Epilogue
Mi Luna
───⋅☾ ☽⋅───
For the first time in almost four years, I returned to Ameria. Truthfully, I hadn't expected to come back after I moved to the city for my internship. But at the same time, I didn't expect a lot of things to happen the way they did.
I couldn't help but look around the strip with a fond gaze.
The cafes I frequented. The bars. Clubs. The small shops. The tattoo parlour. Blackstone Ink.
One of those places would be closing.
Spike was apparently older than I gave him credit for because he surprised Myles and I last month with the statement; he'd be closing down his business and moving to a state down south. Myles, always refusing to show how much someone or something was affecting him, acted nonchalant. But as we drove to the retirement party yesterday, he'd been gripping the wheel a little too tight.
During the party, though, Spike made it known that he'd still be visiting Myles every other month, and expected the same in return. He fervently refused, but I quickly noticed how his expression softened a smidge.
I liked to think Myles has become more emotionally available, but I've concluded that part of him only applies to me.
When we returned from Greece all those years ago, I moved back with my parents, since they lived close to Lillian's building. I hadn't expected Myles to follow me, but he wasn't kidding when he said he wasn't planning on leaving me. Before the summer ended, he'd already moved to Detroit.
Living with my parents was healing, though. A little hectic because during that time, they gave birth to my little brother, Ares. But with the encouragement from Myles, I managed to sit them down and tell them what I heard, and how it all made me feel.
Mom cried. Dad teared up. For the week after that, they told me to call in sick and warn Myles that they'd be taking me on a trip.
Although, as much as I loved them, I didn't last a year before I moved out. Into Myles' apartment.
Ever since then, life moved forward. Myles created a loyal base of customers who sought him out for his work. Word of mouth was also extremely effective because it wasn't long until he was able to open up his own shop in the city. Four years weren't a lot, but to him, he's managed to grow so much as a person, and with his work. Granted, he'd only ever colour for me—technically, he'd only colour a picture of me—but he's stopped his past from hanging over his head.
He spoke to Remi.
Well, he spoke to him a few months after we got back together. For that time, he'd felt a ton of things. Anger was one of them—he still hated Remi for how he treated me—but he no longer envied him. He was nervous.
Remi took it better than we both expected. He confronted Lillian and Preston and went low contact with them after he got confirmation that they knew about Myles but refused to adopt him. Lillian never got angry. She managed to convince Myles to have dinner with them—with me there—and I liked to believe that I mediated the situation, because after the end of that year, things started to look up.
Remi and I would never be best friends again, but I think we both changed because of Myles, and that brought us closer again. Although, sometimes Remi would playfully flirt with me to annoy his brother—which Myles had low tolerance for.
I didn't mind because hate sex with Myles was phenomenal.
Working for Lillian gave me good experience, and I felt terrible when I accepted a higher paid position with another company as an investigative journalist. Myles said was fitting because I've never stopped asking questions. Not that he complains. He still cashed in on kisses every night.
I was still stuck in memory lane when I spotted a familiar door in the corner of my eye. My mouth curved into a small, nostalgic smile when I stopped in front of my favourite bars. Our favourite bar.
I opened the door and strolled inside with a faint smile before sitting on an empty stool. Myles and Spike went somewhere thirty minutes ago, so I had some time to myself before we headed back home.
And I'm not driving so...
"A double shot of vodka, please." The bartender acknowledged me with a sharp nod before rummaging behind the bar.
The second he placed the shot in front of me, I threw it back before hissing through my teeth. "That doesn't go as smooth as I remember." I smacked my lips together before sheepishly smiling. "One more?"
He narrowed his eyes on me, and I fought the urge to squirm until his scrutinizing gaze. It's like he could spot a lightweight anywhere.
Thankfully, he did as I asked, and I took the shot with a little more grace.
Next to me, someone filled the empty seat, and my body came alive, just as the newcomer spoke roughly, "Whisky. Neat."
Myles.
Already feeling the effects of the alcohol, I gleefully spun my stool around to face my boyfriend of nearly four years. His eyes were already fixated on me.
I could tell he was struggling to keep a neutral expression, but when his gaze lowered to my smile, the corner of his mouth quirked. I used the opportunity to violate him with my eyes.
He never grew out his hair after he cut it the first time. When I badgered him with a thousand why questions—I paid for it later—he explained that he liked when I shamelessly played with his hair before bed. So, he's kept the Flynn Rider hairstyle, not that I was complaining.
While his skin already carried a deep, golden tan, he looked darker underneath dimmer light. When I dropped my gaze to his shirt, I fought back a moan. Something about turtlenecks and Myles turned me on—more than usual. Especially since he introduced cable knit sweaters into his closet. And grey looked amazing on him.
I was already leaning in to kiss him when he said, "I'm Myles."
It took a second for me to replay what he said. When I caught his hazel eyes gleaming, I sat straighter. A sensual smirk curled my mouth as I rested my chin on my hand.
"Althea." I threw a leg over the other. "What are you doing on this fine night, Myles?"
His eyes hooded on my legs. "Well, right now I'm wondering what's got you drinking."
"Would you believe it if I said you?" I gently angled my foot toward his calf. His chin lowered, and shadows darkened his features.
"How much did you have to drink, Althea?"
"Enough to feel something," I sang sweetly, running my foot to the back of his knee. Without pants, I knew he was ticklish there. Unfortunately, he didn't jerk away. Stupid jeans.
"And what do you wanna feel?"
As if expecting my answer, he leaned forward, dropping his gaze to my month. Keeping one hand supporting my chin, I angled my body toward him. I lowered a hand onto his knee, and he stiffened from my touch.
"Well, a bunch of things," I explained aimlessly while my finger drew shapes on his knee. "But one thing's for sure. I wanna feel full."
His eyes turned black. "Full?"
I hummed innocently. "Full. Think you can help me with that, Myles?"
"You flirting with me?"
"Glad you noticed," I grinned widely, but he was too busy dragging his heated eyes over every inch of me. "What do you say?"
He looked like he was a second away from lifting me off my seat and dragging me out of the bar. Instead, he clenched his jaw and pushed his head back with a tsk.
"Can't."
That made my jaw fall, and I swiftly stopped touching him. "Why not? I'm giving you full invitation to fuck me, Myles—or is that your real name? You could be a Steven, or a Chad or a Brad. Is that why? Are you embarrassed by your name? Do you have an inferiority complex? Wait... are you a virgin?"
Myles fought a smile, but his eyes glowed in amusement. Unlike everyone else, he never found my ramblings or my lack of filter embarrassing. To him, he didn't care if people were watching—or judging. Over the years, he's stated how much he loves my rants. His enjoyment made my slap-facing urges go away.
"Definitely not a virgin," he drawled in that deep, gruff voice of his. It made me squeeze my legs together. "And not a Brad or Chad."
"Steven, then?"
He snorted a laugh before he could stop himself.
"I got this woman I'm madly fucking obsessed with." His voice carried a casual tone, but his eyes fiercely pierced mine.
"You're obsessed with someone?" I sat straighter and threw my hair back. "She sounds amazing. And cool. And smart."
He cracked a tight smile. "She is. And then some. Way too fucking good for me. Forgives me every time I pull stupid shit."
"Maybe she finds your stupid shit adorable."
His eyes flared. "She does. Don't know why, though."
"You look like you like cuddling." It wasn't even a lie. This man was a damn koala bear in bed.
He barked a laugh. "Althea, don't go spreading rumours."
I arched a brow. "Is it a rumour?"
He reached for his drink and slowly sipped the dark liquid while his eyes dragged over me. "Maybe you can help me."
"With what? This mysteriously hot girlfriend of yours?"
He made a noise of agreement. "We met here exactly four years ago. But I fucked up that day."
Pushing my shoulders back, I ignored how my heart raced at the mention of our past. "How so?" I pretended to ignorantly asked.
"Came up to her for all the wrong reasons. But she doesn't know she got to me the second she started talking."
"You don't look like someone who enjoys listening to people talk."
He almost smiled. "You're right. She has a pretty voice though. And a very expressive face. She makes you feel like you're in the story with her. And her eyes don't pull away from you. Like she wants you to know she's looking at you, and only you."
"Why would she look away from you? You're so pretty."
I thought my flirting would put it into perspective for him. Myles, I want you to dick me down. Flirting equals I want that dick. Let me have your cock. I'm horny as hel—
"She thinks so too." His expression sobered, but he never pulled his eyes away from mine. "But I think she's prettier."
He's so good at smooth-talking that I blush, only to scold myself. I'm supposed to be in control.
I started to reach for his thigh when he puffed out his chest. "I've been planning to put a ring on the girl since she graduated university, but I stopped myself from going too fast." His expression turned sour. "Ironic, because I normally run the fuck away. But she... I never want to run away from her."
Everything froze, and it felt like I got splashed with cold water when I saw his eyes nervously trailing over me. "Myles..."
He shot off the bar stool, kicked it to the side and fell on one knee. I would have laughed if I wasn't choking on air.
Suddenly, there was a dark red velvet box in his hand. He fumbled with the lid, his anxiety tangible until the box flicked open, revealing white gold diamond ring.
My eyes instantly watered with further inspection. The band had leaves and vines with a diamond in the centre. It was simplistic but perfect.
"Mi princesa, mi amor, mi media naranja," he began hoarsely, holding the box tighter, "As much as I wish we met somewhere more romantic—and on better circumstances—I've never told you that I have no regrets. No matter what selfish, fucked up thing I did, it led me to you, mi sol."
"So, I had to propose here, because this is the beginning of where I fell in love with you. Without you, I'd be so fucking lost, princess. I'd be lost looking for you, even though I never met you. Sin ti mi vida no tiene sentido."
My eyes tumbled to the back of his hand holding the box. The same hand he tattooed two years ago. The vibrant sun stared back at me.
Tears slid down my cheeks before I could stop it. Myles, clearly not expecting to see me emotional, looked tortured.
"Althea—"
"Yes. Are you crazy? Obviously yes," I choked out, wiping my cheeks before he shot to his feet.
He slammed his mouth to mine, and I eagerly wrapped my arms around him. He pushed me harder into his chest and slanted his mouth before the kiss turned desperate. Hungry.
"Te amo," he rasped in my mouth, "I love you so fucking much."
My eyes were still watering when I whispered, "I love you so fucking much too."
He held me tighter, like he didn't want me to pull away. I choked on a disbelieving laugh. "We've been together for four years. Why were you so nervous, baby?"
"I can be confident all I want, princess, but you fucking wreck me. Never know what to expect from you," he said, his forehead against mine while he watched his hand greedily rub my waist.
I played with his hair. "You're adorable."
His eyes darkened before he squeezed me. "And you're stuck with me. Gave you plenty of opportunities to leave, princess."
"I'd never leave."
"It's too late anyways," he grunted, pulling me in for a short, hard kiss. "Let's go to our room. I want to fuck my fiancée."
I was grinning so hard my mouth started to hurt. "Fiancée. I like the sound of that."
He kept one arm around me as he paid for our drinks. The bartender wore a faint smile before giving Myles our bill. The moment we were outside, he unsurprisingly stuffed a hat on my head before lifting me over his shoulder.
I squealed and pinched his butt, only to cough out a laugh when I caught a snippet of purple underneath his shirt.
"You're wearing the eggplant boxers I bought you!"
I actually bought him a dozen of funny boxers over the years. He wore them when I was having a bad day.
His reply sounded sheepish. "For good luck."
He dug his nails into my thigh warningly when I cooed.
He stopped in front of Blackstone Ink—we were staying in his old room—and unlocked the door. I playfully drew circles on his tight butt.
"You know, maybe I should make another list," I told him casually, and I felt him become rigid. "Things I didn't put in the last list. Oh! Maybe we can finally go to a sex club togeth—"
He slammed the door and strode fast before throwing me somewhere. The air got knocked from me when I landed on a tattoo bed, right before he climbed on top of me, like a caged man eager for his first meal.
"Told you you're stuck with me, princess," he lowered his voice to a deep snarl, "But I don't mind showing you why you don't need anyone else in your cunt but me."
He shoved a hand inside my pants and found my clit within seconds. "Yes... Myles."
His chest vibrated in low groan when I arched into his hand. "This is gonna be a long night, fiancée."
Despite my arousal being hiked up to a thousand, I still managed to teasingly whisper, "Si, mi luna."
He flattened himself on top of me. The moment he roughly growled, I knew any restrained he had, disappeared. Not too long later, he ripped off my clothes and made me scream his name, repeatedly showing me how he was forever going to be the only one for me.
I didn't mind it one bit.
THE END.
... now for the authors note
Thank you all for reading
The Checklist (Explicit Version)!
I loved writing this story every minute,
so I hope you enjoyed reading them
just as much :)
As for my next book, it's a spin-off
of my Dynasties Series! It's coming
out April 19th, if you want to check
it out! I've officially posted the cover/
synopsis :)
Again, thank you all for reading.
Your comments and support are
always the highlight of doing,
well... all of this.
wishing you a great long weekend
loves, and I hope to see you in a
few weeks x