Rare Blend (Red Mountain #1)

Epilogue

ETHAN

THREE MONTHS LATER

“ W e’re going to be late,” Marisa calls from the other side of the door.

“Be right out.” I’ve been ready for a few minutes, but I’m giving the beta blocker some time to work its magic so I can tolerate the large crowd that will be gathered at the winery. In typical Ledger fashion, everything must be celebrated and turned into an elaborate event, including my parents’ wedding anniversary.

“You look very handsome.”

I turn at the sound of Marisa’s voice and watch as she saunters into our bedroom, wearing one of her sinful little dresses. The weather is still fairly cool for early spring, but you’d never know it wasn’t blazing summer by the strappy, hot pink dress she’s wearing. I can’t wait to strip her out of it later.

“Behave,” she warns with a sexy smile.

We’re definitely leaving the party at least an hour early. I don’t think I can last late into the night with her dressed like that and not being able to do anything about it.

When our gazes latch, I find the heat in her eyes mirrors mine and raise a brow at her. “Now who’s the one giving the eye-fuck.”

Her arms cross, only drawing more attention to her full, round tits. “What can I say, I’m weak for a rugged man in a custom suit. Something about calloused hands and cufflinks really does it for me.”

“Baby, if that’s your kink, I’ll wear this monkey suit daily.”

She laughs heartily and the huskiness of it warms my chest. Her laugh is the best damn sound I’ve ever heard—apart from her moans.

Sometimes I still wake up worried I dreamed the whole thing and she never came back. It’s a nightmare that takes me a few seconds to shake until I realize it’s her warm body next to mine. Right where she belongs. Forever.

I have no intentions of pushing Marisa before she’s ready, but the ring I have hiding in my desk drawer is burning a hole in my thoughts. Every day I try to pretend it’s not there and every day I fail. It’s getting harder to wait, especially now that construction has started on our house. We had to wait for the harsh winter to pass, but once it did, it’s been full speed ahead. We both know marriage is in our future, but I’m not going to ask until I’m absolutely certain she’s ready. Until then, I’ll continue to feel like the luckiest guy alive, because I get to share my life with this amazing woman.

“Come on, lover boy. We can’t be late because we had a quickie beforehand. Your siblings will totally be able to tell. Especially Shane.”

The party is in full swing when we arrive. I swallow the dryness in my throat, watching as large crowds filter in, and the sounds of a million conversations blur into one chaotic hum.

Marisa clutches onto my hand and gives it a squeeze.

“You give me the word, and we’re out of here. We can tell people I have food poisoning or something.”

God, I love her. I love that she gets it, and I don’t have to explain it. I’ve never had to explain it.

“Thanks, baby.” I bring up our joined hands and give her knuckles a kiss. “Let’s go inside before I lose the nerve.”

Inside, I immediately scan the overflowing ballroom for one of my siblings. Elyse spots us first and waves us over. She’s the coordinator of the event, and looking very much the part, holding a tablet against her chest.

“I thought your mom said this was going to be a small, intimate event,” Marisa says as we weave through to get to Elyse.

“This is her version of intimate.”

She huffs, looking around. “I think she needs to look up the definition again.”

“I sat you guys with the rest of the crew.” Elyse points to a table near the stage and pushes us off, looking stressed.

I lead the way while we maneuver the round banquet tables decoratively covered in linen tablecloths and an array of centerpieces. This party looks a lot more like a wedding than it does a thirty-fifth anniversary celebration.

We spot Robert and Jenn as we get closer to our table, and they toss us a wave. Marisa also runs into a few of her coworkers, promising to meet up with them later.

The room is full of people I know, and it’s both comforting and tortuous all at once. I give Marisa’s hand a squeeze, telling her I found our table.

When we get there, Gavin and Shane are chatting while Layla and Ariana entertain Lily by coloring with her.

Shane’s eyes give Marisa a once-over before cutting to me and giving me a wink. He’s always trying to get a rise out of me, especially when it comes to Marisa.

“Looking good, Marisa,” Shane tells her.

Marisa smiles like she’s holding in a laugh. “Thanks, Shane.”

Gavin drums on the table. “Are we betting or what?”

I grumble at the same time Marisa asks, “What are we betting on?”

Gavin and Shane lean closer to her, as if they’re divulging top-secret information.

“We always take bets on what ridiculous things will come out of our dad’s mouth. Give the man a mic, and he’s bound to say something embarrassing as shit,” Gavin tells her.

Shane points between himself and Gavin. “We think he’s going to go with the Stallone impression.”

“My money is on the McConaughey one,” Layla says.

Ariana nods. “Agreed. He’s going to do McConaughey.”

Marisa looks at me, amusement dancing in her eyes. “And you?” she asks. “What’s your bet.”

I shake my head. “No bet. I don’t participate in their shenanigans. Last time they made a bet, Elyse lost, and she and Shane didn’t speak for a week. They get too competitive.”

“Just admit you’re a pussy,” Shane says, his tone full of challenge.

Before I can reply with a comeback, Marisa yells out, “Hey! Don’t fucking talk to him like that.”

The table falls completely silent, and all heads turn to Marisa. Her eyes flare, as if she’s surprised by her own outburst. Layla and Ariana exchange a look with raised brows and rolled lips, like they want to smile. Seconds tick by, and then Gavin is the first to break.

He brings his closed fist to his mouth and his shoulders bounce in quick succession as a wheezing chuckle escapes him. Shane is fast to join him and together the two bust up laughing. Marisa looks at me confused and leans close to whisper in my ear.

“I was trying to defend you, but they seem to think it’s hilarious.”

Gavin clears his throat. “Damn, E, she’s a keeper.”

I wrap my arm around her and tuck her in at my side. “I know,” I say and then kiss Marisa’s forehead.

She melts into me and rubs her hand over my thigh. The movement short-circuits my thoughts, causing my dick to twitch. I place my hand over hers to stop her from doing any exploring under the cloak of the tablecloth. I’m not about to sport a boner surrounded by my siblings.

“Jesus Christ, get a room,” Shane says with a snicker before making a gagging noise.

Marisa’s eyes shoot daggers at him, but he ignores her, or he doesn’t give a shit.

The tables around us start to fill, and Marisa tries to engage me in random conversations to distract me. I love her for trying, even if it’s not really working. I don’t think events like this will ever get easier for me, but they’re definitely more tolerable with her by my side. She makes everything better by simply being there and noticing when I need a break. I didn’t think it was possible to find someone who understands all the parts of me I try to keep hidden. My own family—while they’re supportive—doesn’t quite get it.

“Want to get some air?” Marisa whispers in my ear, already scooting to the edge of her seat to stand.

I nod. “A short one. Before the speeches start.”

Instead of fighting the crowd, we take a side door that leads to a covered patio. The area is restricted, leaving just us two.

Black, wrought iron bistro tables line the railing. I take a seat in one of the chairs and Marisa curls up in my lap, winding her hands around my neck and resting her head on my chest.

“Your heart is beating so fast,” she whispers, but it comes out muffled because of the way her cheek is pressed against me.

“I know. I’m kind of used to it.”

We stay like that, cuddled together, for several minutes in comfortable silence. My hand rubs up and down her back, trying to keep her warm in this chilled spring air, while she stays wrapped around me. Now this I could do all night. The last thing I want to do is go back in and fake a smile, and act like I’m not a nervous wreck inside. But we can’t stay out here forever.

Without saying anything, we simultaneously untangle and start walking toward the patio door. Just as we reach it, the sound of tires ripping across gravel has us both turning our heads at the erratic sound.

A deputy sheriff cruiser whizzes by, kicking up a cloud of sand in its wake.

“What the hell?” I say under my breath.

“Did someone call the cops?” Marisa asks as her eyes fix on me, filled with panic.

“I have no fucking idea, but we better go find Elle.”

Marisa clutches my hand as I practically drag us to the entrance, where I suspect Elyse is.

When we get there, Elyse is on the phone. As soon as she spots me, she holds up her finger, indicating she needs a minute. The problem is, I don’t think we have a minute.

“Clore County Sheriff’s Department. Open up,” a booming voice yells on the other side of the door with two loud, banging knocks.

Elyse’s eyes nearly bug out of her head as she drops her phone and scurries to the door. She gestures her arm, waving it wildly for me to come with her.

I’m not sure if she’s waving me over because I’m the CEO or because I’m her older brother. Either way, I’m right next to her when she swings it open.

Standing at the entry, we’re met with a deputy sheriff staring back at us.

“We got calls of a noise complaint. Is there a manager I can speak to?”

Elyse crosses her arms and squares her shoulders, not one to shrink under the stare of someone trying to be intimidating. Cop or not.

“Bull fucking shit.”

My entire body freezes. I didn’t expect her to be so abrasive. He’s still a cop. Before I can cut in, she continues.

“Just exactly what are you trying to pull Dominic?”

Dominic?

I look at the deputy again. Really look at him. Shit . I can’t believe I didn’t recognize him. I think the uniform threw me off.

“Dom?” Our eyes meet, and he gives me a smirk. “Holy shit, man. I didn’t know you moved back.”

He moves toward me and clasps my hand in a brief shake as he claps me on the back.

“I’ve only been back a few weeks.” His eyes break from mine and go straight to Elyse, who’s still holding her rigid stance. “Hey, Ellie girl.”

Her shoulders tense even more, and her face pinches into a painful expression. “What are you doing here, Dominic? There isn’t really a noise complaint, is there?”

His chin dips, keeping his eyes on Elyse. “No, you got me. I heard it was your parents’ wedding anniversary and wanted to stop by and see everyone.”

“And you thought this stupid charade was the way to go?”

He rubs the back of his neck and tosses Elle a sheepish grin.

I can practically feel the irritation rolling off her, sharp and palpable, as if it could spark the air around us.

Marisa clears her throat, and I glance back at her, catching her eyes swinging like a pendulum between Elyse and Dom, trying to piece it all together.

Nodding my head, I gesture for her to come closer. “Baby, come meet Dom.”

Marisa steps forward and comes around to my side, tucking herself under my arm.

Dom reaches out to shake her hand. “Dominic Alvarez. I grew up here.”

“Marisa, Ethan’s girlfriend.”

Despite the icy air between Elyse and Dom, my chest still warms when I hear her call herself my girlfriend. I can’t wait until the title is wife, but girlfriend still makes my heart thunder.

As they shake hands, Dom says, “I’ve known the Ledgers a long time.”

Elyse scoffs. “Knew,” she corrects. “You knew us. You don’t anymore.”

Marisa’s stare is equally confused and amused.

“Should we go sit down?” I ask Marisa. Clearly, Elyse and Dom have some issues to work out and I want no part of it.

“Yes, let’s go sit before things get started,” Marisa says and then turns her focus to Dom. “It was nice meeting you.”

“Nice meeting you,” he tells Marisa, and then he nudges my chest. “Let’s catch up soon man, it’s been a long time.”

“Yeah,” I tell him. “You know where to find me.”

As soon as we’re out of earshot, Marisa ushers me into a quiet hallway outside the ballroom.

“Okay, spill. Who was that and why did Elyse look like she wanted to murder him?”

“Like he said, we’ve known him for a long time. He grew up with us. His family used to own a farm that bordered our property until they eventually sold it to us a few years ago, and we turned it into more vineyards.”

Marisa rolls her eyes at me. “Like I care about any of that. I want the juicy shit.”

I take a breath, not sure if Elyse would appreciate me talking about her personal life behind her back. But I also don’t keep things from Marisa.

“They dated in high school and a little into their first year of college. Elyse is the one who broke up with him, but for whatever reason, she’s harbored an anger toward him ever since, even though she insists he didn’t do anything wrong. None of us know exactly what went down, but he was friends with all of us before they dated, and the few times I’ve run into him, we’ve been friendly. They probably broke up because they were going to different colleges and the distance was too hard. Elle is being dramatic about the whole thing, because she’s dramatic about everything.”

Marisa’s lips purse, and her head cocks, taking in all the information.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look so affected by a guy. She looked pissed. I’m going to bet there’s a hell of a lot more to the story than some simple breakup. People get over stuff like that. It’s been, what, ten years?”

I shrug. I don’t like to speculate, and frankly, it’s none of my business. Unlike my siblings, I know when to not stick my nose somewhere it doesn’t belong.

“Enough about my sister and her love life, let’s go inside. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can get you home and naked.”

As I’m about to turn, Marisa grabs my tie and pulls me back.

“Just a few more minutes.” She stands on her tippy toes even though she’s already in high heels and wraps her arms around my neck, bringing my head down to hers. “Have I told you how good you look tonight?” she whispers against my mouth.

My senses are flooded with the smell of her signature vanilla as it mingles with the sip of wine she had earlier. She crashes her lips to mine with an unexpected eagerness. It takes me a second, but I’m quick to catch on and pull her close. My hands wander down to her luscious ass, and I grab each cheek roughly as I hoist her against me. She moans into my mouth, sending a tingle down my spine. If we were in the privacy of our bedroom, I’d be seconds away from being inside of her, but that’s not an option in this exposed hallway.

I draw away from her lips and nuzzle her neck. “What has gotten into you? You know I can’t fuck you out in the open, no matter how badly I want to be inside of you right now.”

She giggles and presses her body even closer, rolling it forward like she’s desperate to ride my cock.

Fucking hell. Maybe I will fuck her here after all.

“It’s just that I realized something,” she says, but I’m almost too distracted to hear her, my mind drifting to thoughts of the empty upstairs and the lock on my office door.

She taps on my chest, bringing my focus to her face. “Are you listening to me?” she exhales.

“All ears, baby.” I place a delicate kiss to the dip where her neck meets her shoulder. “What did you realize?”

“That I’m so lucky to have you. That we’re so lucky to have each other.”

The lust fog in my mind clears, and I pull back to meet her stare. Her eyes are slightly glassy, turning her chocolate browns into a black abyss, and there’s a tightness in her voice that makes my heart lurch. Her crying can bring me to my knees. In fact, it has brought me to my knees.

“Why are you crying, baby?”

“I’m not crying, just a little misty.” She sniffles. “Seeing Elyse get flustered over her ex reminded me that I have you to fight those battles for me and I never have to worry about stuff like that.”

“No, you fucking don’t,” I say firmly. “If that asshole comes within a mile of this town, I actually will kick his ass.”

She laughs a watery laugh. “No, what I mean is, I have you. I only want you. And that’s never going to change.”

“It better not.” I tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear and try to ignore the way my heart is hammering in my chest. I’m nervous, and I’m not entirely sure why.

“Ethan,” she says, meeting my eyes. “You’re it for me. No one, no ex, no other guy, is ever going to come along to make me question if you’re the one. You’re it, it’s only you, and I want you to know that. I know it’s only been a few months, and I’m sure I drive you crazy with my messes and my rambling and my obsession with trashy TV, but just know that I love you so fucking much and I’m so happy you’re mine and I’m yours.”

A burst of emotion starts to work its way up my throat, and I clench my jaw to hold it back. My hands settle around her jaw and cup her face to hold her gaze.

“I ever tell you how lucky I feel that you even gave me a chance? That I get to wake up to you every day? I’m so in love with you that I can’t remember the man I was before my heart belonged to you. And I don’t want to remember him. You make me better. I’m a better man because I want to be a man deserving of you. You’ve been it for me since day one and you’re going to be it for me until my heart stops beating. And even then, you bet your ass I’m finding you in the afterlife. It’s a forever kind of love, baby. And I’m yours”— I take her lips in mine and give her a soft kiss—“always.”

Eventually we leave the hallway and join the rest of the partygoers. My dad does his McConaughey impression, and my siblings exchange money across the table. The celebration passes in a whirl as speeches are conducted and my parents do a repeat of their first dance from thirty-five years ago. As I watch my parents, I can’t help but wonder if one day it will be me and Marisa. If one day, we’ll be the ones celebrating our thirty-fifth anniversary in a room full of friends and family. I highly doubt my anxiety will ease with age, but I wouldn’t be opposed to celebrating the day with any kids we might have.

That’s the amazing thing about our relationship, with Marisa by my side, the possibilities are endless. She’s a rare find and the perfect match for me.