by Marie Medina
Epilogue
Four Months Later
Alec wiped the sweat off his forehead. Christian was mowing the lawn, and Alec had just finished weeding the flowerbeds along the fence. Now, he was inspecting the blooms and leaves on the roses growing on the arbor. Christian laughed at him because he worried over the roses so much, but he really wanted them to be beautiful for their first summer in their home. Alec had spent weeks researching to decide which kind to plant and to learn how to care for them.
The sound of ice tinkling against glass got his attention, and he realized the lawnmower had stopped. He turned to find Christian handing him a glass of lemonade.
“I’m sure goblins didn’t poison them during the night,” Christian said, taking a long pull from his own glass.
Alec accepted the cold beverage, holding it against his face before taking a drink. “You never know. I hear lots of noises out here at night.”
Christian nodded toward the house to the right of them. “That’s Morris, Mrs. Scott’s cat. He jumps from her carport to our garage and then down onto the roof of the sunroom.”
“Peeping Tom, huh?” Alec said, unable to resist the joke.
Christian shook his head, but he still laughed. “Well, you do put on a good show. With all those plants, he has to jump on the roof to see the good stuff.”
“You should be glad I put those in for privacy, the things you keep doing to me in there.” Alec finished his drink and set the glass down on the little shelf on the inside of the arbor.
“You love it.” Christian set his glass down as well and walked around the arbor. “They’re going to be beautiful, and they already have some nice blooms. You did a great job.”
Alec pulled Christian into his arms. “We did a great job.”
Christian shrugged. “I’m just muscle, good for pushing the mower around.”
“I like those muscles. And you pushing the mower around.” Alec kissed his cheek. “And accosting me in the hot tub.” Another kiss. “And the kitchen.” He brushed a kiss over Christian’s neck. “And the garage.”
Christian tried to wiggle out of Alec’s arms. “I’m sweaty, Alec.”
“So am I. And I like you all sweaty and hot and dirty. Damn good reason to shower together.”
“And what about that door you wanted your big, strong lover to fix?”
“Hmmm,” Alec said, pretending to ponder the question. “That’s a tough one.” He ran his hands under Christian’s shirt. “Fix it with your shirt off, and I’ll let you do it now. Then, we shower.”
Christian finally managed to pull away, stripping his shirt off and tossing it back at Alec as he walked into the house. “If you insist.”
Alec laughed and caught the shirt. He sighed happily as he grabbed their empty glasses and headed into the house, which felt like home more each day as he and Christian slowly built beautiful memories in it. He’d pictured himself living alone most of his life after his parents died, never imagining he’d find anyone he truly wanted to build a life with permanently. Despite some setbacks, and thanks to many hard-learned lessons, he knew he and Christian were meant to be. The love and trust that continued growing between them confirmed the reality of the happiness that swelled in Alec’s heart every time he thought of Christian.
About the Author
Marie Medina was born in northern New England and raised by her pale, mysterious godfather in a dark gothic mansion on the edge of her small, sleepy town. He didn’t turn out to be a Bronte hero or a vampire, as she thought when she was very young, but he is her best friend and the standard by which she measures all her heroes (and suitors). She has been writing since the age of eleven and has no intention of stopping any time soon.
https://mariemedina.weebly.com/
Also by Marie Medina
Arundel: Volume 1 (Rose-Scented Kiss and Midnight Rose, MF)
Arundel: Volume 2 (Wild Roses, Antique Roses, and Roses & Thorns, MM)
The Veiled Court (His Prince Submits, Defying His Fate, and Caressed By Shadow, MM trilogy)
The Goblin King's Lovers (MMF)
Kiss Me Again (MM)
Yes, My Lord (MMM)
Unmasked (MM)
Loving Arms (MM)
His Warm Kiss (MF)
Wolves at the Door (MMM)
Olympians Series (MF):
Poseidon’s Bride
Lesson in Love
Arcadian Nights
Sweet Cry of Pleasure
Descent into Desire
Elysian Dreams
Love’s Forge
Valladora Series (MM):
Tasting Cherry Blossoms (The Year of Hearts, 1)
Saving His Mate (The Year of Hearts, 2)
Needing His Demon (The Year of Hearts, 3)
The Wolf's Mate (The Year of Stars, 1)
The Dragon's Lover (The Year of Stars, 2)
The Vampire's Kiss (The Year of Stars, 3)
His Reluctant Tiger (The Year of Eyes, 1)
His Wild Wolf (The Year of Eyes, 2)
His Defiant Leopard (The Year of Eyes, 3)
Chasing His Mate (The Year of Moons, 1)
At His Mercy (The Year of Moons, 2)
Possessing His Demon (The Year of Moons, 3)
Taste Me (The Year of Gods, 1)
Bind Me (The Year of Gods, 2)
Claim Me (The Year of Gods, 3)
His Insatiable Bear (The Year of Suns, 1)
Bound and Bitten (The Year of Suns, 2)
Catching His Fox (The Year of Suns, 3)
His Second Chance (The Year of Blood 1)
Valladora Tales:
Desire and Duty (MF)
Owen and the Beast (MM)
Assassin's Return (MM)
Reforming Her Vampire (MF)
Wolves in the Fae Court (MM):
Hunted by His Alpha
Claimed by His Beta
Taken by His Warrior
Tamed by His Omega
Be My Bad Boy (MF)
Reaper's Reward (MF)
In the Wolf's Tower (Naughty Fairy Tale, MF)
Phantom Lovers (MMF) *FREE READ*
Somewhere Only We Know (MM)
Moon Eyes (MF)
Taming His Beast (MMM)
Gothic (MM)
With the Boys in the Band (MMF)
Claiming His Bride (MF)
Journey Home (MF)
Tales of the Highwaymen:
Stand and Deliver (Book 1 MF)
Your Money or Your Life (Book 2 MM)
All Mine (Book 3 MM)
Submitting to Their Laird (Book 4 MMM)
Strange Magic (Book 5 MM)
His Dark Kiss (MF with MFM scenes)
Vampire Christmas (MF)
Make Me Yours (MF)
His Brother Keeps Her (The Wrong Bed 1, MF)
His Brother's Best Friend (The Wrong Bed 2, MM)
Kiss of the Moon (Dark Moon 1, MF)
Curse of the Moon (Dark Moon 2, MF)
Blood of the Moon (Dark Moon 3, MF)
Shadow of the Moon (Dark Moon 4, MF)