Naughty November

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

DEVIN

I kiss Jools as he wakes. “Morning.”

He runs his fingers through my hair, whimpering against my lips. “I love it when you wake me up like that.”

“Better than an alarm?”

“Much better. How was work?” He strokes my face, attentive despite having only just woken.

“It was a great night. I did scenes with some regulars and a couple of new subs.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. You must be tired.”

I peck his lips. “I’ll sleep when you’ve gone to work.”

It’s the pattern we’ve fallen into since Jools moved in six months ago. Despite our work patterns being at odds, we make the most of our time together. While I technically gave him the spare room, he’s never slept in there. My bed became ours immediately. I’ve loved every second of having him with me. We’ve spent the last six months reminiscing about old memories and making new ones together.

“I should find out if my transfer request has been accepted today,” Jools says .

“Are you sure it’s what you want?”

He frowns. “Why wouldn’t I want to get to stay here with you?”

“Because your family are in Australia.”

He sighs. “True, and I miss them, but it’s not like I’m never going to see them again. We’ll visit them, and they’ll visit us. My future is with you.” The certainty in his voice fills my heart with joy.

I bring his fingers to my lips and kiss them. “I love you.”

“I love you, too. I’d love to stay here with you all day.”

I tap his nose. “You have to get up.”

“I know.” He draws the words out, almost sounding like a petulant child.

“We can come back to bed later.”

“Promise?”

“Yes.” I kiss him for as long as I dare and then playfully push him towards the edge of the bed. “Come back after your shower.” I use a tone that brooks no argument, even though I know there won’t be any anyway.

“Yes, Sir.” He only calls me that when he’s being cheeky.

I’m ‘Sir’ at The Library, but I prefer him to use my name, no matter how subservient he’s being.

I fold my arms under my head while he showers. I could join him, but then he’d never get to work. He returns a few minutes later, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. His skin is pink from the heat of the shower and still a little damp. His tan faded over winter, making his body a more even canvas for me to write on. I stand, retrieve a red pen, and join him in the middle of the room.

“Have I told you how beautiful you are today?” I ask.

“Not yet.”

Smiling, I write it across his ribs. “Have I reminded you you’re mine?”

“Hmm, your kisses did a good job of that.”

“Not good enough.” I write ‘I belong to Devin’ over his heart.

“Do we have any plans today?”

“It’s my night off.”

Jools’s eyes light up. “Can we play today? ”

“Of course.” I write ‘playtime after work’ on his stomach. “Any requests?”

He shakes his head. “You decide. You know what I enjoy. You know what turns me on.” He drags his finger over my chest and then kisses me.

His skin has reacted beautifully to the brush of the pen, enhancing the letters. I write ‘sexy’ right above the towel and then coax him to bow his head so I can kiss his hair.

“Get dressed, or you’ll be late.”

I make breakfast while Jools gets ready. A few minutes later, he joins me, gaze glued to his phone.

“Everything okay?”

He replies with a quirky, lopsided smile.

“What? Don’t keep me in suspense.”

“Let’s just say it’s useful having a boss who’s in Australia.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Have you heard about the transfer?”

He grins. “Yup. I’m officially working for the London office now. He said he’s sorry to lose me, but understands why I want to relocate.”

“That’s wonderful.” I stand, scoop him into my arms, and kiss him with a mixture of passion and relief.

“I guess I’m yours for good now.”

I hold him tighter and press my face against the crook of his neck. “Is that what you want?”

“Yes.” His reply is breathless. Heartfelt. “Do you?”

“Yes.”

He rubs the heel of his hand in a circle over my back. “You were right all along.”

“That we’re meant to be together?”

“Yes. And my parents were very, very wrong when they said I’d forget all about you.” He puts his fingers beneath my chin and tilts my face up. “I could never forget you, Devin.”

“I don’t suppose you fancy wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt to work today, do you?”

Jools draws his brows together. “Why?”

“Because there’s something I want to write. Here.” I brush my fingers over his inner forearm .

He shivers. “The office is air-conditioned.”

“Is that a ‘yes’?”

“Yes.”

I thread my fingers through his, lead him into the bedroom, and find the orange pen. I cradle his arm reverently as I write slowly and neatly across it. ‘Will you marry me?’

He sucks in a sharp breath. He curls his fingers around the pen and tugs gently.

I allow him to take the pen.

He stares at me for a moment. I hold my breath, awaiting his reply. My pulse is quick. My skin buzzes with the need to know what he’s thinking. “Jools?”

He holds the pen over my heart. “May I?”

He’s never written on me before. “Of course.”

Smiling, he writes a single word across my chest. I can’t see it, but I can feel the strokes of the pen. Three letters. My heart flutters. I say nothing as he manoeuvres us so we’re standing in front of the mirror. He’s written ‘YES’ back to front, so it’s the right way around in the mirror. I let out a whoop, turn, pick him up, and spin him around. He might be taller than me, but he’s lighter.

He wraps his arms around my neck and rests his cheek on my shoulder. “Now I really don’t want to go to work.”

“You have to. Don’t worry, I’ll plan a special celebration for when you get home.”

“I’m looking forward to it already.”

“And I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you.”