Epilogue

*A year and a half later*.

"Congratulations! I need to see the ring."
The four bodies crammed into Ivory's office space were blissful in the news. The two men chatted over matters of the best man and Ivory and Zoey stood admiring the engagement ring.

"It's so beautiful!" Ivory commented as if it were the first time seeing the ring. She had long been involved in the proposal plan and the news today came as no shock. Every cell in her body exploded with happiness, the joy and contentment on Zoey's face was infectious! They all felt it.
Zoey chatted for a bit and then returned to work at the end of the lunch hour, Felix accompanying her, leaving Ivory and Raiden alone.

"You know that could have been us, announcing our marriage to our friends but you had to reject me." Raiden lamented, walking around her desk and sitting in her chair proudly, gifting her a teasing smile. Ivory blushed, a trait that has accompanied her for the past year and a half.
She walked around her desk and stood face to face with him, hopping up into a seated position on her desk, crossing her legs teasingly. Raiden's eyes caught on her bare flesh, his hands itching to wrap them around his waist.

"I did not reject you." She responded boldly. His eyes trailing from her legs to her face, he leaned back in the chair to get a better view of her.

"I asked, you said no." he reminded her.

"That wasn't a proposal," she replied dismissively. Raiden scoffed.

"Oh?"

"Casually asking me if we should get married is not a proposal." she enlightened.

"So proposing now is..." he let the sentence trail off.

"Out of the question! It needs to be a surprise." She answered insistently.

"I can't seem to please you!" he held her hand in his, rubbing his thumb back and forth against her skin.
Ivory laughed, hooking her arms around his neck. "I am happy with us now. I don't need a ring or a wedding to love you any more than I already do." she placed a chaste kiss on his forehead.

The past year and a half had its obstacles, even threatening to tear them apart for a second time. Raiden's mother had yet to accept Ivory although now, in order to maintain a relationship with her son she had ceased her villainous attacks on Ivory and their relationship following Raiden's threat to remove her from his life altogether. They even had dinner with his parents once in a while, his mother's temper quite changed from when Ivory had first met her. She and Raiden believed that his mother was coming around, realizing that most of her assumptions had been false and unreasonably held, but they were prepared to be patient with her.
As for Ivory's family, she feared that was one story unrewarded with a happy ending. Ever since she had become a full-time writer her family seemed to renew their distaste for her and her new life. Her mother had called revoking her previous invitation to return home, her father radio silent on all ends. It was only her brother, Ivan, who'd visit her from time to time. Their relationship had always been strong, and through the years he had continued to support her choices. So with these instances on both ends, Ivory felt that their wedding shouldn't be rushed, she wanted to enjoy her time with him, mend the fences that were capable of mending so that their future would be smoother.

"Does this mean you are no longer angry at me?" Raiden questioned, drawing her attention back to him. She had been cold to him all day because he had neglected to keep their appointment the night before. He was extremely embarrassed by it, especially since it happened twice in the last two weeks.
Ivory gazed blankly at him as if he were speaking nonsense and then as if hit by lightning she reanimated.

"Of course not!" she folded her arms across her chest. "You have been neglecting me recently. No wonder I don't want to become your wife." she feigned annoyance, but these words were not amusing to Raiden. He grabbed hold of her, pulling her off the table and onto his lap. Ivory fell into Raiden, her face inches away from him. His face grew intense, Ivory's heart rate quickening without any further encouragement.

"How about I make up for my neglect with some *special* attention?" the words were whispered sinisterly into her ear. He held one arm behind her to keep her in place while the other hand began its journey from her shin. He drew circles into her skin, moving higher and higher. His eyes focused on the slight parting of her lip and his hand moved under her skirt to trail circles into her thigh. His blood heating as her lower lip was caught between her teeth and her hands strengthened their grasp on him. He buried his head in the crook of her neck, his lips mimicking the motion of his fingers on her thighs. She moved her head back, granting him greater access; her breathing growing heavier.
His fingers moved further, caressing her most intimate part, Ivory gasped. Her hand immediately pulling at Raiden's hair. Her eyes staring into his, her cheeks flushed.

"What if someone walks in?" she questioned breathlessly.

"Who would dare?" he attempted to kiss her but she pulled away before his lips could capture hers. She knew if he kissed her she would lose any further ability to protest.

"Raiden," she replied. Her eyes pleading with him.

"Do you really want me to stop?" he cocked his head to the side and stared into her eyes.

"I-I." she couldn't answer him.
Raiden smiled, he guided her off of him, her body feeling cold at the retraction of his heat. He rose from the seat and made his way to the door. Ivory lowered her head, her entire body shaking. He had pulled her door closed and locked it from the inside. He closed the distance between them again, drawing her office phone to his ear.

"Did you think I was leaving?" he questioned, his body close to hers. She could feel the heat radiating off him, inviting her to lean in.

"Ivory and I are not available until further instruction." he barked into the receiver as her assistant picked it up, placing the phone in its rightful home once he was done.
Ivory gazed at him, her lips parting slightly again.

"I am not done with you. Not by a long shot." he clarified, dragging her into him, his lips colliding into hers. He drew her up and placed her on the desk, his fingers continuing his previous assault, picking up from where he had left off. He pressed his lips against hers, drowning out her cries, her fingers digging into his back. Her hand gripping his wrist, causing him to pause his seductive rhythm.

"I want you inside of me." she swallowed, her lips dry. Her fingers reaching for his belt. It was his turn to grab hold of her hands.

"I don't have any protection." the words unable to phase her.

"You'll take responsibility for me, right?" her eyes housing a silent, insistent plea.

Raiden smiled at her lovingly. "Always." he placed a lingering kiss on her forehead. His hands aiding her in removing his belt and trousers.