Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 114281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114281 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
And I throw the tissues I used in the trash as my tears have dried up, and I say, “That’s not all he can lift.”
And after staring at each other for a few seconds, everyone except Soren bursts out into laughter.
Just like that.
Every inch of uncomfortable tension has disappeared, and all that’s left is a new beginning. And hope for a better future. For all of us.
“What’s so funny?” Soren asks while everyone laughs.
And I get up and walk over to him, kissing him on the cheek. “I’ll tell you another time.”
Epilogue
April
After we said goodbye to Natalie and Noah, she gave me her number so I could contact her any time I wanted. I don’t know yet if I’m going to, but maybe it would be nice to get both our experiences out there to clear the air and start fresh.
We’ve been through so much together that it’s hard to lose a friend like that, and I don’t want to take our connection for granted.
Still, I’m happy that they’ve gone back and I’m still here in the safety of my home.
The last pennies I had were spent on getting clothes for Soren so he could get a proper job. Not one in fighting or where he can hurt people … but a job that makes him feel like he can actually do something with his body—a bouncer at a club.
I mean, he didn’t feel anything for learning something new or going to school. He doesn’t seem like the type to study the books either. Besides, plenty of clubs and bars are looking for a beastly man like him to keep out the unwanted guests.
It makes him feel like he can actually help out, and I’ve noticed he’s much happier since he started this job. It’s like he’s a completely changed man, filled with excitement and wonder. Like for the first time, he’s experiencing the world the way it was meant to be experienced.
And that brings joy to my heart too.
It also helps that he brings in some money, of course.
Can’t keep running this house on empty pockets. And now that he lives here with me, he has to keep up with his share. Luckily, he does help clean up, though he hasn’t stopped making a mess out of everything he does.
Laundry, making his bed, eating … it’s all so very … violent.
And it still causes arguments. And wet, hot sex.
Literally everywhere.
On the couch.
In the shower.
On the bed.
In the yard at night.
Oh, God.
Just thinking about it gets me all flustered again as I knead the dough in my bowl. My next creation is sure going to have some inspiration. A lady from down the street requested an X-rated cake for her bachelorette party, and I know just what kind of body to sculpt on top.
I’ve been fortunate enough that the people who live here love cakes and that I’m the first homemade baker in town. It’s surely driven up my sales, especially with my story of a penniless girl just looking to make it.
No one knows the true story behind my struggles.
And I don’t intend to tell anyone either.
Not because I don’t wish the House and those damn cults would cease to exist, I do.
But because Soren is connected to all of it, and I don’t want to endanger him.
So I’ve decided I’m not going to pursue anything and just be content with what I have, right now, here in this warm home of mine, where the only person who has ever made me feel loved is sneaking up behind me to try to surprise me.
“I can hear you,” I say, smirking.
He grunts. “Why?” He throws his arms around me and hugs me tight, pressing a kiss to my cheeks.
“Because you walk like a giant,” I reply, turning my head for a kiss. “I can hear you coming from a mile away.” I grin and plant another kiss against his lips. “But I like it that way. Makes me all giddy.”
“Hmm … Fine,” he grumbles, and he wraps his hands around my belly. “What are you making?”
“Some girl a few blocks down ordered this,” I reply, snorting while adding some cream.
Soren frowns. “That looks like my dick.”
A filthy smile appears on my cheeks. “Does it?”
“You … you did that on purpose, didn’t you?” he growls in my ear, and his hands become a little too touchy-feely.
“Wait, I need to finish this,” I say, trying to perfect it.
But he won’t take his hands off me, and he dives between my legs like he wants to put the cream somewhere else.
“I want to finish you.”
A blush creeps onto my cheeks, but then my eyes widen because I remember what I wanted to show him.
The thing I completely forgot about because it happened this morning.
And I’ve been busy baking this cake all day.
“Wait.”
He leans back. “What?”