Epilogue
The sun’s light streaming through the bedroom windows woke Rory. After getting out of bed, she pulled on her robe, raised her arms above her head, stretched, and smelled bacon frying. Her stomach growled.
She made her way to the kitchen to see Wilder standing at the stove with his back to her. Her eyes skimmed down his back to his ass in those sweatpants. She slowly crept to him and slipped her arms around his waist from behind.
“Good morning,” she said as she kissed his back.
“Good morning, darlin’. How did you sleep?”
“Wonderful. How about you?”
“Great. It’s nice to wake up without pain. Go take a seat, and I’ll fry you some eggs.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
He glanced over his shoulder at her. “I know. Take a seat because I want to show you something after breakfast.”
“Oooh, what is it? Will it be something in the bedroom?”
Wilder chuckled. “No. Please, sit.”
“All right. You’re the boss… for now.”
“Hell, I lost that title when I first saw you.”
Rory laughed, then watched him moving around the kitchen preparing breakfast. She was so happy that his wound had healed, and he was getting around without pain.
She smiled at him when he placed a plate down in front of her. Then he got his and sat at the table with her. He winked at her as he picked up his fork and dug into his eggs.
Picking up her fork, she did the same, and it wasn’t long before they finished.
Wilder picked up the plates, utensils, and coffee mugs and then put them in the sink. He turned to look at her, leaned back against the counter, and folded his arms.
“You are beautiful,” he murmured.
“Thank you. So are you.”
He smirked. “You didn’t think so when you first met me, but I did about you. I hated that you could have been married. I was so glad to find out you weren’t.”
Pushing off the counter, he strolled to her, cupped her face in his hands, pressed his lips to hers, then slowly raised them.
“I’m glad you had to shave that beard. I was so attracted to you, but I hated it.”
“All you had to do was ask me to shave it.” He grinned.
“Yeah, right.”
“Baby, I was so attracted to you. I would do anything you asked of me.”
“I’ll think of some things.” She laughed when he groaned.
“Let’s get dressed, then I’ll show you the surprise. I hope you like it.”
“I’ll love anything you give me, Wilder.”
“Same here. Come on.” He took her hand, pulled her up from the chair, and led her to the bedroom, where they dressed and met in the kitchen. They both tugged on their boots, removed their hats from the pegs, put them on, and went out.
“It’s still hot, but it won’t be long before it snows,” Rory said.