’d encouraged me, helped set up classes, and even took part in a few, much to everyone’s delight. Together, we watched as the gallery transformed into a community hub, a place where dreams were nurtured and spirits lifted. With the generous donations from the gallery opening, I was able to fund art supplies, start a series of workshops, and even offer day classes for school trips.

“Everything looks amazing,” Ethan said, his eyes shining with pride.

“Thank you,” I replied, leaning into him.

As the evening progressed, friends and family gathered in the gallery, filling it with laughter and joy. Ivy and Amelia were there, effortlessly moving through the crowd and spreading their cheer, and my mom mingled easily with the guests, our bond growing stronger with each day.

However, the absence of my father was a lingering thought in my mind. He hadn’t been able to come, as he still grappled with the changes in my life and our relationship. Yet, earlier in the day, he had called to wish me a Merry Christmas. It was a small step, but it filled me with hope. His voice had been softer than it usually was, and it gave me a glimmer of belief that he might eventually come around.

Ethan noticed the wistfulness in my eyes as I recounted the phone call to him. “It’s a start,” he said, squeezing my hand. “Maybe we could visit Cresden for New Year’s, spend some time with both your parents? It might help bridge the gap.”

I nodded, a smile touching my lips at the thought. “I’d like that. It’s been too long since I’ve seen him, and maybe seeing us together, and happy, will make a difference. ”

Ethan pulled me into a comforting embrace. “We’ll make it happen. Together.”

The brisk night air cooled my flushed cheeks as we locked up the gallery, the excitement of the evening lingering between us. The walk to Ethan’s place was short, but the anticipation stretched every step into a tantalizing journey. By the time we crossed the threshold of his house, my pulse was racing, my body humming with anticipation.

Ethan closed the door behind us, the room embracing us in its warm comfort. The scent of pine and cinnamon lingered in the air, and I could barely contain my excitement for what I had planned.

“Wait here,” I whispered, casting him a playful smile before disappearing into the bedroom. His curiosity was piqued, and when I reemerged, the look on his face was worth every second of preparation.

I stood in the doorway, wearing a daring red lingerie set that left little to the imagination. The lace hugged my curves perfectly, the garter belt attached to sheer stockings, and a pair of delicate heels completed the ensemble. My hair cascaded in loose waves around my shoulders, and I relished in the way Ethan’s breath caught, his eyes darkening with lust.

“Merry Christmas,” I purred.

Ethan crossed the room in two strides, his gaze locked on me, every inch of his body radiating need. “You look . . . incredible ,” he murmured, his voice hot with desire, as if he could hardly believe what he was seeing.

I took a step closer, my fingers trailing down the front of his shirt, feeling the hard muscle beneath. “I’m your present,” I whispered, my voice sultry. “Now it’s time to unwrap me.”

His hands shook slightly as he began to undress me, peeling away the delicate layers of lace with an almost reverent touch. With each piece of fabric falling to the floor, his kisses became more urgent and possessive, filling the room with the sound of our heavy breathing, mingling with the rustle of clothing.

Just as his lips trailed down my neck, leaving a burning path in their wake, he suddenly scooped me up, his arms wrapping around me with a strength that made my breath catch. My legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, and I could feel the hardness of his desire pressing against me through his jeans. His lips never left mine as he carried me toward the bedroom, each step deliberate, his pace slow enough to keep the tension between us sizzling.

When we reached the bedroom, Ethan paused just long enough to push the door open with his foot before crossing the threshold. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the Christmas lights casting a warm hue over the bed.

He set me down with a gentleness that contrasted with the heat in his eyes. As he hovered over me, his body a tantalizing weight against mine, raw desire burned in his gaze. His hands caressed my body, exploring every inch as if he was committing it to memory, his fingers trailing down my sides, over my hips, and back up to cup my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my sensitive nipples.

“Vinnie,” he groaned, his hands roaming over my now-bare skin. “You have no idea how much I want you right now.”

I pulled back just enough to lock eyes with him, my breath catching at the intensity of his gaze. “Show me,” I whispered, my voice trembling with anticipation.

A slow, wicked grin spread across his face, a spark of mischief dancing in his eyes. He reached for a ribbon he had tied around one of my Christmas gifts, gently unwinding it before wrapping the soft fabric around my wrists. He secured them with a loose bow, the delicate restraint sending a thrill of excitement through me and heightening every nerve in my body .

The ribbon binding my wrists filled me with a heady mix of vulnerability and desire, and Ethan’s eyes darkened with something primal as he took in the sight of me, bound and ready for him. I smiled, my body responding to the hunger in his gaze, my skin tingling with anticipation.

Slowly and deliberately, his hands began to explore, starting at my wrists and trailing down my arms, leaving a path of fire in their wake. When his fingers reached the curve of my hips, he squeezed lightly; a touch that made me gasp. The sensation was electric, sending jolts of pleasure through me as he gripped me firmly, his hands hot against my skin.

His lips followed the path his hands had taken, kissing and nibbling along my collarbone before moving lower. When he reached my breasts, he paused, his breath warm against my skin as he took one nipple into his mouth, his tongue flicking against the sensitive peak, making me arch into him.

I moaned softly, my fingers tangling in his hair as he lavished attention on my breasts, switching from one to the other, his hand teasing the nipple he wasn’t sucking. The sensation was overwhelming, the pleasure building in waves that left me gasping. Sensing my desire to take control, Ethan reached up, gently but firmly pushing my tied hands back down against the bed, his fingers wrapping around my wrists to hold them in place.

“Let me,” he murmured, his voice a husky command that sent a thrill through me. The restraint made every sensation sharper, more intense, and the fact that he was in complete control only heightened my need. His lips resumed their journey, his mouth hot and demanding as he continued to lavish attention on my breasts, each flick of his tongue and teasing nips making my body arch toward him, desperate for more. Ethan’s grip on my wrists tightened just slightly, a reminder that he was the one setting the pace, guiding the pleasure that was quickly becoming all-consuming.

As his mouth travelled lower, anticipation built like a coiled spring inside me. Even though I was already bare beneath him, Ethan didn’t rush. His kisses were slow and deliberate, leaving a burning trail down my stomach. Each press of his lips sent a shiver of longing through me, and the ache between my legs grew almost unbearable.

He paused just above my hips, his warm breath ghosting over my skin, making me quiver with anticipation. His hands, still holding my wrists in place, slid down to grip my thighs, spreading them apart with a gentle but insistent pressure. The cool air against my heated skin made me gasp, my body arching involuntarily toward him, desperate for more.

Ethan hovered there, his breath hot against my most sensitive spot, teasing me until I was trembling with need. When he finally pressed his mouth against me, his tongue moving in slow strokes, the pleasure was so intense it was almost painful. I cried out, my hands instinctively tugging against the soft restraints, but he held me firmly in place, his grip grounding me even as he pushed me toward the edge.

The way his tongue moved, flicking and swirling with expert precision, made my body tremble uncontrollably. He alternated between soft teasing licks, and deep focused strokes that had me gasping for breath, my entire world narrowing down to the incredible sensations he was creating.

“Ethan, please,” I begged, my voice a breathless plea. “I need you.”

He looked up at me, a wicked grin tugging at his lips. “Patience, darling,” he murmured, his breath hot against my most sensitive skin. “I want to savor this.” His hands tightened on my thighs, holding me open as he continued his torturous, exquisite assault.

Finally, just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore, Ethan’s mouth moved with purpose, his tongue finding a rhythm that drove me straight to the brink. The waves of pleasure crashed over me, my body shaking with the intensity of my climax .

“Ethan,” I gasped, my body arching off the bed as I finally teetered on the edge.

The release was so powerful it left me breathless, my body trembling with aftershocks as he slowly, gently, eased me back down from the high.

His hands roamed over my body as he kissed me deeply, and the taste of myself on his lips only fuelled the fire burning within me. The heat of his own arousal pressed against my thigh through his clothes and, in one swift motion, he reached for the hem of his shirt, tugging it over his head and tossing it aside. He leaned back in, capturing my lips in another searing kiss, his hands already working on the buttons of his jeans.

He shed the last of his clothes, the rustle of fabric the only sound in the room besides our ragged breaths and when he returned to me, the heat of his bare skin against mine was electrifying.

He positioned himself at my entrance, his eyes locking onto mine, filled with a promise of what was to come. Slowly, almost torturously, he pushed inside me, the sensation of him filling me completely overwhelming. I moaned into his mouth as I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper. The feeling of being so completely connected to him left me breathless, every movement pushing me closer to the edge.

Ethan began to move, each thrust deep and deliberate, his pace unhurried as if he wanted to make this moment last forever. The pressure and my pleasure built with each movement, the ribbon around my wrists tightening slightly as I gripped the sheets, the restraint adding a delicious edge to the sensation.

“Vinnie,” he groaned, his breath hot against my ear, the sound of my name on his lips sending another wave of desire through me. “You feel so good. So perfect.”

I could barely form words, my mind lost in the overwhelming pleasure he was giving me. “Ethan, I love you,” I managed to gasp, my voice trembling.

He quickened his pace, his movements becoming more urgent, more desperate. “I love you too, Vinnie,” he whispered, his voice raw with emotion. “Always.”

Our bodies moved together in a perfect rhythm of need and love, the connection between us deepening with every thrust, every touch. The tension coiled tighter in my core as he drove me closer and closer to another climax.

When it finally hit, it was like an explosive burst of pure ecstasy that left me breathless and shaking beneath him. Ethan followed me over the edge, his own release powerful, his body trembling as he collapsed beside me.

As the waves of pleasure slowly subsided, leaving us both breathless and trembling, he gently untied the ribbon that had bound my wrists, his fingers moving tenderly as he worked the knot loose, and his touch soothing against the slight indents left on my skin. Once my hands were free, he brought them to his lips, kissing each wrist softly, his eyes filled with warmth and affection.

“I'm sorry,” he murmured, his voice a gentle caress. “Did I hurt you?”

I shook my head, a playful smile tugging at my lips. “I loved every second of it.”

His lips curled into a teasing grin as he raised an eyebrow. “Good to know,” he said, his voice laced with mischief. “Because I’m definitely going to enjoy exploring that interest of yours a lot more in the future.”

A thrill ran through me at his promise. “I’m looking forward to it.” I sighed contentedly, snuggling up against him. “I love you,” I murmured, the words slipping out naturally once more .

He kissed the top of my head, pulling me closer and draping a blanket over us. “I love you too, Vinnie,” he whispered, his voice soft. “More than you know.”

As I nestled into his side, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat lulling me into a peaceful haze, and I sunk into a profound sense of contentment. I might not have believed in magic, but there was something in the very fabric of this town that seemed to know exactly what I needed, even when I didn’t. It had brought me a happiness I never expected, weaving together the threads of my life in ways I never could’ve have imagined. As my eyelids grew heavy, I drifted off to sleep with a smile, wrapped in the warmth of Ethan’s embrace, and certain that whatever magic lived in Hallow’s End, it had brought me exactly where I was meant to be.