Whoa.I freeze mid-thought. My eyes are not so heavy anymore as they widen at the realization of the words that came too easy.Did I really just think that?
Love.
It popped into my head so naturally. Something that should feel huge, even terrifying, doesn’t. Instead, it’s simple…effortless. And honestly, when it comes to Hudson and the way he makes me feel, it’s the only word that fits.
I keep trying to pay attention to the movie, to count Hudson’s slow, steady breaths beside me, but my brain won’t stop spinning. All the what-ifs, worst-case scenarios refusing to let go.
On top of all the overthinking, my dad’s face keeps flashing through my mind. The feeling of knowing that somewhere out there, he’s getting angrier by the second, and all of it is pointed right at Hudson. The thought of him tracking us down, hurting Hudson to teach a lesson, makes my chest seize up. I want to ask again whether we’re really safe here, and whether he’s sure no one could have followed us.
But I don’t.
If I did, he’d only hold me tighter and tell me the same thing he always does,“Let him try.”
And with everything in me, I want so badly to believe him. I really do. But that tiny part of me still can’t stop wondering.
I close my eyes for a second, letting the movie fade into the background—gunshots, engines, the low rumble of his voice when he mutters a curse word at something dumb on the screen. He runs his hand through my hair, and the simple act makes my whole body relax. I take a deep breath and try to memorize everything in the present: the smell of wood smoke, the roughness of Hudson’s palm against my scalp, and the warmth coming off him.
This time, sleep pulls at me harder, but I resist. I want tonight to last as long as possible. I want to make another memory I can hold on to forever, even if everything falls apart tomorrow.
“You’re knocking out on me,” Hudson murmurs, his mouth pressed to the top of my head, his voice full of affection.
I smile into his shirt, not quite ready to admit how exhausted I really am. “Hmm? No, just resting.”
He chuckles. “We can call it a night. It is getting late. Do you want to go to bed?”
The question is innocent, but something about the way he says it makes my skin tingle. I nod, but I don’t move right away. I want to stay like this as long as I can. But when he shifts, stretching, I let him help me up. His hand finds mine, grounding me as he leads us through the small cabin and down the hallway.
The bedroom is dim. The only light shining is the moon coming through the half-cracked blinds. Hudson lets me walk in first, while he waits in the doorway. I stand by the bed, suddenly shy, hugging myself. He crosses the room in two steps, pulls back the covers, and nods for me to climb in.
I slip under the blankets, heart racing, as my nerves rattle with anticipation and something deeper. Hudson strips off his shirt and tosses it onto a chair. Next goes his pants. My breath hitches at the sight of him completely naked; all broad shoulders and hard muscles, scars that run like secrets across his chest. I look down, my eyes landing on his cock. He’s thick, long, and heavy. The soft, flushed flesh, dark and veiny, juts up from a nest of dark hair.
He’s beautiful.
Dangerous looking.
My mouth instantly goes dry, and the way his eyes flick to my neck, I know he can see the pulse hammering in my throat.
His brown eyes meet mine, and he smiles, sweet but wicked, before sliding in beside me.
For a moment, we let ourselves lie there in the quiet. I listen to the crickets chirping outside, the wind in the trees. Every part of my body throbs for the man lying beside me. My nipples are tight, and my pussy is soaked and aching. I want to feel him inside me and for his thickness to stretch and fill me up until I can’t think of anything else.
Why am I all of a sudden nervous?It’s not like we haven’t already had sex or that I haven’t been vocal about what I’ve wanted before.I ball my hands into fists, fighting the urge to reach over and wrap my palm around his length.But what if he’s too tired? What if he doesn’t want me tonight?
Not being able to help myself any longer, I roll toward him, my heart pounding.
“Hudson?” I whisper, sliding a hand over his chest.
He turns to face me, concern reflecting in his eyes. “Ivory, are you okay?”
Instead of answering, I push myself up until I’m straddling his waist, my mouth crashing to his. Kissing him in a way that’s messy, hungry, and nowhere near sweet. Hudson stills, surprised for half a second, then his hands grip my hips. His strong and possessive fingers dig into my flesh as he presses me tight against him, feeling his hardness through my leggings. He kisses me back, open-mouthed, forcing his tongue past my lips.
One hand moves up to fist my hair, tugging my head back so he can bite along my jaw, my neck. The light stubble on his chin scraped against my skin, making me arch for more. I grind down on him more, desperate, feeling the thick ridge of his cock slide against my pussy through the thin cotton. It’s not enough. I want skin, want everything. And apparently Hudson feels the same.
“Take your clothes off.”
Without missing a beat, I hook my thumbs in the waistband of my pants and tug them down, before pulling the sweatshirt over my head. I’m glad I didn’t bother with underwear or a bra after my shower earlier today. Talk about a major inconvenience at this time.
I sit back down, giving myself enough access for my greedy hands to wrap around his heavy, hot length. He hisses, bucking up into my grip, his jaw clenched tight.
