Just a Number (Thirst Trap #2)

Epilogue - Part 1

Alex

One Year Later

I look around the light, airy gallery space in wonder. It’s so professional. So fancy. And it’s my work placed on the plinths and shelves. My pottery pieces that people are coming to see tonight. It’s a sell-out, apparently. How the hell did I manage that?

I grin as the main reason I managed that walks toward me. She never fails to steal my breath away. She’s in what I consider her signature look: a tight pencil skirt that hugs her curves and makes me want to get on my knees and ease it up over her hips. A silky blouse that I know covers a delicately lacy bra cupping her beautiful tits. Stockings that she wears every day now that she knows I go feral when I run my hand up her thighs and find their lacy tops, snapping them against her skin at every opportunity just to hear that little squeal she makes every time. Her high stilettos complete her look.

She’s just as professional and fancy as the space she’s organised for this event tonight. She belongs here, schmoozing with rich people who want to own beautiful things. And she’s mine. I still have to pinch myself every day that I belong to her and she belongs to me.

“Hey, feeling okay?” She brushes a hand over my shirt-covered bicep as she steps close. Her chin tips up so she can meet my gaze. Contentment washes over me. Her touch and proximity always make everything right.

“This looks amazing, Mel,” I tell her. “Thank you.” I enjoy the blush on her cheeks as well as her soft smile.

“I wanted it all to be perfect for your first solo showing. You deserve the best, Alex.” She glances around the room, the furrow appearing on her brow as she checks every detail, making sure it’s just as she planned it.

“I’m just glad you agreed to organise the whole thing for me, even though I’m not a spicy romance author.” My tongue pokes into my cheek in jest and her light smack on my arm brings a chuckle from my lips.

“I’ve really enjoyed putting this together for you. I’m so fucking proud of you. I wouldn’t have missed doing this for anything. Thank you for asking.” Her stare meets mine as we share a moment of silence. I lean my forehead down to hers, breathing the same air for a moment before I know the evening will get crazy busy and we’ll be separated while she does her job and I do mine.

“I’m proud of you, too. You know that, right?” I ask her. “You’re living your best life, giving no fucks about what other people think about you, and that’s so hot, baby. And you’re really bloody good at every single thing you put your mind to. I’m so grateful to know you, to love you, to be with you.” I can’t stop the words spilling out. This day is momentous for my career. And this woman is momentous for my entire life.

This last year, together, has been incredible. I’ve watched as Mel has built up her own business, to the point where her services are so sought after that she’s hired a team to help her.

She’s thriving, and it’s a wonderful look on her. Her attention to detail and meticulousness is still evident in every single thing she does, but she’s also learnt to ease back every now and again. Seeing her laugh and joke with her friends, relax during our downtime and submit to me in the bedroom makes my chest swell with love for her. And when she decides to take charge in the bedroom, well fuck, it drives me wild. And that reminds me…

“Does that offer from a few days ago still stand?” I ask with hope.

Her head tilts to the side. “Which offer?”

“The one where, after this event, I’m all yours to do whatever you want with?”

“Oh yes, it does. Tonight?” she asks with an eager expression.

“Yes, please, baby. The anticipation will help me get through this event,” I say with a groan.

“Not looking forward to it?” she asks sardonically.

“I just can’t be arsed with all the small talk and polite chit-chat.”

I’m happiest when I’m creating or spending time with the woman I love. The selling part of my job is my least favourite. Mel’s been an amazing help there, helping me set up the online shop and putting me in touch with a photographer to help show off my creations. And every now and again I do an event like this one, although this is the first time it’s been my own event and not shared with other artists.

“I know. I’m sure it’ll go fast, though, and then I’ll get to have my wicked way with you,” she tells me. Her smile is as lascivious as I’ve ever seen it, which gets my dick hardening in my smart slacks as I imagine what she has in store for me later.

“How about a quickie now?” I ask with a smirk, always pushing my luck.

“No fucking way. I want you at my mercy for more than ten fucking minutes, boyo.” She looks at her watch with a grimace. “I need to check that the caterers are all set up. The doors open in twenty minutes. You should have a look around and double check you’re happy with all the placings.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” I say softly, enjoying her chest puffing out at the title as she draws in a deep breath. She leans in for a kiss before turning and making her way to the caterers’ space behind the gallery.

The gallery is full of chatter and there’s a good vibe in the room as I look around an hour later. There are the familiar faces of Cassidy, Tom and Jack, Abby, my mum, and Laura. Doug didn’t make an appearance, thank goodness. My mum seems to be a bit firmer with him these days, and Laura and I get to spend more time with her without him interfering. I don’t think Mum and I will ever be super close, but there’s more of an ease to our relationship now. Especially with me not being at home.

Mel’s been busy making sure that everything is running smoothly behind the scenes and I’ve been making my best effort to chat with everyone that’s in attendance. The amount of sold stickers popping up next to my items is mind blowing. I’ve been working for months on pieces for this showing and the plan was to put them up for sale online after the event. But at this rate, there won’t be much left. Guess I’ll be putting in a few days in my studio next week to replenish the shop stock.

A hand grasps my shoulder from behind and I turn around, ready to schmooze.

“Hey,” Zack says as I face him. “It’s going well, huh?”

“Hey, thanks for coming. Yeah, it really is. It’s all down to your mum. She’s organised it all.”

“I know. She was bending my ear about it during the week. She was really nervous for you.”

I’m taken aback. She’d hidden it well from me. “Really?”

“Yeah, she wanted this to be a big success for you.” There’s a pause and I wait, sensing he has something else to say. “I know I was a bit of a dick when I found out about you two, but it’s obvious you make her happy, Alex. She was miserable when you were in Scotland. She missed you.”

What do I say to that to that? We get on alright but our relationship changed when I came back from Scotland. For this to work, I had to give up our relationship as mates and take on one as the boyfriend of his mum. And it generally works. We chat when he’s around. Mel and I try to keep it PG when he’s staying at the house. He ended up taking the space above the garage that I’d stayed in and it works well for all of us. Mel is happy with him having a space he can stay in when he needs it, and Zack doesn’t have to share the house with us, which I know must be strange.

“I missed her too. She makes me happy. I’m not sorry that we got together, Zack. I can’t be. She makes my life a million times better. But I do regret that we hurt you in the process.” I’ve got no idea if it’s the right thing to say, but a relief settles over me at the nod he gives me.

“Just don’t fucking hurt her. She’s the best,” he tells me with a punch to my arm.

“I’ll do everything in my power to make her as happy as possible,” I vow.

“Good. Right, where’s the free booze?” he asks as he glances around the room.

“Over there, knock yourself out,” I tell him with a grin.